Based in Toronto, The Airplane Boys bring a unique energy and excitement to the stage with their revolutionary sound. The duo of Beck Motley and Bon Voyage embody the essence of a new generation and draw their inspiration from an eclectic range of sources. The Airplane Boys manage to combine an international palette of art, design, fashion, technology and music that sets them apart from everyone else.
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
We make music that echoes sounds from the beautiful future. We travel, capture culture and put it in song form. We’ve performed for thousands around the world, sharing our life story and inspiring people to pursue their own dreams.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
Creation and self-expression through art has always been a part of us from a young age. We grew up as best friends with an undying passion for music. We performed at school talent shows, freestyles at recess and even family functions to get our feet wet. By the time we got to college, performing at local clubs and jazz festivals with the company of Beck’s older cousin’s band was a regular thing. We went with the name The Airplane Boys and formed the crew/governing body Beau Monde (Beautiful World in French) with our like-minded brothers and started creating an art house movement. They back us 100% and are responsible for any visuals you see attached to our name, as well as most of our music production.
The inspiration comes from our neighbourhood, Scarborough. Growing up we were surrounded by violence, crime, and under-privileged circumstances. Music was an outlet to us and a way to keep us out of trouble for the most part.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part about what we do is travelling and hitting the stage. There’s nothing comparable. The most challenging part is reminding ourselves of our purpose when we don’t meet the expectations that we set out for ourselves.
What is one sign that you’ve seen over the years to suggest that your work/life balance is off?
We don’t really look at it like our balance is off, but see those times more like growing pains. It’s growth when you start losing friends and relationships are thrown away. Your value for time is different. You start dealing with things more selfishly, but a healthy selfish, while trying to balance a sense of peace and understanding that sacrifice is necessary if you want to reach your dreams and provide for your family.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
We see ourselves providing for our families five years from now, and seeking out new opportunities as entrepreneurs.
What does success look like to you ? Does Money = Happiness?
Success is living out your dreams and all that you’ve set out to do. Success is providing for your family and creating new opportunities for the people you love. Money does = happiness to an extent because it opens doors. But it’s not happiness if you don’t have the peace of mind that should accompany that.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Performing at Coachella .
Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
Our favourite place to dine is Markham Station in Scarborough. It isn’t your “take a date” spot, but the wings and poutine always hit the spot after a long night out.
When you’re not working how do you spend your “Me” time?
We’re always searching for inspiration. Both watching movies and reading up on history is usually how that “Me” time is spent. Or just creating, writing and spending time self-reflecting.
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
“Sooner or Later” by N.E.R.D
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
If we weren’t doing music we’d be doing music.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why us that important to you?
Back in November and December of last year, we had the opportunity to work with three notable charities for the typhoon relief in the Philippines. The first was a collaboration with World Vision and Canada for Philippines, and the second was a benefit concert we held with an organization called Adhilka. In total we helped to raise over 35k.? It has always been important to us to give back in whatever way we can. It’s just the way we were brought up. As artists it is a responsibility for us to use our influence in the most positive ways. It’s as simple as that. Beck’s native country is the Philippines as well, so it really hit home for us.
What to you is notable?
Egos & Expectations is notable to us. That’s our next project coming out in May?? 17.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Beck: iPhone; Bon: Android.
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
Want more updates on the most Notable things happening so you know before your colleagues do? Get our exclusive newsletter here and follow us on Twitter for all the latest.