MusicOntario’s Music Mondays are back! An industry off-night each month to gather, grow, and connect. Originally launched in2015, MusicOntario launched the MusicMondays series invites next generation music industry pros to mingle with peers and pals while discovering new music from across Ontario.

On September 22,2025, we're officially relaunching this once go-to hang at a new home at the storied El Mocambo, in the ground floor Starlight Room. MusicMondays (we lovingly call them MOMOs) are meant to help Ontario artists get their foot in the door of Toronto's notoriously competitive market, while fostering connection across all levels of industry– newcomers learning from seasoned pros, honing their A&R chops, and building foundational relationships for the future of Ontario’s indie music scene.

This month, join us to check out London’s Thunder Queens (they’re lowkey skipping a bit of school for this, so y’all best be turning out!), and Toronto’s Black Budget to jolt us out of our summer daze and back down to (music) business!

On top of live music and networking, each Music Monday will have a quick educational component to tie it all together, with the first being a grant writing workshop presented by Elliott Gallagher-Doucette of Small Fry Music.

Big thanks to the El Mocambo for hosting us and for their renewed commitment to making their legendary space a place for artist and industry to make shit happen for local artists and music entrepreneurs/professionals! The hallowed walls of the Starlight Room have some saucy stories to tell, and we’re gonna write the next few chapters with some Music Monday shenanigans!

Thanks to the El Mo, music fans can check out free live music each Music Monday too! Building fandoms is the golden ticket to sustainable careers in music, so a first-come, first-serve block of tickets will be set aside for public grabs.

Steam Whistle and Tromba will be on sample and on special at the bar, because they love indie music too!

About MusicOntario:
MusicOntario is a non-profit, membership-based Music Industry Association (MIA) which builds community and career capacity across Ontario’s music sector. To date, we've hosted more than 500 professional development, networking, and showcase events, presenting almost 1,000 Ontario artists at home and around the world. Through this outreach, resources, and advocacy, we nurture, elevate, and empower emerging artists and companies in Ontario. We help - join us!

About El Mocambo:
For over 75 years, the El Mocambo has been one of Canada’s most iconic live music venues, cementing its place in music history as a stage for legendary performances by global superstars and Canadian greats alike. Following a landmark restoration and relaunch, The El Mo now combines its storied past with modern innovation, featuring multiple live performance spaces and a state-of-the-art recording studio. As a cornerstone of Toronto’s cultural and music identity, The El Mocambo continues to champion artists at every stage of their careers.

Elliott Gallagher-Doucette

Elliott Gallagher-Doucette is a founder of Small Fry Music and a polymath specializing in arts admin, music production and touring. As a grant writer, Elliott has secured grant funding for dozens of Canadian artists from FACTOR, Toronto Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council and SOCAN. Having spent recent years managing projects, touring North America and Europe as a guitarist and producing records, he has a strong passion and nuanced understanding of how to merge artistic concepts into administrative successes.

Small Fry | Boutique Artist Services

Small Fry is a boutique artist services company founded in 2025 by Jesse Northey, Elliott Gallagher-Doucette, and Sophie McKinnon. Born out of their work at Victory Pool, an independent record label co-founded by Northey and Bryan Power, Small Fry was created to fill a growing need for tailored support in the music industry. What began as an extension of their roles has now expanded into a dedicated company, providing artists and organizations with the resources and expertise they need.

Thunder Queens

Thunder Queens are a garage / punk trio from London, Ontario, who’ve spent the last few years growing up onstage and finding their voice in the process. Drawing from early punk, ‘90s alt, brit pop, and grunge, their sound is loud, unapologetic, and driven by emotion. Formed in childhood and forged through DIY shows, community spaces, and loud basement rehearsals, their music balances high energy with thoughtful storytelling.

Black Budget

Black Budget is a Toronto based desert punk band featuring roaring guitars, aggressive drums, and rib-crushing bass with an explosive live performance. Black Budget is signed to New York record label King Pizza Records and is releasing their latest single ‘GRUMP’ Sep 12, 2025. They brings together 4 slabs of molten rock that combines the spirit and energy of punk with the groove and heaviness of metal, delivered with ferocious vocals and cynical lyrics. Black Budget has opened for punk bands Teenage Bottlerocket, Death Lens, The Queers and Teen Mortgage. Their dynamic stage presence and raw intensity have also earned them slots at NXNE between 2022-2025 as well as a showcase at Canadian Music Week in 2023.

Full SCHEDULE

4:45pm - Doors

5:15-6:15pm - Grant writing w/ Small Fry Music

6:30pm - Networking & Samples

7:10pm - Thunder Queens

7:50pm - Black Budget

9:00pm - Wrap