Online detectives hunt 1980s mystery track, suspect Kitchener-Waterloo origins
A Reddit-led community headed by moderator Joe Gaschler is still trying to identify a 1980s Canadian song known only as “CIA,” now exploring possible ties to the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
More than forty years after a cassette recording of an unknown Canadian song was aired on CFNY-FM, the piece—referred to only as “CIA”—still lacks attribution. The clip, uploaded to YouTube in July 2020 after appearing on Reddit, has ignited a global online hunt led by Reddit moderator Joe Gaschler, who says thousands have contributed clues. Early inquiries focused on Toronto’s 1980s music scene, but recent efforts have shifted to the Kitchener-Waterloo region, where some suspect the band may have originated.
Veteran broadcaster Alan Cross has publicly solicited information yet confirms the station’s archives hold no data. Assistant professor Kate Galloway of Wilfrid Laurier University observes that the case shows how even with tools like Shazam, certain recordings stay elusive. Despite extensive “forensic listening” and analysis of lyrical and instrumental elements, the performers’ identities and the song’s true title remain unknown. The community continues to invite anyone with knowledge to contact the Reddit forum or one outlet K-W.
Why it matters
Uncovering the song would give credit to an overlooked 1980s Canadian band and showcase the reach of collaborative online sleuthing.
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