Canadian Music Week. Second consecutive week of insanity. Good thing we work at a festival ourselves. It just prepares you for this type-o’thang. Our showcase at Toronto’s very hip Drake Hotel was a special one, I’m telling you. Duo Kara Keith and Jen Reimer from UN woke up Torontonians’ inner beast with their dark electro-punk… Read more
I went to Calgary this past weekend for a showcase event put on by Music Calgary called Sound Off. There were 2 shows + a panel discussion. It was fairly low key and focused so it gave me some time to be paraded around by my pals Maud, Marc and Shawny of Sled Island/ex-POP Montreal… Read more
WHO?: Teen Daze Where?: Vancouver, BC Artists to watch: Some of my friends are making some great music these days. Oh No! Yoko, Jordan Klassen, and We Are The City are three off the top of my head. Venues: The Waldorf is probably my favourite; great vibes, sound and curation. Eats: Budgies makes my favourite… Read more
Who?: Cecil Frena makes music as Born Gold. Where? Edmonton, AB is stealthily beautiful. Artists to watch: Purity Ring (duh) Kuhrye-oo Doug Hoyer Jessica Jalbert bboogiehowser Venues: Wunderbar Rude Haus Elevation Room Bohemia The ARTery Eats: bulgogi beef pizza at Steel Wheels late-night indian at Daawat aristocratic decadence at Duchess Bake Shop expensive but Vancouver-level… Read more
Who?: Arlen Thompson, Apprentice Electrician Where? Currently stranded on a Gulf Island. I have spent most of my time in Montreal, QC and Victoria, BC. Artists to watch: Bonehoof Babysitter Freak Heat Waves Bash Brothers Darling Demaes The Backhomes Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness The Chantrelles Venues: Fort Street Cafe Logan’s Lucky Bar Olio Cooperative The… Read more
Who: Mike Haliechuk Mike plays in the band Fucked Up and runs the record label One Big Silence. Artists to Watch: 1. Moon King 2. Warm Myth 3. Absolutely Free 4. S.H.I.T. 5. Tasseomancy Venues 1. Double Double Land 2. Wrongbar 3. The Great Hall 4. The Garrison Eats Coffee at the Common, breakfast at… Read more
Who: Rich Aucoin A musician from Halifax who syncs his music to movies in the same manner as Dark Side of The Moon’s sync with The Wizard of Oz, a facilitator of crowd-participatory-sweat-drenched-confetti-covered-sing-along-shows and a lover of unusual touring including raising money for charity while running half-marathons or cycling across countries. Artists to Watch: 1…. Read more