Winnipeg music & culture since 1989
After having seen Old Man Luedecke a couple of times and loving his banjo-driven roots style, it was a bit jarring to be greeted by a poppy guitar hook and electronic percussion in the first few seconds of this four-song disc. Continue reading “Old Man Luedecke – I Never Sang Before I Met You”
by Martyna Turczynowicz
Blue Rubies are a folk/roots act that debuted at the Galaxie Young Performers Program last year. The trio is made up of Mady Reimer on ukulele, vocals and tambourine, Cory Sulyma on harmonica, guitar, drums and vocals and Ben Mak-Wiebe on upright bass. Stylus chatted with them before their second round in the program as Blue Rubies. Continue reading “Winnipeg Folk Fest :: Blue Rubies at Galaxie Young Performers”
by Martyna Turczynowicz
Young Folk have been around since 2012. Last year they released “You Words” on Beach Station Blues and this year they’re performing for the second time in the Galaxie Young Performers Program at the Winnipeg Folk Fest. Stylus caught up with the band’s guitarist Darren Hebner and John Baron on bass and vocals. Continue reading “Winnipeg Folk Fest :: Young Folk at Galaxie Young Performers”
The dozen tunes on Corb Lund’s latest, Counterfeit Blues, will be familiar to anyone who has been following Corb’s career since the demise of the smalls. Continue reading “Corb Lund – Counterfeit Blues”
Bry Webb’s sophomore solo effort, Free Will, is all quiet muscle and calm power. Continue reading “Bry Webb – Free Will”
Boy & Bear are a band that end up being in that weird gap between indie rock and folk that’s currently popular, for some reason. Continue reading “Boy & Bear – Harlequin Dream”
by broose tulloch
When they were booked for this year’s Winnipeg Folk Fest, dreamy folk-pop outfit Boy and Bear were already well-known in their homeland of Australia, but still relatively unknown to the rest of the world. By the time they arrived in Winnipeg April 1st for a sold-out show at the Park Theatre, they had a pair of singles in regular rotation on the radio and sold-out shows were a nightly occurrence. Stylus caught up with lead singer and principle songwriter, Dave Hosking somewhere between Winnipeg and Saskatoon and chatted about the weather, songwriting, and crafting a band out of a solo gig. Continue reading “Boy and Bear :: Living the Dream”
by Brittany Hobson
“Where words fail…music speaks.” Visit Elephant Revival’s official website and you are greeted with these words. These sentiments certainly ring for the group consisting of Sage Cook (banjo, guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo, bass, fiddle), Bridget Law (fiddle, octave fiddle), Bonnie Paine (washboard, djembe, musical saw, stompbox), Daniel Rodriguez (guitar, banjo, bass), and Dango Rose (double-bass, mandolin, banjo). Hailing from Nederland, Colorado these gypsy-like souls tell tales sure to be a favourite among the “granola culture.” Their latest album These Changing Skies is sure to have something for everyone including the Celtic inspired instrumental piece “The Pasture,” a gradual, cinematic explosion of folk goodness that encompasses “Down to Sea,” and the whirlwind of djembe infused rhythms that take over “Rogue River,” a song akin to the sounds of drumming circles found in the wee hours of the morning on Pope’s Hill. Gearing up for their time at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Stylus chatted with Daniel to discuss summer plans, their latest album, and the juggernaut that is the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Continue reading “Elephant Revival: Where words fail…music speaks.”
by Sheldon Birnie
Deep in the heart of the Canadian prairies, thousands of miles from the Mississippi River Delta or the Appalachian mountains, Ryan Boldt answers phone call from Stylus on a windy spring day. On a short break between tours, the principal singer and songwriter behind the Deep Dark Woods is enjoying the Stanley Cup Playoffs before heading deep into the States for another string of gigs. Continue reading “A voice is calling from… The Deep Dark Woods”
by Kaitlyn Emslie Farrell
Guitarist and vocalist Stefan Braun of four piece noise group Pop Crimes sat down with Stylus to lay down the deets of their band and shenanigans. Also starring Aaron Johnston, Ken Prue and Kevin Strang Pop Crimes are getting ready to hit the stage on July 3rd for a 7” release. Continue reading “Pop Crimes :: Loud as hell”