Second albums are sometimes important because they show ways in which an artist is trying to evolve or improve. Continue reading “Rich Aucoin – Ephemeral”
Finn :: Blowing Minds Three Chords at a Time
by Martyna Turczynowicz
Finn is releasing their debut EP on Friday December 5th at the Goodwill Social Club. The band is made up of Daniel Baron on vocals and guitar, John Baron on bass and backing vocals, Matthew Baron on keyboard and backing vocals, Darren Hebner on guitar and Cody Iwasiuk on Drums. Stylus sat down with Darren Hebner, John and Daniel Baron to talk about the debut album and the band’s beginnings. Continue reading “Finn :: Blowing Minds Three Chords at a Time”
Alvvays :: Passionate, realistic, pleasantly surprised
by Anastasia Chipelski
Holed up in a hotel in Philadelphia, billed by the front desk reception as “America’s most historic square mile,” Alvvays lead singer Molly Rankin spoke to Stylus about touring, the long road behind their album, and what it’s like to do what you love as part of the “adult baby” generation. Continue reading “Alvvays :: Passionate, realistic, pleasantly surprised”
The Crooked Brothers :: Thank You, I’m Sorry Winnipeg, Manitoba
by Martyna Turczynowicz
The Crooked Brothers have been making a name for themselves since the release of their previous albums Deathbed Pillowtalk (2009) and Lawrence, Where’s Your Gun? (2011) and proved to not be just another folk trio. Their songs range from foot-stomping tunes to heart wrenching ballads, many of them with a special focus on their hometown, Winnipeg. Continue reading “The Crooked Brothers :: Thank You, I’m Sorry Winnipeg, Manitoba”
The Rural Alberta Advantage – Mended With Gold
This is a Rural Alberta Advantage album. As such, you can expect all the things they have come to be known for: hard guitar strums, cacophonous drums, ethereal backing vocals, lamenting lyrics. Continue reading “The Rural Alberta Advantage – Mended With Gold”
The Wilderness of Manitoba – Between Colours
Between Colours is The Wilderness of Manitoba’s fourth album, and as the name suggests, it clearly marks a transition in their musical styles. Continue reading “The Wilderness of Manitoba – Between Colours”
The Good Will Social Club :: Pizza, beer, coffee and music
by Jillian Groening
Rising up from the ashes of venues past comes your new favourite hangout spot.
Sitting at the end of the über-cool Sherbrook strip, on the crossroads of West Broadway, the West End and the University of Winnipeg lies The Good Will Social Club. With those dreamy salvaged Lo Pub ceiling tiles above the bar and the city’s best sound guy manning the board, it was destined to be a Winnipeg institution well before the gender-neutral bathrooms were installed. The only thing missing is a pole in the middle of the stage. Continue reading “The Good Will Social Club :: Pizza, beer, coffee and music”
Last Ditch on the Left :: Eyes & ears on the road ahead
by Sheldon Birnie
Consider, for just a moment, Winnipeg’s music scene as something of a forest. You have gnarled old veterans and spry young saplings growing side-by-side, competing for light and resources, yet also dependent on each other for survival in the ecosystem web. With Last Ditch on the Left, a duo made up of Brent Warren and Kerri Stephens, you have a bit of both. Each are veterans in their own right. But the project is something new for each of them. A truly collaborative work, Last Ditch on the Left builds off of their previous musical lives while bringing something fresh and new into the world. Like when you see a budding young pine tree growing from the stump of an old oak or out of the a felled length of birch. With the release of their debut, self-titled record coming up this weekend, Brent and Kerri took the time recently to chat with Stylus about Last Ditch on the Left, and what it takes to make raw, honest music without regard to commercial success. Continue reading “Last Ditch on the Left :: Eyes & ears on the road ahead”
Blisters – Are You Awake
Are You Awake is the first full length album from now infamously semi-on-hiatus and influential Winnipeg shoegazers Blisters. Continue reading “Blisters – Are You Awake”
Fear of Music :: Time’s Up for Creeps, Abusers and Sexist Jerks
by Jenny Henkelman
I started writing this piece on October 23, when things seemed so much simpler. Back then, I thought CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi was just a garden-variety creep, not a serial abuser. As Melissa Martin so brilliantly elucidated in her Nothing in Winnipeg post on the subject, those of us in music/CBC circles Knew About Jian, even if we didn’t know about the alleged punching, choking and rape.
If Jian seems like an outlier, a rare case of narcissism and misogyny enabled over decades with devastating results, I’m here to tell you you’re wrong. Rare is the man with the kind of fame and power Jian had, but abusers like Jian exist everywhere. And they definitely exist in our music scene. Continue reading “Fear of Music :: Time’s Up for Creeps, Abusers and Sexist Jerks”