Author: Sheldon

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Label Profile: Eat Em Up Records


by Sheldon Birnie

“It’s been a bunk summer for venues and shows, this summer,” said Brandon Ackerman over a couple beers and smokes in Wolseley recently. “But this fall is looking promising.”
Ackerman makes up half of Eat Em Up Records, and we are discussing upcoming projects the label has coming down the pipe. “I’ve been a fan of Eat Em Up Records since it’s inception in the early 2000s,” Ackerman told Stylus.
Rounded out by Jan Quakenbush, founder of Eat Em Up Records, the two have some big plans for the little label. “We’re stepping it up, putting things out faster. Really pushing to put out vinyl,” Ackerman said. Continue reading “Label Profile: Eat Em Up Records”

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Hillbilly Highway – Sumner Brothers hit town Sunday

by Sheldon Birnie

The Sumner Brothers are a Vancouver based indie-roots act made up of, you guessed it, the brothers Bob and Brian Sumner. Effortlessly blending traditional themes and sounds with a fully contemporary language and feel, the Sumner Brothers craft contemporary roots music at home both within rural honky-tonks and urban dive bars where the bourbon flows free. Releasing their debut In the Garage in 2006, the Sumner Brothers have been at the vanguard of a resurgence of folk music in Vancouver. With the release of their fourth disc, I’ll Be There Tomorrow, the boys hit the road running last week, and are pulling through Winnipeg on the Hillbilly Highway this weekend with two shows lined up. After discussing their influences (large fans of Bruce Springsteen, Townes Van Zandt, and Johnny Cash), Stylus jumped into the following discussion with Brian Sumner, as the boys enjoyed a rare day off in Edmonton. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Sumner Brothers hit town Sunday”

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Merch Table Delight – Back to Lo-Fi (2007-2012)

Remember the times when you’d hang out in your friend’s basement for hours fiddling around with guitars and recording your ideas on a cheap computer mic – then add sound bites from your favorite movies or tv shows and share it with your friends? No? Then Back to Lo-Fi (2007-2012) isn’t going to give you the nostalgic experience it gave me. Continue reading “Merch Table Delight – Back to Lo-Fi (2007-2012)”

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Big Sean // R.O.Z. // Goody, Rawg, Chris Bennett & Teddy T // 09-19-12 // Live @ The Garrick

by Ryan Reyes

photos by Khammy Phanthavong

It’s 10pm and I find myself at The Garrick Centre shoe-less; security was performing a very thorough pat-down. I hope they noticed my tight sock-game. Local up and comers Goody, Rawg, Chris Bennett and Teddy T performed before main opener R.O.Z. of EMB. He started his set off with one of my favourite tracks off his Piff Music mixtape the super smooth “Rhythm of the Night.” A few tracks from his latest mixtape Piff Music 2 were performed; most notably “’97” which features D-Block’s Styles P. He ended off his strong set with the melodically hypnotic track “Rollin.’” Continue reading “Big Sean // R.O.Z. // Goody, Rawg, Chris Bennett & Teddy T // 09-19-12 // Live @ The Garrick”

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Tech N9ne // Mad Child // Winnipeg’s Most // Drezus // 09-16-12 // Live @ Park Theatre Café

Review by Ryan Reyes

Photos by Khammy Phanthavong

Rappers Tech N9ne and Mad Child recorded 7 EPs and albums between them since their last visits to Winnipeg. That amount of new material would justify a show. No justification needed. Their fans are some of the most loyal and passionate around. Continue reading “Tech N9ne // Mad Child // Winnipeg’s Most // Drezus // 09-16-12 // Live @ Park Theatre Café”

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Hillbilly Highway – Summer’s over, folks

by Sheldon Birnie

Well, friends, the Harvest Moon Festival wrapped up this past weekend under Sunday’s grey skies. The weekend was a beauty for an outdoor festival, and about as far removed from last year’s chilly, drizzle soaked romp as could be. The sun was shining Friday as I drove into the sunset, and Saturday hovered around 30 degrees. People walked around the community barefoot, bare chested, and smiling ear to ear, soaking up the last of the season’s rays. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Summer’s over, folks”