Picture a bunch of Buddhist monks at a party, breakdancing to 70s urban hip-hop samples. Continue reading “Young Magic – Breathing Statues”
Open Mike Eagle – Dark Comedy
If Open Mike Eagle’s self-coined “art rap” designation means anything, it’s that the same reflexive musing and deprecatory tone which often typifies stand-up comedy can also apply to hip hop music. Continue reading “Open Mike Eagle – Dark Comedy”
Vanessa Azzoli on Uncovered: The Story of the Watchmen
by Sheldon Birnie
Rock biographies are a treat for those of us who are so obsessed with music that we want to know the ins and outs of our favourite albums, bands, venues, and everything in between. But many of our favourite artists fall short of the vaunted rock bio. For fans of the Watchmen, your day has come! Stylus got in touch with author Vanessa Azzoli ahead of the release of her new book Uncovered: The Story of the Watchmen to talk about her new book, her obsession with the band, and everything in between.
Continue reading “Vanessa Azzoli on Uncovered: The Story of the Watchmen”
Nonstophiphop :: Open Mike Eagle and the LA sound
by Harrison Samphir
In 2008, Ava DuVernay’s documentary film This Is the Life chronicled the rise of LA’s alternative hip hop community from the vantage point of the Good Life Health Food Centre’s weekly open-mic night. Founded in 1989, the event attracted emcees, poets and heads alike. It was a place to freestyle (cuss-free), practise the art of rap and celebrate hip hop culture with the serious disposition of an aspiring artist. Jurassic 5, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Skee-Lo and the Pharcyde were all schooled at Good Life. Continue reading “Nonstophiphop :: Open Mike Eagle and the LA sound”
Ben Watt – Hendra
Best known for being one half of the breezy 90s dance-pop duo Everything But The Girl, Ben Watt’s first solo album in over thirty years marries dark themes with a mix of ethereal folk-rock and riffs grungy enough for the likes of Neil Young & Crazy Horse. Continue reading “Ben Watt – Hendra”
Kuato – The Great Upheaval
In 2014, if a band allows itself to be marketed as “post-rock” a few assumptions are natural. Continue reading “Kuato – The Great Upheaval”
Pink Mountaintops – Get Back
Brainchild of ex-pat Vancouverite Stephen McBean, Pink Mountaintops’ latest, Get Back is a tidy little package of glam inspired, vaguely psychedelic pop nuggets. Continue reading “Pink Mountaintops – Get Back”
Fear of Music :: This Stephen Patrick is No Morrissey
by Devin King
July 2014 sees the release of Morrissey’s latest and perhaps most Morrissian-titled album to date: World Peace is None of Your Business. Morrissey the Performer has always demanded a closer critical review, as his actions and words – both in his music and outside of the music itself – are a closely scripted characterization of Morrissey the Character. More than ever, with this latest release, there is an evident slipping of the curtain to reveal Morrissey himself rather than Morrissey the Character. This later period Morrissey seems to be, intentionally or not, dropping many of the idiosyncrasies that define the Morrissey character. Continue reading “Fear of Music :: This Stephen Patrick is No Morrissey”
Scott Nolan :: Mining Silverhill for solid gold
by Sheldon Birnie
Deep in the American south lies the small community of Silverhill, Alabama. Lush, green foliage surrounds a cabin in the woods. Dogs lay in the shade during the heat of the day, and howl by the light of the moon. Silverhill is a place where “moonshiners still bootleg whisky” from 106 year old recipes; a place where they don’t call the cops, and fire wood is hewn by hand. A beautiful place at once captivatingly unique, and yet also just like any other stop off a remote backroad. Continue reading “Scott Nolan :: Mining Silverhill for solid gold”
BBQ & Blues Fest :: Sunday Reviewed
by Anastasia Chipelski
Last weekend’s third annual BBQ & Blues festival promised tasty food and drinks, and a slew of impressive local and international acts. I caught a few songs here and there, but only took in one full set (sadly) – the Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer – after stumbling out of bed at the crack of two, groggy from wrestling a nasty stomach bug. While the band had better excuses to be in worse shape, they still pulled themselves together mightily for a rousing mid-afternoon show. Continue reading “BBQ & Blues Fest :: Sunday Reviewed”