Winnipeg music & culture since 1989
by Jenna Priestner
Imagine you are from anywhere in Canada but here. What comes to mind when you think of Winnipeg? Would you want to live here? Chances are your answers would be “It’s cold” and “No.” It is sad but true; I can vouch for it. That was me two years ago while residing in BC. I never for a second imagined myself living here, but ask me today how it has been and I will tell you I have never been happier. Continue reading “Celebrating Winnipeg’s diverse scene”
by Broose Tulloch
Best known as the host of Up To Speed on CBC Radio Manitoba, Ismaila Alfa is also pioneer in the Winnipeg hip hop scene, where he continues to be major music force. Born in Zaria, Nigeria to Nigerian and Manitoban parents, Ismaila and his younger sister Aisha, grew up in a culturally diverse home. One that moved from Nigeria to Australia and finally to Winnipeg to stay in 1984. Continue reading “Ismaila Alfa :: Alfa Dog”
by Sheldon Birnie
Just when you think you’ve got all the new releases you can handle on your plate, the powers that be load up a bunch for ya. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – New releases, North/South of the line”
by Zach Fleisher
The scene: Winnipeg, Manitoba; a town known as a cultural and geographic centre of Canada, in every sense of the word. A town more traditionally known for its folk music and hockey fans than its growing and vibrant…reggae scene? Enter Rastamils, one of the bright lights for a developing reggae culture in this dark and frozen prairie city. Continue reading “Rastamils :: Reggae Revival”
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by Tali Sitschkar
On perhaps Winnipeg’s first frigid night of the season, transgender musician, author and troubadour Rae Spoon warmed the hearts of those at the Windsor Hotel on Saturday, November 23 for an intimate show in support of their latest album My Prairie Home, the companion to the National Film Board documentary of the same name (released October of this year). Continue reading “Like A Sunday Dress :: Rae Spoon visits Winnipeg”
Desperately Clinging on to What is Left of the Past, Or Not
by Devin King
I used to live by the airport, and I would lay out in the field and watch the airplanes take off. It wasn’t symbolism or some sort of literary wankery, it was just a thing.
I remember listening to Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? and watching the airplanes overhead, though that probably never happened. Memory is parallax; sometimes those things that you fondly recall weren’t really that fond, or didn’t even happen that way. So watching the planes and listening to indie music are two things that I used to do, and whether it was this album or another under the planes is irrelevant I guess. It was an indie boom around that time, so it was all kind of the same in the end. Continue reading “Fear of Music – Highway 61 Left Alone”
by Sheldon Birnie
Hard on the heels of their performance at the Grand Caribou Opry last week, Dustin Bentall and Kendall Carson will be back in Winnipeg, playing the Park Theatre with the Smokes. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Dustin Bentall & the Smokes barnstorm the Park”
by Sheldon Birnie
For the past six years, Winnipeg’s Chic Gamine have been carving a name for themselves not only at home in Canada, but as far afield as Europe, the States, and beyond with their tight vocal harmonies and their tunes that at once are at once fresh and modern and yet also a nostalgic throwback to 60s era girl super groups. From the Winnipeg Folk Festival Main Stage, to the concert halls, to European clubs, and everywhere in between, Chic Gamine have been blowing audiences away. As they prepare for a big hometown show, a short European tour, and recording their new album, Alexa Dirks (somehow!) found time to speak with Stylus about it all. Continue reading “Chic Gamine prepare a hometown stand before hunkering down to record new album”
by Ben Waldman
Contrary to popular belief, the Canadian hip hop scene is booming with homegrown talent, and London’s very own Shadrach Kabango, better known as Shad, has been a prime example of Canada’s hip hop excellence. Since 2004, he has been wowing audiences with his fast paced, well thought-out, and fan friendly style of hip hop. Previously releasing the albums When This is Over (2005) The Old Prince (2007) and TSOL (2010), the latter taking home the Juno for Rap Recording of the Year and garnering a nomination for the Polaris Prize, Shad is back and bigger than ever on his 2013 release Flying Colours. The new record is packed with wisdom, candor, and lyrics that will leave you pining for more. Luckily for fans in Winnipeg, Shad is bringing his Flying Colours Tour to Union Sound Hall on November 22, bringing along indie group We Are The City. Stylus had a chance to sit down and chat with the man himself, about making honest music, basketball, and Alan Thicke. Continue reading “Shad :: Rolling into Winnipeg with Flying Colours”
by Sheldon Birnie
For Barney Bentall, this time of year means something special, and it isn’t the return of campy holiday tunes to shops across North America. Nope, when the snow starts flying, it’s Grand Caribou Opry season for the Bentall Gang. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Barney Bentall brings Grand Caribou Opry to town”