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”
Rastamils :: Reggae Revival
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”
Like A Sunday Dress :: Rae Spoon visits Winnipeg
![image[1]](http://www.stylusmagazine.ca/wp-content/uploads/image1-500x375.jpeg)
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”
Fear of Music – Highway 61 Left Alone
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”
Hillbilly Highway – Dustin Bentall & the Smokes barnstorm the Park
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”
Chic Gamine prepare a hometown stand before hunkering down to record new album
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”
Shad :: Rolling into Winnipeg with Flying Colours
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”
Hillbilly Highway – Barney Bentall brings Grand Caribou Opry to town
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”
The Motorleague :: Rock N Rollin’ across North America
by Sheldon Birnie
Moncton, New Brunswick isn’t overly renowned for producing hard hitting, fist pumping rock n roll bands. At least not ones who make waves across North America. The Motorleague are an exception, and have been on the road hard for the past few months in support of their sophomore full length Acknowledge, Acknowledge. Stylus caught up with singer/guitarist/chief-songwriter Don Levandier on a tour stop in Victoria, BC to chat about the new record, videos, songwriting and hard travelling leading up to their November 18th date in Winnipeg. Continue reading “The Motorleague :: Rock N Rollin’ across North America”
The Sweet Alibi :: Have Got To
by Martyna Turczynowicz
Local folk darlings the Sweet Alibi are releasing their latest album, We’ve Got To, on November 20th. The trio has been winning over fans with their eclectic folk sound and compelling lyrics. Stylus sat down with Amber Quesnel, Jessica Rae Ayre and Michelle Anderson before one of their gigs at the Times Change(d) to talk about the upcoming release and non-stop touring. Continue reading “The Sweet Alibi :: Have Got To”