JD Edwards Band :: Talkin’ Winnipeg Folk Fest Joys

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by Sheldon Birnie

If you’re at all familiar with the roots scene in Winnipeg, you’ve no doubt come across the JD Edwards Band at some point in your travels. A tight band, killer songs, and pipes on JD himself that wouldn’t be out of place in Memphis, Tennessee combine for a live experience that is tried, tested, and true. After years of hard work and hundreds of gigs, the boys are set to take the Winnipeg Folk Fest by storm next week. Amidst the mud, the blood, and the beers at Dauphin’s Countryfest last week, JD Edwards Band took some time off to talk On The Record with Stylus about the Winnipeg Folk Festival, and their plans beyond next weekend. Continue reading “JD Edwards Band :: Talkin’ Winnipeg Folk Fest Joys”

A conversation with Hayes Carll

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by Sheldon Birnie

With festival season bearing down hard upon us, it is with great anticipation that we wait here for some of the world’s best singers, songwriters, and guitar pickers to come pouring in off the Hillbilly Highway and into our backyards. With performances at Dauphin’s Countryfest in June and the Winnipeg Folk Festival in July, Manitobans have no excuse to miss out on Hayes Carll. Stylus caught up with this Texas troubadour over the phone from a tour stop in Tucson, AZ.

Continue reading “A conversation with Hayes Carll”

Hillbilly Highway – Hitting the Highway to Dauphin

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by Sheldon Birnie

Last week, my adventure to Calgary to cover Sled Island took a turn for the worst. Southern Alberta was hit with an unprecedented disaster that forced the cancellation of the bulk of the festival (and all my coverage), as well as the evacuation of up to 100,000. My heart goes out to all the folks who are still out work and house or home. The damage is, quite frankly, staggering. But the people and local governments in the area are doing all they can to get back to normal in the face of calamity.

I’m hoping that my bad luck with weather and festivals does not hold any further, as I prepare today to hit the Highway to Dauphin Countryfest early tomorrow morning. Vehicle is secured, camping gear prepared, and press pass waiting at the gate. It’s gonna be a wild one, friends. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Hitting the Highway to Dauphin”

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band brings salvation to Jazz Fest

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by Daniel Emberg

photo by Cheyenne Rae

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band will be hitting the stage in an hour, and the Rev is seated at a picnic table working on his band’s setlist for the night. Turning his formidable facial follicles across the street toward the King’s Head Pub, he smiles at the action on the patio. “You know,” he says, “It’s a lot of fun, but I don’t drink so I’m not much for bars except when we’re playing. You know that store Claire’s at the mall, with the earrings and stuff? If they had music there, that’s where I would hang out, is Claire’s. I just want to be where the music is.” Continue reading “Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band brings salvation to Jazz Fest”

Haunter :: Long awaited debut about to drop

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by Stefan Braun

When I first heard Haunter’s long awaited debut album Rivers and Rust, I drank a case of beer and used a sewing needle to tattoo a rowboat onto my roommate’s arm. Although I don’t recommend this to every first time listener, it seemed we were doing the album justice. It was the ideal soundtrack for a summer ripe with late nights, good times and bad ideas. The album invokes feelings of a prairie highway, a car filled with friends, the sun on your face, nothing in your head, no clear destinations in mind, but unlimited possibilities. Continue reading “Haunter :: Long awaited debut about to drop”

Jazz Fest – (Long Lost) BADBADNOTGOOD Feature from 2012

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by Shanell Dupras

Jazz trio BADBADNOTGOOD were scheduled to play Jazz Fest in 2012 shortly after the release of their new album on April 3, 2012, BBNG2, which mainly features covers of artists like Odd Future, James Blake, and even My Bloody Valentine. Stylus got a hold of Alex Sowinski, the drummer/sampler, and Chester Hansen, the bassist, for an interview. Shortly before our June/July 2012 issue went to press, BBNG cancelled a number of their Canadian summer dates. We’re happy that they’re able to make Jazz Fest this year. Here is our long lost BADBADNOTGOOD feature from 2012. Continue reading “Jazz Fest – (Long Lost) BADBADNOTGOOD Feature from 2012”