Category: Features

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Diamond Rings :: I’m Just Me

By Adrienne Yeung

Everything about Diamond Rings (aka Toronto native John O’Regan) dazzles these days, especially when every facet of the platinum-mohawked, bejewelled musician throws back an image of the musical and visual changes that have taken place over the past two years. His second album, Free Dimensional (released Oct. 23) is obviously grown up out of Special Affections‘ (2010) sparkly DIY-esque pop: It’s polished, deliberate, and endlessly catchy.  While a phone interview sadly failed (the recorded interview is literally five minutes of mumbling, crackling, and my repeating “Hello? Hello?” into the Stylus phone), we managed to finally connect via trusty e-mail to find out what he’s got to say about his changing presence and sound. Continue reading “Diamond Rings :: I’m Just Me”

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Hillbilly Highway – Lower Companions drop new disc

by Sheldon Birnie

Since the 2009 release of their debut LP, Jason Maas & The Lower Companions have been grinding it out in Winnipeg’s roots scene. Now, on the eve of the release of their latest record, the six song Lock & Step, at the Times Change(d) this Saturday, singer, songwriter, and band leader Jason Maas got on the phone here to Stylus to talk about the band, the record, and what comes next for the Lower Companions. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Lower Companions drop new disc”

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Gwar – Ready to Destroy Winnipeg

by Gil Caroll

Intergalactic metal warriors Gwar have been ruthlessly pummeling audiences here on Earth for years now. The band and fans grieved the tragic falling of long-time guitar player Flattus Maximus in 2011, but now Gwar is ready to destroy Winnipeg once again on their “Fate or Chaos” tour. In preparation for this travelling gore show, Stylus caught up with Gwar vocalist Oderus Urungus at the band’s Antarctic HQ for a revealing telephone interview. Continue reading “Gwar – Ready to Destroy Winnipeg”

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Dehli 2 Dublin :: Evolution in sound


by Jesse Blackman

Vancouver’s Delhi 2 Dublin has found success combining Punjabi and Celtic instruments to create an incredibly catchy high-energy sound. With the release of their third LP, Turn Up The Stereo, D2D brings new dimensions to their music. Stylus spoke briefly with the band’s electronic master, Tabla player, and co-producer Tarun Nayar about the new album and what it means for D2D. Continue reading “Dehli 2 Dublin :: Evolution in sound”

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Rural Alberta Advantage look to exploit opening for Dan Mangan


by Michael Elves

When Nils Edenloff and the rest of Rural Alberta Advantage take to the stage of the Burton Cummings Theatre on Thursday November 1, 2012 don’t expect a set list composed of the heavy-hitters from their first two records, Hometowns and Departing. Instead – as Edenloff revealed in an interview with Stylus – the members of RAA will take advantage of a prime spot opening for indie-darling Dan Mangan to try out some new material on an unsuspecting audience in advance of recording their third album. Continue reading “Rural Alberta Advantage look to exploit opening for Dan Mangan”

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Hillbilly Highway – Vagabond Jeffery Michael Straker hits Winnipeg

by Sheldon Birnie

Jefferery Michael Straker is a hard-working singer-songwriter, a classically trained pianist, and a downright friendly guy. His latest album, Vagabond, was released October XX. Produced by Danny Michel, Vagabond continues Straker’s cabaret influenced, piano based pop songwriting style, but adds the experience of Michel to the mix, bringing the tunes a decidedly folk tinge. On the road over 100 days of the year, Saskatchewan born and raised Straker divides his limited downtime between Toronto and Regina. Stylus caught up with him in the Queen City, shortly before his Winnipeg engagement at the West End Cultural Centre. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Vagabond Jeffery Michael Straker hits Winnipeg”