Winnipeg music & culture since 1989
These bluegrass boys just released their new album Stars and Satellites in April and have a hectic touring schedule planned for the summer. Stylus talked with Eric Berry (mandolin) over the phone to catch up with the band, chat about the new album and (personally) get super stoked for their show at the West End Cultural Center August 30th! Continue reading “Trampled by Turtles :: Slow and steady wins the race”
by Sheldon Birnie
Love him or loathe him, it’s impossible to argue the influence ol’ Bobby Dylan has played not only on those who travel the Hillbilly Highway, but how we, as listeners, view the Highway itself. From his galvanizing early work, to his genre defying output on Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde, the new pastoralism of The Basement Tapes and John Wesley Harding, through all the ups and downs from Planet Waves to Street Legal, Infidels through Oh Mercy and beyond, Dylan’s output alone is staggering. The fact that the lion’s share is gold is enough to humble – or shame – any would be songwriter. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Dylan’s Tempest about to drop”
Those Guys are an a cappella group that have been together since 2009. Eight guys, eight voices, that’s it. Their live show always turns into a party where people dance and sing along, each show eclipsing the last in terms of quality and spectacle. And they’re only getting better! Recently, Those Guys celebrated the release of their debut, That Album, over the course of two nights at the Park Theatre. Stylus sat down with Bernie “Ring Leader” Pastorin, Mike “The Heartthrob” Engstrom, and James “The Human Bassline” Campbell during a rare instance of downtime. Continue reading “Those Guys Bring the a capella party to Winnipeg”
Today I will be telling you about a game which has scared many mothers. I’m not joking! That game is Dead Space 2. Continue reading “Kollection – Dead Space 2”
by Darcy Penner
On Saturday, August 25th, Warsaw will be making its debut appearance at the Lo Pub. Comprised of Curran Faris (Hide Your Daughters, Husk), Josh Bedry (Electro Quarterstaff, El Diablo), Ethan Osland (burnthe8track), and Darren Achorn (Projektor, Meat Rack), the four-piece takes melodic riffs on top of pop-influenced structures and kicks it all in the ass with their pasts in hardcore and metal. Stylus had the opportunity to sit down for a cup of coffee with Faris, Osland, and Faris’ impossibly cute daughter ahead of their show to chat about the bands inception, influences, and goals. The following is an edited transcript of the interview. Be sure to check out Warsaw at the Lo Pub, with Pop Crimes and Still Lights, on August 25th. Continue reading “Warsaw :: Patience can be Heavy”
by Sheldon Birnie
photo: Alexandra Valenti
Alberta’s honky-tonk hero Corb Lund released his sixth solo album last week, Cabin Fever, and the beauty of a disc has already topped the charts here in Canada, in “overall sales,” “digital overall sales,” and “country sales.” I’ve had the disc on repeat for most of the past week, only taking it out to spin the new Propagandhi barn-burner, and there’s good reason it’s dominating sales this week. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Corb Lund pours ’em kinda strong on new release”
Review by Ryan Reyes
Photos by Khammy Phanthavong
Somehow, someway I find myself climbing the winding staircase of the Greenroom. Ah yes a rap show. An Action Bronson rap show. This mountain of a man with the best rap handle this side of Snoop Lion has been generating much buzz in the rap world as of late. Yes, he may often sound like that MC whose name rhymes with Fishface Trilla and yes, he was a respected gourmet chef before he became a rapper. Continue reading “Action Bronson // Live @ Greenroom 08/15”
On April 19, 2012, all that could be seen above 42 Albert Street was a plume of smoke and fire. A fenced in hole in the ground was all that War on Music customers found the following day. It is assumed to be an electrical fire. The building was torn down within 24 hours. Continue reading “War on Music :: Rising from the ashes”
by Sheldon Birnie
I was witness to some magic Monday night; some pure gold in musical form. I stood along the north wall inside the Times Change(d), sipping Standard lager with my best gal as the place packed itself to the brim and spilled out onto Main Street and the hot night beyond.
The place was a literal who’s-who of Winnipeg’s roots scene, performers and fans alike. Many had seen the night’s performers over the weekend out at Trout Forest, and knew for a fact that the events of the evening would be something special, something to be experienced, no excuses. They weren’t wrong in that. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Three cheers to the Small Time”
Winnipeg is known for many things. If I were to list the top responses I get from people from elsewhere, they would include murder, child poverty, the city being a frozen shithole, and arson. Continue reading “Arsonfest :: Turning outrage into positive change”