Winnipeg music & culture since 1989
While Chad VanGaalen may refer to himself as a “joke” of a singer-songwriter, tour relatively little, and gain the reputation of being a “notorious homebody,” he’s still working with one of the biggest and best record labels in the world. After the success of his 2004 release Infiniheart on Flemish Eye Records, Sub Pop jumped on board the crazy psycho-eclectic and talented musical train of VanGaalen and they’ve been going steady ever since.
by Sheldon Birnie
It’s a shitty day in Winnipeg, and all I wanna do is listen to Garth. I know there’s some good shows coming up, some local talent to profile, but I only wanna write about Garth. There’s a whole world to explore on the Highway today, but all signs point to Garth. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Party on, Garth”
As we’ve mentioned at Stylus, Big Fun Festival is approaching quickly. The last weekend of January is when it’s happening, venues all over the Exchange is where it’s happening. Exciting times if you’re in that whole indie/folk scene here, or if you’re curious to check any of it out. Continue reading “First Class Riot; Big Fun Nearly Under the Sun”
Secondhandpants, Winnipeg’s finest Science-Folktion duo has become somewhat of a local institution. Many will know them from the Winnipeg Fringe and Folk Festivals, where they regularly appear as the featured act in a gigantic jukebox, often stealing attention from the main stages they appear next to. Continue reading “Secondhandpants :: Suspendering disbelief across the galaxy”
by Sheldon Birnie
I’ve been turned onto a lot of great artists over the years by just flipping through the stacks of used records, waiting on something to catch my eye. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Speckled Bird Burritos”
by Sheldon Birnie
Holidays are a time for visiting family and friends. My folks have moved on out to Vancouver Island, and so I hit the Highway last week to visit them and spend a couple days in Victoria. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Beer break at Big Bad John’s”
by Sheldon Birnie
Well, it’s holiday time here in Canada, and that means Christmas themed albums are being churned out by the Music Machine as though they are going out of style. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Holiday Jukebox Party Time”
Two weeks before the start of Rainbow Trout Music Festival and Fishing Derby, backcountry roads across Manitoba were being shut down due to raging wildfires and tinder dry conditions. Continue reading “Rainbow Trout Music Festival and Fishing Derby”
Sup, internet? We like music, reviewing music, and making lists of our favourite music.
This is the first year we’re putting our year-end lists online, and not in the magazine. Because, you can’t really right-click text that’s in a magazine, now can you?
Har har har har–CUE THE LISTS!!!
by Sheldon Birnie
Scott Nolan could be to Manitoba what Guy Clark is to Texas. A songwriter’s songwriter with an attention to the minutia of everyday life; drawing from a vast, detailed knowledge of all those who’ve walked the line before him; capable of delivering a heartbreaking line followed easily by a knee-slapper the next. Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Scott Nolan live at the Park Theatre”