Winnipeg music & culture since 1989
by Ryan Haughey
2019 marks the tenth anniversary of Cluster, a festival that showcases art that falls between forms from young exciting artists from Winnipeg, across Canada, and around the world. Cluster Festival features art that is dynamic, genre-breaking, experimental and one of a kind.
by Zoë LeBrun
Yes We Mystic’s jam space lives in downtown Winnipeg, and is where the band has been practicing, writing, and recording music going on five years. Upon walking into this space, I was overcome with a feeling of positive energy (1). After coming in from the cold outside, the small and cozy space was flooded with natural light and reflected on the vibrant yellows on the multiple collage artworks (2) from their 5th anniversary show, done by artist Urban Ink, arranged around the room, giving the whole room a warm vibe. Davis Plett, guitarist and lead vocalist of the band showed me around the space to some of the band’s favourite pieces they’ve collected over the years.
by Jesse Popeski
On January 4th, The Middle Coast shared a good news/bad news post on social media. The good news was the release of a new EP, titled Encore, which they assure is the “best music we’ve ever made, hands down.” The bad news was that the band was going their separate ways. “The biggest problem is that the three of us are all strong creators,” wrote keyboardist Liam Duncan, explaining that the three musicians were shifting their focus to solo projects.
Continue reading “EP Review :: The Middle Coast :: Encore”
by Grace Hrabi
On February 9th, Winnipeg anti-rock band Trampoline released their latest musical enterprise, Happy Crimes, at the West End Cultural Centre. The album is a full-length rock musical that tells the story of a man who is tired of trying to make himself happy; who wants to be better, but doesn’t know how; who believes there is an imminent apocalypse, internal or otherwise, about to take place. Continue reading “Album Review :: Trampoline :: Happy Crimes”
by Ryan Haughey
Homewrecker is a collaborative collection of melancholic songs that tell stories of infidelity. This EP evokes a mix of emotions that altogether imprint the spirit of this music into the mind of the listener.
Continue reading “Album Review :: Homewrecker :: Wrecker and Housepanther”
by Daniel Emberg
Forthwith marks its third edition this year, after having quietly appeared in 2017 and immediately marking itself as a mixed media festival with a heavy emphasis on sound art, electronic dance music of various flavours, and a bevy of international artists. Indeed, this year there are as many performers from abroad as from within Canada.
Continue reading “Festival Preview :: Forthwith”
Photo by ONSITE
Words by Nigel Webber
“My album will manifest many things that I saw, did or heard about” – OC
“Ok I guess I’m really doing this,” HAVS thought after her February 2018 opening set for SonReal at the Garrick Centre. Only about a year into recording music seriously at that point, HAVS opener for SonReal was only her second live show with her as a promoted act. At the time she was one half of the duo Pesh x HAVS but since has chosen to branch out and go solo. Continue reading “Winnipeg State of Mind :: HAVS”
Words by Mark Rabkin
Art by Natasha Hassan
From the first reverb soaked, swirling saxophone lines I was hooked. Evoking thoughts of a bygone time in my life. Reminiscent of late nights and early mornings with the lights down low. Where the last wisps of smoke dance away. Continue reading “Vaporwave: An Introduction”
Winnipeg’s Silence Kit has been turning heads and blasting ear drums since their explosive debut performance in 2016. They have since gained a reputation for being one of the cities most fun and heavy rock bands who always deliver a mind numbing live show. Continue reading “Video Premiere :: Silence Kit :: Kitty Kitty”
“Help me understand” is the new single from Bloom who is Daniel Monkman of former Winnipeg shoegaze pioneers The Blisters. The Ethereal sound scape created during the first two movements of the song symbolize the triumph over addiction, Racism and Self-destruction. Continue reading “New Track :: Bloom :: Help me understand”