Wares :: Creating Intimacy

By Charlie Fraser

Creating intimacy at a live performance can seem like an impossible thing. There is this very distinct separation between the musician(s) on the stage and everyone else on the ground below them. The space where the audience members are is very dark so the musician(s) can’t see them; meanwhile, the musician(s) are lit up with intense fluorescent lights illuminating every single one of their features and even, flaws. Continue reading “Wares :: Creating Intimacy”

Festival Review: Up + Downtown 2015 in Edmonton, AB

Considering the length of the drive, we made pretty good time and got into Edmonton early Thursday evening. After sorting out our accommodations, half our gang sought shut-eye while the rest of us headed to the Empress Ale House for a little hey-how-are-ya. Friday was a bit of running around, highlighted by a surprise invitation from the venerable CJSR to spend a couple of hours on-air. Then it was time to get down to what was planned as a very busy weekend. As stated in the Stylus festival preview, we had our collective sights on kicking it off with a punk show presented by Solidarity Rock at Brixx. Continue reading “Festival Review: Up + Downtown 2015 in Edmonton, AB”

The Wet Secrets :: Bring Free Candy to Winnipeg

 

photo by Fish Griwkowsky
photo by Fish Griwkowsky

by Daniel Emberg

Most guitar slinging party pigs have, at some point, talked themselves into thinking a spontaneous band would turn out great. How could it not? Get a few pals together, crack a couple bottles, don’t plan anything and just bang out a quick record. It’ll be legendary, man! Of course, this method rarely spawns anything worth sharing outside the basement where it starts, but once in a looooong while, someone catches lightning in a bottle. Continue reading “The Wet Secrets :: Bring Free Candy to Winnipeg”

Zebra Pulse :: Riffin’ on a Nice Groove and Free Form Chaos

ramshackledayparade.wordpress.com
ramshackledayparade.wordpress.com

by Victoria King

 It’s July. You’re driving to the sounds of your favorite CD. You pop the disc out and put it in its case, leaving it on the front passenger seat. Before you remember to find a shady safe spot for your tunage, you exit the car and forget your beloved in the direct light of the summer rays. You return three hours later to a hot, steaming CD – blow that steam off and pop it back in. The sounds have warped and twisted into a contorted soundscape of drumbeats, displaced vocals and other eerie dancey crashes and bashes. Continue reading “Zebra Pulse :: Riffin’ on a Nice Groove and Free Form Chaos”