By Matt Harrison
Soft violin gently starts this album with the soothing hum of singer Raine Hamilton over top of it. Before you can fall into the melody, the violin turns to a jagged sort of snap and the story of Night Sky begins to unfurl. As the same song, “Starlight”, carries on, the acoustic folk sound offers vibes akin to wandering through a forest, the intervention of light a hopeless wish. Continue reading “Raine Hamilton :: Night Sky”
By Ryan Haughey
Rural Manitoba’s The Young Pixels’ new record is musical, intimate, and so wholesome. With a pop rock style, the married duo drives their songs forward with melodic vocals and meaningful lyrics. Continue reading “The Young Pixels :: Fever of Becoming “
By Alex Roberecki
Local musician Marshall Birch got together with some buddies and created an album full of fun. Dog Daddy Yeah is full of inside jokes, outside jokes, and many references to man’s best friend. Their upbeat indie folk sound is conveyed through twelve tracks that will have the listener dancing and longing for the summer. Continue reading “Marshall and Some Buddies :: Dog Daddy Yeah :: Review”
by Kaitlyn Emslie Farrell
Birthday Tapes have announced their second compilation album appropriately titled Birthday Wishes Vol. 2. Featuring Seventeen artists, many of whom are local, Birthday Wishes Vol. 2 provides a wide range of steady pop and shoegaze. This is a mellow album, there’s no way around that. So if you’re looking for something to pump you up, try another route. If you’re looking for a soothing array of blended melodies, electronic tones, and whispered vocals, then slap this in your tape deck. Continue reading “Birthday Tapes :: Birthday Wishes Vol. 2 :: Review”
By Harrison Samphir
Since the release of his debut album, Veneer, 12 years ago, José González has remained an enduring indie-folk figure, crafting mellow yet affecting compositions on his classical guitar. Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, the 37 year-old has since released three full length solo records – his latest, Vestiges and Claws, dropped in February – several extended plays, and various other works with the Scandinavian band Junip, and London’s trip hop ensemble Zero 7.
Some might recall González for his ultra-popular covers of famous songs like The Knife’s “Heartbeats,” Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” or his more recent rendition of TLC’s “Waterfalls,” performed live on Sweden’s most popular television quiz show På spåret. Whatever the case, his vast array of successful work continues to garner critical acclaim and open the door to new creative opportunities. He wrote three original songs for the soundtrack of the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, lent a track to a massively popular 2010 video game, and participated in experimental collaborations with orchestras from Europe to North America.
Stylus Magazine spoke to González from his home in Gothenburg about his new record, creative inspirations, and the underlying meaning of his most personal songwriting. Continue reading “ONLINE EXCLUSIVE :: In Conversation with José González”
by Daniel Emberg
Raine Hamilton grew up in Winnipeg and has been in music her whole life. Her expertise in theory and technique were largely earned by way of the violin, but she has recently added guitar to her toolbox and is forging her own path through the singer-songwriter forest.
Her debut EP, Small Packages, is something of Hamilton’s “howdy” to the world. A short collection of songs that are simultaneously earnest and mature, Hamilton is already preparing to take Small Packages on the road with an extensive tour planned through British Columbia later this summer.
First things first though: a release show will be taking place on Monday, June 9 at the Exchange Community Church (75 Albert Street). In advance of that event, Stylus found Raine Hamilton waiting at a picnic table in the middle of the city. To call the space a “serene oasis” would surely be taking it too far, but a little pocket of calm amidst urban bustle seemed perfectly appropriate for the conversation, and here’s where it went.
Continue reading “Raine Hamilton :: Introducing Small Packages”
When you’re considered one of the best in your field, like Stephen Fearing, expectations are much higher, perhaps unfairly so. Continue reading “Stephen Fearing – Between Hurricanes”
From Giants’ new EP This Burden is Light is another addition to the growing body of excellent Manitoba folk. Continue reading “From Giants – This Burden is Light”
Eagle Lake Owls began in Timmins, as an Andy Cole solo project and ended up as a band in Winnipeg with Dominique Lemoine on vocals, trumpet, and glockenspiel, and cellist Nathan Krahn. Continue reading “Eagle Lake Owls – Eagle Lake Owls”
The 11 tunes on Rob Waddell’s third solo disc are sure to be a treat for fans of well arranged folk music and literate lyrics. Continue reading “Rob Waddell – Everything Is From Now On”
