interview

October 22, 2024September 12, 2024

Artist Spotlight: Helena

by Kim Wiesner

So, the Winnipeg Folk Fest is such a highlight for us here. How was your first one?

It was amazing. I totally understand. I think it’s a highlight for everyone. We had been playing a few festivals earlier in the past two weeks. And to be honest, I was feeling really low energy, drained, the traveling, playing, the being in crowds. I’m not so much of a like festival-goer type. And then I ended up being in festivals a lot. But then I got to the Winnipeg Folk Fest, and it was just the most like, you know, kind of generative, energy-giving, sweet, soft experience. And, I’m just gonna say it on the record. I don’t think I’ve been treated that well. You know what I mean? The organization here is so efficient, and everything is thought out. And as soon as you meet something as an artist, it’s like you’re like, you just have to rub the magic bottle, and the genie appears and here’s a beautiful meal and your transportation.

September 5, 2024September 13, 2024

Interview: Nuclear Man

At the Goodwill Social Club, January 29, 2024

by Seraphine Crowe

“A newly arrived punch to the ear, brought to you by a congregation of Real Hardcore Guys.”

Back in the arctic throws of January, I interviewed Nuclear Man, a recent addition to the local Hardcore punk music scene. The group played for the first time in October 2023, establishing an electrifying presence and releasing their debut EP shortly after. Since then, the group has supported local Hardcore punk acts and played with touring bands. Earlier in the spring, they were booked to play in Toronto and Montreal, demonstrating a devotion to leaving their mark- and maybe a few broken microphones.

May 3, 2024May 3, 2024

THE DORK REPORT :: dr.rift

by Paige Drobot

Stylus Magazine interviewed Kyle Halldorson, the artist and producer behind Winnipeg’s Dr. Rift, about the instruments and inspiration he uses to create music.

January 26, 2024January 14, 2024

Space Jam: Living Hour

The jam space. Instruments everywhere, cute carpet and sound pannels on the wall with gauzy curtains

by Steph Kolodka

Living Hour is a Winnipeg-based indie band that has been around for almost a decade, and with the group having been in various jam spaces over the years, it was a pleasure to see their current setup in a beautiful living room in the heart of Osborne, filled with natural sunlight. Living Hour consists of members Sam Sarty, Gilad Carroll, Adam Soloway, and Brett Ticzon. It was through his links in the music scene that Carroll found Sam Sarty, who became the singer for Living Hour. Other members of the band, Adam Soloway and Brett Ticzon, were long-time friends with Carroll and visit the space regularly to write songs and jam.

January 19, 2024January 14, 2024

Interview :: Len Bowen

Len Bowen stands in the middle of a street stroking his chin as if deep in thought

by Angelo Lamsen

Photos by Khammy P and Len Bowen

The following is an interview with Len Bowen, a Rap artist hailing from Winnipeg. Known for his lyrical prowess, Len has crafted a diverse catalogue of songs, ranging from soul-searching meditations to electrifying battle-ready verses. Here, we discuss his latest project, NTHN4GRNTD, and dive into what influenced it.

August 18, 2023August 15, 2023

Artist Interview: BELLA WHITE

Bella White sings into mic while playing electric acoustic guitar at Winnipeg Folk Fest.

by Mike Thiessen

“You’re all so attentive!” Bella White exclaimed to her quietly captivated audience halfway through her Sunday afternoon concert at Folk Fest’s Spruce Hollow stage. It’s hard not to be – White’s viscerally relatable lyricism and sweet and powerful vocals doused in a healthy amount of classic old-time country twang get at listeners in a way that not much else does.

July 5, 2023June 25, 2023

Artist Interview: Cadence Weapon

*Article and photo from last year*

Words by Isabella Soares
Photo by Myles Tiessen

It has been quite a year for Edmonton-born hip hop superstar Cadence Weapon. Following the deluxe edition release of his latest studio album, Parallel Words, he is not only heading back to live events, but also promoting his memoir, Bedroom Rapper. Stylus Magazine had the chance to catch up with Weapon ahead of his performance at the Big Blue @ Night stage at the 2022 Winnipeg Folk Festival.

June 2, 2023May 14, 2023

Interview :: Softswitch

by Keeley Braunstein-Black

Stylus caught up with Softswitch at No Fun Club. Their self-deprecating sense of humour might only bleakly shine through in print compared to the way it does in person.

This interview has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

May 25, 2023May 25, 2023

POP AND SPIRIT :: An Interview with Carlo Capobianco

by Rish Hanco

Carlo Capobianco, one of Winnipeg’s newest quickly rising stars, sat down with Stylus to talk about the upcoming album Pray To You. Carlo shares the story of the album, of an underlying sense of God present in his art and life, and of the toxic, one-sided love that inspired each song.

March 3, 2023March 3, 2023

Interview :: Taylor Janzen

by Myles Tiessen

The music video for “Designated Driver,” one of the leading singles from Taylor Janzen’s debut LP, I Live In Patterns, sees Janzen behind the wheel driving an old 60s-era motorcar. Artistically shot using a conspicuous green screen, Janzen traverses various landscapes, supermarkets, and cattle pastures, driving with no clear destination. As the chorus builds and melodies intensify, so too does the speed of her travels. Like a bullet through a desolate purgatory with nothing to arrest her motion, Janzen cycles and flips through the pain and regret in her mind. “I swear to God I’m trying/ Not to ruin our plans/ I made myself a martyr with the holes in my hands,” she sings.