Winnipeg music & culture since 1989
by Broose Tulloch
Best known as the host of Up To Speed on CBC Radio Manitoba, Ismaila Alfa is also pioneer in the Winnipeg hip hop scene, where he continues to be major music force. Born in Zaria, Nigeria to Nigerian and Manitoban parents, Ismaila and his younger sister Aisha, grew up in a culturally diverse home. One that moved from Nigeria to Australia and finally to Winnipeg to stay in 1984. Continue reading “Ismaila Alfa :: Alfa Dog”
As the cold weather approaches, I feel very masochistic reviewing a summer CD, especially because the title directly refers to the beach. Continue reading “Real Love Winnipeg Presents – Beach Station Blues II”
This might just be the coolest EP to come out of Winnipeg this year. Continue reading “Hana Lulu – Keepsake”
by Zach Fleisher
The scene: Winnipeg, Manitoba; a town known as a cultural and geographic centre of Canada, in every sense of the word. A town more traditionally known for its folk music and hockey fans than its growing and vibrant…reggae scene? Enter Rastamils, one of the bright lights for a developing reggae culture in this dark and frozen prairie city. Continue reading “Rastamils :: Reggae Revival”
by Sheldon Birnie
For the past six years, Winnipeg’s Chic Gamine have been carving a name for themselves not only at home in Canada, but as far afield as Europe, the States, and beyond with their tight vocal harmonies and their tunes that at once are at once fresh and modern and yet also a nostalgic throwback to 60s era girl super groups. From the Winnipeg Folk Festival Main Stage, to the concert halls, to European clubs, and everywhere in between, Chic Gamine have been blowing audiences away. As they prepare for a big hometown show, a short European tour, and recording their new album, Alexa Dirks (somehow!) found time to speak with Stylus about it all. Continue reading “Chic Gamine prepare a hometown stand before hunkering down to record new album”
by Martyna Turczynowicz
Hana Lu Lu is set to release their very first EP, Keepsake, on November 15. The Winnipeg based trio is made up of Kevin Desjarlais on vocals, keyboard and synthesizer, Atom Dzaman on synthesizer and Chris Aquin on drums. The band made a name for itself with it’s fresh, synth-heavy sound. Stylus caught up with Dzaman and Desjarlais to talk about the new album and the band’s upcoming plans. Continue reading “Hana Lu Lu :: Presents you with a Keepsake”
It might be obnoxious if it wasn’t so believable. There’s something genuinely charming in how likable For the Love is, right from the onset. Continue reading “The Young Pixels – For the Love”
Royal Canoe’s much anticipated LP, Today We’re Believers, is exciting, funky and lots of fun. Continue reading “Royal Canoe – Today We’re Believers”
Despite having the web presence of a single song on SoundCloud, people have taken to talking about Chrys Fournier and his dual musical pursuits. This year should be just as interesting, when he drops a diverse trio of cassettes in the fall. Continue reading “Crabskull :: A foot in the doors of perception”
by Matt Williams
Winnipeg’s own hardest working man in showbiz, Greg MacPherson, will release his sixth studio album, Fireball, on October 29. The album combines MacPherson’s lightning-in-a-bottle live show energy with the skills of award-winning engineer Cam Loeppky and the razor-sharp, heart-pounding drums of Rob Gardiner. Stylus caught up with him over some expensive rum between painting his basement floor and an early-evening photo shoot. Continue reading “Greg MacPherson :: Dropping Fireball on the World”