Winnipeg music & culture since 1989
by Chris Bryson
Not many bands can make music that moves with such elegance, ease, and bounce as TOPS. Surely this is no easy feat, as the band has been honing their formula over the course of three albums, plus another in progress. Last year’s Sugar at the Gate, TOPS’ third full-length, found the band pushing their soft indie rock a la mellow disco-funk into a further refined breezy luster. Continue reading “TOPS :: Elegance and ease”
by Chris Bryson
Votov’s music is grounded in the roots of death metal — borne of its vortex of brutality and darkness. The Winnipeg trio’s self-titled debut is a hardened take on death metal’s more rugged and foundational aspects. it’s music made for crumbling worlds and thrashing bodies in circling pits. Continue reading “Album Review :: Votov :: Votov”
by Olivia Michalczuk
Folk duo and twins Lucas and Madeleine Roger are preparing to open the festival and play the main stage at what they refer to as a second home, Winnipeg Folk Festival. Their family is no stranger to the festival. The family’s colourful history with WFF dates further back than their first-year camping as babies in 1992. Continue reading “Roger Roger :: Winnipeg Folk Festival”
by Kaelan Bell
There’s a tricky line to walk when recording an album that flirts with ambience or shapelessness. A rhythm typically needs to establish itself, either through repetition of motifs and sounds or a total and comprehensive understanding of sequencing. There needs to be a thread that can pull the listener through the collection — a conviction of vision and purpose. Continue reading “pisces// :: he-does-not-wake-you”
by Chris Bryson
Over four years after the release of their Every Kind of Light EP, Vampires return with Nature Laughs, a refined development of their sound that furthers the duo’s fuzzed-out emotive thrust. Continue reading “Vampires :: Nature Laughs”
Words and photos by Zoe Lebrun
Yes Fest is all about bringing obscure, up-and-coming bands of various genres into the spotlight. This was accomplished in spades this year at the first official festival put on by Yes Wave Promotions. The festival took place over three days at various venues in Winnipeg and featured fourteen bands from all across Canada. While it was not without its hiccups, the festival was still a smashing success, and Yes Wave promoters have big dreams for the festival in the coming years. Continue reading “YES FEST 001 – FESTIVAL RECAP”
by Chris Bryson
Have you ever wanted to see some awesome heavy local bands live from your living room couch? Red Tie Productions has been working at bringing you just that. Continue reading “Red Tie Productions”
Photo by Chelsea Neufeld
Words by Chris Bryson
Winnipeg alt pop trio Veneer have a new single that’s perfect for soothing spirits. It comes in anticipation of a self-titled EP to be released later this year along with a Western Canada tour in July. Continue reading “Track Premiere : Veneer : Unsure”
by Chris Bryson
The Faceless will be in Winnipeg on June 20th to play the Park Theatre with support from North Vancouver’s Angelmaker and locals Inverted Serenity. I got the chance to chat with Michael Keene, main creative force behind The Faceless about some insights into the project. Continue reading “The Faceless :: Multidimensional Metal”
by Nigel Webber
“It’s hard to conceive that you can be something when you had nothing” – Choclair
Northern Touch Music Festival enters their sophomore year in 2018 expanded and with results on the promise of furthering local hip-hop, R&B and soul acts. The festival, taking place June 29 to July 1, draws their name and inspiration from a touchstone song in Canadian hip-hop. “Northern Touch” by Rascalz featuring Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, CheckMate and Thrust was an important record when released in 1999. Continue reading “Northern Touch Music Fesival”