The other day we got ahold of Meaghan Smith to talk about what it feels like to win a Juno. The “New Artist of the Year” was in Halifax at the Carleton doing some press about the win before heading out to play a couple of shows in Quebec. Smith is a genuinely delightful person. A week later, she’s still blown away by the win, but also happy, proud and ready to work. In a climate where, to poorly paraphrase Yeats, many musicians either lack conviction or are filled with passionate (fake) intensity, she is a breath of fresh
Alison Lang
Posted inArts + Music
Ben Caplan Wants Your Art
It’s a hazy Saturday afternoon at Ben Caplan’s place. The raspy-voiced, bearded musician — who, along with his band, the Casual Smokers, is opening for Hey Rosetta! on April 15 — lives at an Agricola Street haunt known for its Monday open mic nights and weekend house concerts. It’s the type of space where music and art seem to constantly be happening. There are at least three pianos in the main room, while homemade stars hang suspended from the ceiling and weird knick-knacks line the shelves. And just as he opens up his living room on a weekly basis
Posted inArts + Music
ECMA Roundup
Obsydian play Coconut Grove this Saturday. Can’t make it down to Charlottetown next week for the East Coast Music Awards? Don’t fret, you sad bastard — you can watch the ECMA Awards Gala in the comfort of your own home via live stream at bellaliant.net/ecma starting at 8pm on Sunday April 17. You can also […]
Posted inArts + Music
Here’s What a Good Summer Concert Looks Like
broken social scene Halifax Pop Explosion and Live 105 have done the unthinkable: they’re presenting a summer concert with four bands AND I DON’T HATE ANY OF THEM. M-Fest, happening Sunday, August 7 at Alderney Landing, features Broken Social Scene, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Surfer Blood and Diamond Rings as the first wave of acts (more will be announced Monday April 18.) There’s no Counting Crows. There’s no Tonic, or Kid Rock, or Black Eyed Peas, or any other watery second-run acts “rounding out the bill.” Nope – it’s just four good bands that are at various levels of
Posted inArts + Music
I Hate It When You Time Travel Like That
dance parties, CKDU, mcfly, crispin glover
Posted inArts + Music
No Such Thing As Weak-Ends
The hail patters against my window, and outside small children wail in their inappropriate nylon and denim outerwear. What a tease this week has been. But it’s not all a loss…look at all this music we got here for you, eh? Husband-and-wife grunganauts Cursed Arrows are currently streaming their new album The Madness of Crowds at http://cursedarrows.bandcamp.com. While “Death Rattle Blues” remains a strong contender as my jam of the summer — that sleazy opening riff makes me crave a cold shower — the rest of the album is solid, featuring lyrics that are as thoughtfully written and conscious
Posted inArts + Music
No More Bunk Beds for Andrea Ramolo
When Andrea Ramolo toured through Halifax two years ago, the Toronto-based roots-folk musician was sleeping in a van with built-in bunk beds, constructed with her longtime touring partner and musical Jack-of-all-trades Jason Skiendziel. For her upcoming cross-country jaunt, which brings her to the Seahorse next Wednesday, April 6, she’ll be supported by a bassist and drummer — and will hopefully be spending at least a few nights in comfier lodgings. Not that she’s complaining, though: “I just want the band to be comfortable,” she says. Ramolo’s humbler tour accommodations provided song fodder for her new album, The Shadows and
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Dressed Artist / Band
According to Tupperware Remix Party keyboardist/spokesperson Doctor Sung, it’s quite easy for the band to stay on top of fashion trends; “We assimilate each mode of dress from every corner of the galaxy by simply inputting their fashion algorithms into our giant style calculator,” he says. If this answer sounds bizarre, we’ll remind you that […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Artist / Band To Turn Up Loud
It’s been a very good couple of years for the young Halifax metal act Last Call Chernobyl. After spending a wild summer on the road with the Vans Warped Tour, the band is gearing up for the ECMA Loud Tour coming up next month and have also been nominated for the ECMA Loud Recording of […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best New Artist / Band
Cape Bretoners Mike Ryan and Bruce Gillis have been playing in bands together for most of their lives. The duo—featuring Ryan on guitar and Gillis on drums—formed The Town Heroes about a year and a half ago, and so far the duo seems to be on the up-and-up. They released a full-length album *Birds and […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Record Label
With its steadily growing roster of hard rock and heavy metal artists, Diminished Fifth Records has once again claimed the “Best Record Label” spot in this year’s poll. Founder Josh Hogan has a little more on his plate since last year—along with Hassan King, he founded Red Tentacle Media Solutions for bands looking to amp […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Artist / Band Hijinks
According to Tupperware Remix Party keyboardist/spokesperson Doctor Sung, it’s quite easy for the band to stay on top of fashion trends; “We assimilate each mode of dress from every corner of the galaxy by simply inputting their fashion algorithms into our giant style calculator,” he says. If this answer sounds bizarre, we’ll remind you that […]