Chris McCluskey

Mainstream music’s trendy genres are transient—most recently indie rock and new wave sounds have dominated the airwaves. But now as those genres’ widespread popularity seems to be waning, many signs point to country as the heir apparent. Alex Madsen, lead guitarist for outlaw country group The Divorcees, agrees and disagrees. “My honest opinion about it? […]

When folk/roots troubadour Adam Puddington was last in Halifax during Juno weekend, it was for a pair of shows in support of his friends Matt Mays & El Torpedo. Months have passed and the Almonte, Ontario, native has returned to headline shows on his own, equipped with his sophomore album’s updated artwork. “We have distribution […]

Since moving on from the more complicated recording processes of her former band The Guthries, internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Ruth Minnikin has been focused on capturing the moment through natural, simpler methods. Her third record, Folk Art, will be recorded over two days, mixed in another and printed in just over one week—this week. The Guthries […]

Typically when wrapping up an interview we ask if there’s anything the interviewee would like to add. Almost always, we get the customary “if you could mention the show, that would be great.” However, drummer Ryan Parrish of Washington, DC’s Darkest Hour shares vivid memories of the band’s last trip to the east coast, in […]

After over a decade toiling with commercially successful rock acts The Watchmen and Thornley, Newfoundland-bred bassist Ken Tizzard is stepping outside his comfort zone. Now residing in Toronto and acting as his own agent, promoter, tour manager and publicist, he released his debut Quiet Storey House… An Introduction on July 1. “This is sort of […]

While some of our summer plans are being ripped apart by the forces of capitalism, those of one eclectic artist are going right according to plan. Yarmouth’s Brian Borcherdt is hard at work in Toronto on his experimental lo-fi project Holy Fuck’s second album, which will show influences from a fresh perspective experienced only once […]

Most buzz bands come and go, but Toronto’s illScarlett are hoping they’ll beat the odds. The quintet fuses reggae, ska and rock a la Sublime, Planet Smashers or early No Doubt and is sure to resonate with the young crowd. They currently have a top 30 single (“Heaters”) in Toronto, and will be the first-ever […]

One never knows what they may find when logging onto the internet, and Chronicle-Herald entertainment columnist Stephen Cooke was staggered to discover himself acknowledged by a local act dubbed Stephen Cooke and the Respected Halifax Journalists. Cooke, who once manned bass duties in The Deluxe Boys and more recently during a one-off as a member […]

Alt-rock orchestra The Sleepless Nights has returned to Halifax from Montreal with its first EP ready to go. The five-song record, titled Hang Up, was recorded over a few months between the Nova Scotia Community College and a home on Compton Avenue. Aaron Wallace hints the band is ready to blitz the Canadian market with […]

The major grievance attending any event encompassing over 30 venues within a three-day period is the same: Too much to do, not enough time. You’re lucky if you catch even half of what you attempt to see—and this certainly applied in Toronto at last weekend’s North by Northeast, featuring Halifax scene representatives Adam Puddington & […]