DAVID DAHMS David Dahms AKA Odysseus Catfish Jenkins III, Big Titteh, Dubs, OCJ3, The Toothless Wonder, D-Double, DMN8R, One Dread and Potato Salad is a premature mic dropper and has been writing for The Coast since 2013. The Caravan LOCAL The Caravan (independent) “What Up Steve?” channelled frustrations with the federal government more than any other […]
Jeff Lawton
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The Balconies’ are moving on up
If you’ve been a fan of Toronto’s The Balconies from the beginning, then you’ve probably noticed a significant change in the band. Where they were once fresh-faced indie-rock kids, they’ve now morphed into a hard-rock machine. For bassist Steve Neville, the decision to beef up the band’s sound grew out of a dissatisfaction with their […]
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Khyber Sketch Comedy Series’ funny tune
Art and beauty. Sex and death. Love and freedom. These are some of the themes recently tackled by the Khyber Sketch Comedy Series, a performance-based comedy collective that hosts regular shows at the Khyber. But this week the group will find themselves on new, and perhaps shaky, ground when they attempt to centre their show […]
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Meaghan Blanchard’s empowerment to the people
When ECMA winner Meaghan Blanchard hits town this week, fans should expect to hear songs that mark significant growth for the Prince Edward Island singer-songwriter. Fresh off the album release party for her first full-length, She’s Gonna Fly, Blanchard is looking forward to touring with songs that have a more literary approach than her previous […]
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The inner Classified
For Classified, 2013 has been a banner year. Since January, the Enfield rapper has released a chart-topping self-titled record, gone platinum with his hit “Inner Ninja” (featuring David Myles) and won a Juno and two MMVAs. But in true Canadian fashion, Classified is modest about—and even a bit wary of—his increasing fame. “I don’t need […]
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All July Talk
You’ve seen it before.m You go to a show, the band dutifully plays its songs, note for note, and you realize you should’ve stayed home and listened to the record instead. There are many bands that do this. July Talk is not one of them. Formed last year in Toronto, July Talk writes its blistering […]
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Vampire Weekend
There’s a very good chance you hate Vampire Weekend. You hate their clothes, their campy melodies, and their stupid faces. But if there was ever an argument to change your mind, Modern Vampires of the City might just be it. Though it doesn’t stray far from the sound of their self-titled debut, MVOTC is a […]
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The National
The National’s records are always great alchemy: U2-size anthems being tugged at by dour lyricism, while heart-on-sleeve intensity is blanketed by frilly orchestration. For a decade the band has steadily built on these strengths with each successive album, but with Trouble Will Find Me The National has now comfortably settled into its own genre. As […]
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Dyscontrol’s record time
“Not being punk enough for the punks and being too punk for the indie kids, people don’t know where to throw us,” says drummer Dave Brown. “The result usually sees us playing some interesting mixed bills, which we all like even though there are usually some confused faces.” Maybe you’ve been one of them. Rounded […]
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This Ship’s Stars quality
Since forming in 2011, Halifax-based indie group This Ship has been increasingly gaining speed and turning heads. One reason for this could be the band’s kitchen sink approach, where tambourine breakdowns, gang singing, handclaps, keytar solos, heavy riffs and dance beats offer a little something for everyone. Such variety is on full display on This […]
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1313 Music Festival’s improvisation station
No set plans for the long weekend? Maybe you should improvise and head down to the second 1313 Music Festival, a four-day event that celebrates improvisation within music and dance. Held at 1313 Hollis, this festival features musicians and dancers performing together and hosting collaborative workshops throughout the weekend. Dancer, choreographer and artistic director of […]
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Phoenix
From its early disco singles to its last two records of killer guitar pop, Phoenix seemed to be on a continuous, upward trajectory. With Bankrupt, however, the band has taken a big step back. Each track here echoes the style and structure of 2009’s Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, but they end up feeling lesser in every […]