Ohbijou’s Casey Mecija belts out to the rafters of St. Matt’s. Lit by scattered lamps and mini-lights draped about the stage, Ohbijou at St. Matthew’s Church were a perfect remedy for chilly night. Leading lady Casey Mecija’s voice absolutely filled the church. The downside to this was the silence of an enrapt crowd, which made […]
Mike Landry
Hpx Night Three: By Divine Right
His birth certificate may say Jose Contreras is 40-years-old, but it doesn’t know rock gods never age. Tell me about your new album. What are the plans for that? It’s coming out in a couple weeks on Hand Drawn Dracula, which is such a cool label. It’s just so wonderful how it worked out because […]
Hpx Night Three: Part Trois
Julie Fader and her album “Outside In”, which I strongly recommend you check out. Back at The Seahorse, I had an awkward run in with Julie Fader. If you didn’t read it in this week’s Coast, I reviewed her debut album Outside In. Putting her hand on my shoulder, Fader sadly asked me, “Did you […]
Hpx Night Three: Part deux
Hot Panda prefer Halifax donairs to Edmonton, because there’s more meat and less pita. I tried to see Brian Borcherdt at the Paragon. WRONG. I didn’t realize Mr. Borcherdt wasn’t playing their until Jenocide came on stage. So, sorry bloglings, I’m afraid I can’t report on his set, but I imagine it was like that […]
HPX Night Three: Part One
The Magnificent Sevens After a quick three hour power nap yesterday afternoon I made my way on Old Blue to the Company House to see Winnipeg rollicking roots band, The Magnificent Sevens. It was a nice change from the more aggressive acts, and a great chance to relax before the other venues opened up. I […]
HPX Night Two: Part one
Said the Whale I left Old Blue locked up last night, as I was sticking to the Argyle area. So, while there were no broken bones on night two there were some broken hearts. First on tap was the lovely Hannah Georgas and darling Said the Whale at The Toothy Moose. There was a great […]
Hpx Night Two: Part deux
D-Sisive readies to give you a great big bear hug. He’s such a sweetie. A great moment during Valleys mesmerizing show at The Seahorse (The worst moment? The extreme heat of that dungeon. Coast photog Riley Smith looked like he was going to pass out) was my friend Shane asking, “Mike! Tell me who you […]
Basement Suite, Susan Farrell (Cape Breton University Press)
Frank Lloyd Wright was a genius to refuse basements in his classic designs. We see why in Cape Breton author Susan Farrell’s debut novel, Basement Suite. Liz and Eddy are a pair of 20nothings in a serious relationship living underground in a rainy Vancouver. Their subterranean suite is a metaphor for their emotional purgatory. It’s […]
Daily HPX picks: THURSDAY…must-see shows
Julie Fader The Seahorse Tavern, 1665 Argyle Street, 10pm, $10 Julie Fader never set out to be a professional musician. She wanted to go to NSCAD, but “chickened out on the move to Halifax.” Instead, she stuck around Ontario, eventually meeting Sarah Harmer and touring with her. Since then, the requests haven’t stopped for Fader’s […]
Daily HPX picks: FRIDAY…must-see shows
Final Fantasy w/Symphony Nova Scotia Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, 6101 University Avenue, 8pm, $29-$49 Owen Pallett is so excited and he just can’t hide it. The performer, who records under the moniker Final Fantasy, is performing with Symphony Nova Scotia this Friday at the Rebecca Cohn. Pallett is as excited as his fans about the nearly […]
Daily HPX picks: SATURDAY…must-see HPX shows
Attack in Black The Seahorse Tavern, 1665 Argyle Street, 11:40pm, $8 Attack in Black comes to Halifax in support of its 2009 album Years (By One Thousand Fingertips). The four-piece released it in March on Dine Alone Records (home to Arkells, Bedouin Soundclash, City and Colour and others). Hailing from Welland, Ontario, Attack in Black’s […]
Julie Fader
Blame it on relentless touring with bands like Great Lake Swimmers, but Julie Fader’s debut album, Outside In, is beyond bleak—Fader has channelled the feeling of watching your favourite sad movie scene. Unlike Emily Haines’ lush and wrought theatrics, Fader is closer to Cat Power at her most depressed. Boyfriend (and Holy Fucker) Graham Walsh’s […]

