Not quite a graphic novel, Vivek Shraya’s debut collection of short stories is as visually rich as it is textual. God Loves Hair is a contemporary Bildungsroman anthology of a young man coming to terms with his sexuality, religion and, well, his hair. Inspired by American author Leslie Feinberg’s Stone Butch Blues, Shraya couldn’t find […]
Shannon Webb-Campbell
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Paper Beat Scissors
There is a certain haunting quality to Paper Beat Scissors, perhaps it’s the struggle found within singer-songwriter Tim Crabtree’s voice, or the movement of the music. In moments Paper Beat Scissors echoes early Radiohead, while in others there are hints of Caribou and Grizzly Bear. The melody on the album’s title track, “Flicker,” is as […]
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The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You
S. Bear Bergman is a natural storyteller. As a trans-Jewish writer, Bergman is navigating uncharted literary terrain, writing “hirself” (the pronoun used in the book) into the ever-expanding landscape of contemporary queer Canadian literature. Bergman writes about hir personal experience in day-to-day life in first person without the guise of fiction. With heartbreaking honesty, ferocious […]
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Love for Luedecke
It takes awhile to find your stride, your path and your purpose in life. For some, it’s a life-long journey. Chris Luedecke first found his footing when he quit his job and started to take himself seriously as a musician. It was tough at first. Not only did he have to convince himself, he had […]
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Sister act
In the Maritimes one’s last name says a lot. It’s a marker that can potentially reveal your father, the place where you came of age and the chain of ancestors you belong to. The Halifax music community is just as tightly knit. Gillian Austin, lead singer and songwriter of Gillian Austin and the Brambles, won’t […]
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The Fugitives’ pieces
Vancouver quartet The Fugitives are soldiers for love. Sort of. In honour of their release, Eccentrically We Love, the band is touring Canada. The catch is a chunk of their CDs were swapped with Sade’s new album, Solider of Love, at the manufacturing plant. “This is an invitation to Sade,” says Barbara Adler, accordionist/vocalist. “We […]
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Hannah Georgas
Hannah Georgas is totally crush-worthy. Any of the songs off her latest release, This Is Good, could make the cut for a potential mix CD for a best friend, sweetheart or potential lover. The Vancouverite is a stellar songwriter, combining modern-day pop songs with a killer voice. Part cocksure, part syrupy-sweet, Georgas sheds inde-rock chic […]
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Sub Rosa
With a sharp pen, fierce intellect and ferocious take on sex, sex work and sexuality, Amber Dawn’s first novel Sub Rosa is a page-turner. Some books take on humanity, others merely relay a story. Dawn’s Sub Rosa does both and is explosive. With a brashness akin to Michelle Tea, Dawn explores sexuality, sensuality and subtlety. […]
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Martel’s sense of history
On April Fool’s Day, Yann Martel and I played phone tag. After punching in the 15-digit phone number, the answering machine of a London publishing company picked up several times over. I thought the joke was on me. Finally, we connected. Days before he begins his North American book tour, Martel is in England with […]
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Daniel, Fred and Julie strike off the band
Many bands form as structured entities. Members are sussed out for their possible contribution to the project, while other bands are mere coincidence and fate. Some bands aren’t even bands at all—just a few people who happen to make a record together on a sunny afternoon. Daniel, Fred and Julie are the latter. They’re playing […]
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Girl Power: The Nineties Revolution in Music
I want to be Marisa Metlzer’s best friend. Her latest book, Girl Power: The Nineties Revolution in Music, explores the history and influence of the most integral years of my life. The early ’90s were a pivotal time for women in music. Feminism wasn’t new—neither were girl groups, zines or punk rock—but Meltzer permeates the […]
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Home companions: Construction & Deconstruction
Even though Construction & Deconstruction may bring to mind philosophical theories, the band’s name is more pragmatic. “We bought an old farmhouse in a hamlet of houses on the Bay of Fundy and have been fixing it up ever since,” says David Trenaman. “We’ve been righting it by moving it onto a foundation, adding and […]