I often wonder how people feel the day after the festival is over. No matter if you go hardcore for five nights or if you just stay up super late for one, it’s gotta mess with your mind and body. I always feel wrecked, despite the fact I don’t smoke or drink and try to […]
Tara Lee Wittchen
Posted inArts + Music
At the Good Old Record Fair
When I first started going to the Halifax Pop Explosion in the 1990s, Saturday afternoon meant it was time for the record fair in the back of Wormwoods. Lots and lots of fancy coloured seven-inch records and stickers to collect and trade. Now Saturday afternoon means zines, crafts, books, workshops, films, readings, food and of […]
Posted inArts + Music
More from Buried Inside
On my way to the show at St. Matts, I ran into a few members of The Medium Mood. Those dudes were super psyched to be on the same bill as Buried Inside, VKNGS and Die Brucke, especially since it was a last-minute replacement. Happy story! Anyway, here’s another photo of the intense Buried Inside […]
Posted inArts + Music
My Community Includes Community Radio
CKDU 88.1 FM always seems to have a strong presence at the Halifax Pop Explosion, and this year was no exception. In addition to presenting the crazy (so I heard) Buried Inside show at the Khyber on Saturday night, they were on hand at Canzine East to share buttons, magnets and general campus/community radio love […]
Posted inArts + Music
Just Me and My Dad
As is often the case when Joel Plaskett plays solo in Halifax, his father Bill joined him for a good portion of the show. This was the first time, however, I’ve ever seen Bill play one of his own tunes with Joel backing him up. Beautiful job, sir. Joel flew in from Dallas, Texas, early […]
Posted inArts + Music
Oh My Soul, and also my aching feet
Thirty-nine artists in five days. And if I hadn’t been having so much fun at the zine fair, I had fully intended to add at least another five bands to that list. I’m especially sorry I missed The IMF, Geoff Berner, Old Man Luedecke, The Beginners, Laura Peek and Lil Andy over the course of […]
Posted inArts + Music
From Punks to Plush Seats
Thursday night…12 bands…still processing. I’ll just say that I think the night started off spectacularly at the Bus Stop, where every act there–Giselle Numba One, Garbage!Violence!Enthusiasm!, Dollarama and A/V–made me smile, made me dance, made me glad people are still doing INTERESTING things as musical performers. A neat little venue too. I headed up to […]
Posted inArts + Music
I am enthusiastic about Garbage!Violence!Enthusiasm!
I love you, Garbage!Violence!Enthusiasm! You made my whole night. My whole day, week, month, year. Please keep fucking shit up the way you do, you are awesome. You are everything I wish I was, and more.
Posted inArts + Music
Now Look What You’ve Done
I’m really sorry. I suspect there are people who enjoyed themselves last night at the McInnis Room, and if you’re one of them, you should probably stop reading at the end of this paragraph. I’m glad you had a good time. I did not. I haven’t seen The Weakerthans before, and was really looking forward […]
Posted inArts + Music
It’s Like Five Days of Birthday, But Louder
Just one more sleep until the 2006 edition of the beloved (in my books) Halifax Pop Explosion gets underway. I’m all a-frantic trying to get everything ready for this annual rockstravaganza (and also filmstravaganza, zinestravaganza, craftstravaganza, etc. ad nauseum). Best to make a check list to calm myself before bed: Earplugs? Check! Notepad? Check! Camera? […]
