Life is precious!
I am a young woman (37..still young in my books) who has experienced loss…too much loss. I have lost friends, family and mentors. Each loss has caused me to reflect on my own life and revalue what is important, what I want to do with my life, and how precious life truly is. I ask…
Love Y’all
For every nasty, rude, closed-minded person, there are at least a dozen lovely, kind, open-minded people in this city. Soooo thankful for all my swell friends! —Hali Lover
Drifter Goods’ leather bomb
Your hard earned cash should be treated with respect—that stuff doesn’t grow on trees, you know. Drifter Goods, a locally-made line of leather goods, is all about handling important things with care, making coin pouches, card holders, passport holders, coffee sleeves by hand, from very beautiful leather. Josiah Stevens is the guy behind the handy…
Omorfos (Handsome) Greeks
Oh how I love all the beautiful Greek men in the city. Having such yummy eye candy during the week sure is a sweet treat. The little guy at the pizza place, the well-spoken man driving the taxi, and the table of older gentlemen at the food court – yum! —Get me to the Greek!
handicap parking sometimes inappropriate?
Okay, I’m not trying to be ignorant, but I’m just wondering if anyone else thinks that there are too many handicap parking spaces? Whenever I go places there are always SOO many not being used. Also, with the risk of pissing a lot of people off, I would just like to say that if they…
You choose
Could it be that i’m just crazy to think that I could reach someone in this way…am I just a fool? I could be her biggest fan…no…much more…does she want or even need this? I know some have turned against me with thoughts and opinions that only serve a negative outcome. Why listen to them…they…
Youth Project turns 20
Walking down the 2200 block of Brunswick street, there is a two-storey house with a bright pink door. Every day, Sheena Jamieson walks through that door, and does everything she can to help everyone who walks through it behind her. Jamieson works as support services coordinator at The Youth Project, a non-profit organization that works…
Thanks, Mr. Bus Man!!
HRM Transit stopped running at 11:00am today because of the hella-storm that got really bad really fast. The last #1 was just crossing the bridge to the bridge terminal when the message for all buses to return to the garages came on over the speaker. I wasn’t looking forward to the long slog through the…
Fifth Estate to tell Holly Bartlett story
This Friday night, March 28, CBC television’s Fifth Estate program will examine the death of Holly Bartlett, the 31-year-old Halifax woman found dying beneath the MacKay bridge in 2010. Friday is also the fourth anniversary of Bartlett’s death. A Coast investigation published last year (“Holly Bartlett’s unlikely journey,” December 12) detailed the murky circumstances around…
I mean it.
It has been a rough six months my friends and most of you haven’t been around to see it. But to the friends who have stayed by my side to see my growth and root for me along the way, I have no words for how crucial you have been to my recovery. How very…
Brace yourself…
Winter (storm bitch fest) is coming… —N
why are all bus drivers so damned miserable?
I know that a minority of nice bus drivers do probably exist, but for every nice bus driver there are 100 bitter jobsworth bastards that are intent on making your journey as uncomfortable as possible. The next time a bus driver disrespects me I’m going to let him have it….(by getting off the bus and…
Need to feel you!
I want so desperately to kiss you! Alas, I am afraid. I am afraid of crossing a line that I no longer can clealry see. Was the hypothetical talk, just talk or a safe guard??? Hoping it was a safe guard and you are soon ready to let down your walls because you made mine…
My Hero
To the lady who found my son in Bedford, you are my hero. He is 6 and was dropped off in front of my home (instead of at the babysitter’s) due to a substitute driver, finding himself in front of a locked door, as I was blithely working away in Halifax. He tried all the…
Watch where you are stepping out
Hold the phone, stop the inquiry, pull the plug on any further reports to be written … I have figured out the Car- Pedestrian Collision Problem in HRM!! Today (Tuesday) I was driving down a busy Spring Garden Road at 5:30pm (some may call this traffic hour), and one of HRM’s finest steped out in…
March Madness Day 7: Huffington Post vs OpenFile and The Daily New vs Live at 5
The Maddest thing about March thus far is this gosh darn side-wind snowstorm but I’m a sports writer not a meteorologist, damnit. And in bracket town things are scorching hot, with daily battles of New Media vs Old Media that have yielded pretty unsurprising results thus far. If you haven’t caught on by now…why the…
Altair
I miss you so much. —Aeris
Branding Steal
Wow HRM, you’ve done it again. What a surprise- you’re stepping on artists’ toes once again. This time you’re outright stealing an artist’s brand that she’s been building for years. Damn Hali! Pretty bold move, indeed. —Fan of the real BE BOLD HALIFAX
Support your local artists!
It is frustrating to see a brand I love being highjacked by people with money who know better. Shame on you, you probably own some of that brand. —Someone who understands basic fieldwork
Hot off the Halifax Press
Jill Johnsrude and Connor Dubreuil aren’t afraid to get a little cheesy. The pair is gearing up to launch Halifax Press—a lime green, newspaper-themed food truck that’ll serve up nothing but variations of grilled cheese sandwiches— in a few weeks time. “It’s our first entrepreneurial adventure and we thought it was the best way to…
Thank you for your kindness
A brief exchange as we were both leaving the local laundromat, but your kindness really made my day–a simple reminder of the beauty of community. So nice of you to take the time–I really appreciated your help. —thank you for being a really nice human
Never a Syllable
Benny Fong Halifax circa 1813 comes to life in Never a Syllable Theatre based on historical facts can be a mine field. So often, the playwright feels the need to share every fact that has been painstakingly gathered from the archive and ends up with a play that is an inert info-dump lacking in drama.…
Bus Driver on the 80
Hey Bus Driver, what is the difference between a bull elk, and you driving a brass quartet to Bedford? With the bull elk, the horns are in the front and the asshole is in the back —next time, don’t make ignorant comments about my tuba, you prick.
this one goes out to you, Halifax
I never realized how much I loved you until I left. —yours forevazz
Adopting a dog, or so I thought
WTF? I’m trying to adopt a dog but all I can find are AmStaffs and Amstaff mixes. Are these dogs so gdamn dumb that they are forever running away, or are Pit-bull owners the worst goddamn kind of dog owner in this province? —looking for a lab mix that doesn’t have pitbull jawls
no cold shoulder for the hospital crew
Love the way we were treated on Sunday at the emergency. Ambulance crew got my partner in with minimum of pain and emergency staff were great. From the Information booth lady to the paramedics, nurses, xray staff, bed wheelers, doctor all friendly, quick, thorough. Warm woofs for you all from —Good dog Molly
Hey Psycho Bitch
Don’t get your hopes up. He’s still done with you. I hope to fuck you’ve moved on. —S. T.
I am so lucky
Big shout out and hugs to my best friend who is always there for me, even when it’s hard. Thank you for being so free with your free time and your help–you make my life so much nicer than it otherwise would be <3 I am so grateful to have been blessed with your friendship…
Tiny burgs
45 minute wait at popular burger joint for tiny disappointment of a burger. —Burger week cheap-out
Please Act Like a Grown-Ass Man
I was awoken at 3 am last Saturday by the terrifying howl of a drunk guy who’s foot had just been run over by a taxi. I have had my own foot run over by a car in the past and realize that the young man’s reaction was exaggerated. Being awoken with such a fright…
March Madness Day 6: NYT.com vs Facebook & Broadsheet vs. Town Crier
Click here to get caught up, because we are in Day 6 of our New Media vs Old Media March Madness bracket and I really don’t have an patience for lollygaggers. No child left behind? Don’t hold your breath, kiddo. Let me show you what I’m working with: First, as always, we recap yesterday. You…
To you Transit Driver Bitchers
I’m highly amused with the uneducated bitches lately. The ones that really get me are the ones that stress how drivers are over paid. First of all, my boyfriend has been with transit about 8 months now and as a new employee he makes about 20 bucks an hour. Not to bad right? Wrong. after…
Beefy feet
The feet on the Burger Week cover really turn me on. —Hairy Toes Are Hot
Burger Barfff
I have a (ground) beef to pick with you! Thanks Coast for ruining my appetite for burgers this week. The cover of disgusting hairy toes, and half eaten food falling on the ground ruined the image of a beautiful pristine burger. Next time put a sock on it- the feet at least. —Burger Babe
Shudder
Those feet on the Burger Week – Coast cover are DISGUSTIN! Now the last thing I wanna do is eat a burger. Fucking GROSS, Coast! —hate feet especially gross hairy man feet
It really doesn’t matter if ‘It was yellow!’
To the driver in the white van who nearly slammed into the back of my car on North and Oxford for slowing/stopping at a cross walk after the light had gone yellow while blaring his horn, and then decided to role down his window just to scream ‘Bitch’ at me. I’m sorry if you frustrated…
Irresponsible Dog Owners at PPP
How is it that dog owners dog’s have more space and rights than non dog people in this city? I just love it when my 2 year old walks through a pile of shit. Even better, I loved watching some asshole’s dog almost bite her face off. There is so much of the park that…
Uncommonly Nice
Well that was uncommonly nice of you to give me a coffee when your debit machine was down; you even let me know the answer to the tipping game when I had no tip to give. I owe you a coffee. Maybe next time we stop just smiling at each other and get to know…
All jealousy over our engagement
So my boyfriend and I got engaged and you guys can’t even be happy for us? All I got was how I was too young and advice on how expensive a divorce is. No congrats, nothing positive. Wow, nice to know my family and friends are so happy for me, already waiting on the divorce.…
Dear Spring Garden Guy
I saw you around downtown and then at your shop.I love your dark hair and nice smile. You asked if we needed help. Yes, I do. Can you smile one more time please? Thanks —annazzzzzzzz
My Mother Hates Me…She’s Probably Right To Do So
My mother hates me…and can I blame her? I probably hate myself just as much or more than she does. She’s threatening to kick me out for the second time now…or actually I think she may have told me I better be getting out soon. You have no idea how sad I am that I…
Massage Therapist
Why no handy J… blue cross is paying —not very happy with the ending
March Madness Day 5: Vice vs Reddit and 60 Minutes vs Global Morning Show
Unlike the real March Madness, you know the one with all the actual athletes, absolutely nothing happened this weekend in our tournament. Even though the news never sleeps, our competitors had their feet up, slacks off, de-stress gel masks on and the polls were closed. So here we are on Day 5 of media beatdowns.…
Easter Discrepancy
It is preached that on Good Friday – Christ was crucified died and buried – and then rose form the dead on Easter Sunday. He laid in the tomb for three days and three nights. That’s 72 hours. This makes Good Friday totally false. If he rose from the dead on Sunday (when Mary Magdeline…
Dear Boomers, Please Retire Gracefully
If I read another article suggesting the best way to deal with apparent labour shortages (first of all, where?) is for people to continue working long past retirement age I’m going to scream. I know it’s hard for you (Boomers) to contemplate your mortality but you cannot live forever. And therefore you cannot work forever.…
Crosswalk Cutie
Friday night on Agricola I stopped at the crosswalk seeing someone behind the telephone poll fidgeting for a cigarette. You had on a pea coat with a short fur trim collar. As you walked across the crosswalk lighting your cigarette and drawing from it and finally looking at me with the most genuinely happy and…
Slack Parents and thier Sick kids
My wife runs a daycare and one family constantly sends their kid sick, she was sent home twice this week due to vomiting and diarrhea, both times the parents dropped her off said she was fine the kid was white as a ghost and burning up.. the best art is the father doesn’t even work…
Garbage, garbage everywhere
Wouldn’t it be great if all renters could see the garbage on their lawns, steps, and curbs and pick it up? Let’s declare a “tenants take charge” day where everyone living in a rental unit on the peninsula is kept out of their apartment until they clean up the friggin’ garbage from the past 6…
Closer to the Heart
Big sloppy Russian cheek kisses to the fantastic cab driver with the crazy hair and khorosho taste in tunes who crossed my path this morning. Spassibo bolshoi, Tovaritsch. —Uncle Vanya
Blue elastic blues
Spring brings evidence of a winter’s worth of dog poo and blue elastics, among other litter. At least we know where all the blue elastics come from, don’t we? —Garbage picker-upper, but not by choice
All-Ways awesome
All-Ways Us is a pretty great business. Not only does it make a line of soaps, bath bombs, body wash and candles using all-natural, environmentally friendly, local ingredients, it’s a social enterprise, too. Operating under YACRO (Yarmouth Association for Community Residential Options, a non-profit that helps support children and adults with disabilities) All-Ways Us’ aim…
I know you’re in town
Through a friend of a friend on Facebook I was informed that you’re in Halifax, after being gone so long. Apparently you’re nothing but mopey and gloomy… The world’s not against you, you still have supporters and friends here in Hali, that YOU push/are pushing away. You’re lonely because of you. I’m not going to…
March Madness Day 4: The Daily Show vs. NakedNews.com & Info Morning vs. Frank
Has this really only been going on for four days? Unfortunately the answer is yes, and instead of thinking about what else you could be doing with your time, let’s take a portion of Friday to judge the media (for once, am I right?). March Madness rolls on with another sizzling match up, and this…
Coming Home
The day is getting closer. The epic journey is soon to be a reality. The kilometers continued to add up, but soon they will be bringing us together again. This cupcake is coming home. See you soon love! —Cupcake
Taxpayer funded housing for criminals, why?
Why are we, as taxpayers, forced to provide a roof over the head of criminals and their families? If someone is convicted of a crime and lives in subsidized housing, I think they and their whole family should be thrown out onto the street. I really don’t care where you live, the milk of human…
Imagine a movie you love…you know the one
Don’t you feel as if you are in that movie everyday? —Cameo in my life
Thanks…. Sorry!
So I got arrested on St Patrick’s day, you can probably guess why. I just wanted to thank the officers who put up with my no doubt rampant assholery in order to keep me safe and keep the peace. I don’t exactly remember what happened so chances are I deserved to get locked up. Sorry…
Local Dine Deck is all aces
We’re in the in-between season now where we’re not quite hyped up for spring, but totally done with winter and it can difficult to drag ourselves out of hibernation. Well, is anyone up for a game of cards? The Dartmouth-born great idea, Local Dine Deck is a card game where you’re guaranteed to win…discounts on…
Community Carrot in, Mbuji Mayi Market and Kevin Muise Interiors out
The business shuffle continues on Gottingen Street, this time with two shops making room for a new grocery store. The Community Carrot Co-op signed a lease for a space at the south end of Gottingen Street on March 1. The space used to be two separate commercial spaces rented by the Mbuji Mayi Market and…
handsome triage nurse
I was at the hospital yesterday visiting someone. On my way out, I thought about you and the times you were my triage nurse whenever I had gone to the emergency department (unfortuante but true) and how you just give me ALL the butterflies. As I was leaving the parking lot yesterday, I looked up…
Day 3: Gawker Media Group vs Twitter and Signal flags vs Joe Howe’s Nova Scotian
Oh boy, it’s only Day 3 and this competition is scorching already. It’s looking like there won’t be many blow-outs around these parts, and we’re OK with that. Bring on the nailbiters. Today’s match-ups are pretty unpredictable, Gawker Media Group vs Twitter in #newmedia and we’re going way, wayyyy back on the old media side…
gender impairity
seems to be some weird shit in the water when it comes to male/female relations in the 2010s. now that women can take care of their own business, it seems like men have not only given up trying to take care of women, but themselves too. why are there so many unemployed, unambitious, non-committal 30+…
Fellowship
Love. So much love. My people. That’s who you are. You head butted my heart, and it shattered. Wanna go for a walk? Stonehenge? Pride rock? Gondor? Let’s put Tom In the trunk of the car, and go get breakfast. Friends forever. —Ginger Bitch
Transit Driver Appreciation Day…REALLY?
Not teachers appreciation day, not nurses appreciation day, not even a day of appreciation for first responders…no, what we need is a day set aside just to specifically appreciate the city’s most over paid position in the municipal job force. Hasn’t even been two years since that strike had me walking my ass to work…
Superhero look alike
You look like a mix of James Vanderbeek/Mr. Incredible. Watching you swim and work out makes my time at the gym we both belong to worth while. Put your ear phones out and talk to me! —Dot
Is it…
…Running silent, running deep…to obfuscate the moon and stars..? Ruminations on a situation that up until now was almost inconceivable… this is love like I have never known…it will not go away.. —..a table for one…
Fiddler in the Window
To the beautiful person who plays the fiddle out of their window for the people walking on Barrington Street: You make the world a more interesting place, and my mornings a little brighter. I love to look up, and see you there, with with a big smile on your face, playing your music for the…
The cat stays!
So this chick dumps me because I bought a cat, while she won’t buy meds to treat her cat allergy. I just found out she had an allergy after I got one. My last cat died a year ago and I wanted a new one. Good bye, entitled bitch. —Random guy now with just one…
retail mismanagement
You made a very big mistake today. You should not judge people by how they look, and at the very least you should be aware that your store policy does not support that type of marginalization–I expect you to know this, given that you are an employee of a long-standing international cd/dvd store. You may…
Metro Travesty
You fucking moron bus drivers who feel it is more important to make that green light on Lower Water St than it is to do your fucking $25/hour job and let passengers on. It’s ok, I don’t mind your ass not even making eye contact with us so you don’t feel as guilty. It’s bad…
Beat Nation’s national identity
Lined up end to end, Duane Linklater’s five-part neon series “Tautology” could be at home among the bright lights in Times Square, but the Omushkego Cree artist’s work is more an urban reflection of Canadian identity than anything, subverting a medium usually reserved for advertisement or signage with a thunderbird directly appropriated from the Norval…
Best New Artist / Band
Gold Winner Thrillah Silver Winner Vicious Bronze Winner Natalie Lynn “I was into music since I was a kid, listening to all the rappers, especially Biggie, watching Michael Jackson videos. I always wanted to be on stage and be that guy,” says Daniel “Thrillah” Kane, the man behind the best local single, the sublime “Drop…
Best Artist / Band To Enjoy Quietly
Gold Winner Quiet Parade Silver Winner Dark for Dark Bronze Winner Panos Quiet Parade’s Trevor Murphy is no stranger to this category– this makes QP the reigning champ of quiet for the fourth year running. “We’re always excited to be the winners in this category! It shows that are fans appreciate our intensely introspective lyrics…
Nap Eyes’ elusive and inclusive new album
“You just gotta be tired and ready to snooze,” says Nigel Chapman, one of the masterminds behind Halifax and Montreal’s Nap Eyes, “A good nap can be the best.” After a year of tinkering, Nap Eyes releases the full length Whine of the Mystic on Montreal’s Plastic Factory Records on March 25. Releasing EPs since…
Best Song
Gold Winner “Drop That,” Thrillah prod by Matty Boh Silver Winner “Destroy,” In-Flight Safety Bronze Winner “Indio,” Matt Mays
Best Artist / Band To Turn Up Loud
Gold Winner Dumpster Mummy Silver Winner Last Kick Bronze Winner Kuato Garbage enthusiasts Dumpster Mummy care not for your preconceived notions about what a metal band should be. And if that’s not a reason to pump the jams loud and proud then I don’t know what is. “We’re kind of the oddballs in the metal…
Best Video
Gold Winner “If We’re Divine,” Orchid’s Curse (directed by Colin MacDonald) Silver Winner “Mambo 666,” Billie Dre & The Poor Boys (directed by Pawn Media) Bronze Winner “Pound Cake,” Jay Mayne (directed by Tyler Ross) A band with a strong visual presence is a joy forever. Separating the wheat from the chaff, an interesting aesthetic…
Best Artist / Band To Be Blown Away By
Gold Winner Kuato Silver Winner Jessie Brown Bronze Winner The Wayo The boys in Kuato were especially chuffed by this win, considering they trade their supremely doomy experimental rock in this city in particular–“a city full of bands who have blown us away throughout our time here,” says drummer Josh Pothier. Like most of us,…
Burger Week is back
It feels like just yesterday we were pulling on the elastic waistbands in anticipation of Halifax’s first Burger Week. Now it’s back for a second serving, this time bringing with it fine offerings from 50 restaurants. We’re talkin’ $5 burgs, special Feed Nova Scotia charity burgs, brisket, pulled pork, haddock, tofu, grass-fed beef, fried chicken,…
E.S.T. sweded
As part of JazzEast’s upcoming Out Like a Lion festival, Gottingen Street’s The Nook will play host to the E.S.T. Tribute Band, a three-man effort dedicated to covering and re-interpreting the sounds of the late Swedish group the Esbjörn Svensson Trio. “It’s funny to be doing this tribute concert to E.S.T. because no one knows…
Best Female Solo Artist
Gold Winner Jenn Grant Silver Winner Kim Harris Bronze Winner Ria Mae Through her risk-taking, goosebump-raising songs, Jenn Grant has proven herself devoted to beauty. Fans rejoice: Grant’s newest EP, Clairvoyant, is gearing up for European release, available at her local shows and through her online store, touring will happen organically and a new full-length…
Best Dressed Artist / Band
Gold Winner Willie Stratton and the Boarding Party Silver Winner Thrillah Bronze Winner Dub Kartel “Although we consider ourselves the best undressed band, we are super-stoked about winning Best Dressed,” says Stratton, your pick for nattiest music maker around. Stratton cites army navy surplus stores (shout out to Agricola Street), Lost & Found and Vagabond…
I hang out at libraries, even when I’m not looking for a book
We had an hour to kill. None of the trendy microbreweries were quiet enough to have a real conversation. My friend wasn’t hungry; I couldn’t stomach more coffee. I suggested the library. “Like, hang out there? At the library?” Her laugh implied I was silly, naïve, or both. I’ve spent most of my life hanging…
Free Will Astrology
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aries! (March 21-April 19) “When you plant seeds in the garden, you don’t dig them up every day to see if they have sprouted yet,” says Buddhist nun Thubten Chodron. “You simply water them and clear away the weeds; you know that the seeds will grow in time.” That’s sound advice for you,…
Best Producer
Gold Winner Daniel Ledwell Silver Winner Cam Smith Bronze Winner Charles Austin “I believe I’m there to help an artist achieve their vision. But I also like to push them outside of their comfort zone a little bit,” says Ledwell. “Plus, I like to party.” It’s hard to believe your choice for best local producer…
Best Artist / Band Hijinks
Gold Winner Graboids Silver Winner Billie Dre & The Poor Boys Bronze Winner Dub Kartel “When I was 17 I saw some band called The Hottest Days of January and the lead singer had his hands in his pockets,” says the ever entertaining Graboids frontman Adrian Bruhm. “I vowed that day to never be that…
Muppets: Most Wanted
At just the one-quarter mark, it’s already been a banner year for family entertainment, even if you choose to dismiss Frozen’s grip on popular culture on a 2013 technicality: The Lego Movie, Mr. Peabody and Sherman and now Muppets: Most Wanted have offered delights to children, their parents and the childless adults who wish there…
Big Brother Canada Episode 6
After last Thursday’s Twistos twist (stop trying to make Twistos happen), new player–still disappointed it wasn’t Scott!–Allison entered the house and was promptly forgotten about (save a few nasty comments from Head of Household Ika) and adopted by the boys. To celebrate, they were given a bucket of beer and reacted with an embarrassing display,…
Best MC
Gold Winner Cam Smith Silver Winner Ambition Bronze Winner Ghettosocks Cam Smith is in your internets, being funny, talented and generally engaging. He credits this late night ICQing (or its modern-day equivalent) to today’s success, both in this poll and otherwise. “I think 10 years ago it was about the bars and lyricism, and that’s…
Best Online Presence By An Artist / Band
Gold Winner The Town Heroes Silver Winner Ben Caplan Bronze Winner Last Kick Um, The Town Heroes are hilarious. See for yourself: “We both attended very progressive schools in Cape Breton, where, along with being taught life applicable skills such as the rubber boot toss and smelt jigging, we were thoroughly educated in all areas…
Field Guide notes
Atlantic Canada has long had a Saint John and St. John’s, but in Field Guide, Halifax has found its own St. John. Since 1994, Fergus Henderson, the chef at St. John in London, England, has been at the forefront of nose-to-tail eating, and now chef/owner Dan Vorstermans and his partner Ceilidh Sutherland are leading the…
You shouldn’t catch even one
Q I am a liberal parent. I raised a daughter who is bi and poly. I always thought that I could accept anything that parenthood might throw at me. I knew that I could embrace my son if he were straight, gay, bi, trans, et cetera. If there is a controlling consciousness of the universe,…
Best DJ
Gold Winner KDZ Silver Winner Pineo Bronze Winner DJ IV When Kyle McCracken isn’t whipping the audience into a frenzy with Dub Kartel, he’s behind the tables mixing booty-bumping magic as KDZ. The driving force behind Home Bass, a weekly dance bonanza at Reflections every Thursday night, KDZ is a servant to the dance floor.…
Letters to the editor, March 20, 2014
Speaking up When Liberal MLA Joachim Stroink gleefully posed for the cameras sitting in the lap of a guy wearing black face, the Coast declared he was “not a racist” and “a good guy” just celebrating his Dutch heritage. When other news outlets interviewed Stroink about how, after five months in office, he could not…
Best Songwriter
Gold Winner Jenn Grant Silver Winner Joel Plaskett Bronze Winner Jessie Brown Through her risk-taking, goosebump-raising songs, Jenn Grant has proven herself devoted to beauty. Fans rejoice: Grant’s newest EP, Clairvoyant, is gearing up for European release, available at her local shows and through her online store, touring will happen organically and a new full-length…
Banda Magda’s world
Magda Giannikou is a Greek woman, who sings in French, who went to school in Boston and lives in New York. Her band members come from Argentina and Japan. The music she composes, that they make together as Banda Magda, is sweet, twee, densely arranged jaunty other-worldly pop, the kind of thing you can imagine…
Best Male Solo Artist
Gold Winner Matt Mays Silver Winner Rich Aucoin Bronze Winner Stewart Legere Matt Mays lost his friend and guitar player Jay Smith suddenly last March while the band was touring his latest album, Coyote. It was a huge blow to Mays—and the Atlantic Canadian music scene in general—who worked through his grief along with his…
Top of the Lake
A seven-episode TV series set in rural New Zealand, Top of the Lake is a real treat. It stars Golden Globe award-winning Elizabeth Moss–the Mad Men actor rocking a very plausible Kiwi accent–as a police investigator returning to her hometown and getting involved in a mystery involving child abuse, abduction and drug dealing. In Campion’s capable…
Best Country Artist / Band
Gold Winner Dana Beeler Silver Winner EB Anderson and The Resolutes Bronze Winner Corey Isenor
Best Rock Artist / Band
Gold Winner Matt Mays Silver Winner Gloryhound Bronze Winner Billie Dre & The Poor Boys Matt Mays lost his friend and guitar player Jay Smith suddenly last March while the band was touring his latest album, Coyote. It was a huge blow to Mays—and the Atlantic Canadian music scene in general—who worked through his grief…
Short Term 12
A truly remarkable independent film that didn’t stand a hope in hell of making it into the multiplex, this is a gem not be missed on a smaller screen. Based on the experiences of writer-director Cretton, who worked in a group home for at-risk teens, we meet an ensemble of tough kids and the somewhat…
Best Experimental Artist / Band
Gold Winner PANOS Silver Winner Kuato Bronze Winner Walrus Related Stories
Best Merch
Gold Winner Orchid’s Curse Silver Winner Ben Caplan Bronze Winner Dub Kartel A band with a strong visual presence is a joy forever. Separating the wheat from the chaff, an interesting aesthetic provides valuable information about your band as well as being cool as heck. Orchid’s Curse knows this all too well, taking gold on…
The Pigheaded Soul: Essays and Reviews on Poetry and Culture
Late last year Jason Guriel’s review of Memorial, a loose translation of The Illiad by Alice Oswald, became the grounds of a lit crit wrestling match. Poet-critic Helen Guri took Guriel down, calling the review “dismissive,” “snide,” and anti-feminist. Poet-critic Steward Cole picked Guriel back up, calling Guri’s review “violently distorting.” And then on Twitter…
Best R&B Artist / Band
Gold Winner Cyndi Cain Silver Winner Kirsten Olivia Bronze Winner Nicole Ariana
Best Album
Gold Winner Heavy Blinkers, Health Silver Winner Billie Dre & The Poor Boys, Garlic Fingers Bronze WinnerOrchid’s Curse, Words Heavy Blinkers’ Jason MacIsaac knew something good was happening on Health when David Christensen started conducting the string quartet. “If I breathed at all during those sessions, it was only long enough for me to say:…
The Invention of Wings
Sue Monk Kidd’s first crack at racial tensions in 2003’s The Secret Life of Bees was set in ’64 South Carolina and one of the most affecting books I fell in love with as a teenager. So, of course, her newest Oprah-approved re-imagining of the lives of the famous abolitionist Grimke sisters was top of…
Best Category We Forgot
Gold Winner Videographer Silver Winner Sexiest Bronze Winner Blog
Best Tour You Wish Came To Halifax
Gold Winner Iron Maiden Silver Winner Beyonc Bronze Winner Warped Tour Put them in the iron maiden? Excellent, say most survey voters. How this beat out Beyoncé I have no ever-loving clue, but I will concede that “Run to the Hills” is an amazing song with great range. In fact, Maiden barely graced North America…
Real Estate
For all the jerks who didn’t like Real Estate the first two times around, there is little consolation to be found on Atlas. In fact, in addition to remaining unfailingly “chill”, there is a distinct air of “mope” on Atlas. What’s worse (for those jerks) is that Real Estate is sooo “chill” that it’s actually…
Best Artist / Band
Gold Winner Dub Kartel Silver Winner Take Part Bronze Winner Thrillah It’s pouring outside, but all seven members of Dub Kartel happily pile into a small room with a long table, all smiles, maybe or maybe not hungover. Tonight is the video release for “PayDay”–directed by Jeff Miller, featuring a day in the life of…
Best Artist / Band Most Likely To Make It Big
Gold Winner Billie Dre & The Poor Boys Silver Winner Dub Kartel Bronze Winner Take Part Billie Dre & The Poor Boys may have forsaken us for Toronto, but that really only adds to the possibility of them making it big, right? “We’ll just have to see but we can tell you it certainly helps…
Thrillah
Dartmouth’s Thrillah Kane opts not to play around with his follow up to Thrillville. With a greater focus on a more party-friendly club sound, Kane still attacks a verse like it’s his job. Whether backed by icy cool synths or heavy floor-shaking beats, Thrillah sounds equally comfortable and pitch perfect. There’s a staggering amount of…
Best Artist / Band To Dance To
Gold Winner Dub Kartel Silver Winner Party Boots Bronze Winner Mellotones It’s pouring outside, but all seven members of Dub Kartel happily pile into a small room with a long table, all smiles, maybe or maybe not hungover. Tonight is the video release for “PayDay”–directed by Jeff Miller, featuring a day in the life of…
Best Live Show In The Past Year
Gold Winner Billie Dre & The Poor Boys Garlic Fingers album release at The Seahorse Silver Winner Ryan Hemsworth at Reflections Bronze Winner Hopscotch cipher Billie Dre & The Poor Boys may have forsaken us for Toronto, but that really only adds to the possibility of them making it big, right? “We’ll just have to…
No Bodies
Magical bindles full of psych, harmonies, guitar proficiency and an ever- present ghostly vocal effect are all over this stunning debut. Dusty and perfect, and 100 percent unapologetic about refusing to reinvent the wheel. You should be fine with that, because these are GOOD SONGS from GOOD MUSICIANS (Outtacontroller’s James O’Toole and Fat Stupids’ Craig…
Best Artist / Band To Get Trashed To
Gold Winner Dub Kartel Silver Winner Take Part Bronze Winner Thrillah It’s pouring outside, but all seven members of Dub Kartel happily pile into a small room with a long table, all smiles, maybe or maybe not hungover. Tonight is the video release for “PayDay”–directed by Jeff Miller, featuring a day in the life of…
Best Vinyl
Gold Winner Dog Day, Fade Out Silver Winner A.A. Wallace, (disambiguation) Bronze Winner Crosss, Obsidian Spectre With the news of a hiatus on the horizon–Exclaim! reported that Nancy Urich and Seth Smith, the duo behind Dog Day, are taking some time away from the band to focus on being 100 percent kickass parents of their…
The Canteen spirit
“I just really love making salads and make sandwiches every day for my kids,” says Renée Lavallée of the inspiration behind her sandwich shop The Canteen (66 Ochterloney Street, above her landlords at Two if by Sea) which opens this Monday, March 24. “I wanted something simple. I want to be able to talk to…
Susie’s Shortbreads’ new digs
Susie’s Shortbreads (1589 Dresden Row) has been providing Haligonians with sweet relief for nearly a decade, doling out artfully created treats on downtown for six of those years. With a milestone on the horizon, and a lease expiry this summer, owner TJ Peach took a closer look at the shop’s business model and in realizing…
