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In the air there's a feeling of Villages

Celebrate the holidays with the folk foursome.

“A lot of people love it, and we love it for sure,” says Villages’ Matt Ellis, of a little holiday called Christmas. “It’s a vibe around this feeling, and what creates that feeling is the music.

By Tara Thorne Dec 13, 2018

Villages Writing A Letter (This Christmas) Matt Ellis Travis Ellis Jon Pearo Archie Rankin Mardeen

Bend the River’s <i>Long Night</i> coming

Bend the River’s Long Night coming

The seven-piece Americana band joins forces with Joel Plaskett for its new EP Through the Long Night.

Bend the River EP release show Thursday, December 6, 8pm The Seahorse Tavern, 2037 Gottingen Street $10-$18

By Tara Thorne Dec 6, 2018

Bend the River Ronok Sarkar Joel Plaskett Through the Long Night So Long Joan Fontaine Waiting for Alice The Seahorse Tavern

Serena Ryder’s pure joy

On Christmas Kisses, the singer aims for “innocence and awe and excitement” with her new holiday offering.

Serena Ryder Thursday, December 6, 8pm Casino Nova Scotia, Schooner Room, 1983 Upper Water Street $60 ticketatlantic.com

By Brennan McCracken Dec 6, 2018

Serena Ryder Christmas Kisses Casino Nova Scotia, Schooner Room

Support, in unison

Jessie Brown leads a lineup of bands coming together in honour of the Unison Benevolent Fund, an important resource for musicians.

Support Acts w/Jessie Brown, Worst Part, No, It's Fine., Designosaur Friday, December 7, 9pm The Seahorse Tavern, 2037 Gottingen Street $8/pwyc

By Morgan Mullin Dec 6, 2018

Support Acts Jessie Brown Worst Part No, It’s Fine. Designosaur Unison Benevolent Fund The Seahorse Tavern

The Barr Brothers’ autumn <i>Breakers</i>

The Barr Brothers’ autumn Breakers

It’s been a busy year for the Montreal outfit but they’re taking Queens of the Breakers on one last run.

The Barr Brothers w/Michael Feuerstack Friday, November 30, 9pm Marquee Ballroom, 2037 Gottingen Street $28 adv/$32 doors sonicconcerts.com

By Jonathan Briggins Nov 29, 2018

Brad Barr Andrew Barr The Barr Brothers Queens of the Breakers The Marquee Ballroom

Many Moonwakes

On Phonetic Limbo the sprawling Halifax band follows its musical muse wherever it wanders.

Moonwake w/Walrus, Carinae Friday, November 30, 10pm The Seahorse Tavern, 2037 Gottingen Street $15

By Tara Thorne Nov 29, 2018

Sean Clancey Braden Nelson Adam Ritchie Moonwake Be Still Placement Phonetic Limbo The Seahorse Tavern

Kaia Kater’s folk bomb

Already a veteran of the North American music scene at 25, the artist brings her new album Grenades to town packed with history and soul.

Kaia Kater w/Leanne Hoffman Sunday, November 25, 8pm The Carleton, 1685 Argyle Street $17.50

By Tara Thorne Nov 22, 2018

Kaia Kater Grenades Erin Costelo Nine Pin Appalachia The Carleton

Petra Glynt’s wake-up call

On My Flag Is A Burning Rag of Love, the artist makes danceable pop music with a progressive conscience.

Petra Glynt w/Russell Louder, Marthas Thursday, November 22, 8pm Modulating Mansion, 2411 Agricola Street $10

By Brennan McCracken Nov 22, 2018

Petra Glynt Alexandra Mackenzie My Flag is a Burning Rag of Love Modulating Mansion Cooperative

The duality of Donovan Woods

The Toronto folk singer (and champion tweeter) brings his latest,Both Ways, for Halifax to interpret.

Donovan Woods and the Opposition w/Raye Zaragoza Saturday, November 17, 2pm and 8pm (sold out) St. Matthew’s Church, 1479 Barrington Street $30 adv/$35 doors sonicconcerts.com

By Jonathan Briggins Nov 15, 2018

Sara Davis Buechner’s music magic

Following years of hardships, the acclaimed pianist visits Halifax for an extraordinary recital.

Sara Davis Buechner Saturday, November 17, 7pm Lilian Piercey Concert Hall, Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts 6199 Chebucto Road $10-$35 ceciliaconcerts.ca

By Brandon Young Nov 15, 2018

Sara Davis Buechner classical LGBTQ+ Maritime Conservatory

The most confident version of Erin Costelo

On Sweet Marie, the Halifax soul siren started with a love song by Randy Newman and ended up somewhere bold and new: “It’s exactly what I wanted to say.”

Erin Costelo w/Leanne Hoffman Thursday, November 8, 7:30pm Fort Massey United Church, 5303 Tobin Street $25 eventbrite.ca

By Tara Thorne Nov 8, 2018

Sweet Marie Clive MacNutt Anna Ruddick Glenn Milchem Leith Fleming-Smith Kaia Kater Randy Newman Compass Records Fort Massey United Church

A veteran helping veterans

Patrick Murray is a folk singer now, but his years of military service inform everything he does.

Patrick Murray Saturday, November 10, 8pm Codapop Studios, 6880 Quinpool Road

By Tara Thorne Nov 8, 2018

Patrick Murray JP Cormier Remembrance Day veterans Codapop Studios

Nocturnal Cities brings something new to Nova Scotia Music Week

Music Nova Scotia wants to grow the nighttime economy, starting this weekend in Truro.

Nocturnal Cities forum at Nova Scotia Music Week Saturday, November 3 Elm/Oak Ballroom, Holiday Inn Truro, 437 Prince Street $55 (forum only, included w/NSMW delegate pass, $100) nsmw.ca

By Tara Thorne Nov 1, 2018

Nova Scotia Music Week 2018 NSMW2018 Nocturnal Cities Music Nova Scotia Scott Long Fall Arts Preview 2018

HPX18: Zaki Ibrahim

The Secret Life of Planets, Ibrahim wants listeners to “think outside of the prisons we create for ourselves.”

[image1] Zaki Ibrahim w/Yohvn Black Saturday, October 20, 9:30pm The Seahorse, 2037 Gottingen Street.

By Brandon Young Oct 18, 2018

Halifax Pop Explosion HPX 18 Halifax Pop Explosion 2018 Zaki Ibrahim The Secret Life of Planets Cutloose The Seahorse Tavern

HPX18: Art d’Ecco

The artist wants to turn a genre inside out on his debut Trespasser: “The generic tropes of masculinity and ham-fisted bar-rock is so tired to me.”

Art d'Ecco w/Sportsfan, Future Peers, Sorrey Friday, October 19, 1:30pm The Local, 2037 Gottingen Street, free

By Brandon Young Oct 18, 2018

Halifax Pop Explosion HPX 18 Halifax Pop Explosion 2018 Art D’Ecco Trespasser The Local

HPX18: Hua Li

The Montreal rapper subverts ideas of Chinese identity and hip hop.

Hua Li w/DJ Shub, Cadence Weapon, Jayd Ink, Fat Tony, Blakdenim Saturday, October 20, 9pm The Marquee, 2037 Gottingen Street, $25 adv/$33 door

By Morgan Mullin Oct 18, 2018

Halifax Pop Explosion HPX 18 Halifax Pop Explosion 2018 Hua Li Cadence Weapon Montreal Montreal Za Zhong Notorious BIG The Marquee Ballroom

HPX18: Juice Girls

A fresh new album from a fresh new band of Halifax friends, just in time for HPX.

Juice Girls w/Jon McKiel, Steve Lambke Friday, October 19, 10:30pm Gus' Pub, 2605 Agricola Street, $15

By Jonathan Briggins Oct 18, 2018

Halifax Pop Explosion HPX 18 Halifax Pop Explosion 2018 juice bar riot grrl grunge Juice Girls Michelle Moraitis Kirsten Todd Lauren Randles Kelsey Crewson Robin Fraser Gus' Pub & Grill

HPX18: Praises

In an ever-shifting music practice, Jesse Crowe always comes back to herself.

Praises w/Mon Doux Saigneur, Blaze Velluto, Tallies Thursday, October 18, 9:15pm The T-Room, 1360 Barrington Street, free

By Jonathan Briggins Oct 18, 2018

Halifax Pop Explosio HPX 18 Halifax Pop Explosion 2018 Jesse Crowe Praises Beliefs Yi Michael BOyd Hand Drawn Dracula T-Room

HPX18: Rayannah

With roots in jazz and pulling textures from multiple influences, this is dreamy electronica always up for something new.

Rayannah w/Cartel Madras, Jon Bryant, Beach Body Friday, October 19, 5:30pm The Carleton, 1685 Argyle Street, $15

By Kyle Mullin Oct 18, 2018

Halifax Pop Explosion HPX 18 Halifax Pop Explosion 2018 electronica EDM Rayanna The Carleton

Same Town, more Heroes

For its fourth record, the duo becomes a quartet and tries to figure out how to keep the things they care about.

The Town Heroes album release w/Kids Losing Sleep, David in the Dark Friday, October 12, 10:30pm The Seahorse Tavern, 2037 Gottingen Street $15, tickethalifax.com

By Johnny James Oct 11, 2018

The Town Heroes Mike Ryan Bruce Gillis Tori Cameron Victoria Cameron Aaron Green Floodland Hello Delaware Everything (Will Be Fine When We Get To Where We Think We’re Going) The Seahorse Tavern