Soundtrack to your student life

Welcome to Halifax, where a sea shanty is also a jam. Credit: Lenny Mullins

Whether your post-secondary experience is more Animal House or Legally Blonde, you’ll need a local soundtrack to set the scene. Consider this your primer on some Halifax artists that will help get you through the year.

Running to your 8am Monday class
“Boo Boo Down,” Gypsophilia (jazz)
No one looks cool running while wearing a backpack, but this at-times hectic jazz tune will make you feel like you’re on a mission everywhere you’re going–even if you’re headed to ENGL 1000.

Realizing your parents are enjoying their empty nest
“How Come You Never Call (or Write),” Quiet Parade (folk-pop)
A wistful, longing tune that will hit close to home when you realize your parents have tossed out your Legos, rented out your room and booked a South American cruise.

Getting turnt at a stranger’s house party
“Turbo,” Cam Smith (hip hop)
When you’re spending the night with Molly somewhere in Fenwick Tower, go on the trip of your lifetime with Dartmouth rapper Cam Smith’s quintessential party song.

Sleeping on a hallway couch between classes
“Go Into The Night,” Gabrielle Papillon (indie-folk)
Let one of Halifax’s finest singer-songwriters lull you into an afternoon nap. Use your backpack as a pillow and forget about the hustle and bustle going on around you.

Finally snapping and freaking out at your roommate
“Bring Down the Hammer,” Vicious (hard rock/metal)
Chad hasn’t done his dishes in weeks and you’re fed up. When you drop the armload of pots and pans into his bed, listen to Vicious and let the hate flow through you.

Bumping into your Tinder match on campus
“Clothes Off,” Ria Mae (pop)
Undoubtedly the sexiest song to come out of Halifax in recent memory, “Clothes Off” does what it says on the box. This isn’t a love song, this is pure and shameless lust. Swipe right on this one.

Dumping your boyfriend after Thanksgiving break
“Head Down Low,” RealEyez (hip hop)
Todd knows what he did. You know what Todd did. Find the strength to show Todd the door with this sassy jam directed at a wayward significant other. There’s a reason RealEyez is The Female King.

Pulling an all-nighter to write an essay
“Got Yourself Into This,” Scrapes (rock)
This song might not be about academic pursuits, but the sentiment works just the same–“I feel for you, but you got yourself into this”–and the energy of the track will sustain you all night.

Getting separated from your friends on a pub crawl
“12 Bar Blues,” Chris Martin Trio (rockabilly)
You remember you were supposed to hit up twelve bars, but you lost track of time, the agenda and your friends after stumbling out of the sixth. Let Chris Martin be your guide and drinking buddy–and find your shoes, you’re out of ‘er b’y.