Thom Swift is a humble workhorse. On The Legend of Roy Black—his fourth solo record, 14th including collaborations—he took inspiration from both decades of touring and conversations with the album’s namesake musician in creating a timeless collection of roots songs. Swift describes Roy Black as an old friend. “We may only talk once a year, […]
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Glitterclit (New Music 2016)
“I think we’ve all always had these feelings about smashing the patriarchy, critical sex-positivity and frustrations with being treated differently, especially in certain scenes like music, because we’re women,” says Jess MacDonald (guitar). In January, MacDonald, Camila Salcedo (drums) and Grace Stratton (bass) created Glitterclit, a feminist-punk band inspired by riot grrls, Bikini Kill, Spray […]
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Veda Hille is rocking again with a new album & perspective
For singer-songwriter Veda Hille, emotional forces parallel natural ones. On her new album Love Waves, feelings harden into pebbles, lyrics echo like a tide at the shore, and romance is felt with a physical strength that could topple buildings. A couple of special projects aside, it’s Hille’s first album of new songs in nearly eight […]
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James Bradley Band (New Music 2016)
“I would say my biggest influences are the Foo Fighters and Jet,” says Brad Long, the lead guitarist and singer of his first rock project, James Bradley Band. “I listen to a lot of different styles, but rock bands like those, The Sheepdogs, The Trews and Sam Roberts Band are definitely my favourites.” A student […]
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The clock of the new
Noel Macdonald is no stranger to The Coast’s annual New Music Issue. He played in Tomcat Combat (in the 2008 NMI), Long Weekends (2011) and Don Lovely (2015). None of the bands are active anymore. “Sometimes it’s not because of challenges, sometimes that was the original intent,” says Macdonald. “It’s realistic and sensible to consider […]
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Latin Drama (New Music 2016)
Are you feelin’ hot, hot, hot? You will once you hear Halifax’s newest six-piece Latin American music ensemble. “We’re four Cubans, one Colombian and one Mexican,” says Marcel Nazabal (flutes, gaita, vocals), boasting the only Latin American band in the city with all originally Latin American members. “We’re bringing 100 percent Latin flavour to Halifax,” […]
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Hello Delaware (New Music 2016)
This is what inspires Dana Beeler, the vocalist and guitarist of new rock-based outfit Hello Delaware: “Shitty dudes, shitty breakups and t-shirts with fun sayings on them. I was sick of being pigeonholed as a sad-sack songwriter,” she says of her days performing as Dana Beeler, onstage with a guitar. “But I’m not sad, I’m […]
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Laurenn Marchand (New Music 2016)
“I do write a lot about myself, but I love writing story songs,” says folk songwriter Laurenn Marchand, a graduate of music from St. FX and music therapy at Acadia. “Working as a music therapist outside of performance, I have the opportunity to engage with a lot of older people and I love writing songs […]
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NEW MUSIC ISSUE 2016
It’s official—every other city in the country is still jealous of Halifax’s musical talent. In this, our 13th annual look at rising stars of the local scene, the range and depth of talent just continues to grow. Good for Halifax. Great for listeners like you. Century Egg Booji Boys Cabot Cunny Ross Glitterclit Eddy Electric […]
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Boogie Boys (New Music 2016)
“Me and Steve wanted to start something poppy but still have it be punk and fast,” says guitarist Cody Googoo (Alienation, Unreal Thought) of his collaborator Steve Earle. Joined by Bloodhouse’s Alex Mitchell (vocals), Justin Crowe (drums) and Adam LeDrew (bass, formerly Walrus), Booji Boys released an energetic post-punk demo of six songs last month. […]
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Cabot (New Music 2016)
As a member of the Halifax Music Co-op, Wesley Smith approached fellow member and vocalist Julia Cunningham once he launched his electronic music project, Cabot, with electronic producer Brant Hunter, also known as Feels (a member of the Murmurs arts and music collective). “I knew I wanted to work with a female singer, so I […]
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Walrus brings home a new EP
The members of Halifax’s Walrus are wedged into a cafe booth that’s almost shaking with laughter. Jordan Murphy, the group’s drummer, is talking about the time one of their teenage band practices got a little too rowdy. “Remember the time we broke dad’s guitar and blamed Keith? For sure we weren’t taking the heat on […]