Montreal’s Black Tiger Sex Machine brings ferocious EDM to Halifax with LED tiger masks, a dynamic light show and powerful dance jams. “People tend to get really wild at our gigs,” say the tigers. “We’re inspired by Daft Punk and Justice. We wanted our shows to have a strong visual component that would blow people’s […]
HPX
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The Dillinger Escape Plan’s plan
Expect the unexpected from The Dillinger Escape Plan at HPX. Or don’t? “Audiences should expect nothing like all the YouTube videos of us out there,” says singer Greg Puciato. “Those are all fake live videos we disseminate ourselves to throw people off from the reality that it’s kinda like a boy’s choir.” Dillinger’s first visit […]
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Dorothea Paas is out of this world
If Toronto art-rock outfit Dorothea Paas was a movie theatre treat, “we’d be a hot fresh popcorn with Reese’s Pieces in the bag, melting slightly with butter,” says arty Torontonian rocker Dorothea Paas. “Classic, comforting, with a hint of sweetness and something you might not totally expect but you’ll hopefully enjoy!” What started as a […]
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Energy Slime is a yogurt-based band
“Energy Slime is myself and Jessica Delisle, and it began as an outlet for the songs that were too weird, short or drunk for our regular band,” says Vancouver’s Jay Arner. His label, Mint Records, is hosting an HPX showcase on Saturday afternoon with Monomyth, Tough Age and Fake Tears. For this special set, Energy […]
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Halifax tried to kill Gavin Stephens
“The best way to describe my comedy?” asks Toronto comedy veteran Gavin Stephens. “I would say my style is personal and social philosophy, with a heavy nerd influence. And farts.” For 20 years, Stephens has been touring Canada and the world, with regular stops in Halifax. “I once choked on a donair here, so this […]
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Jazz Cartier’s rising star
2015 has been busy for Toronto’s Jaye Adams, best known by his alias Jazz Cartier. His debut album, Marauding in Paradise, came out in April. It later made the Polaris Prize longlist. Adams’ Pop Explosion performance—opening for Travi$ $cott at the Forum Multi-purpose Centre—will be his first show in town. He says he’s excited to […]
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Review: Day One, Halifax Pop Explosion
Hey. Here we are. Pop Explosion. Day one. I’m already exhausted. I didn’t take many pics because my camera is a piece of crap Android and it gives me ‘droid rage because every photo sucks. So please check out these beautiful photos by Lenny Mullins for a visual reference as I ramble on about what […]
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DJ/producer Ryan Hemsworth—the Q&A
Last May, Halifax-bred Ryan Hemsworth began releasing underground jams by new DJs to his fans as Secret Songs. On Wednesday he’s bringing his faves here for HPX’s Secret Songs Showcase, and it’s gonna be fire. Just 25, Hemsworth is a veritable DJ superstar. He’s played Pitchfork Music Festival and Coachella, remixed some of pop and […]
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True rock, harsh and clean
“Rock music is pretty meat and potatoes. That’s all good, but we try to throw a lime wedge or some cilantro in there too,” says Charles Austin, one of the master chefs behind Halifax’s Psychic Fair. Since 2013, Psychic Fair—also with scene veterans Cliff Gibb, Andrew Glencross and Josh Salter—has been spicing up the band’s personal […]
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HPX 2011: Wednesday treats
Fresh from finishing up our HPX guide, I booked it over to the CKDU lobby to see The Weekend Dads and Cold Warps play live (on radio and in person). I missed Weekend Dads because I’m a worky workerson but got there in time for The CWs. New songs were amazing (“Slimer”! OH MAN), it […]
