Last month, Halifax singer-songwriter Cactus Flower (Jess Lewis) released her first full-length, Magic Hour. It’s an album that was years in the making but completely worth the wait. Splitting her time between several projects — as a harmonious vocalist in Dark for Dark, as a technician in Halifax theatre productions, as a player in three […]
The Scene
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Going through the (e)motions at Fat Wrecked
I’ll be honest, Fat Wreck Chords predates me. But the legendary punk label’s artists were there when I needed them, stumbling into my lap in the form of the Warped Tour 2005 compilation CD. I wasn’t allowed to attend Warped Tour 2005, so I was just an angsty 12-year-old with a Discman and a long […]
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Text to win tickets to see The Kiefer Sutherland Band!
How often do you get a chance to see the jerk-punk from Stand By Me? The time is now! Kiefer Sutherland, one of the original Lost Boys and notorious Hollywood party-dude, brings his alt-rock country-jams to Halifax this weekend. The Kiefer Sutherland Band will appear at The Carleton Bar & Grill on Saturday for a private fundraiser. […]
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Everything’s Comin’ Up Kestrels
It’s been almost a year since grunge-pop trio Kestrels (Paul Brown, Chad Peck, Devin Peck) have played in Halifax. Now on summer tour, the heavens have aligned for the band’s local return. Octopi Entertainment presents Kestrels with Designosaur, beauts and Teleri tonight at Menz Bar ($8, 10pm): a milky way of sparkly tones. As the stars of Noyes Records, […]
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Q&A with CROSSS’ Andy March
After years of touring, a relocation to Toronto and a lineup change, the heavy-experimental CROSSS released the album Lo at the end of May, and it fucking slays. Following 2013’s Obsidian Spectre like a shadow, Lo has received much critical acclaim: Lo’s full-fledged anxiety bleeds through sludgy technicalities, droning distortions and occult storylines. It’s spooky as […]
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Sappy Fest 10: pure magic
More than any other year, Sappy Fest 10 in Sackville, NB was one of the best weekends of my life. The moments swirl in my mind like a snow globe of the best people and musicians I’ve ever met. As always, the lineup featured some of the most diverse and dynamic artists in […]
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2015 Halifax Pop Explosion initial lineup announced
It might not feel like it, but October is a long way off. Even so, you can now spend the rest of your summer dreaming about Halifax Pop Explosion‘s stellar lineup. Some of the acts gracing your fave stages this fall include: Travi$ Scott, Dillinger Escape Plan, Purity Ring, Alvvays, Majical Cloudz, Andy Shauf, The […]
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Museum Pieces’ triumphant return
Troubadour rock-songwriter Tyler Messick wants you to know he’s back. After a 10-year break, his one-time Halifax band Museum Pieces features a new lineup and record on the way. Following a string of early- and mid-2000s releases like Philadelphia, and the departure of long-time creative partner Andy March (Crosss’), Messick moved to Montreal to keep […]
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Sexual assault allegations could kill The Casualties show
[Image-1] 
 Update: Looks like the event has been cancelled by the Seahorse. [Image-2] The Casualties’ upcoming performance at the Seahorse might be dead on arrival due to the punk band’s history with sexual assault accusations. The New York band is currently scheduled to perform August 23 at the Seahorse Tavern on Gottingen Street. The […]
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SoHo Ghetto’s last hurrah
Local indie rock outfit SoHo Ghetto will be playing its last-ever show on Friday at the Seahorse, three days before frontman Marc-Antoine Robertson departs Halifax for Toronto. “It was just a natural kind of ending,” he says, almost apologetic for the lack of scandal. “I wish there was more dirt there.” With diverging career interests […]
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Love the ones you’re with
In the midst of an extensive North American tour, The Wooden Sky frontman Gavin Gardiner talks about a profound Halifax Pop Explosion experience and how to tour successfully.
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24 Hours at Evolve 2015
A quick rip out to Antigonish for one of the summer’s most anticipated events reminds us that Evolve Festival’s charm comes from its community.