For over two decades, Montreal photographer Benoit Aquin has made a name for himself through his blunt and captivating portrayals of environmental and human disasters. His unique investigative style of photography, in combination with his precise artistic vision, has earned him international acclaim and recognition. In July 2013, when a[Read More…]
Arts & Entertainment
Keep up to date on local art, new albums, and everything entertainment-related.
‘Tis the winter of Mike Dubue’s discontent
Mike Dubue, founder and frontman of Ottawa-based experimental indie band Hilotrons, has spent the last few years stylizing discontent. Hilotrons’ latest album, To Trip with Terpsichore, is not so much about anger but more of an overarching dissatisfaction with the way things are. “Each song is relative to a situation,”[Read More…]
Round Dance: The circle of sex
If there’s a single universal truth to social interaction, it’s that people will say anything if they think it will convince the person they like to sleep with them. It was true in 1920 when Arthur Schnitzler’s play La Ronde debuted in Berlin to a shocked and offended crowd, and[Read More…]
Pop Rhetoric: In defence of the Oscars
The Academy Awards took place this Sunday, which means critics have begun complaining about who did and did not go home with the statue of a naked gold man. This criticism will likely build upon the backlash that occurred after the nominations were announced, with the argument being that The[Read More…]
Album Review: Bent by Elephants – The Shore
More often than not in The Shore, the lyrics are indeterminable—which is a shame because I’m sure that they would allow for a better understanding of this album. However, this is more than atoned for by Chelsey Walsh’s pleasant, wide-ranging, melancholic vocals. The sophomore release from this Montreal band is[Read More…]
Timbuktu : The jarring reality of a not-so distant land
In a world where the social fallout from militant and extremist religious groups is often reduced to sound bites and headlines from overseas, it is all too easy for the West to overlook the daily lives of residents in war-torn regions in favour of more glamourized news. In Timbuktu, director Abderrahmane[Read More…]
Deep Cuts: Mellow and meditative
Weightless Artist: Marconi Union Album: Single Released: October 16, 2011 In 2011, with the help of professional sound therapists, the British artist Marconi Union purposely crafted the most relaxing song of all time. The eight-minute ambient track is a conglomerate of perfectly calculated harmonic intervals, designed to induce a[Read More…]
I’ve got a blanket space, baby
It is four moves of the little hand until bedtime. You sit within your blanket fort and glance over your United Plushdom consisting of strategically fortified pillows, stuffed animals, and bed sheets. Your squire, Tedsworth Bear, informs you that the castle provisions of cookies, milk, and video games are healthy,[Read More…]
Album Review: Imagine Dragons – Smoke and Mirrors
“I’m sorry for everything I’ve done,” confesses Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds on the opening song of the band’s second album, Smoke and Mirrors—something he should absolutely feel the need to apologize for. Whilst their debut, Night Visions (2012) was, albeit a bit of a mess, it was an exciting[Read More…]
Album Review: The Dodos – Individ
San Francisco indie band, The Dodos leaves behind its acoustic-folk sounds of 2008’s The Visitor and 2013’s Carrier for the neurotic industrial rock of its sixth release, Individ. The band’s usual intricate drum patterns and haunting lyrics make the album worth a listen, but the musical creativity of past works[Read More…]
