Here's our list of the best films of 2015 so far: 15. Slow West Though Western films have long become stale, a fresh spin on its familiar tropes comes out every few years to show the genre still has some life left in it. In this period piece, a young[Read More…]
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Afie Jurvanen (Bahamas) talks indie music and the perplexity of the Canadian music scene
At Osheaga, the sunny grounds were filled with a dazzling array of musical talents from a multitude of different sounds. Out of these, the easygoing and dreamy indie sound of Afie Jurvanen—the Toronto-native behind the stage name Bahamas—could be easily picked out. His newest album Bahamas is Afie (2014), is[Read More…]
Album Review: Ultimate Painting – Green Lanes / Trouble in Mind
Evoking a sound reminiscent of the past is a style that many artists have attempted, and subsequently failed. For while it’s easy to try to replicate, for example, the ’80s through echoing drums, reverbed vocals, and synths, in essence the replication is only a heavily[Read More…]
Montreal’s 22nd annual Beer Fest brews up fun
The Mondial de la Bière took place from June 10-14 at the Palais des Congrès. The festival's name recalls global-level soccer competitions, but there's little in the way of contest here. The mandate of "Beer Fest"—as English-speakers refer—is to bring beer-related fun and knowledge to the Montreal community. Beer Fest[Read More…]
CRi looks at the present and the past
Montreal-based duo CRi just passed another milestone for local artists: Performing at Osheaga. Comprised of Christophe Dubé and Ourielle Auvé (during live performances), the electronica group formed in 2013. Their sound is reminiscent of early James Blake, with clipped audio samples looping over synth beats and droning organs. There’s an[Read More…]
Defining Pierre Kwenders
On stage, Pierre Kwenders is a firecracker. He moves non-stop—dancing to the rhythm of his set, laughing between verses, and engaging his guest performers in a three-way can-can. Yet in person, the energetic persona fades, and he is much more reserved. “In real life I’m not Pierre Kwenders, I’m José[Read More…]
Album Review: Lindi Ortega – Faded Gloryville / The Grand Tour Records
Full-fledged country music has historically been dominated by those native to the southern United States. In fact, only a handful of geographically ‘outsiders’ have successfully transitioned into the genre, the most prominent on the list being Shania Twain and Keith Urban. Canadian singer Lindi Ortega,[Read More…]
alt-J on fame and staying the same
Despite being one of the most surprising success stories for indie-rock bands in the past half decade, alt-J are the definition of down-to-earth. Having released their debut album, An Awesome Wave in 2012, the band received multiple nominations at both the BRIT (2012) and Grammy Awards (2015), and won the[Read More…]
Album Review: Mac Demarco – Another One / Captured Tracks
Brooklyn-based indie artist Mac DeMarco has a knack for crafting effortless-sounding songs. His debut album, 2 (2012), and follow-up Salad Days (2014) played heavily on a hazy aesthetic that was the definition of lazy Sunday-morning music. On Another One—a ‘mini LP’—DeMarco is unable to progress[Read More…]
Osheaga 2015 recap: Day three
With the sun shining high in the sky, thousands of fans eagerly made their way through Parc Jean Drapeau to their favourite acts. With a fabulous set of artists lined up, festival goers appeared in good spirits, dressed in tanks, shorts, and rocking their pair of raybans—the final day of[Read More…]
