Canada
Articles, blog posts, and videos relating to Canadian artists, figures, or events.
- Metric Critics’ Pick ()
For Toronto’s Metric, the road to this year’s Glastonbury festival in the U.K. leads right through the Twin Cities. Touring in support of their fourth album, this year’s Fantasies, Metric are receiving some of their greatest accolades as they continue across the U.S. Having gone gold in its native Canada, Fantasies has already spawned four singles, including the recently released fuzzy […]
- “Anvil: The Story of Anvil” Review ()
Anvil: The Story of Anvil isn’t simply a documentary about a group of balding, gray-haired rockers. The story follows an aging Canadian metal band as they continue to struggle to find success, but the spirit of hope is one that trumps any of the cinematic plot twists. The film documents a story of two friends, […]
- King Khan & the Shrines Critics’ Pick ()
Notorious for their wild, occasionally nude live shows, King Khan and the Shrines have succeeded in building a sinister reputation in the States despite having a limited release history here. The Shrines are essentially a hodgepodge of characters that have joined over the years; the band’s members range from French to German, from a cheerleader […]
- Neil Young “Fork In The Road” Review ()
Leading up to the release of 2006’s Living with War, Neil Young defended the anti-war, anti-Bush album by saying, “I was hoping some young person would come along and say this and sing some songs about it, but I didn’t see anybody, so I’m doing it myself.” It’s not that Neil Young needs to release […]
- Handsome Furs Critics’ Pick ()
This past year has been a busy one for Dave Boeckner, an integral player in both Wolf Parade and Handsome Furs. First came the release of Wolf Parade’s second full-length last summer; then a tour with his wife, Alexei Perry, in the Handsome Furs (one that brought the group to the Entry last August); and now the release of the […]
- Propagandhi Interview ()
For over two decades Propagandhi has offered a blunt alternative to the transparent punk that the genre has come to represent. Within the vessel of the Winnipeg-based band’s blistering music are lyrics grounded in a foundation of compassion and humanity that reflect well-considered ideals rather than superficial presumptions. Speaking to Jord Samolesky via email, the […]
- Women Critics’ Pick ()
When thinking of Women, think of Beat Happening–if only the band had a strong curiosity for non-confrontational drone and was conceived 13 hours northeast of Olympia, WA. Last year’s critically acclaimed debut album from the Calgary-based group was recorded by Sub Pop’s Chad VanGaalen in his home studio (aka basement cellar) using well-seasoned DIY technologies (aka ghettoblasters and an old […]
- Dead Man’s Bones “In The Room Where You Sleep” ()
Roughly a week ago, I watched the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall for the first time. And in it, Jason Segel’s character writes an absolutely ridiculous vampire rock opera (to be performed by puppets, no less). To my surprise, however, the songs somehow work within the context of the movie. Furthermore, they reminded me of the […]
- Shawn Hewitt “Spare Hearts” Review ()
The booming pop spectacle “Keep Them at Bay” opens Torontonian Shawn Hewitt’s debut album, Spare Hearts. Above all else, the record showcases Hewitt’s vocal potential, his range expanding and contracting throughout each of the album’s 11 tracks. Produced by Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene) and John O’Mahoney (Coldplay), Spare Hearts continually teases depth but ultimately wades in a […]
- Oldfolks Home “I Hate Dell” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. Here, Ricardo Lopez of Winnipeg’s Oldfolks Home describes the song that may forever remove the group from consideration for a Dell sponsorship. On […]
- Shawn Hewitt “Keep Them At Bay” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. This edition spotlights Canadian vocalist Shawn Hewitt and the process of creating his “Keep Them At Bay.” Politically inspired, Hewitt tracks the song’s […]
- The Five Most Ridiculous Canadian Coins ()
I am Canadian. But I’m an American, too. Having dual citizenship is a pretty great thing, if for no other reason than having the honor to criticize both nations equally. And the most recent reason I have to criticize Canada is the government’s decision to approve a special coin for pressing by the Royal Canadian […]
- Clark: The Canadian Hockey Goalie ()
A 3-time MVP of the Saskatchewan Moose Lodge Hockey League (SMLHL), Clark wanted to try something new for the off-season… [This post was first published by Culture Bully.]
- Aaron Booth “Same Thing After All” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. In this, the second with Aaron Booth, the Calgary-based singer discusses his change from a cognitive musician into that of an artist. After […]
- Aaron Booth “Voice In The Night” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artists. In this edition, the first from Calgary-based singer/songwriter Aaron Booth, he expands upon “Voice in the Night,” arguably the most infectious song from […]
- Victor Scott “Good Times” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artist. In this, the third edition in the series, Vancouver-based solo artist Victor Scott describes various bits and pieces that made up a handful […]
- Victor Scott “Seasides” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artist. In this, the second edition in the series, Vancouver-based solo artist Victor Scott brainstorms thoughts surrounding the tracks that ended up on Seasides, […]
- Victor Scott “Soundtracks” (Influenza) ()
Approach Influenza as a series which serves to help give insight as to where music is born; these are the thoughts, influences and the inspirations directly from the mind of the artist. In this, the first edition in the series, Vancouver-based solo artist Victor Scott describes his latest album Good Times and the correspondence between […]
- Neil Young’s “Ordinary People” and the Beauty of Coincidence ()
A conclusion that I’ve drawn recently is that I am honestly thankful for coincidence. Whether it be stumbling across a book you’ve been searching for in a thrift store or passing by an old friend out of the blue, coincidence can often be a blessing. A few weeks back I found myself challenged by depression, […]
- The New Pornographers “Challengers” Video ()
The few times I’ve had the chance to spin Challengers I’ve been left with a strange feeling of being underwhelmed. A while back I had this idea that “The New Pornographers are becoming indie rock’s version of adult contemporary” and I can’t say that my view has been swayed since. I don’t expect the group […]
- Tegan and Sara “Back In Your Head” Video ()
The Con’s first video, “Back in Your Head,” was debuted on Spinner this morning and with it comes a mixed up tale of the odd person out in a world of complacency. Either that or the video doesn’t really represent anything and is simply a means for getting a hundred people to wear ski masks… […]
- Fight For Your Right To Fight: Socalled ()
Montreal-based producer/MC Josh Dolgin (aka Socalled) approached his sophomore album, Ghettoblaster, as a sly satirical look at the world around him. Wielding his emotions without caution – the opening line to his “(These Are The) Good Old Days” blasts, “My God’s gonna kick your god’s ass.” He continues the track, likening modern Western society to […]
- Feist “1234″ VanShe Technologic Remix ()
While I played the role of a mere casual listener when it came to Feist’s 2004 record Let it Die I’ve come to greatly enjoy a variety of the releases included in this year’s The Reminder. With my increased interest I figured it couldn’t hurt to learn a little more about the woman whose music […]
- There’s A Sound Coming Down: Hugh Dillon Redemption Choir ()
After taking some time extensively purging my hard drive of one time jukebox necessities I came across The Headstones‘ catalog, one of my all time favorite bands. Having not lived in Canada for the better part of a decade now it had been a while since I had the opportunity to catch up on the […]
- Sean Hawryluk (of Ladyhawk) Interview ()
Ladyhawk is one of a the rising number of bands this year that has seemingly hit highs as response to fan support which has come in the form of online feedback and generous praise of the band’s live show. As the distinction between hype and merit is agonized over and examined in detail Ladyhawk pay […]
- Subhumans (Canada) Interview ()
Punk. It has changed from a term labeling a condensed segment of society’s outcasts to that which labels pop culture accessories and commercial music. Heralded Vancouver first wave punk icons, the Subhumans, reignite its reputation with the recent release on Alternative Tentacles, New Dark Age Parade. The album serves as the reuniting element to a […]
- Duane Andrews “Caravan” Review ()
Acclaimed East-Coast folk instrumentalist Duane Andrews’ recent offering, Caravan, represents a shift towards further defining himself as a tangibly diverse musician. Throughout there are flirtations with ragtime, a variety of waltzes and boggy jazz lullabies, all proving Andrews to be either a glutton for genre-defying mood shifts or simply a wonderful musician. Caravan looks at […]
- Neoclassical Roots: Daniel Heffner ()
Daniel Heffner is a unique musician whose style sounds something like a busker playing to an upwardly mobile house of philharmonic-going spectators is exactly that. Heffner, who built his craft from a young age, has in fact played as an opener for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra; but don’t let that sway you, his roots are […]
- Edwin “Better Days” ()
What the deuce, Edwin has a new album? While I’ve been living outside of Canada for the last half-decade I haven’t been updated all that frequently with Canadian semi-celebs such as this rocker. With history smacking me in the face, however, the news that he is releasing a new album came as somewhat of a […]
- Neil Young “After The Garden” Video ()
I sat down with a friend of mine when Neil Young began streaming his latest album, Living With War, and critically listened to it. We must have listened to it a half dozen times that night. It is such an emotionally motivating mirror of the status that both our nation and our world is falling […]