Bellowing horns, signature bass, eclectic beats and lots of love. This is the stuff derived from six years of the growing and ongoing success of Antibalas Afro-beat orchestra, a roughly thirteen-member predominantly male band out of New York City. Trombone player and band conductor Aaron Johnson for a behind the scenes peek at the ensemble… Continue reading Antibalas plays Afrikadey!
Tag: Interview
Interviewing the Fawn
Scott Remila, bass player for Toronto’s Raising the Fawn, is a little nervous about playing in Calgary. Remila was just sitting down to enjoy the marathon that is Hockey Day in Canada when our conversation began, naturally the subject of hockey quickly wormed its way into the interview. “You might not be too happy about… Continue reading Interviewing the Fawn
Ba$tard, Python, Idle
By Jeff Kubik
“You have 15 minutes with Eric Idle beginning… now! First question!” I interrupt him here, much as I would love to have Eric Idle, legendary Monty Python member and co-founder, interview me. “I think, actually,” I say, “that I’m supposed to ask the questions.” “Oh, is that how it works? Alright then…” How do you… Continue reading Ba$tard, Python, Idle
A fatal Dropkick to the head
By Leah Sasges
What do you get when you fuse punk rock and traditional Celtic folk music? No, it’s not Newfies at a Rancid concert, it’s the energy-driven, Celtic-punk fusion that are the Dropkick Murphys. As I ease into the conversation with lead singer Al Barr, his prominent accent reflects the band’s Boston roots. “The band started in… Continue reading A fatal Dropkick to the head
Martin Tielli spreads joy
As I talk to him, Martin Tielli is in rural Ontario. His band is in a barn across what I imagine to be a snow-covered field, though the snow is more than likely still lingering somewhere on the horizon. They’re rehearsing, or possibly recording, playing loud enough that I can hear bits and pieces through… Continue reading Martin Tielli spreads joy
Kris Demeanor just fine
By Alan Cho
He is one of Calgary’s most prolific singer/songwriters, known for crafting wry songs imbued with the poetic everyday on his weapon of choice, the acoustic guitar. His thick fingers slide across guitar strings, coaxing out his infectious bluegrass funk sound. Poster-boy for musical unpredictably, he pumps out country, rap and everything in between. On a… Continue reading Kris Demeanor just fine
Stink Mitt? Fascinating
By James Keller
“I’m wearing black panties with your name on them. I’ve been wearing them for three days. I could barely wait to call you, but I couldn’t afford a phone card until now.” These were the words of Jenni Craige, one third of Vancouver-based Stink Mitt, in the preface to our interview last week. The 42-year-old… Continue reading Stink Mitt? Fascinating
The Good Ol’ Boys
“I’m cool, but most of the girls like Craig,” says Tom Thacker, lead singer for Gob and favourite of the ladies. “Theo [Goutzinakis] tries the hardest and Gabe [Mantle] likes smoking up with the boys.” This is how my interview with Gob began. Gob was formed in Langley, BC when founding members Thacker and Goutzinakis… Continue reading The Good Ol’ Boys
Gary Burns has no Problem With Fear
By Jeff Kubik
Hometown boy makes good? No, that’s stupid. Closing night gala to feature local celebrity? I think this story can do better than that, people notice these things. George Burns speaks to inept student journalist about the upcoming release of his latest film, A Problem With Fear? I suppose, but what, oh what, will I do… Continue reading Gary Burns has no Problem With Fear
Of Slugs and Atmosphere
By John Bailey
For the capacity crowd on Sept. 12, it was all about the music. For the countless fans around the world, it’s all about the music. For Slug (Sean Daley), the front man for Atmosphere, it has always been all about the music. As far back as high school, when he founded the Rhymesayers crew with… Continue reading Of Slugs and Atmosphere