Music Features

Vancouver musicians get to the heart of sex, love, and rock ’n’ roll

Vancouver musicians get to the heart of sex, love, and rock ’n’ roll

By John Lucas and Mike Usinger | February 9, 2012
It doesn’t matter if you’re single or in a relationship, the truth is that Valentine’s Day sucks equally for everyone.
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Savvy Simple Plan does it all for the fans

Savvy Simple Plan does it all for the fans

By Mike Usinger | February 9, 2012
Based on the evidence presented in “Loser of the Year”, the boys of Simple Plan have enjoyed a run that’s made rolling the dice on rock ’n’ roll the best decision of their lives.
Abigail Washburn's music is a visionary melange

Abigail Washburn's music is a visionary melange

By Alexander Varty | February 9, 2012
Both as a solo artist and in the company of the Nashville all-stars who make up her Sparrow Quartet, former Beijing resident Abigail Washburn has generated a significant buzz in roots-music circles.
For Iced Earth singer Stu Block, the future looks pretty bright

For Iced Earth singer Stu Block, the future looks pretty bright

By John Lucas | February 9, 2012
Stu Block is filling some mighty big shoes, and he knows it.
Untwisting Twin Sister

Untwisting Twin Sister

By Mike Usinger | February 2, 2012
You can still smoke a bowl to its both cranked-up and chill In Heaven, but the buzzed-about band is feeling restless.
Eleanor Friedberger steps out of Fiery Furnaces and into a solo

Eleanor Friedberger steps out of Fiery Furnaces and into a solo

By Mike Usinger | February 2, 2012
Eleanor Friedberger isn’t one to duck a stupid question.
Los Campesinos! still has its U.K. college-rock charm

Los Campesinos! still has its U.K. college-rock charm

By Mike Usinger | February 2, 2012
Even though he’s not spending weekends driving a Jaguar XJ-S to his mansion in the Welsh countryside, Neil Turner doesn’t come across as a man with many major regrets.
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Ava Luna slides a sound mashup into Ice Level

Ava Luna slides a sound mashup into Ice Level

By John Lucas | February 2, 2012
You can’t always believe the genre label that gets assigned to a band, even if it’s coming from the band itself.
Alabama Shakes rises up from down South

Alabama Shakes rises up from down South

By Mike Usinger | January 26, 2012
When Alabama Shakes started playing, no one was listening, but the band no longer has that problem.
Hot concerts to warm up our soggy winter

Hot concerts to warm up our soggy winter

By Mike Usinger | January 26, 2012
We’re not only embracing the fact that winters around here are never going to be cold, we’re going to make them just a little hotter by catching every one of the following sizzling events.
Rural writing retreat paid off for Doomtree

Rural writing retreat paid off for Doomtree

By Mike Usinger | January 26, 2012
If Minneapolis-based MC Dessa was interested in sugarcoating things, she’d describe the creation of Doomtree’s second and latest album as unrelentingly idyllic.
Travis Laplante used music as part of a healing process

Travis Laplante used music as part of a healing process

By Alexander Varty | January 25, 2012
If you’re already acquainted with Evan Parker, John Butcher, Colin Stetson, and Mats Gustafsson, you’ll want to put Travis Laplante’s name on your list of must-see saxophonists.
Theory of a Deadman comes back

Theory of a Deadman comes back

By Gregory Adams | January 19, 2012
Theory of a Deadman’s Tyler Connolly has been bashed for writing misogynist lyrics, but the chicks understand.
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El Ten Eleven's duo takes a cinematic approach

El Ten Eleven's duo takes a cinematic approach

By Mike Usinger | January 19, 2012
Toward the end of a conversation that covers everything from the miracle of childbirth to the correct way to land a helicopter that’s in mechanical trouble, Kristian Dunn feels the need to make a small clarification on a minor point.
Grandpa's presence haunts Dirk Powell's mountain music

Grandpa's presence haunts Dirk Powell's mountain music

By Alexander Varty | January 19, 2012
A weathered, ghostly presence can be heard on Dirk Powell’s third Rounder Records release, Time Again.