Nicholas Friesen
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The Treble
It’s curious that Winnipeg quintet The Treble’s press release compares the band’s “musical chops and nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic” to the likes of Neil Young, The Guess Who and The Weakerthans.
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Speed Control
Halfway between Sparta-light and aggressive Nerf Herder (especially on “I Could Write a Song”) falls Whitehorse, Yukon three piece Speed Control.
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Marine Dreams
These precious little singsongy delights, courtesy of Attack in Black’s Ian Kehoe, continue the cycle that started with 2011’s self-titled debut.
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Beached Out/The Reference Desk
Two tracks from two bands you need to know on beautiful yellow vinyl?
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This place is a factory
When someone says family band, the mind immediately jumps to something of the Partridge persuasion, the Carpenters, or Dr. Fünke’s 100% Natural Good-Time Family Band Solution. It’s no gimmick, but rather a way of life with local musician Sandy Taronno.
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Moses Mayes
I’m a bad Winnipegger. I’ve never heard a Moses Mayes record or seen the band live.
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Arcade Fire
The last time David Bowie did back ups on a record, it was Scarlett Johansson’s 2008 disc of Tom Waits covers.
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Animal Teeth
Warbling falsetto, breakneck guitars, a beatmaker that is shared with local popsters Boats and a brooding tone with plenty of hope all run rampant throughout this six song EP from Winnipeg quartet Animal Teeth.
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The Sweet Alibi
There’s a lot of pianos and keys on the second song (“Never Change”) on Winnipeg trio Sweet Alibi’s new disc, and since there is no pianist credited in the band, I’m guessing these are courtesy of producer Dana “Rusty” Matyas, and I only make note because it’s really the only time that he makes the disc sound like his own band, Imaginary Cities.
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The Strumbellas
From the chants (“Yeah?” “Help?” Not sure) of “Sailing”, the opening track off this Juno nominated Toronto folk sextet’s sophomore LP, there’s a feeling of hope.
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Eamon McGrath
Eamon McGrath’s fourth full-length LP will come out next year, and building up to Young Canadians’ follow up is a series of EPs.
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Extra credit
Good things come in small packages.
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The Next Reel - Greg Macpherson
Behind the scenes of Greg Macpherson's "1995" video.
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Yamantaka // Sonic Titan
So Princess Zelda doesn’t get saved by Link.
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Les Jupes
Winnipeg’s Les Jupes take an intimate turn on this four song EP. Produced by Dana “Rusty” Matyas (Federal Lights) and recorded/mixed by Cam Loeppky (Greg Macpherson), it opens with the the jangly “Save Your Friends”, with swelling “na na nas” that beg to be used in a movie trailer.
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The Jamies
Calgary’s The Jamies are competent - there’s a blend of immediate pop (“Little Bird”), retro rhythm (“Secret Boyfriends”) and funky junkers (“Practicing Mistakes”) that doesn’t really jump out at you, but isn’t offensive, either.
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Moving out of the house
If you don’t know Michael Feuerstack’s name, it’s likely because he’s been hiding out in such projects as The Luyas and Bell Orchestre, but mostly because he’s been making sardonic (yet hopeful) music as Snailhouse since 1994.
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Seeing beyond the trees
Having an independent record label in 2013 doesn’t mean the same thing it did 10 or 20 years ago (or even one year ago).
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Mitten Claps
The soft vocals and intimate guitars & percussion of this Winnipeg duo, made up of Jonathan and Randall Hildebrand, is one of those sunny day treasures.
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The power of three
This summer, Osborne Village mainstay Local Shop Awesome closed up its doors, but owner Christopher Gottzman, along with pals Nathan Alexander and Jordan Stephensen, gave it a new look for fall as Twillhound.