LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: SARAH JANE SCOUTEN
Sarah Jane Scouten is a folk-country singer-songwriter originally from Bowen Island and currently based in a tiny village called Moniaive in southwest Scotland.
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Kate Yahn
Whether it’s in her songwriting, live performances, or just her presence—Kate Yahn emits the energy and aura of a modern rock ‘n’ roll storyteller.
INTERVIEW: The Crystal Casino Band
The Crystal Casino Band have made a name for themselves in their hometown of Washington, D.C., and now they’re ready to take on the world.
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Riun Garner
The first time I heard Riun Garner’s music was at a Sofar Sounds show in Vancouver.
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Slightest Clue
Slightest Clue is a Vancouver-based band that has been cutting their teeth at a number of local venues.
INTERVIEW: Michaela Slinger
You could say that Michaela Slinger’s music career started off with a moment some would refer to as being what dreams are made of.
Q&ASAP: Plastic Picnic
Plastic Picnic is here to remind us that there is duality to everything in life. To start off, the four-piece band is based in Brooklyn but has roots in the Pacific Northwest. They’d describe their sound as a ‘sunset cocktail of sad music to dance to’ – reflected beautifully in their debut full-length record, ‘As Long As You Need’. Last but not least, their music is a reminder that there is always room for hope, even in the worst of times. Plastic Picnic will be kicking off their West Coast tour next week, starting with a show in Vancouver at Fox Cabaret on September 19th.
Q&ASAP: anders
To say that anders has had a busy year might be an understatement. The Mississauga native has added a few notable accomplishments to his resume this year, including an artist ambassador role with Puma, a new deal with Warner Music Canada, and completed a national headline summer tour.
INTERVIEW: Budjerah
Budjerah (pronounced bood-jer-uh) is a name you should know, with a voice you should hear. Budjerah is currently touring with Vance Joy across North America, and we had the opportunity to chat with him before he played his first-ever show in Vancouver.
INTERVIEW: Vance Joy
When a Vance Joy song plays on the radio, there is something both timely and timeless about the moment. It feels serendipitous, like you’re the main character and it’s on the soundtrack of your life. I was fortunate to spend some time in real life to chat with the lovely James Keogh before he played his biggest show yet in Vancouver at Rogers Arena.
Q&ASAP: Field Guide
There’s a quality to Field Guide’s songwriting that earnestly draws you in. There’s a feeling of nostalgia and comfort in his songwriting that makes listening to his music feel like being wrapped up in your favourite blanket. Field Guide was kind enough to answer a few questions for us via email ahead of opening a trio of shows for Bahamas in Halifax.
Q&ASAP: Mauvey
It always comes back to love. UK and Vancouver-based Mauvey is on a mission to distribute love through his music. This intention comes through in the creative narratives in his songwriting, which has received acclaim from BBC Introducing on Radio 1, Exclaim! and other outlets.
INTERVIEW: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald
When we’re living in uncertain times, one of the things that we can hold onto is hope. Michael Bernard Fitzgerald’s latest release, Love Valley, is a timely fit for these uncertain times when all we can do is go with the flow.
INTERVIEW: Juke Ross
Discovering new music in a day and age where thousands and thousands of songs are added daily onto streaming platforms can feel overwhelming. But when the right algorithm comes into play and brings you a voice like Juke Ross, everything just feels right in the world in that moment.
INTERVIEW: Erik Hassle
Erik Hassle has found the groove in his sound. The soul-pop singer has been making musical waves since the release of his first single, “Hurtful”, in Sweden back in 2008. Hassle’s music has gone through a natural evolution through the years, while maintaining the soulfulness and lyrically wearing his heart on his sleeve. I had the opportunity to chat with Erik last week, just before he hit the stage at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver, and before he found out he was on top of Taylor Swift’s playlist.