New Music Revue: Blue Sky MinersBlue Sky Miners Blue Sky Miners (Independent) 3.5/5 This debut EP from Canadian folk band Blue Sky Miners has an entrancing and mystical sound; the song “Cold Water,” which starts off the EP, is the perfect track to draw listeners in. The band refers to their sound as “Rocky Mountain desert rock,” but “folk rock,” […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: Camosun alumnus Claire Coupland off to a great startClaire Coupland For You (Independent) 4/5 Camosun (and Nexus) alumnus Claire Coupland brings slow and deep folky chords to all three tracks here on her debut EP. Coupland has come a long way since her time at the college, getting positive feedback from noted music industry insiders like Bob Ezrin, and for good reason: these […] Continue Reading |
Cold Reading Series comes to Victoria to help writers with their craftCold Reading Series (CRS) has been a successful live script-reading event for writers for 10 years in Vancouver. During the events, writers can receive feedback and network with actors and filmmakers. After attending the series, Victoria’s Andrea Smith-Peak wanted to bring the unique event to Victoria, so she did: a local chapter will begin on […] Continue Reading |
TEDxVictoria returns to talk about impactImpact. That’s the theme of this year’s TEDxVictoria event. Featuring an array of speakers from all walks of life, TEDxVictoria is the largest TED event on Vancouver Island, and this year’s conference is shaping up to be the biggest, and most impactful, TEDxVictoria yet. Camosun (and Nexus) alumnus Dylan Wilks is the creative and licensing […] Continue Reading |
Chantal Kreviazuk uses personality to put on unforgettable performanceIt’s rare that I find myself with tears in my eyes at a concert, bursting out with laughter and being moved by incredible vocals and heartwarming stories. But on Friday, November 6, everyone in the audience at the McPherson Playhouse was engaged and loving every moment of Chantal Kreviazuk’s performance. Kreviazuk, a complete vocal powerhouse, […] Continue Reading |
The Threepenny Opera tackles big issues with graceThe Threepenny Opera is a musical satire set in a future dystopia. Known as a “play with music,” it tells the story of villain Mack the Knife and his marriage to Polly Peachum, despite her parents’ dismay. The play, directed by Brian Richmond, starts off strong, with an entertaining beginning scene featuring “footed” boxes running […] Continue Reading |
The Cheese Stealer’s Handbook too mired in misery to enjoyThe Cheese Stealer’s Handbook is a ruthlessly detailed chronicle of a struggling author’s attempt, and consequent failure, at being a productive member of society. Shoshaku Jushaku, an ironic pen name which means “life is one continuous mistake,” uses his first book to share with us the minutiae of everyday life through the (bloodshot) eyes of […] Continue Reading |
Jesse Roper drops new album for charity, gets lost in woodsWhen singer/songwriter Jesse Roper calls me to start our interview to chat about his new benefit album and tour, something seems off right away: he’s completely out of breath. “Hi, it’s Jesse Roper here, and I’m on a little hike,” he says, panting, making it difficult to make out his words. Roper, who is from […] Continue Reading |
Towers and Trees hope to use The West Coast to connectIt’s been a whirlwind three years for Adrian Chalifour. After the release of Towers and Trees’ debut EP, Broken Record, the frontman for the Victoria rock outfit has kept himself busy. Between a slew of tour dates, including a standout show at Rifflandia, the group has released their sophomore effort, The West Coast. “I think […] Continue Reading |
Matthew Good on Chaotic Neutral and the creative processMatthew Good’s days topping the charts in the ’90s with the Matthew Good Band may be over, but the musician is on his seventh solo album and is more creative than ever. Fans of Dungeons and Dragons will recognize the album title, Chaotic Neutral, as a character alignment in the game. Chaotic neutral makes characters […] Continue Reading |
