New Music Revue: Jay-Z new album Magna Carta… Holy GrailJay-Z Magna Carta… Holy Grail (Roc Nation/Universal) 3.5/5 Jay-Z’s 12th solo album may come as a disappointment to any fans that are looking for depth and meaning. The lyrics are consistently laced with corporate references, he compares his music to the Bible, and in the track “Heaven” he calls himself a “prophet.” The constant self-praise […] Continue Reading |
The Cat Empire know their surroundings, including Victoria and Phillips Backyard WeekenderIt’s a very real possibility that when a band spend as much time on the road as Australian jazz/ska/funkers The Cat Empire, they could lose track of where they are on any given night. That’s why we’re impressed when drummer Will Hull-Brown not only knows exactly where he is, he’s also well aware of the […] Continue Reading |
Victoria Ska Fest founder Dane Roberts talks 2013 lineup, reflects on 14 yearsDane Roberts might just be his own festival’s biggest fan. This strong possibility, along with the hard work of over 200 volunteers, is very likely the secret to the success of the Victoria Ska Fest, celebrating its 14th year July 9 to 13. Taking place at a variety of different venues in downtown Victoria, including […] Continue Reading |
KISS hit Victoria, journalist eyes Paul Stanley from audienceWhen KISS played the Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena recently, what I really wanted was to get some time to sit down and talk face to face with singer/guitarist Paul Stanley. I even went so far as to jokingly put together a moderately successful online petition (hey, 57 people signed, not bad, if you’re asking me) to […] Continue Reading |
Concert review: Ziggy Marley brings a Jamaican haze to VictoriaAs I arrived to the Royal Theatre last night, I came to the realization that Vancouver Island and our surrounding areas have way more Rastafarians than I thought. Well, that’s what it seemed like, anyway. Jamaican and reggae colors were in full effect. There were more dreadlocks there than I have ever seen in all […] Continue Reading |
Jimmy Eat World play first time in Victoria at Rock the Shores, look back at beginningsChoosing your own band name can be liberating: musicians have the opportunity to create their own image with what they name their group. In Jimmy Eat World’s case, they didn’t choose their name based on their musical capabilities; they chose it because of a hilarious moment in time, long ago. Some may speculate whether the […] Continue Reading |
Calendar Girls at Langham Court celebrates middle-aged nudityThe latest production at the Langham Court Theatre is the simple story of a group of middle-aged women making a nude calendar. If it sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Calendar Girls, also a major motion picture, is based on the inspiring true story in England. A number of women belonged to the Women Institute […] Continue Reading |
Festivals: Tall Tree, Victoria Ska Fest, Rock the Shores, Rock of the Woods, Shambhala, and RifflandiaDid our Sasquatch feature story get you in a festive mood? Here are a few festival options for this summer that are pretty close to home and a bit more genre-specific. Tall Tree Indie rock, DJs, and hip-hop on outdoor stages. June 28–30, Port Renfrew talltreemusicfestival.com Victoria Ska Fest Ska, reggae, dancehall, and punk on […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: Alice in Chains, Chris PiccoAlice In Chains The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (Universal Music) 4/5 I love that odd album title, and I love the fact that these guys are proving, like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, that they’re not just grunge revival (ugh, sorry ‘bout that). Instead, AiC are as heavy as ever, exploring a sound here on their […] Continue Reading |
Are mainstream music festivals like Sasquatch good or bad for music?Everyone has a habit. For many music fans, the one they can’t seem to shake is attending massive festivals. Coachella. Bonnaroo. Bumbershoot. Sasquatch. These are all established music festivals that draw tens of thousands every year. They’re physically and financially taxing and feature countless artists in often-conflicting time slots. The talent play festivals because they […] Continue Reading |
