New Music Review: Once a Tree offer insightful stories on new EP

Once a Tree Fool’s Paradise (Independent) 4/5 BC-born and Toronto-based Indigenous electro-pop duo Once a Tree’s new EP, Fool’s Paradise, is coming out on November 20. The two members of the group—partners Jayli and Hayden Wolf—focus on experiences they’ve had on the EP’s songs, with powerful results. The songs on the EP—which follows up 2017’s […]

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Belfry event showcases stories from theatre designers

As a part of its free online fall 2020 programming, the Belfry Theatre is presenting the community storytelling initiative The Flame, which is hosted by Deborah Williams and Michelle Poirier Brown, and features stories told by people in the local Victoria community. Williams is no stranger to storytelling: she founded the theatre group Mom’s the […]

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Lola Parks comes home for concert in Victoria

Previously known as one of Victoria’s indie darlings to watch, Lola Parks—real name Sandy Powlik—is now a Vancouverite, and has recently released her newest album, No Apologies. Powlik describes herself as a “life enthusiast soul adventurer”; while critics have previously described the musician’s music as “indie folk,” the singer-songwriter disagrees. “I’ve never really thought of […]

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New Music Revue: Of Feather and Bone give heavy soundtrack for heavy year

Of Feather and Bone Sulfuric Disintegration (Profound Lore Records) 4/5 This November, get ready for some brutal music with the return of Denver-based harsh death metal band Of Feather and Bone, who are releasing their third album, Sulfuric Disintegration. This album, with power and intensity, proves that Of Feather and Bone is only getting better […]

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Local author discusses Kafka and more this weekend

Lee Henderson, award-winning author of The Broken Record Technique, The Man Game, and The Road Narrows As You Go, is seeing big changes this year due to the pandemic. And like everyone else, he’s having to take things online, which he’s doing this weekend. Henderson, who is also an associate writing instructor at the University […]

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Local author channels “punk rock Alice Munro” with debut book

Before the pandemic, a very common question was “Do people still read anymore?” Now, Victoria author Susan Sanford Blades aims to blow that question right out of the water with her debut novel, Fake It So Real. Fake It So Real is an engaging read from a debut author. It serves as an interesting discussion […]

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New Music Revue: Romasa deliver unique and varied take on sludge metal on new EP

Romasa Insufferable Cave of Rotting Aspiration (Hand of Death Records) 4/5 This month, get ready for a new record from Louisiana-based sludge metal band Romasa; it’s called Insufferable Cave Of Rotting Aspiration and it will satisfy hardcore metal fans. Each of the three tracks on this EP have their own unique sound. The title track […]

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LAND BACK exhibit inspired by Indigenous activism

Indigenous activism served as the spark for Open Space’s newest exhibition, LAND BACK. Open Space Indigenous curator Eli Hirtle was particularly moved by the activism that led to occupations and blockades across the province—and, indeed, the country—in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en resistance to the Coast GasLink pipeline. Hirtle had the opportunity to visit the Unist’ot’en […]

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New Music Revue: Victoria’s Northcote tells a story or two on new album

Northcote Let Me Roar (Black Box Music) 4.5/5 Good music is more then the stuff you hear on the radio. It’s the stories that the artist tells with his music that really makes the difference, and sometimes you have to dig a bit deeper to find those artists. By putting the stories he’s trying to […]

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