Toronto’s Hawksley Workman continues to evolveBefore an artist can be celebrated as “eclectic,” it’s a rite of passage for them to create and then shatter audience expectations. Early success with hits like “Striptease” and “Jealous of Your Cigarette” had Toronto-based singer-songwriter Hawksley Workman playing in front of sold-out audiences that wouldn’t leave happy if he didn’t play another of his […] Continue Reading |
Rick Mercer’s 22 minutes of fame still going strongLong before Donald Trump hijacked the term “fake news,” a little known comedy show called This Hour Has 22 Minutes hit the CBC airwaves. About a decade before the satire boom that brought Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert to prime time south of the border, Canadians had developed a taste for the medium. 22 Minutes […] Continue Reading |
Isle of Tease burlesque festival celebrates diversityVictoria’s burlesque scene is on the rise. And now, having been a dream for years and in planning for months, the city’s first international burlesque festival is soon to be a reality. The event, Isle of Tease, is organized by local performersand artists Misty Moss, Champagne Sparkles, and Gala Vega. “Festivals are kind of like […] Continue Reading |
What’s Going On: October 23 to November 5, 2019Until Saturday, October 26 See what really matters If seeing super-current art and film is something that tickles your fancy, or you feel like you just really need some creative inspiration, Antimatter 2019 is a great way to spend some time this October. Checking out the media art and installations is free, and the films […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue roundup: Hua Li, Lagwagon, Vultures, Vinnie Caruana, and Jail SocksHua Li Dynasty (Next Door Records) 3.5/5 If there’s a clear takeaway from Victoria-born, Montreal-based rapper, vocalist, DJ, and producer Hua Li’s debut album, Dynasty, it’s that it’s anything but one-dimensional. Dynasty sees Li combine R&B slow jams with triplet flows to tackle numerous subjects, including identity, intergenerational trauma, and romantic anxieties. The opening track, […] Continue Reading |
Vancouver’s Tourist Company use Mount St. Helens eruption as inspirationVancouver-based alt-rockers Tourist Company are gearing up for a new chapter in their career. After years of touring, vocalist/guitarist/bassist Taylor Swindells and drummer Brenon Parry have been hard at work producing new music, and Swindells is excited about the future of the band, which includes a local connection. “Yeah, things have been going good. It’s […] Continue Reading |
William Head on Stage reimagines The Wizard of Oz in new playGenerally speaking, most people would hope to avoid jail at all costs. However, if you love the theatre and love trying new things, then conquering that fear and going to jail for an evening could end up being a pretty unique experience. It’s an experience put on by William Head on Stage (WHOS), which is […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: Snuff delivers a lot of it on new albumSnuff There’s a Lot of It About (Fat Wreck Chords) 4/5 There certainly is a lot of something about Snuff’s 10th studio album, There’s a Lot of It About. This album is the epitome of party punk rock. Every track here is a fresh dose of good vibes and bad intentions, and they come complete […] Continue Reading |
Ex-local musician Leeroy Stagger finds life-work-work-work balanceFormer Victorian Leeroy Stagger has a long and rich history here in the capital. Now, Stagger is returning to town on the back of his 11th studio album, Strange Path. Stagger says that he tries to visit Victoria as often as possible. “I spent lots of time there over the summer, but I’m really excited […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: Teenage Bottlerocket and Human Robots split fun but a missed opportunityTeenage Bottlerocket/Human Robots Teenage Bottlerocket vs. Human Robots (Fat Wreck Chords) 2.5/5 Teenage Bottlerocket vs. Human Robots is a split 7” featuring melodic pop-punkers Teenage Bottlerocket and Human Robots, the solo project of Teenage Bottlerocket singer Ray Carlisle’s 13-year-old son Milo. The Teenage Bottlerocket material is a little disappointing. Only “Olivia Goes to Bolivia” is […] Continue Reading |
