by Sheldon Birnie

Sun’s out, guns out, and it’s time to hit the Highway. I’m heading out to check the action at Sled Island, and enjoy the beautiful sights of the Number One Highway. Continue Reading »

by Shanell Dupras

Jazz trio BADBADNOTGOOD were scheduled to play Jazz Fest in 2012 shortly after the release of their new album on April 3, 2012, BBNG2, which mainly features covers of artists like Odd Future, James Blake, and even My Bloody Valentine. Stylus got a hold of Alex Sowinski, the drummer/sampler, and Chester Hansen, the bassist, for an interview. Shortly before our June/July 2012 issue went to press, BBNG cancelled a number of their Canadian summer dates. We’re happy that they’re able to make Jazz Fest this year. Here is our long lost BADBADNOTGOOD feature from 2012. Continue Reading »

Hypocritters is, at its heart, a concept album that tells the story of the Hyporitter, a being that Alanadale’s press release describes as “a creative and productive animal pushed and pulled by the many moods that assail her.” Continue Reading »

At just six tracks, this LP from Saskatoon’s psychedelic lovelies Powder Blue acts as a satisfying debut, while also wetting one’s taste for more. Continue Reading »

Ghostkeeper is one of the most exciting bands Canada currently has to offer, and also one of the most difficult to pin down. Continue Reading »

Since their first records, the Besnard Lakes have walked a fine line between classic rock guitarwork and near-ambient soundscapes. Continue Reading »

by Dave Skene

The first step is always the hardest. You feel like an alien in your own body, adrenaline races to your brain, there’s a sharpening sensation as each nerve flips on, your mind, not knowing what to expect, takes everything in as your heart thumps in your chest like a big bass drum. Continue Reading »

By Michael Elves

It may have seemed like Maylee Todd came out of nowhere when she released her engaging, challenging – and suitably adventurous – Choose Your Own Adventure on Do Right! Music in 2010, but the fact of the matter is the Toronto artist had been building towards her solo debut for a half-decade and the genre-hopping and blending on display in CYOA came from a playful spirit honed in the service of groups as disparate as Henri Faberge & The Adorables, Woodhands, and The Bicycles. With Henri Faberge & The Adorables in particular Todd was already choosing her own adventure as she noted in our interview that “that was like the first official band that I was in and that band was just about really making music with your friends and the idea was to play an instrument that you don’t usually play so it was a bit of a challenge but so much fun too.” Continue Reading »

Jazz Fest! Summer weather! Thunderstorms! Weekenders! Continue Reading »

by Sheldon Birnie

Northcote is the musical project of Victoria-by-way-of-Regina’s Matt Goud. With the recent release of his self-titled, sophomore album, Northcote expands on his trademark sound with a more confident, more fully realized LP. Backed by the largest band he’s ever taken on the road with him, Northcote is blazing a trail down the Hillbilly Highway, from one end of Canada to the other.  With stops in Winnipeg and Calgary for Sled Island upcoming, Matt took a few minutes out of a traffic jam in Quebec to talk to Stylus about the new record, the Highway, and attending boarding school in Dauphin, MB. Continue Reading »

During the Edmonton Folk Fest last year a friend and I wandered upon a session at a side stage and decided to stop and catch a song or two on the way to something else. Continue Reading »

With their debut EP Alienate, The Bad Nerves, give us five anthemic songs about social isolation, alienation and feeling bad. Continue Reading »

The first album from Montreal-based band Groenland sounds nothing like the cold, glacially beautiful country the band is named after, although these orchestral indie pop tracks hold a gorgeousness of a different kind. Continue Reading »

by Sheldon Birnie

The barren landscape before you is obscured in a thick, pungent haze as the red orb of the sun begins to climb the horizon. The earth beneath your feet is charred and oozing, like the flesh on a burn victim’s face. The air is still, but your head buzzes with the terrible knowledge that something cataclysmic has just transpired. Only you can’t remember what it was. The only sound that can be heard is the ringing drone where your eardrums used to be. Are your ears bleeding? Yes. Yes they are. Continue Reading »

From June 11 to 15, CKUW will play host to the National Campus Radio Conference, an annual event that brings together representatives, volunteers, and staff from campus and community stations across Canada to take part in workshops and events to learn and discuss how to make better radio. Continue Reading »