While Vancouver is home to many amazing artists, I never thought that I’d find one right in my classroom! As a former classmate of independent alternative artist Triton Smith, it has always been fascinating hearing his bedroom-pop sound transition into something new in real time. His constant involvement in music, whether it be at school or on his own, was always fun to hear. He brought a nuanced sense of musicality that was different from much of the local sounds I’d heard; fresh beats from well-known alternative genres, all fused in a stylistic medley. Smith started releasing music under the…
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Vancouver alternative rock band Hotel Mira’s sold-out concert at the Commodore Ballroom was a show-stopper. The band was fuelled with energy that’s only felt from a hometown crowd, and their gratitude was emphasized after each number. I spoke to frontman…
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“Colors” by Black Pumas Photo credit: ATO Records / Fontana North Black Pumas is a rock-soul band from Austin, Texas who bring contemporary twists to the genre. “Colors” is full of rhythm and groove, from the strike of the…
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Content warning: mentions of sexual harassment, grooming, sexual assault of minors, misogyny, and queerphobia. There are a few ways in which women are generally framed in alternative music — usually rock, punk, and metal. They’re playing hard to get, they’re…
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“Casio” by Jungle Photo credit: XL Recordings Are you feeling broken-hearted but don’t want to listen to a sappy crying-in-the-shower sad song? Then this song is perfect for you! “Casio” is about holding onto a relationship with no future…
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