alternative

In black and white, under a concrete bridge, a boy stands in a sweater and jeans as he leans against a pillar.
4 min 0 1609

The West Coast rules with Triton

Peak Web November 27, 2024

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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Charlie Kerr, Cole George, Mike Noble, and Clark Grieve (Hotel Mira)
4 min 0 1813

Hotel Mira makes Vancouver proud

Peak Web February 12, 2024

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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“Monday Music” in orange block text on a yellow rectangular background with rounded corners and an orange border.
3 min 0 2709

Monday Music: Soulful gems

Peak Web August 1, 2023

 “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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6 min 0 2116

Alternative music has a misogyny problem

Peak Web July 19, 2023

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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“Monday Music” in orange block text on a yellow rectangular background with rounded corners and an orange border.
3 min 0 3634

Monday Music: Indie songs for surmounting unrequited love

Peak Web November 28, 2022

 “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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