Backstage pass at Osheaga

Local band Cotton Mouth shares a glimpse of what it's like to play Osheaga

Cotton Mouth was one of over 60 acts at Osheaga's 2010 weekend concert getaway.
Musician Martin Horn was there, having fun and taking notes for The Concordian.

Sharing the Love at Osheaga 2010

Bands and Fans Alike Were Treated to an Outstanding Weekend of Music

If you were to come face to face with your favourite artist of all time, would you know what to say? Occupying such a prominent place in your life, carrying you through the hard times, the good, and providing a soundtrack to your life, these people can connect with you as though they were your best friend but how could you convey your emotion in a “Hello” or your handshake? As far as I can see, the only real way to convey the slightest of that emotion is through your participation as a fan.

Staking out Sled Island 2010

An authentic music festival in the heart of Calgary's urban sprawl

Rolling into Calgary by car reminds you of one thing: urban sprawl. It’s been one of the city’s defining characteristics over the past decade, and an urban population density roughly 10 per cent of New York City’s does its best to justify the image. Throw in some cowboy hats, oil barons, and giant trucks with fake sets of testicles and you’ve got a pretty good approximation of what my view of Calgary has been for most of my adult life.
 

Zak Pashak isn’t satisfied with that image of his home city, mostly because he knows how false it is. Pashak started the Sled Island Music Festival as a celebration of local and international music that embodies a counter-culture element many in Calgary are eager to be a part of. Not everyone in “Cowtown” wants to ride horses.

NXNE from a band’s perspective

Local band Pop Winds breaks down the festival

Pop Winds was one of 22 bands representing Montreal at North by Northeast (NXNE) this year. They agreed to take some time between gigs to write about the experience of navigating the industry-heavy, 7-day festival as an emerging band; the lessons they learned, and the perspective gained.

North by Northeast represents Toronto

A musical journey of your new favourite bands

The true music lover lives with a tune in their head day in and day out, connecting with a certain rhythm that inspires, usually by means of core favourites. Any music lover knows the thrill of discovering a new favourite; instantly understanding ourselves better and opening our world to the possibility of more.

As a music lover, I could not have been more enlightened by my experience at North by Northeast (NXNE) this past week in Toronto, ON, and how much more possibility was just at my fingertips.