Category: from the ‘hood

From the ‘hood: 10 of my fave albums by 10 of my fave Vancouver bands

By Steve Newton When you've covered the Vancouver music scene for as long as I have, you realize there's a lot more to it than Loverboy and Bryan freakin' Adams. Art Bergmann Sexual Roulette (1990) The hero of Vancouver’s alternative music scene really hit his stride on his second full-length album, telling insightful and thoroughly … Continue reading From the ‘hood: 10 of my fave albums by 10 of my fave Vancouver bands

Vancouver jazz vocalist Laura Crema discovered her love of singing somewhere over the rainbow

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 20, 2021 By Steve Newton When Laura Crema was five years old, growing up in North Burnaby, she started taking tap-dancing lessons. As well as being a good workout for her nimble limbs, the music she'd dance to introduced her to some of the world's great jazz and pop singers. But it wasn't … Continue reading Vancouver jazz vocalist Laura Crema discovered her love of singing somewhere over the rainbow

Steel-guitar ace Scott Smith will trade licks with six-stringer Paul Pigat at Adventures in Pedal Steel

christopher edmonstone photo By Steve Newton I've always thought it would be one of the coolest things in the world to be able to play pedal-steel guitar. I mean that instrument just sounds so damn beautiful, soaring around like it does, making you damn near cry at times. But who's got the patience to learn … Continue reading Steel-guitar ace Scott Smith will trade licks with six-stringer Paul Pigat at Adventures in Pedal Steel

That time I interviewed Nardwuar the Human Serviette about Neptoon Records, my fave Vancouver record store

Nardwuar at Neptoon with Tyler, the Creator By Steve Newton I called up Vancouver-based celebrity journalist and garage-rocker Nardwuar a couple years ago when I was writing an article on the 40th anniversary of Neptoon Records, the local vinyl haven run by Rob Frith and his musician son Ben. NTHS often does his hugely popular … Continue reading That time I interviewed Nardwuar the Human Serviette about Neptoon Records, my fave Vancouver record store

Jason de Couto straddles two worlds in the Vancouver music scene

By Steve Newton If you've ever gotten out and seen any local cover bands or jazz gigs in Vancouver, there's a pretty good chance you've heard the piano, organ, or synth playing of Jason de Couto. He's one of the most in-demand keyboardists in town, performing with such acts as Meridian, Rain City 6, Side … Continue reading Jason de Couto straddles two worlds in the Vancouver music scene

Mix Tape Rodeo does whatever it takes to capture B.C. artists on video

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 13, 2021 By Steve Newton If you happened to be anywhere near drummer-journalist Adrian Mack's property on Salt Spring Island last September 3, you might have heard a decidedly raucous noise ringing through the Douglas firs. Mack's garage-rock quartet Saltspringunderground was running through a rowdy original called "City of Glass". And Island … Continue reading Mix Tape Rodeo does whatever it takes to capture B.C. artists on video

Jim McGillveray says that the Wildroot Orchestra is like Guy Lombardo on speed

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 11, 1983 By Steve Newton Before I'd even crossed the threshold into Jim McGillveray's harmonious Collingwood Street residence, something told me I was entering heavily musical territory. It could have been the two big ivory-coloured congas standing like sentinels on his front porch, their skins removed and evidently under repair. But … Continue reading Jim McGillveray says that the Wildroot Orchestra is like Guy Lombardo on speed

Vancouver’s mid-’80s metal scene thrives with bands like Kradle, Nitevigil, and Harlots Webb

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 15, 1986 By Steve Newton Vancouver hard-rock fans who've been thirsting for a taste of homegrown metal should consider visiting the New York Theatre this Saturday (August 16). That's when Burnaby's Kradle will be doing their best to prove that raunchy and original sounds are still alive and well in Expo … Continue reading Vancouver’s mid-’80s metal scene thrives with bands like Kradle, Nitevigil, and Harlots Webb

Matrex goes over big in Chilliwack with a little help from Deep Purple

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 12, 1985 By Steve Newton On Saturday night, in the wilds (well, not quite) of Chilliwack, Matrex were doing their best to make the natives restless. Their set at the Fiddler II Cabaret included about eight originals (some of which they're currently putting on a 24-track demo at Pr0file Studio), as … Continue reading Matrex goes over big in Chilliwack with a little help from Deep Purple

Vancouver vocalist Lori Paul sets her sights on soulfulness

mila geran photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 19, 1985 By Steve Newton "I've always wanted to sing like a black lady," says Lori Paul. "They strike me as being the most genuine on stage, the most sincere. I guess that's what a soul singer is... and I want to be known as a soulful singer." … Continue reading Vancouver vocalist Lori Paul sets her sights on soulfulness

Vancouver’s MT Vessels drift into the spotlight with new single and video

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 19, 1985 By Steve Newton MT Vessels threw a record- and video-release party at the Town Pump last week. As part of their prize for taking the Spotlight 85 "Battle of the Bands" contest last March, the group had two of their songs pressed, to be distributed nationally by MCA Records, … Continue reading Vancouver’s MT Vessels drift into the spotlight with new single and video