British Columbia

West Coast Bhangra on the Brink

Story by Nick Krewen | June 8, 2017 For SOCAN Words and Music Vancouver-area bhangra is on the brink of something big. The first indicator that the West Coast/British Columbia bhangra and desi music scene is on the verge of wider recognition came with 2016’s “Suit,” a massive hit throughout India that was recorded and released by Indian singing sensation Guru Randhawa and Canada’s own Aneil Kainth, a.k.a. DJ Intense….


Dean Brody: Cinematic Country Flair

Story by Nick Krewen | November 2, 2016 For SOCAN Words and Music. Meet the Quentin Tarantino of country music – without all the blood, gore and violence, of course. Dean Brody, the 13-time Canadian Country Music Association Award, four-time SOCAN Award, and two-time JUNO Award winner, name-checks the renegade Pulp Fiction and Hateful Eight Hollywood filmmaker on the title track of his sixth and newest album, Beautiful Freakshow, and…


Bryan Adams slips back into the groove

Canadian rock star Bryan Adams says fans who like his music are going to love his new album, Get Up, “especially if you liked the stuff from the past.”   Nick Krewen,  Music, Published on Fri Oct 16 2015   Short, sweet and succinct. Get Up, the newly released 13th studio effort in the 100-million-record-selling Bryan Adams canon, contains 13 rock ’n’ roll songs that run a total of just…


Dan Mangan forges new frontiers with Blacksmith

The Juno-winning musician and songwriter rides a layered new album into Saturday’s Massey Hall show. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Wed Feb 25 2015 Dan Mangan is going deep. The 31-year-old eloquent, observant singer and songwriter has returned with a newly named band Blacksmith to introduce what’s arguably his finest album to date in Club Meds. The Smithers, B.C., native views the CD, his first since 2011’s Juno-winning Oh Fortune,…


Nickelback powers down the pyrotechnics: concert review

The band’s return to the ACC finds the usual frenetic energy somewhat lacking, owing to less anthem-y new songs and a very chatty Chad Kroeger, though the execution of the set was technically flawless. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Mon Feb 23 2015 Nickelback 2.5 stars At the Air Canada Centre, Feb. 22. Nickelback has changed its performance tactic. Once a combo that used all the bells and whistles available…