Canada

Liner notes: FM, Black Noise

FM – Black Noise   Oh, the endless possibilities that can be stoked by science fiction. It’s a realm where imaginations are stimulated, emancipated, and allowed to run wild; where boundaries are stretched and eliminated, and where the inconceivable can become an accomplished reality. It’s a topic that is so entrenched and valued in our society that sci-fi has gifted us with some of our most beloved cultural milestones, be…


Nash The Slash, Toronto rock violinist, dead at 66

Born Jeff Plewman, Nash the Slash’s stage wardrobe consisted of wrapping his face in bandages adorned by sunglasses and wearing a top hat. By: Nick Krewen Music, Published on Mon May 12 2014 Pioneering electronic musician, composer and performance artist Nash the Slash has died. The eccentric Toronto electric violinist, whose mummified stage wardrobe consisted of wrapping his face in bandages adorned by sunglasses and a top hat, was found…


Nikki Yanofsky finds a mentor in Quincy Jones

“This lady is really special,” the legendary producer says of his 20-year-old Canadian protégé.     By: Nick Krewen Music, Published on Mon May 12 2014   Montreal’s Nikki Yanofsky got some not-so-secret assistance on her latest album, Little Secret. You can’t do much better than having Quincy Jones, the dominant producer behind Michael Jackson’s three blockbuster albums Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad, and arranger and conductor of such…


Nashville Expands

Story by Nick Krewen | March 21, 2014 For SOCAN Words And Music.   Name any gigantic country hit of the last two decades or so and there’s a better-than-average chance that it was generated from Nashville, Tennessee. Sure, Texas factors into the mix, and maybe there’s a touch of Bakersfield in there, too. But for the most part it’s a 30-block-or-so chunk Southwest of downtown Nashville, nicknamed Music Row,…


Arcade Fire keeps Toronto on its feet: concert review

With the Air Canada Centre decked out like a giant dance club, Arcade Fire got its groove on for a 20-song set. By: Nick Krewen Music Published on Fri Mar 14 2014 Arcade Fire 3 stars At the Air Canada Centre, March 13, 2014 Even if it came at the expense of Toronto’s much-maligned mayor, it seems that Montreal’s alt-rock artisans Arcade Fire have a sense of humour after all….