Didja hear the one about China, Björk and the Dalai Lama?In the face of increased international scrutiny leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the Chinese government is working to hide any sore issues which might result in international pressure following the games. The reaction to Björk’s Fri., Mar. 7 concert-that ended with… Continue reading Editorial: China under the microscope
Month: March 2008
SPUN: The Trews
By Ryan Pike
Because of the involvement of the CRTC in regulating Canadian radio, there’s been a seeming bias against Canadian bands. The rationale is that because of needing to broadcast a certain amount of Canadian content, undeserving bands from the country get played over their more-talented foreign counterparts. Even so, CRTC rules can get “undeserving” bands on… Continue reading SPUN: The Trews
SPUN: Protest the Hero
Coming at you with more energy than a Tasmanian devil on Red Bull and ecstasy, Protest The Hero’s newest disc, Fortress, presents an exquisite assault on your ear drums. Following their 2005 debut full-length Kezia, Whitby, Ontario’s favourite rebellious sons take the high-octane, guitar-driven punk that made them famous and added a layer of metal.… Continue reading SPUN: Protest the Hero
SPUN: Ladyhawk
By Amanda Hu
Apparently, mixing sangria, pee buckets and abandoned houses produces something surprising: Ladyhawk’s sophomore album, Shots. To be more accurate, the Vancouver-based rocker group recorded the album in a dishevelled house in their hometown of Kelowna over the course of two weeks, which definitely comes across in the scrappy-yet-emotional sound of the tracks. Starting off the… Continue reading SPUN: Ladyhawk
SPUN: Los Campesinos!
os Campesinos is one of the new bands of 2008 that really has a chance to explode onto the music scene. Whereas most albums that appeal to a wide variety of tastes are calculating shit meant to sell records, Hold on Now, Youngster is a relatively unique album in the genre of typically overly-cute and… Continue reading SPUN: Los Campesinos!
Ain’t that a kick in the face?
By Ryan Pike
When a sport reaches a certain level of popularity, it’s natural for Hollywood to latch on and make a film about it. Hockey had The Mighty Ducks, stock car racing had Days of Thunder and competitive cheerleading had Bring It On. Now, with mixed martial arts purportedly the fastest-growing sport on the continent, Never Back… Continue reading Ain’t that a kick in the face?
Modern culture is in the mix
Thousands of young, socially inept, bohemian men and women have spent their singlehood hunched over their tape machines trying to get the perfect playlist of unpretentious pop, esoteric rock and songs of unrequited longing to reflect their heart’s dearest desires. Essayist and poet Geoffrey O’Brien called the mix tape, “the most widely practiced American artform.”… Continue reading Modern culture is in the mix
Dancing on the Mainstage
By Darren Young
After a three-month hibernation, the dancers at the University of Calgary are starting to creep out of their studios and into the University Theatre to present their latest Mainstage Dance show. The dancers have spent hours a day for the past several weeks in preparation for the show, which is typically one of the most… Continue reading Dancing on the Mainstage
Filmmaking doesn’t always cost mad coin
An old filmmaker in his rocking chair, slowly swaying back and forth discussing the practice of making movies on the classic 8mm film stock. As he sits in his rocking chair, reminiscing about the good ol’ days of grabbing an old Super 8 camera and shooting to the heart’s content. As he slowly puffs on… Continue reading Filmmaking doesn’t always cost mad coin
Improvising a lifetime with a stranger
By Ryan Pike
In the quest for companionship, occasionally people resort to drastic measures. One of the most commonly-used ways of looking for love is the blind date. University of Calgary alumna Rebecca Northan has returned to her roots at Loose Moose Theatre to present a show dedicated to the pleasantries and pratfalls of courtship with Blind Date.… Continue reading Improvising a lifetime with a stranger