All posts by Matt Hayes

Jon Hines Takes up the Torch of East Coast Blues on ‘Down to Funk’

Blues music often takes a backseat nowadays. Sure, the White Stripes and Black Keys have done their best to spark a resurgence in but, despite an overwhelming amount of contemporary blues-inspiring burdens, the genre finds itself devoid of suitable torch-bearers. Enter Jon Hines. Continue reading Jon Hines Takes up the Torch of East Coast Blues on ‘Down to Funk’

Kylie Fox Shines as a Storyteller on ‘Green’

Kylie Fox’s Green, her first full-length album, finds itself perpetually amidst poignant intersections. The selection of songs found on the album has the Saint John singer-songwriter with her head ever on a swivel between nostalgia and now, love and loss, or home and the road. These contrasting components blend with her distinctly Joni Mitchell-influenced style into a thoughtful, heartfelt delight of an album. Continue reading Kylie Fox Shines as a Storyteller on ‘Green’

The Divorcees Put ’70s Country Along With a Bit of ‘Grit and Groove’ Into ‘Drop Of Blood’

The Divorcees have carved out a cozy spot for themselves within the east coast music scene. They are tried and true classic country flag-wavers. Even if you are not a fan, their sound is likely to recall memories of growing up listening to the legends on the radio weekend from afternoons long gone by. They love this genre and that emotion and affection shine through in all their songs. With their newest release, Drop of Blood, the Moncton-based group has succeeded in harnessing this sense of nostalgia and charm that strikes so close to home for many of us. Continue reading The Divorcees Put ’70s Country Along With a Bit of ‘Grit and Groove’ Into ‘Drop Of Blood’

Vince the Messenger Paves His Own Road on ‘Black Sheep’

Hands up if your 2021 BINGO sheet had a Prince Edward Island-based rapper releasing a nursery rhyme-sampling track that name drops Caillou. No one? That’s what I thought – yet somehow this is where we are. Vince the Messenger adds another plot twist to the New Year as he once again showcases his wit, lyricism, and depth on his latest release, “Black Sheep.” Continue reading Vince the Messenger Paves His Own Road on ‘Black Sheep’

The Town Heroes Showcase Hits That Have Mellowed and Improved With Age on ‘Again’

The Town Heroes have accumulated quite the impressive back catalogue over their time traversing the maritime music scene and beyond. They have swapped out their distorted guitars for prioritizing piano on their fifth full-length album which sets some of their more raucous tunes against a more stripped down and bare-bones backing. Again finds the band at their Harvest-era Neil Young-est as they colour familiar pictures in a much more stark and minimalist way. Continue reading The Town Heroes Showcase Hits That Have Mellowed and Improved With Age on ‘Again’