All posts by Matt Hayes

Dylan Menzie Doubles Down on the Holiday Spirit with ‘I Guess I’ll Cancel Christmas’

Prince Edward Island singer-songwriter Dylan Menzie’s new Christmas EP is a shining example of what the genre can be – not just because, musically, he knocks it out of the park, but because Menzie has doubled down on what the holidays mean to him by making it a charitable effort to a cause close to him. Continue reading Dylan Menzie Doubles Down on the Holiday Spirit with ‘I Guess I’ll Cancel Christmas’

The Stanfields Put a Twist on Dolly Parton’s Christmas Classic With ‘(I’ll Stay Home) With Bells On’

Nothing manages to inexplicably make more sense than the Stanfields “covering” Dolly Parton’s classic “I’ll Be Home With Bells On” for Christmas. With a video reminiscent of their quarantine era hit “Stay the Blazes Home”, the boys provide some classic country and cheeky commentary wrapped up in Christmas cheer with “(I’ll Stay Home) With Bells On.” Continue reading The Stanfields Put a Twist on Dolly Parton’s Christmas Classic With ‘(I’ll Stay Home) With Bells On’

Go, Homeboy! Welcomes Us to His World on ‘Tale of the Mixtape’

Fredericton’s Go, Homeboy!, AKA Matt Walls, shuffles on up to the mic to pioneer “sloth rap” on his debut album Tale of the Mixtape, bringing his laid back, unique, and supremely referential interpretation of hip hop to the masses. As he proclaims on “Don’t Trip,” “This is hip hop for hippies, hip hop for nerds, this is hip hop for anyone that likes flipping words.”
Continue reading Go, Homeboy! Welcomes Us to His World on ‘Tale of the Mixtape’

Tara MacLean & Adam Brazier Perform a Duet of Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘A Song for a Winter’s Night’

Years ago, Tara MacLean heard Adam Brazier sing in a musical and was taken aback by his vocal talents; “The first time I heard him sing, I wept.” She was instantly aware that she wanted to sing with him and to all our good fortune, the multi-talented tenor was more than happy to oblige. Continue reading Tara MacLean & Adam Brazier Perform a Duet of Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘A Song for a Winter’s Night’

Classified Brings Us the Gift of a Hip Hop Holiday with ‘The Bells Are Ringing’

Saint Nick would forgive you for not equating rap and hip hop with Christmas, but there is an underappreciated overlap. Let’s even skip over the fact that Christmas lights are essentially just bling for your house/tree, that Santa’s suit would only otherwise be accepted in a late ’90s rap video, and that the spirit of excess can be heard echoing throughout our seasonal spending. Instead, let’s take a moment or two to appreciate the Maritimes’ predominant emcee’s addition to what may surprise many to learn is a pretty substantial collection of Christmas rapping. Continue reading Classified Brings Us the Gift of a Hip Hop Holiday with ‘The Bells Are Ringing’