Ben Caplan is on a mission to romance you, and he’s doing it one town at a time. The Halifax-based folk singer’s ten-year love of touring has never waned, and unlike musicians who tour once every couple of years, Caplan’s experience is one of dedicated traveler. Though he has evolved from the whiskey-swilling hitchhiker, it’s soaked into his music by osmosis and is still a driving force. His commitment to touring is a key component to his music. It allows wanderers to find a home in his gypsy anthems. On his fresh tour he brings Taryn Kawaja to supplement his gypsy guitar with her light touch of piano and vocals. Continue reading Ben Caplan Wants To Sing You A Love Song
Tag Archives: Halifax
The Quiet Reserve of Mo Kenney
Mo Kenney is wearing what we have decided is possibly the best cardigan ever. We don’t toss declarations like that around lightly. Not about cardigans, and especially not in the context of the rich history they have being worn by rockstars.
“Yeah, it’s great. I just got it,” Mo humbly admits.
It’s one of the longest winters in New Brunswick history, and despite the superior quality of Mo’s most excellent cardigan, I’m not sure it’s ready to to compete with the wind that’s been steadily gnawing at us.
“It’s a little cold,” is all Mo says, as the photographer begins to worry that he’s now shivering too much to get the shot. Three hours later, she’s announcing to a sold-out house, “I have a bit of a cold. I don’t know if you can tell,” before launching into a song. Continue reading The Quiet Reserve of Mo Kenney
Mike Trask From Mudhill To The Precious Memories
“Adam Mowery told me that everyone in Saint John looks like they’re having the worst day of their life, and this is a good corner to observe that. That’s why I sit here,” says Mike Trask sitting in the diner on the corner of Union and Waterloo, or for the geographically-minded, the intersection of Strip Club and Sally Ann. The unobtrusive diner with its large windows makes for one of the best locations in town for inconspicuous character watching, and it’s become the go-to spot in Saint John for Mike and his band, The Precious Memories. Continue reading Mike Trask From Mudhill To The Precious Memories
Halifax Instrument Library: Instruments Wanted
This fall, Halifax has been all abuzz with talk of libraries; from the rising success of the Halifax Tool Library, to the brand-new Halifax Central Library, Haligonians are now, more than ever, embracing the culture of sharing. A third library is emerging on the scene in the form of a musical instrument library, being pioneered by the good folks at the Halifax Music Co-op. Interim Development Director for the Co-op, Stephanie Pronk, has been appointed as the fundraising champion for the library project. “The Halifax Music Co-op is all about making music accessible. That’s actually our mission: music for everyone. Currently, we’re really accessible in that you can come in, play an instrument, and there’s very little commitment from you; you just have to show up for your lessons and take part in the ensembles. You only have to pay as little as one dollar per year to be a member. Financially, it’s open to whoever wants to join; the only problem is that you have to come with an instrument because we don’t have any.” Continue reading Halifax Instrument Library: Instruments Wanted
Adam Washburn: Musician In Transition
The first time I saw Adam Washburn perform with his new band, The Elements, was at the Halifax Urban Folk Festival this August, and I was blown away. They have a feel good, folk-pop vibe, that relies as much on electric guitars and bass, as it does on acoustic instruments, and their energetic mix of original tunes was balanced nicely by a cover of “Red Heart” by East Coast power group Hey Rosetta!. I met up with Adam Washburn at the Economy Shoe Shop in Halifax, which, for those not in the know, is not, in fact, a place to buy footwear, but a restaurant by day, and a music venue by night. Continue reading Adam Washburn: Musician In Transition