2011

Video Interview: Edmonton Folk Festival

I didn’t think twice when I was asked to cover the Edmonton Folk Festival earlier this month. Although this wasn’t my first time in Edmonton – I had spent a summer there a year ago working – it was my first experience with the festival itself and I would certainly return given the chance. For a four-day event run entirely by volunteers and drawing nearly 2,500 people, I was amazed at how smoothly everything went as well as the kindness of the people there. It was one of the most enjoyable music festivals I’ve ever attended.

Thanks to Kendra Hart for shooting and editing, Jordan Delic for producing and Jocelynn Rennie for her coordinating expertise and being a great impromptu sound person.

Video Interview: Warped Tour 2011

I covered Warped Tour when it passed through Toronto last month for AUX. Although many of the bands/artists performing are not what I’d normally listen to, it was still interesting to meet and chat with them as well as those who travel with the tour as vendors like Jac Vanek or non-profit movements such as To Write Love on Her Arms.

Thanks to Clem Lush and Brendon Timmings for shooting and coordinating the interviews.

Video Interview: Glasvegas

Scottish band Glasvegas has just put out a new album called Euphoric Heartbreak and I interviewed them when they stopped in Toronto during their North American tour in support of it. Guitarist Rab Allen is by far the tallest Scottish person I’ve met and along with bassist Paul Donoghue, the band was a pleasure to chat with.

Thanks to Rick Thompson for shooting and Tristan Moran for editing the final piece.

Magneta Lane Pay Tribute to Their Mexican Roots With New Spanish EP

This was my second time interviewing Magneta Lane (the last time was about a year ago while I was still an intern at AUX) in which they revealed details of an new EP of songs they recorded in Spanish. They also told me details regarding their forthcoming album they are currently working on with some members of Finger Eleven. Read the full piece on Spinner.

To learn more about the band or for the latest updates, visit their official website. You can also follow them on Twitter.

Yael Naim on the Apple Ad That Kick-Started Her Career as the ‘Israeli Feist’

I interviewed Israeli singer-songwriter Yael Naim while she was here in Toronto a little while ago promoting her latest album She Was a Boy. She spoke to me about her beginnings in music and growing up in Israel where she felt a little closed off from the world. Naim also commented on the Macbook Air commercial from a few years ago that essentially kick-started her career. Read the full piece on Spinner.