Sarah MacDougall: poetic songs from Canada’s North

 Canada’s own northern star is shining bright from the humble community of Whitehorse, Yukon. Nestled within the magnificent landscape and vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyle of the city is singer-songwriter Sarah MacDougall. She is gearing up to release her new album Grand Canyon. “I am excited to share it with the world,”

The Strumbellas on music, tour life and making it big

 Photo credit: Heather Pollock “I know I’m supposed to say my favourite part of being on tour is meeting the fans,” says the Strumbellas frontman Simon Ward. “But really it’s trying all the different food from everywhere we travel.” If I wasn’t a fan of the Strumbellas before, you can bet

5 Holiday Gifts for Long-Distance Loved Ones

 Sending just the right gift can be difficult when family or friends live far away. Often the distance has left us out-of-touch with their tastes and interests – and the last thing we want is to send something they don’t like, or can’t use, so that your gift is nothing

A Song to Play, A Story to Tell

 Music has always been a part of Steve Bell’s life. His mother was a singer, songwriter and piano player and his father also fostered the family’s passion and love for music. “I have almost no memories of not being involved in music,” Bell says. “It’s always been a part of the

Levi Hart: Ottawa’s Country Star

 The Canadian country music scene is a hub for undiscovered talent. Case in point brings us to this week’s musical feature, Levi Hart. Native to Ottawa, Hart is a gem that has yet to be fully appreciated. Which is strange considering he has opened the stage for Kid Rock and

Pilar’s Picks: Julie Crochetière

 Canada definitely has talent. I’d love to introduce you to singer-songwriter Julie Crochetière, born and raised in Montreal. Her music tugs deep into your heart and each track has you feeling passionate emotions. Crochetière recently released her fourth solo album Counting Dreams, and you need to give it a listen to! I’m

Pilar’s Picks: Thus Owls

 Today is an exciting day for Thus Owls, a Montreal-Stockholm band. They are releasing their album Turning Rocks today via Secret City Records. Thus Owls is a transatlantic band consisting of a husband and wife duo -- Erika and Simon Angell. They met by chance as they were touring from separate bands and

Pilar’s Picks: Alysha Brilla

 Hi there! My name is Pilar Adams and I am a grade 12 student at St. Mark Catholic High School in Manotick. I’m doing a four-month co-operative education placement at Ottawa Life Magazine and I couldn’t be more excited about it. I will be uploading two to three posts a

Young Ottawa Male’s Passion, Results in Unbelievable Success

 Maurice is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, producer, rapper, and engineer from Ottawa who worked hard to pursue his dreams. Although he had a passion for music ever since he was a young boy, Maurice’s career truly jumpstarted when he applied for the Summer Company Grant offered by Ottawa City Hall.

Men Without Hats Return after a Decade with Love in the Age of War

 Men Without Hats’ latest record, Love in the Age of War, released this past May after an almost decade-long hiatus, is very much the band at its best. Hot off the heels of a tremendously successful tour, with an extremely well-received set at the world-famous South by Southwest (SXSW) music

Free Dimensional by Diamond Rings – Finding Your Place Outside of Normal

 Canadian singer/songwriter Diamond Rings’ new album, Free Dimensional, is all about contradictions and living a life littered with incongruities. The album opens with waves of heavily distorted echoing synth and a static-induced crackling house beat. A number of new overlays are quickly added, including a steady marimba backbeat and John

Danielle Duval’s OF THE VALLEY

 Danielle Duval's new album OF THE VALLEY is a solid and heartfelt collection of songs. Emotive, melodic and honest, all at the same time. All pulled together with a strong pop sensibility. Duval's voice has a unique, friendly and inviting feel, providing a contrast to some of the blander, radio-friendly,

Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself

 Hello, and welcome to my very first blog post! It's definitely an honour and privilege to be asked to contribute to such an informative, insightful and honest magazine. I'm excited to be a part of a magazine with such a long history in this city, and grateful to have the

Holly McNarland: Juggling Lives On Her Own Terms

 When Holly McNarland’s smash single “Numb” went viral as she approached her mid-twenties, she was a bright young rocker, a rookie to the record label and a hopeful firecracker quickly winning her way on to MuchMusic countdowns and Women & Songs compilations. Like any fresh face, she was ready to