Album Reviews: Ottawa artist special

 Cody Coyote — Debwe/Manidoo Dewe'igan (Ottawa) Ojibwe/Irish artist Cody Coyote hit us with some great singles this fall, playing with vintage hip hop and modern pop. "Debwe" hits an instantly infectious high from the start, with a bass hook that doesn't quit and a seamless groove to rap on top

Albums reviews: March 24, 2020

 Childish Gambino - 3.15.20 (California/Georgia) With the rumours swirling of the end of Childish Gambino, it's great that Donald Glover has blessed us with new material. Since this allegedly the first step in his rebirth to creating art under his real name, this is a masterful way to start over.

The Commotions: Sweet Soul Sensations Unleash Sizzling Satisfaction

 Photos by Andre R. Gagne They have got to still be cleaning the sweat off the dance floor inside the Babylon Nightclub after the The Commotions put the awe in awesome with a groove making, Bank Street shaking, sweet, sensational and soulicious show Friday night. There was sizzle! There was

Love Finds a Way for Ron Weiss

 Some people spend a life looking for true love. Ottawa musician Ron Weiss put a life on hold for it. Before there was the heart stopping, time freezing, world changing moment named Debbie, Weiss was on a fairly straight trajectory to becoming the singer-songwriter he'd always wanted to become even

5 Winter Jazz Festival Shows You Shouldn’t Miss

 Ok, I get it. For most, festival season begins when colourful patches of spiky topped flowers start punctuating the parks and landmarks of the Nation’s Capital. The sun beams, you get to toss off your 467 layers and slip into something that doesn’t weigh the clothing equivalent of a family of

Just In Time For the Weekend, Canadian 12-piece The Commotions Unleash “Bad Girl” Video!

 "Bad Girl” is The Commotions’ newest single off Volume II, their latest full album. The entire release is brimming with the type of next-level, Motown-meets-modern, jazzy, funky, pop, soul and pure sonic joy that only The Commotions and their 12 regular members plus 16 noteworthy guests accompaniments can bring! It’s no questions why they

The Top 25 People in the Capital: 1-10

 Photo by Valerie Keeler This year we teamed up with Crusoe, the Celebrity Dachshund, to sniff out the top dogs in the city that are actually people. Crusoe got his game face on and scouted out Ottawans that are the ones to watch. They are the best that the capital has

BEST OF OTTAWA: Musicians

 With 20-years writing about Ottawa life we think we have a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer. In this new weekly summer series we’ll share it with you. From our top picks of hotels, live music venues, local brews, bands and more, check,

The Festival Bobcat

 Ottawa Life’s Festival City Series is back! We'll provide a unique look at some of your favourite events. We’ll go beyond the music with artist interviews, volunteer profiles, concert reviews and spotlights on the tastes, sights and sounds of the festival season.  Your city! Your festivals and events! Like a good sunscreen,

Ottawa Jazz On The Upswing

 Ottawa Life’s Festival City Series is back! We'll provide a unique look at some of your favourite events. We’ll go beyond the music with artist interviews, volunteer profiles, concert reviews and spotlights on the tastes, sights and sounds of the festival season.  Your city! Your festivals and events! Like a good sunscreen,

People of Earth: The PepTides!

 Feature and cake photo by Valerie Keeler Photography / Co-styled by MJ LeBlanc (stylist, Rent frock Repeat) and Katie Hession (founder, YOW City Style) / Women's dresses provided by Rent Frock Repeat / Men's clothing provided by Le Château Bayshore mixed with musician's own / Additional photos by Andre Gagne

Jazzing Up Paisley Park

 Petr Cancura was working on some music when he heard that the man who he describes as “living a fairy tale” had died. Like the rest of the world, there was the initial shock followed by the feeling that such a talent that was Prince was claimed much too young.

Rebecca Noelle’s Soul-Soaring Soulstice

 Feature image by Paolo Ceritano. Standing on the edge of the end of a year, when singer-songwriter Rebecca Noelle looks back she sees behind her days full of song, frenetic choreography and various neon hairstyles that could possibly be seen from the International Space Station. And that’s just her work with