The Young Artists of (a Gentrified) Hamilton
Rife with homegrown talent, Hamilton has undergone a transition from blue collar steel town to a revitalized entertainment hub with a thriving arts and culture scene. But one person’s revitalization is another’s gentrification, and Hamilton locals and newcomers find themselves at odds about what changes mean to the city and those who reside in it. Critics of gentrification argue that the hike in Hamilton’s real estate market has...
Detour’s road to Battle of the Bands 2017 McMaster band competition winners recall their high school roots and alt-rock aspirations
When Detour played their set at the Casbah for McMaster’s Battle of the Bands finals this year, they did not expect to win. Although they had supporters in the crowd, they realized that the venue had hit maximum capacity due to the amount of people their competitors drew to the audience. Despite their pessimism, Detour earned a surprise win. Comprised of Emman Alavata, Victor Zhang, Marco Goldblatt and Jaden Raso, the fresh-faced...
Must-try local Asian restaurants From delicious dinners to desserts, here are some of Hamilton’s excellent Asian food offerings
In addition to the few existing establishments that serve Asian food, restaurants that feature new-wave food trends from Asia such as dessert bars, snack joints and tea houses have been popping up left and right in Hamilton in recent years. These spots may be newly-minted in our Steel City, but have been rife in Asian metropolitan hubs such as Taiwan and Hong Kong for years. It’s nice to see that there are more places for...
Roy Wood$ Brampton native reflects on his rise to OVO Toronto hip hop royalty
When Drake dropped “Marvin’s Room” — the lead single off the rapper’s sophomore album, Take Care — in 2011, a then 15-year-old Roy Woods had it on repeat for weeks on end. Years later, it would remain his most-played song on iTunes and become a major influence on his songwriting. Little did Woods know, he would go on to sign under Drake’s label, OVO Sound, collaborate with the “Marvin’s Room” crooner himself, and become a member of...
You need to watch for Hamilton-based singer-songwriter IsKwé this year Rising Winnipeg-born singer songwriter set to release new album after her most successful year yet
Recently named one of the “Top 10 Artists to Watch in 2016” by CBC Music, IsKwé is an Irish and Cree/Dene singer-songwriter with an intricate sound that combines electrifying beats and soulful rhythms with poignant, introspective lyrics. Currently based in Hamilton, the Winnipeg-bred artist is known for her fearlessness to weave her political beliefs and cross-cultural influences into both the instrumentation and storytelling of her...
