NEXT Magazine Winter 2022

THE SHORT LIST

Ali Gatie and Blue Rodeo head out on tour while Women Talking and Avatar: The Way of Water will be movie the atre highlights.

MORMOR

Toronto-based singer songwriter MorMor has finally released his longawaited — and excellent — debut album, Semblance

ALVVAYS

It’s been a turbulent five years for Canadian indie pop-practitioners Alvvays. Lead singer Molly Rankin gives us an update.

COVER STORY ‑ JESSE REYEZ

She’s been a force on Canadian hip hop since 2016 and with the release of only her second album, Jesse Reyez explores her Colombian roots.

ALBUM REVIEWS

Alvvays, Drake, Tegan and Sara, Carly Rae Jepsen, Asking Alexandria, Nuella Charles, Zensoul, Joji, Skye Wallace, Death Cab for Cutie, Sudan Archives and many more

THE LOCAL PAGES

YYZ/YVR/YYC

It’s night at the museum time again as Toronto’s ROM brings back its After Dark event, Vancouver’s saying Let’s Dance to David Bowie and Calgary is heating up with the Big Winter Classic concert series.

THE FUNNIES Find your inner Swiftie with our Taylor Swift (not) Mad Libs and help Carly Rae Jepsen find herself in our exclusive maze.

SHORTLIST WINTER

THE TOP 5 TO DO IN CANADA THIS SEASON

WET AND WILD AVATAR SEQUEL SURFACES

AVATAR: THE WAY

In theatres, 190 mins. Fri., Dec. 16

ALI GATIE GETS GOING

ALI GATIE WITH JOHNNY ORLANDO

Fri., Nov 25 & Sat., Nov. 26, History, Toronto: Mon., Dec. 12, MacEwan Hall, Calgary; and Thurs., Dec. 15, Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver

Ali Gatie, the soulful and smooth-singing Iraqi-Canadian singer who blends R&B and pop, takes his heartfelt tunes on the road promoting his new album Who Hurt You? The also-very-soulful Johnny Orlando opens the shows.

Blockbuster Canadian director James Cameron has waited over 10 years to follow up his Utopia-in-peril, fantasy flick Avatar, and we think it will be worth the wait. Look for Cameron to take full advantage of advances in CGI technology as he updates his idyllic Pandora paradise and it’s blue-faced, flower-loving populace.

BLUE RODEO Tue., Nov. 23 & Wed., Nov. 24, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver; Sat., Dec. 3 & Sun., Dec. 4, Southern Alberta Jubi lee Auditorium, Calgary

Beloved Canadian rootsrockers Blue Rodeo have never shied away from winter touring in this country. And their

MOVIE WOMEN TALKING NEEDS TO BE SEEN

WOMEN TALKING In theatres, 104 mins. Fri., Dec. 2

Canadian writer and director Sarah Polley’s remarkable Women Talking is our pick for best film at Toronto’s TIFF, and it’s certain to pick up a pile of Oscar nominations. Based on Miriam Toews’s novel, this story of a group of Mennonite women who decide what to do about the men in the community who have routinely sexually assaulted them is a revelation.

hit-packed shows, full of crowd-rousing singalongs, are guaranteed to warm even the coldest Canadian night. Jenn Grant opens.

FIREWORKS LIGHT UP NEW YEAR’S EVE

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sun., Dec. 31 – Mon., Jan.1

As New Year’s Eve makes its way across the country’s many time zones, Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square remains the best free party in town. Vancouver’s traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration has a new location this year, at False Creek. And we’re hoping the fireworks are back at Calgary’s Husky Tower for Day One fun.

Editor/Publisher

Michael Hollett

Creative Director Troy Beyer

Associate Editor Rayne Fisher-Quann

Contributors

Benji Adringa, Veracia Ankrah, Away, Eric J Eckert, Latoya Elle, Kristal Griffin, Ammar Karam, Sarah Khan, Zack Kotzer, Aly Laupe, Amy Lloyd, Alisha Mughal, Kufu Najee, Nicole Richie, Laura Robinson, Nicholas Sokic, Sierra Stone, Karen K. Tran, Caely White, Sanjeev Wignarajah

Advice Columnist Amy Millan askamy@nextmag.ca

Director of Sales and Partnerships Barbara Hefler

Advertising Inquiries: sales@nextmag.ca Circulation Coordinator Danny Quance Circulation

Paul Mckenzie,

Bessai,

MacMinn

Henry Voskuil

Angel’s Envy

When we talk smallbatch bourbon, this is one of Kentucky’s finest. A father col laborated with his son — and now grandson — to produce smallbatch bourbon fin ished in port barrels. A jam-y, fruity nose with a toffee nutmeg palate, this bourbon’s smooth finish makes it a winner for sipping neat.

C'EST BON!

BOURBON IS BRINGING THE HEAT FOR THE LONG WINTER NIGHTS AHEAD

By AMMAR KARAM

Buffalo Trace

Often found as the rail bourbon in cocktail bars, for good reason, this bourbon is afford able and hits all the right notes. A shining all-rounder of vanilla, butterscotch and a hint of caramel on the way out, this bourbon is made for an old fashioned but can stand on its own too.

Knob Creek

The Noe family put out this entry-level bourbon as a testa ment to their craft and legacy. Aged for nine years in American oak, this bourbon is a vanilla and caramel bomb with a short and hot finish. It is 50 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV), so pop in a couple ice cubes to help it open up and take the edge off.

Woodford Reserve

It’s not only an elegant bottle but a very balanced bourbon. Made with 72 per cent corn and offset by 18 per cent rye and 10 per cent malted barley, this corn-heavy bourbon gives off hints of baked apple, cinnamon and vanilla. If you can, get the Double Oaked offering too and pair with an apple pie.

BOURBON, THE QUINTESSENTIAL AMERICAN SPIRIT, is easy to turn to as the sun sets sooner and the evenings get cooler. For a whiskey to qualify as bourbon, it has to be from the United States, aged in new oak barrels for at least three years and must be made from at least 51 per cent corn. Most bour bons — around 95 per cent — are made in Kentucky, with production in the state skyrocketing by 250 per cent since 1999. Something strong might be needed to help with all the upcoming family gatherings, so we’ve rounded up six bourbons to stock up for the winter ahead.

W.L. Weller Special Reserve

This special bourbon is the first to replace rye with wheat to give a unique profile. A creamy mouthfeel with an almost honey finish, this is an excellent everyday sipper and, with its butterscotch notes, a perfect com panion to eggnog.

Michter’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Made by a company founded in 1753, Mich ter’s is known as the whiskey that “warmed the American revolu tion.” This deep amber bourbon has a robust body with caramel, vanilla, orange and cinnamon all jumping out at you. Its history shines through its complexity, and it’s a bourbon to contem plate and enjoy on late, quiet nights.

PHO SURE

Pho lovers across the country will debate for hours on what makes the perfect bowl of the be loved Vietnamese soup. For me, it’s all about the broth. This rich and savoury beef bone broth, made aromatic from traditional warming spic es, creates a perfect harmony of flavour that is beyond comforting. A good bowl of phở bò, or beef rice noodle soup, must also have a bouncy rice noodle, loads of rare or cooked beef (or if you opt for seafood, chicken or veggies, lots of those too) and a collec tion of bright and crunchy garnishes like green onion, cilantro and lime, that add freshness to this deeply flavourful soup.

Most Vietnamese people will tell you pho is a break fast food, but overseas it’s become a go-to dish for any meal at any time. Scattered across the nation, Viet namese restaurants are open early and stay open late to make sure pho addicts can always get their fix.

By NICOLE RICHIE

WHERE TO SCORE GREAT PHO IN YOUR TOWN

TORONTO

UFO RESTAURANT

This unassuming spot is tucked away on Niagara Street in Toronto’s Trinity Bellwood’s neighbourhood and opens early making it perfect for breakfast or lunch. But get your fix early because it's closed by 3 pm on weekdays. Their House Special Pho is the highlight. The beef broth is perfectly balanced and all traditional toppings add that extra richness that will keep you going back for another bite. The House Special Juice, a mixture of carrot, beet and ginger, is a great accompa niment to any bowl of Pho on the menu.

241 Niagara St. instagram.com/ufotoron to/?hl=en

CAFE PHO NHO

This corner bar and restau rant makes the best pho in the city’s west end. The giant portions are full of savoury goodness one ex pects when getting a bowl of this healing beef noodle soup. The noodles are the ideal texture and the brisket is super tender with just the right amount of fat. This spot is also open late and is frequented by the city’s service industry folk who are craving a beer and a hot

bowl of soup after a long night on the job.

2060 Dundas St. W. phonho.ca

PHO

TIEN THANH

This is probably one of Toronto’s most well-known spots for our soupy Viet namese treasure. There is a constant debate about whether Ossington’s Golden Turtle or Pho Tien Tieng have the better phở bò, but where Golden Turtle deserves a mention, Pho Tien Tieng takes the gold. And after earning a spot in the Toronto Michelin Guide, its broth is the one to beat. Gorgeously rich and flavoured with warm spices like anise and clove, this beefy bowl of soup is what dreams are made of.

57 Ossington Ave. photienthanh.wordpress.com

CALGARY

HA TIEN Open for 10 years, this spot is a go-to when heading out for Vietnamese rice noodle soup in Calgary. Find this unassuming spot in Brae side for an array of different Vietnamese classics. The pho here is a standout due to its super flavourful, pip

ing-hot broth. The House Special Pho features all the classic toppings, including rare and well-done beef, brisket, tripe, tendon and sliced beef balls. 11225 30 St. SW #10, hatienrestaurant.com

PHO DAU BO

This homey spot has been serving steaming bowls of pho to the Calgary commu nity since 2008. With nods from Avenue’s Best, Star Metro Calgary’s Community Choice Awards and Best in Calgary, Pho Dau Bo is no stranger to the limelight. Its pho has been celebrated for years for good reason. With the best satay broth in the city and phở bò with rare beef sliced so thin it melts in your mouth, this spot is not one to miss.  4909 17 Ave. SE #110 phodaubovietnamese.com

PHO THANH VIETNAMESE NOODLE HOUSE

This long-time local hub is a staple in Calgary’s Vietnamese food scene. Aside from being beloved by locals, another reason to check out Pho Thanh’s Vietnamese is the super reasonable prices and massive portions. The soup comes out piping hot and is

full of beefy goodness. The Pho Thanh special is not to be missed!

6630 4 St. NE pho-thanh-vietnamesenoodle-house.business.site

VANCOUVER

BUN CHA CA HOANG YEN

Local favourite, Bun Cha Ca Hoang Yen is Vancouver’s go-to spot for Vietnamese fare. The phở bò here is a staple, but its seafoodbased soups or Hu Tieu (Special Rice Noodle) are really the star. From the special fish cake and vermicelli to the special crab soup, you will not be disappointed with any bowl of soup from Bun Cha Ca Hoang Yen.

5155 Victoria Dr. bunchacahoangyen.com

MR. RED CAFE

Ask a Vancouver-based pho lover if they would wait in the line outside Mr. Red’s Hasting’s location for a hot bowl of pho, and I can guar antee they would say yes. This small spot with friendly staff and mouth-watering Vietnamese fare is not only beloved by locals but con

stantly packed with them too. Owners Rose Nguyen and Hong Duong (who is also the chef) are pumping out Northern Vietnamese cuisine, including their organic Bun Bo Mr Red — a Hue-style spicy beef noo dle soup with assorted beef and pork that you’ll have once and crave forever.  2131 E Hastings St. & 2680 W. Broadway mrredcafe.ca

LE PETIT SAIGON

The spicy and warming notes here hit right as this steaming bowl of pho lands on the table, making it hard not dive right in. With a great selection of options, like the special Pho Dac Biet, featuring all the classic meats cooked to perfection, along with a slew of other different combinations, Le Petit Saigon will keep you coming to try each and every one.  2783 E Hastings St. lepetit-saigon.ca

The Nightwear As Outerwear Trend

By RAYNE FISHER-QUANN

NIGHTWEAR WAKES UP

Wake up and smell the coffee — nightwear isn’t just for sleeping anymore. Cool girls have been wearing lingerie as outerwear since the ’90s and the provocative trend is coming back in a big way. The simple colours and soft, frilly fabrics of your favourite undergarments are better than ever when paired with chunky boots and an oversized jacket. Even elevated shapewear is taking a front-and-centre role in the fashion mainstream (a bodysuit under baggy jeans is a can’t-miss combo).

It might seem like a trend built for the hot, summer months, but these fabrics are so lightweight and simple that they’re as layerable as your heart desires. Bulk up satin accents with lots of knitwear or tuck them under a puffer jacket for an ethereal winter vibe.

By ALISHA MUGHAL

About halfway through the Amazon Original series High School, based off Tegan and Sara Quin’s 2019 bestselling memoir of the same name, the girls’ friend Maya (Amanda Fix) asks Tegan (Railey Gilliland), “Did you get my letter?”

“Yes, I read it like five times,” Tegan replies. In reading the memoir, watching the series and speaking with the Grammy-nominated and Juno Award-winning sisters at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) after the Clea DuValland Rebecca Asher-directed series premiered, this kind of letter-writ ing emerges as a subtle but direly crucial aspect in the story of High School and also the Quins’ lives.

“Tegan and I were not academi cally driven in high school, but here we were involved in what essential ly was a creative writing exercise almost daily,” Sara tells me of their letter-writing as teens. “We were obsessed with writing; we were learning to talk about ourselves and to individuate and to be storytellers.”

The sisters turned to this trove of writing as they worked on their memoir and then the show. In the memoir and in the show, these notes — passed on lined paper torn from notebooks or in journals Tegan shared with her best friends — tend to function as sacred and weighty carriers of confessions of feelings and inner turmoil. They’re also straightforward descriptions of sequences of experiences or fights and work to document aspects of the Quins’ lives in remarkable detail. It’s impossible not to pick up on the significance of letter-writing in their lives.

“It’s really interesting actually, because when Seazynn [Gilliland, who portrays Sara] and Railey were in L.A. before we started shooting the show, their acting coach had suggested that they get journals and

HIGH SCHOOL

Where: Prime Video

What: Series, 8 episodes, 30 mins. When: Now, new episodes Fridays Genre: Drama Why you should watch: Based on Tegan and Sara’s bestselling memoir of the same name, High School is oftentimes gritty and raw, but so is teenagehood. With a brilliant score and a heart-wrenching commitment to depicting the ups and downs not only of growing up gay in Calgarian suburbs in the ’90s but also what it looks like to craft an identity that is all one’s own, High School reminds us of the possibilities the coming-of-age genre contains.

write about their experience but kind of write from the perspective of their character, which I thought was really interesting,” Tegan says. “And Railey called me one day and was like, ‘I’m at the mall, what kind of journal did you write in, in high school?’”

A form of note-writing even came into play as the sisters execu tive-produced the show. As DuVall and producer Laura Kittrell worked on worldbuilding and scriptwriting, they would send along scripts to Tegan and Sara.

“We would send back notes and talk about what felt right, what didn’t,” Tegan says. She says that as executive producers, their role in development was focused more on being a source of information and protecting their real-life family and friends from misrepresentation.

Formatting their life story for TV — that is, adding narrative arcs and

the friction necessary for compel ling drama — remained within the bounds of reality.

“Seeing it with an audience and seeing how people were enjoying it and going through the emotions, I was like, ‘Thank goodness this is not a biopic, this is not everyone in cos tume pretending to be us and our friends and our family’,” she says.

“Because even I was really able to step back and enjoy it. This is a story about girls and queerdom and art and creativity in the ’90s and ado lescence and all these things. And it didn’t feel like, ‘This is the Tegan and Sara story,’ ’cause it’s not.”

In stark contrast to their memoir, which alternates between the girls’ accounts of adolescence in Cal garian suburbia, the series depicts a much more vibrantly populated world. In addition to Sara and Tegan portrayed by real-life twins Seazynn and Railey, respectively, we also see events through the points of view of their mother, here called Simone (Cobie Smulders), their step-father Patrick (Kyle Bornheimer), Sara’s girl friend Phoebe (Olivia Rouyre) and Tegan’s friend Maya. It’s an alive and moving world, oftentimes the same events are depicted twice or three times with added meaning.

I ask them whether this note and letter-writing impacted them as lyricists and memoirists.

“I was utterly astonished by how much confidence I had when I went back to read the notes,” Sara says. “Not just confidence to perform for people, but really that early instinct to record ourselves and listen to ourselves. We were not like, ‘Oh my god, we’re so bad.’ We were like, ‘I’m fucking amazing. You should really listen to this’.”

Read the review of Tegan and Sara'a new album, Cry Baby on page 34.

Winter Movies & Streaming

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER

Where: In theatres

What: Movie, 161 mins.

When: Now Genre: MCU

Why you should watch: The people of Wakanda — and this film’s writers — successfully process the death of King T’Challa before launching a new narrative that sees emergence, literally, of another secret civilization, this one based underwater, who also has Wakanda’s miracle mineral, vibranium. Trouble ensues when Wakanda’s queen (Angela Bassett) refuses to join forces with the Aztec-esque sea folk who want to eliminate “the sur face people.” Wakanda women power this satisfying sequel.

WOMEN TALKING

Where: In theatres

What: Movie, 104 mins.

When:  Fri., Dec. 2

Genre: Drama

Why you should watch: Our pick for best film at TIFF, expect huge Oscar interest in this film for Canadian writer and director Sarah Polley, many of the bril liant cast and for the film itself. Based on a Miriam Toews novel about a colony of Mennonite women who are routinely raped by the men there and who get a chance to determine next steps when the perpetrators are arrested and briefly removed before posting bail. Riveting, inspiring and ultimately hopeful. Brilliant filmmaking that reminds us how unrepresented and overdue women’s voices are in the artform.

Railey and Seazynn Gilliland star in High School

Winter Movies and Streaming

THE PLAYLIST

Where: Netflix

What: Miniseries, 6 episodes, 58 mins.

When: Now Genre: Docudrama

Why you should watch: The story of how music labels fought a losing battle against streaming and how a group of Swedish tech wizards and en trepreneurs led the streaming revolution by creating Spotify and replacing Pirate Bay. Each episode of this Swedish series is told from different character’s perspective, including a devastating episode told from musicians’ POV. Behind-the-curtain look at how we ended up with music system that puts artists in peril and still leaves labels loaded with cash.

THE FABELMANS

Where: In theatres

What: Movie, 151 mins. When: Weds., Nov. 23 Genre: Drama

Why you should watch:

More than just a tribute to himself, The Fabelmans is based on director Steven Spielberg’s childhood but is not as indulgent as one might fear; the film works as a study of a young artist exploring his muse and finding his voice. Michelle Williams as “Spielberg’s” troubled mom will likely pick up an Oscar nom, as might the film, which is more than just a love letter to movies.

MY POLICEMAN

Where: Prime Video

What: Movie,113 mins. When: Now Genre: Drama

Why you should watch: To answer the biggest question, yes Harry Styles can act. Very well. Styles sensitively and credibly plays a bisexual man who struggles to understand his sexuality at a time, the ’50s, when homosexuality is a crime in Great Britain — and much of the world. The film flips from ’50s flashbacks to present day as we follow three characters, played by different actors at each age, all of whom are trapped in a tragic and cruel cycle of fear and deceit. Powerful perfor mances by Styles and the rest of the cast.

GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

Where: In theatres, Netflix When: In theatres, Wed., Nov. 23, one week; Netflix, Fri., Dec. 23

Genre: Whodunit mystery

Why you should watch: Like Peter Sellers and Steve Mar tin as Inspector Clouseau or Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot, having a sleuth with a slightly over-the-top accent helming a mystery seems key to achieving a playfulness so essential to a winning who dunit formula. And the Knives Out gang has done that as Daniel Craig’s drawling de tective Benoit Blanc leads a character-rich mystery that’s as fun as the original, with an equally entertaining cast of suspicious characters.

SELENA GOMEZ: MY MIND & ME

Where: Apple TV+

What: Movie, 95 mins.

When: Now

Genre: Documentary

Why you should watch: Incredibly frank exploration of singer’s struggles with bipolar disorder that saw her forced to abandon a tour and be briefly institutionalized. The film’s structure aims higher than classic doc, but it depends on your appetite to watch the me ga-rich, mega-successful also share their pain. They’re just like us, you know — expect for the cashmere safety net, multiple assistants and all that stuff. That said, Gomez is very transparent in showing that even when one’s dreams come true, nightmares can still emerge.

SHANTARAM

Where: Apple TV+

What: Series, 12 episodes, 58 mins.

When: Now, new episodes

Fridays

Genre: Drama

Why you should watch: Australian ex-heroin addict, paramedic and bank robber (Charlie Hunnam) escapes a Down Under prison and flees to India in the ’80s and makes new start providing free healthcare in a Bombay slum. This somewhat soap-y but entertaining series sees our hero inexplicably shirtless a lot of the time as he seeks redemption while Bombay gangsters try to pull him back to world of crime.

THE PATIENT

Where: Apple TV+

What: Miniseries, 10 episodes, 25 – 48 mins.

When: Now Genre: Drama

Why you should watch: Steve Carell is magnificent as a therapist kidnaped and held prisoner by a patient who is also a serial killer and sees the doctor as his route to salvation. Domhnall Gleeson is brilliant as the conflicted killer who is both sympathetic and horrifying as he chains his therapist to the floor while seeking how to be a better man. Claustrophobic and compelling, with mostly one set, has the intense intimacy of a two-hander play. Should clean up during awards season.

SUGAR

Where: Prime Video

What: Movie, 92 mins.

When: Now

Genre: Drama

Why you should watch: Two young, female, Montrealbased influencers —a glamourous blonde with a shady past and a naïve wannabee who falls under the spell of the other — end up as unwitting drug mules after accepting a free cruise to the South Pacific that proves too good to be true. Based on a true story, it’s a slow boil that peaks with edge-of-your-seat intensity as an Instagramable cruise turns into a gutclenching nightmare.

MO

Where: Netflix

What: Series, 8 episodes, 30 mins.

When: Now

Genre: Dramedy

Why you should watch: A rare look at the everyday life of Palestinian-Americans. The series aims to be lighthearted but challenges of refugee life in the USA get in the way.

Palestinian standup comic Mohammed Amer plays a perpetually undocumented hustler in Houston, TX, navigating the challenges of ICE, the U.S. refugee system, as well as the demands of a very Muslim mom, a needy younger brother and a crosscultural relationship with his Latina girlfriend.

THE WHITE LOTUS

Where: Crave

What: Series, second season, 7 episodes, 58 mins.

When: Now, new episodes

Sundays

Genre: Dramedy

Why you should watch: Sicilian White Lotus resort proves just as satisfying as the original for compelling, complex tales of the rich spinning out and beleaguered hotel staff doing their best damage control. It’s mostly a new cast of characters, but Jennifer Coolidge returns as the sleepy, befuddled and adorable half-billionaire who just wants to loved. Father and son F. Murray Abrahams and Michael Imperioli are painfully believable in their ill-fated tour of their Sicilian roots.

Music

ANDERS

FOLLOWING THE TORONTO R&B ARTIST'S GRADUAL ASCENT TO GREATNESS

BY AMY LLOYD

In 2018, Anders Ly was a voice you couldn’t escape (not that you wanted to). Known monon ymously as anders, the Mississauga-raised R&B artist was on every Canadian radio station with Toronto DJ duo Loud Luxury. The three reimag ined anders’s smooth track I Don’t Want Your Love into the uptempo, electronic dance piece Love No More, and the song exploded.

“I didn’t know how big it would be at the time,” an ders explains on the phone from his Hamilton home. “When I started working with Loud Luxury, their previous single, Body, had maybe two million streams, and now it’s almost at a bil lion. Hearing Love No More on the radio was incredible and opened me up to the business side of music. It motivated me; I wanted to better myself as an artist.”

Improving his craft is exactly what anders has done since then. In 2021, he released Honest, a moody record with infectious beats and impressive vocals. Now, he’s preparing for the fall release of two stylistically and thematically different singles.

“Millionaire was originally written as a demo for an other artist. When it wasn’t picked up, I repurposed it for myself, made it more personal. It’s a playful, al most sexy track. Meanwhile, Read Your Mind is a more intimate relationship song. It’s about the difficulty of knowing what your partner is thinking at times.” anders didn’t tap into his musical talents until later in life. He referred to himself as a “hustler,” doing what he could to make money.

After attending college and realizing it wasn’t for him (“I didn’t like studying!”), he chose to bring his passion for music to the forefront.

“My mother was an immigrant parent, a single mom to three kids, who worked 16 hours a day. When she was home, she wasn’t really exposing us to music,” he shares. “Most of my exposure came through other kids. The first time I heard rap, I was in Grade 3. A kid on my street had burned a CD, it was 50 Cent’s Get

Rich or Die Tryin’. My mind was blown! That opened the door to hip hop and R&B. I then spent my teen years digging online for new music, consuming everything I could. These were the Limewire days when you hoped you didn’t download a virus! So, I always had music in my head; it just wasn’t until my early 20s that I considered pursuing it.”

The singer recent ly wrapped his first cross-Canada tour, which included a sold-out hometown show.

“Although you can see streaming numbers and follower counts, some times you forget there are actual people on the other end of those. It was amazing to share music live with fans.”

Clearly goal-orient ed, anders is already planning his next move, which will include a full body of work and hopes of hitting the road again.

“The next step for me is to evolve as an artist creatively and take my career to the next level. I’d love to play Rebel in Toronto one day!”

WITH NEW ALBUM YESSIE AND A HEADLINING TOUR, JESSIE REYEZ IS READY TO DO THINGS HER WAY By AMY LLOYD

J R JESSIE REYEZ HAS AN ETHEREAL PRESENCE.

It’s not just the glow of the dressing room we’re in, all mirrors and bright lights. It’s more than the shine of the lip gloss she just reapplied or the glint of her layered gold necklaces. The R&B artist exudes a captivating sense of self that can only be achieved through time — an impressive feat for someone who is just barely in her 30s. As we sit across from one another in a shared art space near Toronto’s waterfront, I come to learn just how much growth and reflection she’s done to get to this point.

Born in Toronto and raised in Brampton, Reyez has been a staple in the Canadian hip hop scene since 2016, when her single Figures climbed the charts, earning a triple-platinum certification. Her unique blend of high, soulful vocals and fast rhymes have opened many domestic and inter national doors over the years, including Grammy Award nods and collaborations with Eminem and Beyonce.

Given her established success, it’s almost shocking that we’re meeting to discuss what is only her second full-length album.

“I still feel like a newbie,” Reyez smiles. “If anything, I feel like this album is my first project. My first full-length was released at the beginning of the pandemic. Right after the world paused, we decided to be the guinea pigs, drop the album and see what happens. I had songs about mortality that were intended to be a catalyst, not a theme song for the apocalypse.”

“For this album, I feel well-equipped physically and mentally, and the state of the world feels a little more conducive for art. This time, the world is in a different place, I’m in a different place and that’s the way things were meant to be.”

The record, Yessie, is 11 tracks of emotion al introspection and musical exploration. It’s steeped in feelings that we can all relate to. There’s a vulnerability in ONLY ONE, bravely asking to be loved. It’s complemented by the sensuality of TITO’S. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s an anger toward fake friends in album opener MOOD, a chorus of layered chants exclaiming “life ain’t easy.” Similarly, MUTUAL FRIEND proudly declares good riddance to a problematic ex-lover, as does ADIOS AMOR, sung primarily in Spanish.

Reyez wears her Colombian heritage proudly, seamlessly weaving it into her work both lyrically

and sonically. She explains that it’s never a con scious decision, it just comes naturally. Growing up, her household was filled with salsa and cum bia music, and you can hear the influence in her syncopated rhythms and horn instrumentation. She flips between English and Spanish mid-song the way many multilingual individuals chat with family and friends in the comfort of their homes.

“I don’t find certain topics difficult to write about because I’m just talking about life and truth,” Reyez speaks softly but quickly, a clear confidence when talking about her art. “I walk into a room and I’m open to whatever the room wants to give me, whatever God wants to give that day, whatever emotion the chords trigger. Sometimes it’s weird how a page can reflect back more of you than a mirror. Sometimes you end up writing things that you didn’t realize you felt, but once it’s on the page staring back at you, it feels undeniable.”

“I hope listeners take away whatever they’re supposed to. If someone feels like they’ve got a homie on the track, great. If someone is triggered because they’re the piece of shit I’m talking about, great,” she laughs. “However it’s supposed to land, it will.”

Reyez’s self-assuredness is refreshing, but she confesses it’s a trait she’s had to work on. As listeners, we’re only presented with the final pol ished version of a song or album, with its curated visuals and promotional plans. We often forget the messiness that exists behind the scenes — the many iterations a track will go through and the self-doubt along the way. Artists can become so tied to their first drafts that they hold them selves back from creative growth. Reyez had to break out of that mindset.

“I’ve made an effort to become more intui tive — as a woman, as a human, as an artist. It helped me be less tied to the school of thought that rawness in a song is important. I used to deliberately leave something slightly unfinished in a song for the sake of it being closer to the state that it was when I first manifested it into the world. The more in touch I became with my intuition, the more I was willing to work on version five, version seven or even version 30 of a song.”

“I also gained the confidence to say I want to go back to version three and not regret the time I spent working on it. You have to be willing to create more options and then be more trusting of yourself to choose the right one. Maybe this process will morph in the future, but right now, I love it.”

JORDAN WASN’T BORN DRIBBLING A BALL, BEYONCE WASN’T BORN WITH A MIC IN HER HAND. PEOPLE AREN’T BORN AT PEAK PERFORMANCE, THEY HAVE TO SACRIFICE AND WORK FOR IT.”

This creative process happens at all hours and in all locations for Reyez. Pieces of Yessie were written in Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles and even Paris. She jokes that her baggage travels everywhere with her, so there’s always something to write about.

“I’m always creating. The day we turned in this album, I went to the studio and made more shit. It’s why a fish swims, why the sky is blue — it’s a process that doesn’t stop for me.”

“In the studio, in my bedroom, wherever the musical connection happens — that’s magic because from nothing came something. It’s pure, not poisoned. The phrase ‘music industry’ can be an oxymoron, it’s like saying ‘holy money.’ But when there’s no politics, no marketing, just music — it’s holy.”

Reyez speaks with reverence about many things, not just her music. It’s evident that family is important to her. Her mother is the youngest of 11 siblings, so the artist is used to being surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins.

Her parents still reside in Toronto, a city that comes up a lot in our conversation. Though she often splits her time between Los Angeles and New York, she’s adamant that home will always be Toronto. With track names like QUEEN ST W and lyrical refer ences to bars in Kensington Market, the city is clearly intrinsic to her identity. She even made history during the 2020 NBA playoffs by becoming the first artist to ever perform the Canadian national anthem on the CN Tower — not in, on. “I’ve been skydiving, bungee jumping — I love heights!”

Perhaps Reyez’s most impactful Toronto experience was her time spent with the Remix Project. Supporting diverse youth who often face barriers when entering the entertainment industry, Remix Project offers mentorship programs and hands-on courses in everything from audio engineering, graph ic design and business essentials. Alongside Reyez, alumni include FrancisGotHeat, now a Grammy-nominated producer with work credited to Drake, Roy Woods and Lykkie Li, and WondaGrl, the first Black Canadian woman to win the Juno Award for Producer of the Year.

Reyez continues to sing the program’s praises and has returned as a mentor herself.

“That whole project changed the course of my life,” the singer shifts in her chair, leaning towards me slightly to better convey the Project’s importance. “The thing that impacted me the most was mentorship. As an aspiring creative, sometimes your options feel far-fetched and your only examples are on a far-removed screen. There’s no clear bridge, no how-tos. Having someone in front of me transparently sharing their failures was so inspiring. Jordan wasn’t born dribbling a ball, Beyonce wasn’t born with a mic in her hand. People aren’t born at peak perfor

mance, they have to sacrifice and work for it. Hearing these experiences first-hand made me realize I could do that for myself.”

Her hard work has paid off just as much on stage as it has in the studio. A breathtaking live performer, Reyez has supported fellow Canadian hip hop artist PartyNextDoor and alt-pop icon Halsey on international tours. Earlier this year, after being robbed of the opportunity in 2020 due to the pandemic, Reyez performed for thousands across Eu rope on Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever tour. Even through grainy clips on YouTube, her presence is powerful. Artists can be so easily swallowed by arena-sized stages, shrinking among the expansive production. Not Reyez. She perches on a stool, microphone or acoustic guitar in hand, and her voice soars. Between songs, she guides crowds through a series of affirmations, having them repeat “I am great, I am strong, I am successful.”

“Performing forces me to be present. I can’t control everybody in the room — some people want to be on their phones during a show. I can’t do that, but I can be present and create a memory for all of us to share. We all get to be co-owners of this memory that we’ll carry forever. That’s alchemy, we’re creating a moment.”

This fall, Reyez gets to headline her own shows and share Yessie in person. In her words, she’s excited, anxious, hungry and prepared for the tour. This is satisfying to hear knowing that performing hasn’t always come easily for her and it’s taken years to shake off the stage fright.

“For pre-show rituals, I like handshakes with some of my guys and prayer before I go on. If the nerves are too intense, perhaps I’ll have a shot of whisky, but what’s nice is that I’ve been able to let alcohol go as a neces sity,” Reyez confesses. “My first ever sober show was in 2019, and I was two tours deep at that point. It was nice to prove to myself that I didn’t need to drink to perform.”

Most special is two hometown shows at the end of November at History, Toron to’s shiny east end club. Bringing together fans, family and friends from childhood, high school and her bartending days on Richmond Street, it’s bound to be a grand celebration of all Reyez has accomplished and all she is still destined to achieve.

With all this talk of intuition and alchemy, at times Reyez seems otherworldly. She talks about some of her musical heroes as if they are untouchable beings. Defining personal discoveries were Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, and Frank Ocean is a dream collab orator. When I suggest that others see her in the same light, she brushes the idea off.

“Some artists feel more than human, they feel like frequencies and they paint the memories inside my mind,” she pauses. “Not me though; I’m human as fuck!”

JESSIE REYEZ Yessie

Genre: R&B

Sound: Staggering vocal range, from fast rhymes to powerful belts, over smooth beats.

If you like: Sabrina Claudio, H.E.R., Daniel Caesar

Why you should listen: This Grammy-nom inated and Juno Award-winning R&B icon returns with her sophomore album, paying homage to her Colombian and Canadian roots, both lyrically and sonically.

Best track: ONLY ONE

NEXT: Mon., Nov. 28 & Wed., Nov 30, History, Toronto

SOME ARTISTS FEEL MORE THAN HUMAN, THEY FEEL LIKE FREQUENCIES AND THEY PAINT THE MEMORIES INSIDE MY MIND. NOT ME THOUGH. I’M HUMAN AS FUCK!”

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ALVVAYS

Alvvays

By KAREN K. TRAN

IT’S BEEN A FIVE-YEAR WAIT since the fuzzy, dream-pop Alvvays have released new music, and it’s not without good reason. Progress on their third LP, Blue Rev (Fri., Oct. 7), was under standably decelerated due to band lineup chang es, a basement flood that threatened their gear and a thief that stole a tape recorder full of song demos. Luckily, these setbacks were more of a hindrance than a complete halt in song writing.

“Most of those songs remained in my head,” says frontwoman Molly Rankin, who calls in to speak with me from her Toronto home. “Usu ally, when I hear something worth recording or hum something that I feel could be pursued, it’s already rotating in my mind Having the demos stolen wasn’t a crucial blow, but it was definitely upsetting and strange.”

The majority of the songs on the stolen demo tape were able to be pieced back together by Rankin, though there are still a lot of songs on there that she’s fond of that will hopefully see the light of day another time. What was lost on the demos were the hours of experimentations: taking ideas down different paths and following her curiosity.

Similarly, the lyrics ponder what could have been. These are some of the questions that we ask in our adult lives: Was it the right decision to drop out of college? What if we had stayed together? Are you better off now than you were back then?

“My goal since I started making songs was to write songs that made me feel moved,” Rankin explains. “And that’s what I hunt for — melodies

that have an emotional shift in them and finding words that come together in a unique way or a different phrase that catches my ear while still rooted in reality. My goal from the beginning is to just make songs that catch my ear and reso nate with me.”

Each song on the 14-track album is like its own time capsule — the narrative weaves between the past and present, both real and imagined. On Belinda Says (which was originally titled Blue Rev), Rankin describes drinking a Blue Rev behind the rink, which is something that she and keyboardist Kerri MacLellan used to do as teenagers in Cape Breton.

“We usually drank them behind a graveyard or a rink or something,” says Rankin. “When you’re a teenager trying to get drinks, you just take what

Looking through the blue-tinted memories of old regrets and questions unanswered with indie-pop icons

VAYS

you can get. Generally, a Rev was pulled out of someone’s backpack that was sitting in a locker all day and it was warm and you would just give it a try.”

ALVVAYS

Blue Rev

Genre: Indie Rock

Sound: Fuzzy, dream-pop stories to sing along to If you like: Best Coast, Soccer Mommy, Hazel English Why you should listen: Alvvays’s charismatic new album is like a time capsule of memories — each song offers a reflection of one’s life, getting older, moving on from a relationship or mulling over regrets. Among the serious, grown-up topics, there’s still a healthy dose of fun to remind listeners to look at life with a sense of humour.

Though the song title was eventually changed, Alvvays decided to keep Blue Rev as the album title as a nod to songs like Strawberry Wine — both the hit country ballad by Deana Carter and the shoegaze single by My Bloody Valentine. They wanted to pull from that experience of youth and liked how the look or taste of something could trigger all these different memories.

Best track: Pomeranian Spinster

NEXT: TThurs., Dec 15 & Fri., Dec. 16, History, Toronto; Sat., March 11, MacEwan Hall, Calgary; Thurs., March 17 & Fri., March 18, Commodore, Vancouver.

Amongst the dissection of failed relationships (After The Earthquake, Tom Verlaine, Vel veteen) and Alvvays’s sardonic humour (Very Online Guy, Po meranian Spinster), there’s the acceptance of finally moving on (Easy On Your Own?, Tile By Tile, Belinda Says).

In the present day, Rankin has traded her clandestine Blue Revs for Paper Plane cocktails. She’s been gardening in her free time, growing flowers and toma toes on her windowsill. Her world continues to expand past PEI with extensive international tour plans; the addition of drummer Sheridan Riley

and bassist Abbey Blackwell bring in a fresh perspective.

“Belinda says that heaven is a place on earth / well so is hell / and we’ll all get help par adise / and we’ll start another life,” Rankin sings on Belinda Says. It’s bittersweet, but apt. Alvvays have gone through life just like everybody else: watch ing the world fall apart for the last few years and slowly being pieced back together in some ways. They’ve gone through the tunnel and arrived at a new destination — one that that they are proud to be in.

MorMor

DEBUT ALBUM DELIVERS ON TORONTO-BASED SINGER’S PROMISE

By VERACIA ANKRAH

Vibe-y, Toron to-based singer MorMor spends a considerable amount of time searching for his com munity on his terms, and you can hear the results on his excellent, just-released and long-awaited, falset to-fuelled debut full-length album, Semblance

Seth Nyquist is Ethiopian, Trinidadian and Egyptian,

was adopted by a Swed ish family and grew up in Toronto. He dropped out of Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson) after a semester when he realized competing for the 9–5 dream job wasn’t for him.

He discovered his passion for creating music through engineering first and producing next, along with the songwriting, learning to play the guitar and piano, and singing. He released his excellent first EP Heaven’s Only Wishful in 2018, under the moniker MorMor.

MorMor’s energy is light,

MorMor

parts of their being are stifled by societal norms and expectations, MorMor believes he had room to explore.

“I think I had the privilege to like something or not without having bias attached to religion or an overbearing parent who was trying to instill their views. I was able to develop my taste and flexibility to not be weighed down.”

His birth mother is from Toronto, and his adoptive mother — a professor of comparative literature at the University of Toronto — is American but grew up in Toronto with her Swedish mother, Nyquist’s grand mother, a woman for whom he had an affinity before she passed away (“MorMor” is Swedish for grandmother).

On his debut full album Semblance, his ability to un ravel unconscious thoughts shows up in fragments, and his experiences led him to approach songwriting differently.

his approach to creating and in life is what he wishes we, the listeners, will be inspired to practise.

“In my early days, I would try to put my ideas, inspira tions, whatever all into one song. But you only get a semblance of a person, so I realized through artistic practice that my desire is to be understood, but there’s only so much I’m able to give within each song and project. And that also always evolves. For this project, I wanted to offer a journey and a sense of comfort. Especially coming after the pandemic and realizing that it’s really just a ride and you can only do your best.”

he chooses his words delib erately to convey meaning and allow for fluidity during our conversation.

“I think the reason I sing and put it out there in this format is … it’s just the truest,” he says on Zoom on a recent autumn afternoon from his Toronto apartment. His singing and overall sound have a psychedelic feel, a trip between sonic worlds full of stimulating synths and fragments of thoughts that never quite let up.

MorMor grew up in the west end of Toronto, near Little Ethiopia, where he was exposed to many diverse

cultures but never quite found an authentic footing in its creative scene. In the last few years, he’s had the pleasure of travelling a lot more through his music, especially to New York, which he considers home at this point.

“I work there a lot more and, because of that, I feel more connected to the pace of that city. I grew up here, was born and raised here and I love it — I’ve never lived anywhere else.

But I’m at a point where I feel not as stimulated or inspired when I’m here,” he says.

“Though Toronto is very diverse, it’s a much newer city. I feel like we’re still finding our identity,” MorMor says. “It just hasn’t been simmering as long; there’s just more flavour in New York in some ways.”

And what inspired his soulful croons on alter native rock rhythms that he’s deliberately piecing together?

“Growing up, it was a wide array of musicians, the likes of the Beatles, Jackson 5, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC, Nirvana and WuTang,” MoMor lists. Where many may feel essential

“I was able to just be more vulnerable. There is a direct ness in the record. In a way, I was less comfortable as I hid behind metaphors early on in my projects,” he says.

With the song and his first EP, Heaven’s Only Wishful, MorMor admits to concep tualizing the project as a pushback on the unattain able idea of perfection; but now, similar to feelings we’ve all shared lately, he was forced to be still and introspective. The fluidity in

MORMOR Semblance

Genre: Indie/alternative pop Sound: A blissful yet crisp fall breeze

If you like: Bon Iver, Kid Cudi, Lykki Li

Why you should listen: Sem blance is a whimsical journey through heartbreak, self-dis covery and the promising possibility of life anew. It’s the album you play when you are ready to get over it but rather talk in circles a few times first.

Best Track: Here It Goes Again

JOSHUA GORDON

THEO TAMS' BREAK UP BOUNCE BACK

WITH HIS NEW EP, TRILOGY IV, TAMS CONTINUES TO BLAZE HIS OWN TRAIL

By NICHOLAS SOKIC

Winning the sixth season of Canadian Idol in 2008 may suggest a traditional trajectory in the music industry. Not so for the Coaldale, AB-raised, Toron to-based Theo Tams, whose varied approaches to his ongoing EP series suggest a versatility in both attitude and style.

Over the din of bar chatter and radio play at the Union Social Eatery in Toronto, Tams is as inviting and intimate as his heartbreak-centric pop music — often to the chagrin of his partner of 11 years, whom he’s marrying next summer.

“Everyone just as sumes that we constantly have relationship issues because for the most part, 95 per cent of my music is in that lane,” he says, sipping on a non-alcholic beer.

Early on, he refers to himself as an open book. If that’s the case, then his Trilogy series of EPs are each their own chapter. With the defiantly proud

he were to start work on Trilogy V tomorrow, it would be full of stripped-down, heart-wrenching ballads.

While his body of work has expanded far outside the confines of a CTV sing ing competition, his feelings on winning Canadian Idol are conflicted. On one hand, he calls it a “lifesaver,” as he had recently come out in a small, conservative town and the show helped him get out of that environment and into show business. At the same time, he likened it to “a bad tattoo” in how some in the public or the industry will reduce him to just a Canadian Idol winner.

“It hasn’t been any part of the story of where I’m going in the last two years,” Tams said. “I knew … winning that show was going to be a badge that I was gonna have to learn to wear for the rest of my career. So, it’s just, ‘How can I control the narrative of it now?’”

THEO TAMS Trilogy IV

Pop

If you like: Sam Smith, Dis closure, Bruno Mars Why you should listen: If you’re in need of a quick pick-me-up after a bad breakup, this 10-minute EP is a perfectly measured dose of forward-thinking passive aggression.

Best track: Hit and Run

Bouncy, energet ic, bass-forward anthems suited for sweating off your relationship blues on the dance floor.

A Christmas duet of Little Drummer Boy with Ali

LISTEN TO THEO TAMS' AND ALI SLAIGHT'S LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

IN MIDNIGHTS , TAYLOR SWIFT LOOKS INWARDS

The ever-innovative artist rehashes old memories — and old sounds

By RAYNE FISHER-QUANN

In Midnights, a synth-y, brooding album dedicated to 13 sleepless nights throughout her career, Taylor Swift pens a story of her life that paints her as villain, victim and victor in equal measure. After a career spent building her image as a well-behaved, small-town girl just looking for a fairytale ending, Swift has spent the past few years adding new pieces to the puzzle; in perfect persona is joined by a neurotic loner, a cheater, a scheming control freak, a vengeful femme fatale, a self-hating masochist and a woman mourning the girl she used to be.

The album faces issues through out Swift’s life — eating disorders, infidelity, depression — head-on, but her emotional vulnerability is interrupted only by an uncharac teristic intellectualization of her own emotions. For all its rawest moments, the album is rife with clinical self-awareness that often makes it sound like a transcribed therapy session.

“Nobody wanted to play with me as a little kid/So I’ve been scheming like a criminal ever since/To make them love me,” writes Swift on Master mind, analyzing her desire for control. In another track, she writes, “When my depression works the graveyard shift/All the friends I’ve ghosted stand there in the room.” In the Beach, she sings that “Life is emotionally abusive”.

This of-the-moment therapy-speak is a classic example of telling, not showing, and it’s a stylistic departure for Swift that gets in the way of what her songwriting has always done best: getting us to feel her emotions right along with her. It cre ates a kind of disconnect that’s a microcosm of

lights all the more unforgettable. You’re On Your Own, Kid is a soft, nostalgic masterpiece that highlights some of her most honest songwrit ing yet. The bonus track Could’ve, Would’ve, Should’ve, a song about Swift’s relationship with the much-older John Mayer, is a raw, screaming triumph of a track that rivals “Dear John”, her first and most iconic song about the relationship. In fact, many tracks on Midnights read like expan sions of ones she’s written before. Usually, she moves forward, crafting a brand-new persona with every new release. Here, she looks back, refining and expanding on sounds she crafted in 1989, Lover, folklore and Reputation

With tight production, impressive honesty and no lulls in the lineup, Midnights is an album that would have been a formidable addition to any pop artist’s catalogue; it’s unfortunate that when added to Swift’s musical canon, the artist known for relentless self-reinvention falls slightly short of her own inimitable hype machine. Most importantly, though, the album represents a philosophical step forward for Swift that’s far from tired — it’s a departure from the need to be seen as infallibly good, and a step into real complexity and impurity that’s more interesting than almost anything she’s done before.

TAYLOR SWIFT

Midnights

Genre: Pop Sound: Layered, distorted vocals ruminate over synth-pop production

If you like: Lorde, Bleachers, Lana Del Rey

Why you should listen: In Mid nights, Taylor Swift takes a look back at sleepless nights through out her life, and draws inspiration from past musical moments as well. The record expands on the sounds developed on Lover, Reputation and folklore, injecting new emotions into old memories and taking us on a tour through Swift’s darkest thoughts.

Best track: You’re On Your Own, Kid

30¯SECOND ALBUM

CARLY RAE JEPSEN

The Loneliest Time

Genre: Pop

Sound: An undeniable dance party

If you like: Caroline Polachek, MUNA, Betty Who

Why you should listen: Time and again, Jepsen has proved that she’s a bonafide pop star, refining her songwriting on every album. On The Loneliest Time, she takes a step back to explore neighbouring genres (Go Find Yourself or Whatever, Western Wind, Shooting Star) while simultaneously creating strong pop tunes (Talking to Yourself, Beach House, Surrender My Heart).

Best track: Talking to Yourself

THE BETHS Expert in a Dying Field

Genre: Indie Rock

Sound: Upbeat power pop that packs a punch

If you like: Beach Bunny, Best Coast, The Regrettes

Why you should listen: On The Beths’ third LP, the Kiwi band solidify their place in the modern indie-rock scene. Though it’s a breakup album, it’s far from sounding blue. Not only are the lyrics sharp, but the guitar melodies are not to be underestimated.

Best track: Expert in a Dying Field

ZENSOUL Nene

Genre: Neo-Soul Sound: R&B filtering with Afrobeat with a spritz of sultry ’90s soul.

If you like: Monica, Jon Vinyl, Asa Why should you listen: Singing primarily about her love fairy tale, Nene — Zensoul’s legal name — steeps this project with soulful brass vibratos, sensual saxophone instrumentals and a subtle touch of Afrobeat. The Nigerian-Canadian honours the complication of love with her soothing, rich fervent vocals and riffs.

Best Track: If I Lie

TEGAN AND SARA

Crybaby

Genre: pop Sound: Shimmering pop songs with visceral lyrics that will have you singing into the head of a hairbrush.

If you like: Metric, Lights, Stars Why you should listen: The emo party of the year studded with danceable gems that make it nearly impossible to hold still, Crybaby is vibrant, but there’s a delightful friction at play between the airy melodies and the confessional lyrics. The words confess unsavoury feelings and messy thoughts — the duo grapples with these in their usual poetic way, all as sweet melodies dance about their words.

Best Track: Whatever That Was

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Asphalt Meadows

Genre: Indie Rock Sound: Introspective and elevated tunes backed by a driving force

If you like: The Decemberists, American Football, The Shins Why you should listen: If you haven’t listened to Death Cab For Cutie since the early aughts, it may be time for you to revisit the beloved indie rock band’s discography. There’s just something about Asphalt Meadows that feels like they’ve come home.

Best track: Roman Candles

girlfriend

Hemlocke Springs

Weird, manic electro-pop that won’t get out of your head.

Gi Dem Omega Mighty

A bad gyal Dancehall track accompanied by a soft instrumental melody.

Waste My Time New Friends

A bouncy earworm that really gets you moving from rising London, ON, popmeisters.

Homesick

Noah Kahan

For those long summer evening walks with good company.

Head Space Freestyle

4Korners and Temia

Traditional

Grime beat assassinated by British-Canadian rapper Temia.

REVIEWS

JOJI SMITHEREENS

Genre: R&B

Sound: Delicate, lo-fi beats and soaring vocals

If you like: The Weeknd’s My Dear Melancholy, Giveon, James Blake

Why you should listen: This former YouTube star became a TikTok soundtrack this year with his soul-crushing, piano-based ballads. If you’re going through a breakup or just need a good cry, this short and sweet album, with its atmospheric beats and melodic vocal delivery, is just what you need.

Best track: 1AM FREESTYLE

SKYE WALLACE

Terribly Good

Genre: Indie rock

Sound: Vocal and instrumental wailing with an unapologetic attitude

If you like: Georgia Harmer, cleopatrick, Deanna Petcoff

Why you should listen: Three years since her last release, this Toronto rocker returns with an aptly-named record that’s a love letter to herself. Opening up about the hardships of finding success as a woman in music, it’s brutally honest. A mix of electric and acoustic, there’s something for every mood.

Best track: Everything Is Fine

SAINT ASONIA

Extrovert

Genre: Hard rock Sound: Riff-heavy guitars, thrumming percussion and soul-searching lyrics

If you like: Theory of a Deadman, Seether, Three Days Grace

Why you should listen: Combining former Three Days Grace frontman Adam Gontier’s unmistakable vocals and Staind founder Mike Mushok’s expert guitar skills, Saint Asonia return with an anthemic, emotionallycharged EP. Their second release of the year, it dissects the chaos of our current world and ends on a note of hope.

Best track: Break the Mold

NUELA CHARLES

Nuela Charles

Genre: Alternative Pop Sound: Disney-friendly upbeat pop music graced with soulful, introspective lyrics.

If you like: Mauvey, Fionn, Aly & AJ

Why should you listen: Fused with confidence-boosters, this retro-tempo, self-titled album encapsulates joy, selfliberation and self-assurance. Raised in Edmonton, AB., Charles is now completely aligned with her authentic musicality. As she masterfully mixes jazz, rock and R&B into her latest album, this project is for those who are needing an awakening.

Best Track: Heavy

ASKING ALEXANDRIA

See What’s On The Inside (Deluxe)

Genre: Hard rock

Sound: Gritty vocals, impressive guitar solos and an orchestra that takes you by

surprise

If you like: Shinedown, Three Days Grace, Bad Wolves

Why you should listen: These British rockers show off their classic rock influences on this powerful record. With guest features from Within Temptation and In This Moment’s Maria Brink, the special deluxe issue also features a few delicate acoustic reimaginings.

Best track: Faded Out

Uninvited

Kofi: Gracefully shares a toxic on-and-off again relationship over subtle sounds of amapiano.

Nod

KTheChosen

Calgary rapper’s lo-fi single with a humming bass about the simplest gesture of acknowledgment.

ZUCK

cleopatrick

Buzzy, high-energy alt-rock that dissects our lives in a digital age.

Where I Go

NXWORRIES FT. H.E.R., Anderson. Paak Lucious vocals and smooth, laidback production is the collaboration we needed

Lift Me Up

Rihanna

Riri is back with an emotional and enduring track for the soundtrack of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

FREDDIE GIBBS

$oul $old $eparately

Genre: Rap

Sound: Braggadocious verses layered with boom-bap and voicemail recordings

If you like: Joey Bada$$, Run The Jewels, Kendrick Lamar

Why you should listen: Freddie Gibb’s fifth trailblazing album sees the departure of frequent collaborators Madlib and The Alchemist. It explores Gibb’s fame and personal life with in-your-face bar delivery and stellar production from Kaytranada and James Blake made for celebrating laurels.

Best track: Feel No Pain (ft. Anderson.Paak & Raekwon)

NAILAH BLACKMAN

Teknique

Genre: Soca

Sound: Airy soft-tempo soca sync to infectious bases.

If you like: Nessa Preppy, Shenseea, Nadia Batson.

Why should you listen: This 19-track, upbeat, feel-good soca album is an all-encompassing tropical musical fusion.

The Trinidadian’s ethereal sopranino vocals interwound with pop, electronic dance, baile funk, amapiano, afrobeat, traditional soca elements and more on her second album.

Ending the project with an emotional flare, Nailah remixes No One by Alicia Keys with her angelic voice.

Best Track: Blessings

VIEUX FARKA TOURÉ & KHRUANGBIN

Ali

Genre: Desert blues/ Psychedelic rock Sound: Meditative psychedelic blues and Malian music made for a long journey

If you like: Fela Kuti, John Lee Hooker, Rodriguez Why you should listen: The son of the Malian musician Ali Farka Touré collaborates with Houston-based psychedelic group Khruangbin. In Ali, the duo honours Touré's late father’s work, keeping traditional Malian music with elements of psychedelic blues as a celebration of life.

Best track: Lobbo

MR JUKES & BARNEY ARTIST

Eternal

Genre: Hip hop

Sound: Deep bars with shades of boom-bap

If you like: Mobb Deep, Quasimoto, Ol’ Dirty Bastard Why you should listen: With a departure from the energetic ’90s hip hop style, U.K. rapper Barney Artist and producer Mr. Jukes return. Their EP, Eternal, explores growth and morality using various instrumentations suited for breakdancing or contemplation.

Best track: 93

SUDAN ARCHIVES

Natural Brown Prom Queen

Genre: R&B/Soul Sound: A grand entrance brimming with swagger and confidence

If you like: Charlotte Day Wilson, Poppy Ajudha, Princess Nokia

Why you should listen: Fittingly apt for an epic homecoming bash, the Cincinnati-born, L.A.-raised violinist and beat-maker boasts versatility in multiple genres from afrocentric soul to hip hop while calling for representation of darkskinned Black women in media.

Best track: ChevyS10

ON REPEAT Best New Tracks, Albums and Videos

Following their debut label single release, “Problems,” Lyan Paris flips the switch with their animated track “Good Day,” an energet ic smash that blares like an affirmation. Where “Problems” lunged back into vulnerability of past experience, “Good Day” jolts forward to define the ambitious future for the alternative hip-hop duo.

The latest track in a string of relatable releases from the Juno-Award winning quartet, “The Problem Song,” shines with the signature drumbeats and sparkling synths that’s recognized as the quintes sential Valley sound. “The Problem Song” is a hopeful anthem characterized by a distinctive deep vocal sam ple that carries the powerful message of the chorus.

Universal Music Canada/ Tuff Gong artist King Cruff’s debut single “Samurai Chop” juxtaposes vibrant rhythms and tempos with thoughtful lyrics woven within his intricate bars and smooth cadence. The 25-year-old artist views his songs as think pieces set to his original ‘punky’ sounda blend of hip-hop, reggae, dancehall and funk - formed from an ear-bending amal gam of Black musical styles.

“Love You Bad is a song about the chase for love and getting shut down time and time again,” says Preston. “When you love something bad enough, you’ll keep banging on the door, and that’s what we en visioned when we wrote this song. The whole song is an exaggerated pickup line.”

"Whitney" is a dedication to the artists that Rêve grew up admiring, realizing that there is already an icon inside of all of us. The track brings the chart-topping artist's vision and younger self to life in a colourful vibe and groove featuring a touch of nostalgia with an interpolation of Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman," written by the celebrated songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson.

Americana at its core, Alberta-born Métis artist Cynthia Hamar shares her fourth album! Proving that vulnerability is strength with her deeply personal lyrics and soulful vocals, the title 'Joint & Marrow' refers to "times where the deepest parts of our hu man spirit are under the knife - exposed and tested."

"There’s a little country, a little soul, and lots of heart." -

CHARLIE is the long-awaited third studio album produced entirely by Puth expressing his vulnerability, selfconfidence and sense of humor as he reveals all sides of his personality. Through glimpses of the album on TikTok, fans have gotten to enjoy the development of CHARLIE and the honest storytelling it showcases as his most personal body of work yet.

Korea Town Acid is wildly creative, she is an electronic artist at her core, but that barely scratches the surface of what her sound encom passes. Citing influences as U.K. future bass, glitch, jungle, and alternative hip hop, KTA fuses these sounds with concepts of move ment and texture, to create multi-faceted works that go beyond the club

Lous And The Yakuza is shaking up francophone music and she is only just getting started. She recently released her sophomore album IOTA, an ode to love in its rarest form. Filled with pop, rap and alter native R&B vibes, the tracks carve out a whirlwind journey through outpourings and dis appointments, following in the footsteps of Lous’ romantic trials and tribulations like petals ripped from a stem.

Toronto-born August Rigo is a highly sought-after producer, songwriter and a formidable artist with a Juno nomination under his belt. His latest EP Emotional Knocks is a journey of vulnerable male R&B - it includes previously released singles including "It's Not Fair" with Tim Chantarangsu, "R&B Crying" and "Vibrate" with three new tracks created live over Twitch.

LYAN PARIS

Good Day

KING CRUFF Samurai Chop

VALLEY

The Problem Song

RÊVE Whitney

PRESTON PABLO Love You Bad Watch

GREAT DARK WONDER

CYNTHIA HAMAR

JAMES BAXTER

BECCA HAMEL CHRISTINE DO

ROM’S OWN (LATE) NIGHTS AT THE MUSEUM

ROM AFTER DARK

Fri., Nov. 25, Sat., Dec. 31 & Fri., Jan. 20, 7:30 pm $30

ROM, 100 Queens Park rom.on.ca

ROM After Dark has final ly made its long-await ed return! For one night each month, the Royal Ontario Museum opens after hours for an adults-only evening of live entertainment, themed food and cultural exploration. Each event is themed and November is all about being legend ary. Explore the colourful exhibit by Indigenous painter Kent Monkman alongside the permanent natural history collection.

In December, cele brate New Year’s Eve with access to the Fantastic Beasts and Wildlife Photography exhibitions. January is hosted by De sign TO, with a collection of 100 Canadian-made artifacts, from fashion to furniture. Get your tickets in ad vance — there won’t be any left at the door!

DANCE PARTY OF

SWIFTIES AND SWIFTMAS

THE TAYLOR PARTY

Fri., Nov 25, 8 pm

$30 Danforth Music Hall, 147 Dan forth Ave. thedanforth.com

It’s time to embrace the latest craze: Taylor Swift dance parties! While you impatiently await the announcement of her Canadian tour dates, loudly sing along to all her hits with your fellow Swifties. If one party isn’t enough, check out Swiftmas at Lee’s Palace (Sat., Dec. 10).

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL

The park goes Winter Wonderland

WINTERFEST

Fri., Nov. 18 – Sat., Dec. 31 $30+

Canada’s Wonderland, 1 Cana da’s Wonderland Dr. canadaswonderland.com

’Tis the season for twinkly lights, ice skating and festive food, and Canada’s Wonderland has the perfect setup for all of the above. The park grounds are transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a nightly tree lighting ceremony and live carollers. If you’re feeling brave, you can hop on one of the thrilling rides too!

Kent Monkman

YYZ WINTER GAME PLAN

FILM

Fashionable Films at TIFF

MAKE IT FASHION

Fri., Dec 2 – Fri., Dec. 30

TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W. / tiff.net

4TIFF celebrates fashion and film with 14 screenings exploring the works of Prada, Dior and more. Partnering with Fashion Art Toronto, the opening night viewing of Marie Antoinette will feature an exclusive runway show (Dec. 2). Hear from Black Panther cos tume-designer Ruth E. Carter in person (Dec. 3). Other films include Mahogany (Dec. 15) and Cabaret (Dec. 25 & 26).

THEATRE Velvet touch Comes to Crows

RED VELVET

Tues., Nov. 22 - Sun., Dec. 18 $50-$65

Crows Theatre, 345 Carlaw Ave crowstheatre.com

CONCERT

Making Wavelengths

WAVELENGTH MONTHLY SERIES

Fri., Nov. 18 - Sat., Dec. 3

Pay What You Can ($10/$30/$60)

Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave. passemuraille.ca

5 Wavelength Mu sic continues their long-standing monthly showcase series with two special performances to close out the year. In November, catch the postrock stylings of Broken Social Scene’s Charles Spearin with shoegaze art ist Sunnsetter. In December, see Montreal art-rock group Thus Owls and experimental folk-pop artist Shirley Hurt. tre for them, by them.

6Crows Theatre excit ingly hosts the Toron to premiere of award-win ning British play Red Velvet An imagined re-telling of true events, Red Velvet is set in 1833 London, England and shares the story of Ira Aldridge, one of the first Black stage actors. Starring credited American actor Allan Louis, don’t miss this powerful performance!

ART Craft-tastick ideas For gift season

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL Stacks of holiday Stuff at Stackt

HOLIDAY HILLS

Fri., Nov. 18 – Sat., Dec. 31 Free Stackt Market, 28 Bathurst St. stacktmarket.com

If you’re looking for unique gifts this holiday season (or just want to treat yourself!), the

One Of A Kind Show will have that special some thing you didn’t know you needed. This craft show brings together hundreds of Canadian artisans, including painters, jewellery design ers, candlemakers and chefs with gourmet butter tarts and chocolates.

8Stackt Market brings six weeks of holiday festivities to the heart of the city. Shop for gifts at local businesses, like streetwear vendor Makeway and jewellery maker Two Cities. Ride the Ferris wheel, take photos under mistletoe and wander Santa’s Village, complete with inflatable Christmas trees. Every Fri day night, treat yourself to the free Holiday Hills Music Series at Blue Moon Brew ery. Showcasing emerging local talent, performers in clude Devon Cole (Nov. 18), Loviet (Dec. 2) and Mauvey (Dec. 16). All performances start at 7 pm but get there early to claim your spot in the crowd!

THEATRE C'mon over to Our Place

OUR PLACE

Fri., Nov. 18 - Sat., Dec. 3

Pay What You Can ($10/$30/$60)

Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave. passemuraille.ca

9

Theatre Passe Muraille debuts Our Place, a witty tale of two undocumented Caribbean women building a new life in Scarborough and trying to secure their Canadian citizenship. The venue will host a special Black Night Out performance on Fri., Nov. 25, creating a safe space for Black audiences to experience theatre for them, by them.

Closing out a year of cultural programming for Nordic Bridges is the jam-packed Festi val of Cool. Hosted by Harbourfront Centre, this fest celebrates art, music, theatre and community across 10 days. Catch performances by Tuule tar, an all-female Finnish folk hop group, and VÍÍK, a Nordic band that uniquely blends Scan dinavian folk songs with jazz and alternative rock (Dec. 15). Watch seven actors, 50 puppets and several breaktaking visual displays tell the captivat ing story of Moby Dick at Fleck Dance Theatre (Dec. 13 - 16). Bring home a new art piece from the Post Capitalistic Auction or wander the free exhib its at the waterfront.

Tuuletar

Marie Antoinette

Devon Cole

Playwright Kanika Ambrose DAHLIA KATZ

Charles Spearin

Vocal powerhouse Serena Ryder is a platinum-selling artist adored by fans, peers and critics alike, in part due to her raw and earnest songwriting, and beautifully electric live performances. Don’t miss her stop at The Rose Brampton with The Art of Falling Apart.

In 2019, beloved comedian and performer Shaun Majumder brought his complex and timely HATE Tour to Atlantic Canada. Now the new dad flips the narrative with his new LOVE Tour.

Choir! Choir! Choir! is a Toronto-based singing group led by creative directors Nobu Adilman and Daveed Goldman. No auditions necessary… the audience is the choir! Time for a trip down 80s music memory lane! Get your tickets, show up and they’ll teach you an original arrangement to songs you love.

The third generation of the celebrated French-Canadian musical family perform high-energy, Celtic-inspired music sure to get you on your feet. Experience the Leahy legacy audiences have come to know and love.

The show that deconstructs a chef’s journey from food to comedy - a hilarious exposition of Ali’s journey in and out of the culinary world in which he spent 12 years. It’s a little like Eat, Pray, Love….minus the Prayer.

GAME PLAN CLUBS & CONCERTS

1 THE 1975 Scotiabank Arena Mon., Dec. 12, 7 pm / $69

British indie rockers tour their latest album with an impressive theatrical stage production.

2

ALLIE

Drake Underground Tue., Nov. 22, 8 pm / $20

This Juno nominee shares her soul ful album, Tabula Rasa, tapping into her ancestral roots. 3

LES SHIRLEY

Monarch Tavern Sat., Nov. 26, 8:30 pm / $12.50

Celebrate the More Is More album release with this kick-ass, all-fe male Montreal rock band. 4 THE

HOLY GAMBLERS

Dakota Tavern Sat., Nov. 26, 10pm / $10

Layering pedal steel and vocal harmonies, this local group expertly blend their country music influ ences.

5

JESSIE REYEZ

History Mon., Nov. 28 & Wed., Nov. 30, 7 pm $50+

Double hometown shows for this R&B artist who returns with her powerful sophomore album, Yessie

6

DAX

Lee’s Palace Mon., Dec. 5, 8 pm / $39.90

This Nigerian-Canadian rapper brings his honest lyrics and infec tious energy to Bloor Street.

7

GHOSTLY KISSES

Great Hall Tue., Dec. 6, 7 pm / $33p Sink into the delicate dream-pop stylings of French-Canadian sing er-songwriter Margaux Sauvé.

8

BASEMENT REVOLVER

The Garrison Thurs., Dec. 8, 8 pm / $12

This Hamilton group blends ’90s-inspired indie rock with fuzzy dream pop, promising a night to remember. 9 HEADSTONES

Phoenix Concert Theatre Thurs., Dec. 22, 8 pm / $45.50

When he’s not starring in TV dramas, Hugh Dillon is touring cross-country with his punk-rock band.

10

JESSE GOLD Velvet Underground Fri., Jan. 20, 8 pm / $20

Rising indie pop star Jesse Gold returns to the road with his catchy new EP, If Not Now.

Vancouver gets a thumpin’ cure to midwinter blahs when Cana da’s largest indoor music festi val takes over BC Place for two days of classic EDM. Headliners include Above and Beyond, The Chain Smokers, Loud Luxury, Subtronics and more. One-day and two-day passes available.

DANCE

BOPPING TO BOWIE AT LET’S DANCE BALL

BOWIE BALL

The Rickshaw Theatre, 254 E. Hastings St. Sat., Jan. 7, 7 pm / $25 rickshawtheatre.com Let’s dance! An incredible lineup of mostly local per formers is paying tribute to the late, great David Bowie, with proceeds going to the BC Cancer Foundation. Expect to see drag, bands playing Bowie songs and more.

Dogwood Brewing, 8284 Sher brooke St. Thurs., Dec. 8 at 7 pm / $17

bi-weekly com edy show in South Vancouver, run by local comics Megan Milton, Al Dee and Bradley Sakawsky, where you can enjoy some laughs and cool craft beers. Check @offleashcomedyyvr on Instagram for the lineup during the week leading up to the show.

COMEDY DRAG

Dragstravganza — At Vogue of course

JINKX MONSOON & BENDeLaCREME

The Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St.

Fri., Dec. 30 – Sat., Dec. 31 / $65 - $385 voguetheatre.com/all-events 5 The Queen of Queens, All Stars winner Jinkx Monsoon and Drag Race superstar Ben Dela Creme join forces for this comedic, show tune-filled holiday show. Come ready for deep belly laughs and sparkly costumes.

YVR WINTER GAME PLAN

OUTDOOR ACTIVITY

Make a great skate date

ROBSON SQUARE ICE SKATING

The Vancouver Art Gallery, 800 Robson St., Fri., Dec. 2 –Tue., Feb. 28

Sun. – Thurs:. 9 am – 9 pm; Fri. & Sat.: 9 am – 11 pm; Christmas Day: 12 pm – 5 pm / FREE plus skate rentals Robsonsquare.com 9

Lace up your skates and enjoy some wintery wonder! The rink is open starting December until well into the new year, and there’s usually Christ mas-y music and cocoa available too.

TACOFINO BREWERY DINNER SERIES

Tacofino Ocho, 8 E. 5 Ave. Thurs., Nov. 24 — Thurs., Jan. 26, 7 pm / $64.67

Chow down on tasty tacos and sip local beers while you soak in a carefully curated collection of local music. Live act names have not been an nounced but stay tuned to Tacofino’s socials for details.

Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Pl., Now until Sat., Dec. 24 / $19.99 vancouverchristmasmarket.com

European eats and festive fun on the streets — savour and cel ebrate with the season in the heart of the city at this outdoor market. Or shop around at some of the many stalls selling festive goods, ranging from decorations to food, drinks and more. It’s also perfect for taking any holiday pictures you might want. ’Tis the season, after all.

SPECTACLE

THE LIGHTS AT LAFARGE Lafarge Lake, Town Centre Park, 1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam Sat., Nov. 26 – Sat., Dec. 24, 5 – 8 pm / FREE Coquitlam.ca

Craving some twinkling lights and festive family time? Get warmly dressed and go for a walk through Coquitlam’s winter wonderland at La farge Lake.

WINTER YVR

GAME PLAN CLUBS & CONCERTS

NEXT PICKS THE 10 ESSENTIAL VANCOUVER SHOWS THIS WINTER

1 THE SOFT MOON

The Rickshaw Wed., Nov. 30, 7 pm / $28

Post-punk outfit THE SOFT MOON is hitting a classic East Vancou ver venue for fans of reverb-soaked beats and vocals. Fans of The Cure, Echo & The Bunnymen and local band ACTORS are likely to enjoy the vibe.

2

SOCCER MOMMY

The Commodore Ballroom Wed., Dec. 7, 7:30 pm / $32.25

Catchy guitar and bass riffs and smooth female vocals are sure to be found at this groovy weekday gig.

3

POM POM SQUAD

The Fox Cabaret Sat., Dec. 10, 6 pm / $30

It’s a wonderfully eclectic combina tion of acts taking the stage in the vibrant Main Street neighbourhood.

4

PALM

The WISE Hall Sun., Dec. 11, 7 pm / $26

Somehow both chill and chal lenging, Palm is bound to put on a stimulating show.

5

TEKE::TEKE

WISE Hall Fri., Dec. 16, 8 pm / $23

Hear a Montreal-based band play Japanese rock and surf-inspired jams alongside some local legends.

6

YUNG GRAVY

PNE Forum Fri., Dec. 16, 7 pm/ $49.50 - $220

One of Tampa Bay Lighting’s big gest fans, Gravy brings bbno$ on the party train

7

DEAR ROUGE

The Vogue Theatre Sat., Dec. 10, 7 – 11 pm / $29.50 plus fees and up

The married pop duo is taking the stage for this high-energy show with a well-loved local opener.

8

BRIDAL PARTYS

Green Auto Sat., Dec. 10, 8 pm / $13 – $14

Underground indie lovers, don’t miss out! Victoria band Bridal Party are joined by local pop acts with complementary sounds.

9

YU SU & HER BAND (LIVE)

Fortune Sound Club

Sat., Nov. 26, 6:30 – 10 pm / $27

Beloved bedroom pop a with groovy, jazzy twist is Yu Su’s trade mark, which she’ll be bringing to an iconic Chinatown venue.

10 POINTED STICKS

The Rickshaw Sat., Dec. 3, 7:30 pm / $25

It’s sure to be a night full of punk music, plus the talent of local-mu sic-scene veteran and theremin player, Stephen Hamm.

HOME ALONE IN CONCERT

Fri., Dec. 9, 7:30 pm; Sat., Dec. 10, 2:30 pm / $49.50 – $220 Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave. NW

Watch the wily li'l wunderkind battle bad guys in the Home Alone film to a live score performed by the Calgary Philharmonic.

FESTIVAL

CALGARY minIFEST

Thurs., Dec. 15, 3:45 pm –10:00 pm / $20 The Trop Bar & Grill, 1501 34 Ave. SW

Trop is promis ing a “festival style” day of emerging music and community events, featuring Kim Szabo among other acts.

FESTIVAL

SPARKLE SPARKLE

Now until Mon., Jan. 2, 9 am – 9 pm/ $26 adults, $22 students, $19 children Telus Spark Science Centre

Sparkle Sparkle transforms the TELUS Spark Science Centre into a spectacular indoor hol iday light experience, with thousands of LED lights and Instagram-worthy photo ops. For those who like their holiday glitter with a roof!

YYC WINTER GAME PLAN

COMEDY GOTTA HAVE HART ON COMEDY BEAT

KEVIN HART: REALITY CHECK

Kevin Hart: Reality Check Thurs., Dec. 8, 8 pm / $80 – $384

Scotiabank Saddledome

He got bounced from Oscars but you can see one of the hottest com edy stars in the world in Calgary. From standup to silver screen, Hart beats with the best.

MARKET

Night market Always on the rise

INGLEWOOD NIGHT MARKET Quonset @ the Crossroads Far mers Market 1235 26 Ave. SE

Fri., Nov. 25 – Sat., Nov. 26, 5 pm – 10 pm/ $5 proceeds to local charities, 12 and under free

6This neighbourhood holiday tradition, fea tures an indoor night market showcasing great locally sourced vendors, live music, beer wine and more in a great community event.

COMEDY

Dad jokes among Gaffigan’s gags

JIM GAFFIGAN: DARK PALE TOUR

Thursday., Jan. 12 ,7:30 pm / $70 – $282

Scotiabank Saddledome

HOLIDAY EVENT

Zoo, light up my life

ZOOLIGHTS

Now until Fri., Jan. 8, 5 – 9 pm / adults $22, children 3 – 15, $15 Calgary Zoo .calgaryzoo.com/zoolights

COMEDY Comedy Cave Gets all Huff-y

STEWART HUFF

Indigenous version Of beloved ’70s musical

BEAR GREASE

Thursday., Dec. 1 – Sun., Dec. 4, 7 pm / $15 – $75, also PWYC options

7

Often-perplexed, largely loveable everyman comic finds the funny in everyday foibles.

8

Over two million lights and 200 dis plays light up the night with fire pits and activity zones in this winter wonderland on the zoo grounds. A very cool holiday tradition.

Mon., Nov. 28 – Sat., Dec. 3, 7:30 pm / $12.65 Comedy Cave 1020 8th Ave. SW

This Tennessee comic settles in for an extended run at Cal gary’s Comedy Cave.

9

An Indigenous take on the beloved ’70s musical with plenty of Indig enous cultural humour and pride. Written on the Enoch Cree Nation in Treaty 6 near Edmonton, AB, by hip hop duo LightningCloud.

10

WINTER YYC

GAME PLAN CLUBS & CONCERTS

NEXT PICKS THE 10 ESSENTIAL CALGARY SHOWS THIS WINTER

2 HEADSTONES

The Palace

Tue., Nov. 29, 7 pm / $40

Making gritty, grimy rock for over 20 years with actor/front man High Dillon.

3 AE WEST ARTIST EXTRAVAGANZA

King Eddy Thurs., Dec. 1, 8 pm / Free

NMC presents 12 western Canadi an acts playing two songs each in musical speed dating.

4 RUBY WATERS

Commonwealth Bar and Stage Sat., Dec. 3, 6:30 pm / $20

Rising, soulful Canadian singing star keeps winning awards — see why.

5

1 WILLIAM PRINCE

Bella Concert Hall, Mount Royal University

Wed., Nov 30 – Thurs., Dec 1, 8 pm / $35 – $40

Acclaim keeps growing for soulful Peguis First Nation singer/songwriter.

BLUE RODEO

Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium Sat., Dec. 3 – Sun., Dec. 4, 8 pm / $52 – $215

Beloved Canadians roots-rockers keep classic tracks fresh with jamfilled live shows.

6

MADISON VIOLET

Ironwood Stage Wed., Dec. 7, 8 pm / $30

Expect kitchen party vibe and beautiful harmonies from this Cape Breton singer-songwriter folk duo.

7 MOON

TRICKS

Commonwealth Sat., Dec. 10, 6 pm / $34

It’ll be campfire time at the Com monwealth with this B.C.-based electro-folk duo.

8

ALIE GATIE

MacEwan Hall

Mon., Dec. 12 – Tue., Dec 12, 7 pm / $30 – $200

Soulful Iraqi-Canadian pop star is joined by soulful pop opener Johnny Orlando.

9

THE DEAD SOUTH

Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium Sun., Jan. 8, 8 pm / $41 – $241

Juno-winning roots and bluegrass music from Saskatchewan.

10 TENILLE TOWNES

Jack Singer Hall

Wed., Jan. 25, 8 pm / $27 – $103

Alberta’s own rising country star does a home-province show.

FUNNIES FUNNIES FUNNIES

CARLY RAE JEPSEN A MAZE MENT

Carly Rae Jepsen’s smash-hit earworms dominated the early 2010s, and the cult classic records she released afterwards cemented her status as an undeniable pop genius. Her new album, The Loneliest Time, is already a viral success, making her the name on everyone’s lips once again. Before you can call her maybe, though, you need to find her — so take the challenge and make your way through this Carly maze.

FUNNIE FUNNIES

TAYLOR SWIFT LYRICAL MAD LIBS

With her introspective 10th album, Midnights, breaking just about every musical record in the book, it’s not a stretch to say that Taylor Swift is perhaps the most famous songwriter on the planet right now. Her inim itable lyrical voice is, in many ways, the secret to her success — her personal subject matter and penchant for storytelling makes a Swift song instantly recognizable (and not just to her legions of fans). In fact, it’s been said that nobody can pen a pop track quite like Taylor Swift … until now. Grab a friend and a pen and dive into these Taylor Swift lyric mad libs to do some storytelling of your own!

ALL TOO WELL

I ______________________ through the door with you / The air was _____________________ But something about it felt like I left my there, at your sister’s house And you’ve still got it in your You call me up again just to break me like a So casually in the name of being I’m a crumpled-up piece of it all too well

BLANK SPACE to meet you, where you been?

location object object food occupation clothing item famous book clothing item

furniture large object

adjective adjective adjective plural noun

gross adjective food item

location body part

plural object

I could show you , Saw you there and I thought “Oh, my God, look at that You look like my next Love’s a game, wanna play?” New money, and I can read you like Ain’t it ? And I know you heard about me So hey, let’s be I’m dying to see how this one ends Grab your and my hand I can make the guys for

YOU BELONG WITH ME

noun legal document

opposite adjective

You’re on the phone with She’s going off about something that you ‘Cause she doesn’t get your I’m in , it’s a typical Tuesday night I’m to the kind of And she’ll never know your But she wears I wear She’s , and I’m on the about the day when you wake up and find That what you’re the whole time

verb ending in -ing noun personal flaw clothing item clothing item occupation local landmark verb ending in -ing verb ending in -ing

past-tense verb adjective adjective adjective period of time person you know past-tense verb something you own location location

HOW MUCH CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS?

Dear Amy

Hi, I see you are doing holiday shows. That’s awesome, I love holiday music, especially Christmas carols but struggle with the whole religious bit. How do you negotiate secular versus non secular and Christian but also include other cultures?  I like to blend woke with my Wenceslas. Thanks.

— WOKE WENCESLAS

Dear WW:

I am not a religious person but I have always loved Christmas. To me, it is about the pure joy of having a pine tree in your house and decorating it in lights and cherished ornaments. I am a sort of pagan, and it is no coincidence that almost all religions have some holiday/celebration near the solstice. It is also about the day being at its darkest, but the nights beginning to finally become lighter.  If that’s not a Stars song, I don’t know what is! I think our music is inclusive enough that anyone

from any cultural background can come celebrate what it is to be lonely with us. Fairytale of New York is about the misfits and it is no fairytale — we want to commune with all the weirdos no matter what gods you believe in.

IS MENTAL HEALTH CONCERN A CRUTCH?

Dear Amy: I salute the new awareness of mental health but it feels like all my friends are invoking one syndrome or another and I wonder if they are using this is as a crutch? Is it possible to be too “aware” of mental health challenges, to the point of not taking responsibility for one’s situation?

– MENTAL HEALTH MUSER

Dear Muser: I think it is hard to know what another person is going through. With the past two years, having lived through a pandemic, it is a wonder not everyone gets a whole year off to

ASK AMY

just recuperate from all that fear. There are a million things that can affect a person’s mental well-being: bad sleep, bad food, hormonal changes, hereditary mental illness — the list goes on. Empathy is always the kindest code as it may be one day you who wake up feeling mentally unwell and wonder if people are taking you seriously about it. Compassion is good for the brain.

HEY, AREN’T YOU THAT GIRL IN BSS?

Dear Amy: Now that you’re touring again, what is the biggest assumption people make about you, in other countries, because you are Canadian? Also, I assume at some point — maybe still — your band members shared driving duties. What if someone was a shitty driver, how did you tell them without them being mad? Or do you just buckle up and hope?

— DRIVE, SHE SAID

Dear DSS: They assume we are all in Broken Social Scene. Which I actually am so, it doesn’t bother me one bit! I joke. The biggest false assumption is that we are a “nice” country. What they need reminding of is we caused a genocide to our Indigenous people and there are still 34 reservations that don’t have clean water. We have a lot of truth and reconciliation to face.  We don’t tax the rich enough and we are not dealing with the homeless population with any real humanity as encampments continue to be removed from parks across the country. The premier of Ontario just tried to stop education workers from having the right to strike, not to mention the green belt he is trying to

decimate, and the premier of Quebec is consistently passing racist, fascist bills. We have a lot of work to do to become the “nice” country people think we are.  I only go in the vehicle Patty McGee, our drummer, is driving. He is the captain. No one else is as steady at the wheel. It has been this way for 20 years!

ROOMMATE SEND OFF TRIGGERS FRIENDSHIP FEARS

Dear Amy: I just did my first semester of second year with my best friend as my roommate. It’s been great, but I want to live on my own  in the new year. I’m afraid if I tell her this, it will fuck up our relationship and she will think I am abandoning her. I just want to see what it’s like to live on my own — no reflection on her. How do I get into my new challenge without wrecking old friendship?

— FRIENDSHIP FEARFUL

Dear Fearful:

Friendship goes both ways. I try, in mine, to have a no-judgement policy. I want my friends to do what makes them happy and if that means cancelling a plan with me or moving cities, I want to be a support to them, not a reflection of what they aren’t doing for me. If your friend has your back, she will be sad for a minute but encouraging to you to find the path that suits you best. You can always throw in how fun it will be to have her over for dinner and maybe some sleepovers for old times. Rooms are just rooms, but mates are forever.

Amy Millan is a Canadian indie rock singer and gui tarist. She records and per forms with Stars and Broken Social Scene and has a successful solo career.

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