Sound, Phrase & Fury 3.6

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SPF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Janet Adamana

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ally Sigurdson PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR Steff Shields

CONTRIBUTORS & PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS Ally Sigurdson

Dagmawit Fekede SPECIAL THANKS Brian Davis Greg Babinksi J.R. Tomlinson Alexa San Romรกn Dane Petersen Isabella Mariee Lewis Fowler

SOUND, PHRASE & FURY is a Canadian music magazine out to help promote musicians not usually covered in mainstream media. All music, photos and articles used are for the sole purpose of spreading the knowledge of these artists and their music. We always encourage readers to support every act through purchasing releases, merchandise and attending live shows.

NOV/DEC 2015 Speak the Truth with Just a Pen Note from the Editor

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Self Made The Lipstick Junkies talk new music

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SPF Recommends

Our picks for artists to listen to

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Our Safe Haven

Ally Sigurdson takes us through her love for local shows

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SOUND-PHRASE-FURY.COM

info@sound-phrase-fury.com @soundphrasefury facebook.com/soundphrasefury

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EDITOR’S NOTE

SPEAK THE TRUTH WITH JUST A PEN Here we are. The end of year three. I know at every year-end issue, I tend to get a bit nostalgic. I can’t help but look back at where we were three years ago and how far we have come since. The countless people we have met, the amazing music we fell in love with, and for me, the immense amount of talent in the writers I have had the pleasure of working with.

As crazy, hectic and stressful as release week can often be, reading these stories that these wonderful writers can capture, the emotions they convey and their ability to spread the true essence of what makes art, real art – it’s what makes this job so damn great.

In my editor’s notes I often thank the musicians, their fans and our dedicated readers, but this time I want to send the biggest thanks to our amazing team, past and present. SPF would not be where it is now and going in the direction it is going - without you.

As we go into the next year with the biggest plans we’ve ever had, I am forever indebted to the men and women behind every issue.

Year four will be for you.

Mapping with a Sense of Direction Janet Adamana Editor-In-Chief

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Q&A

self made words by Dagmawit Fekede

Toronto up-and-comers, The Lipstick Junkies, are breaking boundaries and making their own rules.

With a slew of shows, some big name collaborations and a highlyambitious five-year plan, the funk-infused rock trio are paving their yellow brick road to huge musical success.

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Q&A

Toronto locals, The Lipstick Junkies, are what The band had been playing four to six shows a they call a “triple-slasher.” month. Now they have plans to put shows on hold to focus on their upcoming album. The album is set “Funk/rock/pop,” says bass player Brian Davis in a to be released in spring 2016. tone that signifies they often get asked about their genre. “One term that I really like is indie funk,” The world can hear new music from The Lipstick adds guitarist and vocalist Greg Babinksi. “It sort Junkies before then. The first song “Boogie Everyof prepares people for the idea that, hey you know where,” off an upcoming EP was recently released what, the sound quality might be terrible.” on October 21st. The song is one of three that the band had the opportunity to record with members Davis, Babinksi and drummer J.R. Tomlinson (no of popular Canadian band, Glass Tiger. relation to One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson) form the three-piece band. Since their start in 2012, The Glass Tiger guitarist Al Connelly, happened to see Lipstick Junkies have released one self-titled re- The Lipstick Junkies at one of their shows and incord, played at venues such as The Hard Rock Café vited them to record a few songs with Glass Tiger and the Drake Hotel in Toronto and opened for members and Juno Award winning sound engineer, big names like Walk Off The Earth and Organ Denis Tougas. The three songs will be released in Thieves. the upcoming months, each with an accompanying music video.

Their groovy, funk-based sound has made them a force to be reckoned with in the Toronto scene. The Lipstick Junkies are known for their carefree Their iconic sound is hard to find in today’s popular attitude and entertaining performances. From the music, with a heavy emphasis on the pulse of the short, humorous videos on their Instagram to the song. Bass is much more pronounced in their mu- comedic nature of their official music videos, it sic than in most and in many ways, Davis’ instru- was hard to take the trio seriously. However it has ment is thought to be the lead of their songs. “A lot become increasingly clear that the band is serious of the time I’m doing more chord stuff and [Brian]’s about their future. going off,” says Babinksi. “That’s one of the main trademarks of our style.”

“I want our music to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Babinksi. “Right now we’re limited in Though the band is relatively young, the members terms of our audience. I find that when people lishave been playing together since middle school and ten to music by someone they don’t know, it’s alhave gone through several lineups. “We started off most more personal in a way.” trying to book our own shows,” says Davis.” Which is an absolute nightmare if you’re a 15-year-old kid.” As part of their five-year plan, the band listed goals The group eventually got some help from local com- such as headlining the Air Canada Center in Toronpany, Supernova, who booked their first few shows to. They look the Red Hot Chili Peppers as inspiand helped them make a name for themselves. ration for the type of success they want to achieve over the coming years. “But if I could just keep the Now The Lipstick Junkies are turning down shows lights on that’d be cool,” says Davis. almost every day.

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Like The Lipstick Junkies at Facebook.com/TheLipstickJunkies.

Visit TheLipstickJunkies.com and Follow them @TLJofficial.

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RECOMMENDS

HEIRSOUND

alt-rock - Los Angeles/New York

New rock duo, Heirsound, have created the perfect meld of electropop, indie, traditional alt-rock and emo.

The LA and New York-based band is the latest project from Alexa San Román (Love, Robot) and Dane Petersen. Famous for her brooding, pain-fueled vocals, San Román brings it all out in Heirsound’s debut single, “Do It Over,” slamming it against a catchy more pop-infused tune that undoubtedly gets stuck in your head.

With their weekly artful teases, and powerful debut single, Heirsound has definitely caught our attention and will not let go. &

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RECOMMENDS

TWO WAYS HOME FOLK - LONDON

twowayshome.com - facebook.com/twowayshome - twowayshome.bandcamp.com With smooth jazz grooves, country twang mixed with traditional americana/folk, it might be hard to believe this band is from across the pond. profile

London’s Two Ways Home, borrow musicial elements from Southern US culture and pump it into their new catchy EP, Better Days. With beautiful female-male harmonies and an addictive upbeat tempo, Two Ways Home creates a loveable soundtrack for long days on the road. &

words BY Janet Adamana JULY/AUG 2015 2015 •• SOUND, SOUND, PHRASE, PHRASE, & & FURY FURY 9 NOV/DEC

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SIGHTS & SOUNDS

our safe hav

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SIGHTSSPOTLIGHT & SOUNDS

Ally Sigurdson fell in love with the local music scene at a very young age. From isolation to liberation, the music photographer and SPF writer takes us through the life and times of a music loving teenager, and how this scene ultimately freed her spirit and saved her soul.

I went to my first concert when I was ten. Granted, it was Hilary Duff and my mom came with me. We sat in the stands with popcorn and she let me sit in her seat to try and get a better view of the glowing stage that felt hundreds of miles away. It was two long hours of standing on tiptoe, craning my neck and eventually giving up and staring at the ceiling.

I left the venue feeling a little bitter and exhausted.

I could not understand how people could go to concerts. Long story short, at the age of ten, I had decided I was over it.

is a huge difference between a concert and a show something I clearly had missed out on.

To be honest, I had a feeling of dread before going to that show. I had flashbacks of being trampled and of achy necks and shoulders from trying to see. My friends had promised me great music and a good time, so away I went.

I can’t find the words to properly describe how it felt to take that first step into a local venue but I imagine it’s something akin to falling in love. The Music has always been a major part of my being, yet, atmosphere in the Park Theatre was unlike anyI was never crazy about going to concerts – a setting thing I had ever experienced and one show quickly where you were surrounded by cranky people who became five, then ten, and suddenly those shows had become a part of who I was. I became addicted loved to push and shove – so I often stayed home. to this way of life and no matter how much I got I fell in love with all kinds of bands and artists while involved, I always wanted more. hiding away in my room alone, wishing I could feel more connected to the world of music. That world Writing about music found me. It fell into my lap. found its way into my core. It became the reason I To this day I’m still not sure whether I would still got out of bed some mornings. It is the reason I am be here if it wasn’t for this musical outlet. Grateful still here today. I started to associate music with doesn’t even begin to cover it. I don’t know what loneliness and kept my treasures to myself. It wasn’t it is, but the Winnipeg scene is definitely a famsomething I shared with others. Looking back now, ily, and it’s something we are all well aware of and I realize was greedy. mutually respect. The more I think about it, every show I have ever been to feels more and more like a I went to my first show when I was 16. Anyone who family reunion. is involved with local music understands that there

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SIGHTS & SOUNDS

I had finally found a place where I fit in, where I was welcomed, & even encouraged to be different.

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SIGHTS & SOUNDS

perfect harmony or lyric. It’s about those moments when you’re down and ready to quit and realizing you have something to save you.

For me, shows became a safe place, a haven. It’s a place where I can laugh with my friends, where I can listen and appreciate music with every bone in Regardless of where you live, who you are, or any- my body. It’s a place where I feel wanted. I know I thing else along those lines, one thing is for certain; am not alone in this. Many of the people I know the bonds people share through the music they love feel very similar about their scene family, and have come to appreciate the bonds that are created just is a strong one. as much as I have.

At first, it was overwhelming. Now, it’s motivating.

I had finally found a place where I fit in, where I was Right now, countless people across the globe are welcomed, and even encouraged to be different. making memories together in bars, restaurants, Some of the people I’ve gotten to meet through mu- concert halls and even in their parents’ living rooms; sical opportunities have become lifelong friends. all because of music. This is mind-boggling to me.

Others have become business partners; but all have I owe everything to this, and if it were up to me, I would force every awkward sixteen-year-old to changed my life. head down to their local venue, stand at the very It’s hard to believe I went from feeling isolated, to front and try their best to remember the lyrics to all feeling apart of something so much bigger. Music the songs they had found on YouTube. had gotten me through the lowest points in my life and I was finally surrounded by people who I want that kind of happiness for everyone – and I’m felt that same way. They understand that it’s about so content with knowing the happiness that music staying up until 2 am searching for the perfect bed- has brought me is here to stay. time playlist. It’s about the chills you get hearing a I have fallen in love with so many beautiful people, and challenged myself to be on their level. I have spoken to countless Winnipeggers about music and the arts surrounding it, and I’ll never forget the fire in their eyes when we talk about their passion.

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