Legendary DJ Mark Farina behind Mushroom Jazz

by Blake Morneau | Jan 29, 2015 | Culture, Music

In the world of DJs, Mark Farina is something of a legend. A leader during the rise of house music in the late ‘80s, Farina has etched himself a spot in the pantheon of all-time greats. From playing epic eight-hour set brick parties in Chicago to diplomatic events in...

Canadian DJ The Gaff balances more than music

by Blake Morneau | Jan 22, 2015 | Culture, Music

Mike Gaffney (better known as The Gaff) is one of Canada’s pre-eminent sources of funky good tunes, and he is a man of many passions. While many know him as a DJ extraordinaire, he reaches far beyond the party sets that have made him a mainstay in the DJ community. “I...

The Mad Caddies celebrate 20 years of music

by Blake Morneau | Jan 13, 2015 | Culture, Events, Music

For 20 years now, California ska outfit the Mad Caddies have been bringing their genre-boundless grooves to the masses. When I caught up with frontman Chuck Robertson to talk about this momentous year for the band he’s called home the last two decades, there was...

Get weird with Buck 65

by Blake Morneau | Nov 20, 2014 | Culture, Music

I want to call Buck 65 the most interesting man in Canadian hip-hop, but that wouldn’t be doing him justice. He is a strong candidate for the most interesting man in hip-hop—anywhere. For more than two decades, Buck 65 has been challenging fans, daring them to not...

Rifflandia: a hip-hop wrap-up

by Blake Morneau | Sep 18, 2014 | Culture, Local, Music

The first two nights of Rifflandia delivered a full slate of top-shelf hip hop. Thursday night, warmed up by Numero Group (which is really just two label owners playing tracks from their impressive eponymous label), saw the rise of the Rappers with Broken Dental as...