Category: Music
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So you want to be in an indie boy band
An unequivocal guide to fulfill your dreams of indie-stardom, because we definitely need more of you!
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Billie Eilish veers between the hard and soft in multi-instrumental show
The singer-songwriter graced Toronto with an unforgettable experience for two nights
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CanCon gets gothic!
With Halloween around the corner, get in the spirit with these iconic goth songs made in Toronto
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Beabadoobee headlines in Toronto for first-ever arena show with emotional performance
Beabadoobee takes her This is How Tomorrow Moves tour to the Coca-Cola Coliseum with an exhilarating performance
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Mustafa’s ‘Dunya’: The soundtrack to leaving Toronto
Mustafa’s debut album is a vulnerable reflection on grief, hope and love
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Bumpin’ that: BRAT and the rise of physical media
Exploring the cultural impacts of Charli XCX’s newest album, BRAT.
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Musical Memories: The healing power of music
Music, in all different forms, has helped me cope with mental health struggles throughout my entire life. By Oliver Robbins Trigger warning: this piece covers topics of mental health that may be triggering for some Music has a unique ability to connect you with artists you have never met who are writing songs about experiences…
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Earworm Extraction 101
The art of rebound relationships in music By Melanie Nava Urribarri Earworms, not to be mistaken for earwigs–who have a poor reputation from the old European myth where these creatures burrow into the ears of sleeping people and lay eggs in their brains–can be perhaps one of every day’s greatest nuisances. Though they aren’t literal…
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Valentine’s Day date ideas for music lovers
Whether you stay in or go out with your boo, let music take the lead. By Isabella Soares February is here, meaning that the clock is ticking when it comes to planning a romantic hangout with your partner for Valentine’s Day. Although going to the movies or eating a three-course meal at a bougie restaurant…
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Musical Memories: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Music is inseparable from memory, so you better hope it’s good music you’re listening to! By Sam Santos Human memory works in strange ways, none more intriguing than how music can impact it. There are certain moments in our lives that we attach to a song, even if insignificant or seemingly mundane. As I write…
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Canadian Artists to Look Out For At Coachella 2024
Could this be the start of a Canadian Invasion? By Rebecca Draper Seeing Canadian artists take on big stages around the globe always warms my heart. There’s no doubt that they are leaving an international impact with their talents, and Coachella 2024 is no exception. The lineup was released recently, with plenty of prominent names,…
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Music Therapy: A Viable Profession for Students Who Are Interested in Music and Therapy
Considering music therapy? Here is what you need to know By Candice Zhang What comes to mind when you think of therapy? You may visualize being in a room, sitting across from your therapist as you twiddle your thumbs and decide on what you should reveal about your life for the week. Then, as soon…
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Masthead Wrapped: CanCulture’s top Canadian songs of 2023
With Spotify wrapped, making waves once again, and exposing the most vulnerable for their fascinating taste in music, the masthead decided to do them a favour and compile our favourite songs. Who cares if your top artist of 2023 was “Brown Noise,” tell your friends you listened to these Canadian hits instead. Here are our…
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Concert Not-iquette: A helpful guide for your next concert
Have you experienced the epic highs and lows of concert etiquette yet? By Vihaan Bhatnagar It’s November 2024. You’ve never been to a concert before, but when Taylor Swift announced that she was going to be performing in Toronto, you knew that you had to go. I know what you’re thinking: How do I know…
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A Celebration of Choral Classics
Director Matthew Jaskiewicz leaves behind a legacy of unity and talent with the Toronto Concert Choir By Terri Edward On a quiet Monday night in Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Kerr Hall, a classroom suited for small lectures had a group of novice and advanced singers come together. Cracking jokes and exchanging stories, they carry folders…
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Tiger Balme unites solo artists
A unique band formed in the city of Toronto with a mesmerizing and captivating sound. By Rienne Mendoza Tiger Balme, a four-member alt-indie Asian-identifying, female and non-binary band based in Toronto, released their self-titled debut album, produced by Paul Chin, almost one year ago on Nov. 29, 2022. The band consists of Yang Chen (they/them),…
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Strumming Through Stillness: Noah Bajec’s Intimate Connection with Music and Meaning
From humming tunes while assembling legos to writing and producing his own music, Bajec continues to shape the musical landscape around him. By Sia Shete Noah Bajec, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter and music producer based in Toronto, says creativity of any form was a significant part of his life, even before getting serious about making his…
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Indie music thrives at Grounders Music Festival
From sunlit stages to twilight tones, the Grounders all-day experience was one to remember. By Nalyn Tindall Grounders Music Festival brought life to OBJX Studio, showcasing the talent of nine artists from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Conceived by two Toronto Metropolitan University students, the festival seamlessly blended various genres, ranging from indie to…
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The Beaches rock Massey Hall in sold-out hometown show
After “Blame Brett” went viral on TikTok, Toronto’s own indie rock band returns cooler than ever. By Isabella Soares The Beaches have come a long way from playing smaller venues such as The Opera House and The Danforth Music Hall. The band originally named Done With Dolls is now formed by sisters Jordan (vocals) and…
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Musical Memories: My journey to the Black Parade
I took my unassuming uncle to see My Chemical Romance *not clickbait* By Ella Miller Just over a year ago I went to see My Chemical Romance on their reunion tour. My Chem is my favourite band and one of the only bands, as a non-music-listener, that I can put on for hours straight and…
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How did Drake become the star we know today?
We know Drake as a rapper, entrepreneur, and celebrity personality, but it didn’t happen overnight By Jillian Gonzales It’s no secret that Drake is among the biggest stars in the world today. From his extensive music career — which continues to excel — to his entrepreneurial ventures, he is a mastermind celebrity who knows how…
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Ticketmaster: the survival of the fittest
Avid fans dive into the all-too-real highs and lows of scoring event tickets By: Atiya Malik From outrageous fees that seem to multiply with every click, to the battle against scalpers and bots, the path to securing coveted event tickets can be a hair-pulling journey. If you have shown any interest in attending an event,…
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Kip James might just have a fighting chance
The Toronto busker is making his mark one song at a time By Nalyn Tindall If you attended a concert at Budweiser Stage this summer or ventured outside the Rogers Centre after a Blue Jays game, chances are you’ve likely encountered the vibrant musical force that is James Flannagan, better known as Kip James. “Kip,”…
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From class to concerts: Grounders Music Festival spotlights on local talent
From class to concerts: How two students turned their project into a performance festival By: Anastasia Blosser Sofia Shahbazzadeh and Helen Chen aren’t submitting the average practicum project. The two Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) students transformed their in-class pitch into a live music festival that will showcase the talent of local artists. Complete with vendors,…
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The freaks of Queen Street West: Toronto’s goth music history
In the heart of Toronto, the freaks and ghouls roam the streets… and the nightclubs! By: Klea Pinari The first chilling strum of gothic guitar is your opening to a world of darkness – a world cloaked in black, but one that still feels unequivocally bright. When many people hear the word ‘goth,’ they conjure…
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Spooky Canadian songs to listen to this Halloween season
Romanticize the darkening days with some tunes to match. By: Melanie Nava Urribarri You feel the temperature around you drop, a cool wind slipping through the threads of your clothes and tickling the skin underneath, sending shivers down your spine. The sun is blocked by grey clouds, and you swear you hear a taunting laughter…
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Toronto band Pudding serves audience a sweet treat
Saturday night’s Pudding performance took the audience back to the carefree days of childhood snack time By Kayla Solway Toronto-based band Pudding took to the intimate stage of the Dakota Tavern on a mid-October Saturday night, giving the small crowd an impressive performance of both covers and captivating original songs. The band has been writing…
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Canadian composers scoring horror films around the world
Looking for songs for your Halloween playlist? Check out these 5 composers By Candice Zhang As spooky season approaches, many of us may be revamping our playlists to include tracks that match the Halloween theme. If you’re looking for a few suggestions, fear not – CanCulture has you covered. This Halloween, consider supporting your talented…
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A Q&A with Toronto musician and producer UNITY
The self-produced electronic musician is working on creating a “unique sound that will not resemble anything else” By: Caelan Monkman Toronto-based musician and producer UNITY is a fierce electronic superstar in the making. Following in the footsteps of her idols like FKA twigs and SOPHIE, the self-produced musician blends futuristic and psychedelic electronic/trip-hop beats with…
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Dead Egos Vs. The WRLD: In-person showcase uplifts Toronto’s underground music scene
Artists and curators behind a local live music event are all about taking ‘ridiculous, ridiculous chances’ By: Sena Law Weaving through the chaotic mosh pits of a Kensington Market venue with a camera in hand and a proud smile upon his face, Griffin is eager to capture each and every moment of his first curated…