Dissent in the Ranks is an exhibition of artwork and ephemera associated with the band North of America, assembled/found in the basement by one of the bands founding members Mark Mullane. It showcases paintings, photographs and other media related to the bands history from 1997 to 2003, including internationally acclaimed artists Chris Kline and Steve Keene (Silver Jews, Pavement, Apples in Stereo).
From 1997 to 2003, NORTH of AMERICA presented an emotive brand of new music that both recognized and expanded upon the canons and clichés of a decade of guitar based indie rock. While blending the atonal guitar work of early era Chapel Hill bands with the math and dynamics of Chicago's more progressive sound, NORTH of AMERICA found their anchor in the urgency and sincerity of the DC influenced sc
ene, dropping indie rock's typical tongue-in-cheek smarminess in favour of a more intelligent and serious approach. All of this was filtered through a well-developed sense of structure and arrangement, preventing the songs from becoming mere exercises in musical athleticism and allowing for the occasional foray into hook-laden pop song delivery.
This is not a musical event. NORTH of AMERICA will not be performing.
Frontier Developments & Halifax Pop Explosion Opening Party!
Come one come all! Join us at the 20th Anniversary Halifax Pop Explosion kick off party at the legendary Seahorse Tavern.
Open to all invited guests, wristband and pass holders!
With special guest : DJ James Reid
EUGENE MIRMAN & GUESTS @ Reflections Cabaret $20
Get ready for a bucket full of the truth water because here comes the truth fairies Hugh Stewart and Paul Doucette! They host Flag on the Play the world's primary source for what's really happening in the NFL. Each week Hugh and Paul attack the internet with the truth behind the sports news that TSN can't cover. This dynamic, chaotic comedy duo bring the facts behind the wizards, demons, big businesses and illuminati that run the NFL, all while drinking a tall can of Arizona..
http://www.youtube.com/user/flagontheplay911
EUGENE MIRMAN & GUESTS @ Reflections Cabaret $20
A somewhat important cog in the Canadian comedy scene, Merv has performed in a schlew of clubs from Halifax to Toronto. He has also appeared on Tom Green’s House Tonight, performed a one man show for the 2012 Atlantic Fringe Festival and lead the house band for Good Morning Tonight.
EUGENE MIRMAN & GUESTS @ Reflections Cabaret $20
Come laugh your pass off. EUGENE MIRMAN, CHERYL HANN, MERV HARTLEN. Hosted by: FLAG ON THE PLAY Cheryl Hann gained notoriety as a member of the sketch troupe Picnicface. Hann combines stand up comedy with performance art in an act she describes as, "a crystal cave at sunset with a pegasus flying overhead. The pegasus has a boner ;)".
http://www.picnicface.com
EUGENE MIRMAN & GUESTS @ Reflections Cabaret $20
Come laugh your pass off. Eugene Mirman is a comedian and hero who lives in Brooklyn, NY. He is a regular on Flight of the Conchords, Adult Swim's Delocated, voices "Gene" on Fox's hit animated series Bob's Burgers, had his own special on Comedy Central, and curates the annual Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival.
http://eugenemirman.com
VICE MAGAZINE PRESENTS: KING TUFF, LONG WEEKENDS, CROSSS, ASTRAL GUNK @Reflections Cabaret $20
Drawing inspiration from a melting pot of punk, post punk, garage rock, pop and psych rock, the prevailing sound is as much an amalgamation of influences as it is the product of four dudes drinking beer in a shed and avoiding their responsibilities.
http://www.astralgunk.bandcamp.com
ECMA PRESENTS: AL TUCK, SECRET GUEST, GIANNA LAUREN @ The Carleton $15
Gianna Lauren is a project of atmosphere, warm guitar tones and voice. She is a performer of the graceful kind. Melodies breathe as if they pulse, sharing space with many layers of warming instrumentation and vocals. Ambient pop-rock keeps company with softer, more poignant material.
http://giannalauren.ca
SLED ISLAND PRESENTS: THE DUDES, CAMP RADIO, GLORY GLORY, MEISHA AND THE SPANX @The Seahorse Tavern $15
Calgary's Miesha & The Spanks are purveyors of the most rough 'n tumble, energy driven garage-rock possible. Sassy vocals, dirty riffs, pounding drums- this two piece is overpowering and infectious. Charming hearts and kicking ass four years and counting.
http://musicyyc.ca/projects/miesha-and-the-spanks/
HUMANS, JAGUAR KNIGHT, CATHOLIC GAYDAR, PINEO @ Gus' Pub $10
Mitchell Pineo known simply as PINEO is an electronic music producer/DJ based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Producing an array of electronic styles, PINEOs live shows extend from the irresistible grooves to the soaring melodies. With a #1 voted remix and a newly released EP of original tracks PINEO helps the new wave of DJs and producers push the genre to new places.
http://soundcloud.com/mitchell_pineo
VICE MAGAZINE PRESENTS: KING TUFF, LONG WEEKENDS, CROSSS, ASTRAL GUNK @Reflections Cabaret $20
With guitars that reverberate in your chest cavity, Crosss plods through sprawling psych melodies with the weight of a woolly mammoth. Languishing in a hazy mash of drone, metal and grunge, Crosss make dauntless music for malnourished ears.
http://www.crosss.bandcamp.com
SLED ISLAND PRESENTS: THE DUDES, CAMP RADIO, GLORY GLORY, MEISHA AND THE SPANX @The Seahorse Tavern $15
Glory Glory plays dark, danceable indie pop, and have been performing, recording and touring since 2006. Their self-recorded, self-produced 2010 debut album "ZOMBIES!!! " garnered airplay, critical acclaim and two Nova Scotia Music Award nominations.
http://www.sonicbids.com/gloryglory
ECMA PRESENTS: AL TUCK, SECRET GUEST, GIANNA LAUREN @ The Carleton $15
Who could it be? Follow @halifaxpopx on Twitter to find out…or just show up, it'll be a surprise!
HUMANS, JAGUAR KNIGHT, CATHOLIC GAYDAR, PINEO @ Gus' Pub $10
Catholic Gaydar builds pop songs from scraps of sound found on the way to the club, resulting in an ecstatic blend of queer synth-pop and starry eyed torch songs. Expect a melody attack of guitar, drum machine and a deep commitment to fun and beauty. http://soundcloud.com/catholicgaydar/
ECMA PRESENTS: AL TUCK, SECRET GUEST, GIANNA LAUREN @ The Carleton $15
Bring up Al Tuck's name to any Canadian music insider, and you'd better find yourself a comfortable chair. Feist suspects that he might just be a living legend. Jason Collett called him the greatest songwriter of his generation. He is an awesome encyclopedia of popular music, a roving troubadour and after almost 20 years in the business is one of Canada's true hidden musical treasures.
http://altuck.bandcamp.com/
SLED ISLAND PRESENTS: THE DUDES, CAMP RADIO, GLORY GLORY, MEISHA AND THE SPANX @The Seahorse Tavern $15
Power pop music with garageland guitars and Sebadoh'd bass lines filling out songs that will keep you humming all day. The lyrics are as hooky as the REM-style harmonies driving super catchy melodies. Bottom line: Camp Radio is high energy and simple rock and roll!
http://www.campradio.org
VICE MAGAZINE PRESENTS: KING TUFF, LONG WEEKENDS, CROSSS, ASTRAL GUNK @Reflections Cabaret $20
Three Halifax friends band together over a shared interest in punk and garage rock records. They release a series of online singles, EPs and a 7" in the space of a year before following the train tracks out of Castle Rock to search for Ray Brower's dead body.
http://www.looongweekends.com
HUMANS, JAGUAR KNIGHT, CATHOLIC GAYDAR, PINEO @ Gus' Pub $10
I spent ten years playing dance parties all across Canada under the name "AV" with a trunkload of drum machines and broken synthesizers. Then I moved to Asia and my brain was invaded by an ancient feline robot.
http://jaguarknight.ca
VICE MAGAZINE PRESENTS: KING TUFF, LONG WEEKENDS, CROSSS, ASTRAL GUNK @Reflections Cabaret $25
King Tuff sits, center stage between Magic Jake and Kenny, his trademark guitar, Jazijoo, on his lap while the rhythm section diligently loops the groove under Tuff's frenetic fingering. A more charismatic, enigmatic nomad of a furioso frontman/artist/guitar legend could not be imagined.
http://www.subpop.com/artists/king_tuff
SLED ISLAND PRESENTS: THE DUDES, CAMP RADIO, GLORY GLORY, MEISHA AND THE SPANX @The Seahorse Tavern $15
The Dudes, a Calgary-based band, infuse an emotional blend of Al Green and Flaming Lips - soul music and early 1990's distortion. Dan Vacon has the ability to draw audiences in through his distinct vocal style - a mixture of strong pop melody, sly double entendres, and pure soul.
http://thedudesmusic.ca/
HUMANS, JAGUAR KNIGHT, CATHOLIC GAYDAR, PINEO @ Gus' Pub $10
The name Humans is far from accidental. While the duo uses electronic components in their performance, they compliment their sound with live vocals and instruments, creating an atmosphere that transcends the divide between performer and audience often felt in electronic music.
http://dashumans.com/
Wednesday, October 17-Friday, October 19
HPX DIGITAL LOUNGE, ATLANTICA HOTEL, 1980 ROBIE STREET, 9AM-5PM PRESENTED BY THE HUB HALIFAX
From software to hardware, video to virtual, the HPX Digital Lounge will allow attendees to experience some of the best in games, gadgets, and other technology to come out of the Atlantic and beyond in a comfortable shared workspace environment presented by the Hub Halifax.
The HPX Digital Lounge is at the centre of conference activity, serving as the hub for meeting other attendees, catch up on work related emails as well as a chance to play some great games and experience some interactive tech and otherwise hang out and enjoy yourself with some very cool people.
Getting Your Feet Wet With Responsive Web Design w/ Stacey Mulcahy
Packing a serious buzzword alert, this session will cover what responsive design is, and isn't. From design and development considerations, to frameworks, tools and mindsets, this session is aimed towards those searching for a better understand of responsive design.
SPEAKER: Stacey Mulcahy
NFC: Thinking Creatively Beyond Mobile Payments
Quit waiting for Google Wallet to come to Canada, or for the next rumoured iPhone with built-in mobile payment to ship -- near field communications (NFC) is already here and this technology can be used for much more than waving your phone at the cash register. In this session, discover some unexpected ways that NFC can be utilized on Android phones (and other NFC-enabled devices) that go beyond the checkout line.
SPEAKER: Pearl Chen
Creative Coding Roundup
Whether you're an experienced designer or developer, the chance to expand your toolset with one of the many creative coding frameworks is an invaluable opportunity - and today it's easier than ever. But it can also be extremely perplexing - Where to start when there are so many options? Which tool is right for the job? Which is most expandable? Which is best for you to grow with? This talk will cover the field of creative coding frameworks, from Processing to Flash to openFrameworks to the various Javascript libraries, exploring the capabilities and limitations of each, but especially the culture behind them, and the road ahead.
SPEAKER: Jesse Scott
Making a Mashup: Pinball Meets RPG in "Rollers of the Realm"
Rollers Of The Realm combines the frantic physics of classic arcade pinball with the epic adventure of fantasy role-playing games. How did this whimsical videogame for PC and iPad evolve from concept to a fully-financed production built with your tax dollars? Join Tony Walsh, founder and CEO of game-maker Phantom Compass, as he explains how Rollers Of The Realm was conceived, produced, and is now in the works. Learn how his 4-person team incorporated dozens of triple-A game developers, how the team gets paid, how the project won a funding decision from the Canadian Media Fund and how Phantom Compass works with distributed staff members. Take away practical tips on game financing, legal, studio operation and growth, team-building, successful planning and execution.
SPEAKER: Tony Walsh
Building Mobile Apps that Don’t Suck: Designing for Mobile
Over the past 3-4 years, mobile apps have moved from a niche market for a select few developers and designers to a massive new economy across multiple platforms. Gone are the days where a mobile application is seen as an afterthought; it’s simply not enough for a mobile platform to be “good at email”. While this is true and there are apps that cover almost every imaginable task, its arguable that the majority of those apps are poorly designed and could use significant improvement to their user experience. In this session, we’ll show you what you as a mobile app developer/designer should be thinking about when building your app, regardless of the mobile platform you are targeting. We will go through a great number of topics including how to standardize the look and feel of your app to the platform, creating an effective and appealing user interface, implementing your idea for the mobile form factor and more.
SPEAKER: Atley Hunter
The User Experience of Everything
Successful organizations are realizing the need to become increasingly customer-focused in order to succeed in an immensely competitive marketplace. The incredible connectedness available through today’s technology is a double-edged sword – on one hand providing extraordinary opportunities to more deeply understand customer desires, while on the other hand providing customers with the means to amplify their dissatisfaction on an unprecedented scale. From product conception and refinement through to marketing, purchase, and support, Jeff MacArthur will discuss the considerations involved in evaluating and improving the user experience for products and services both online and off for the benefit of your company and your customers.
SPEAKER: Jeff MacArthur
Gaming's New Frontier - Fuelled by a DIY Ethos - Panel
A 14 year old from Kuwait built Doodle Destroy in three days using Game Salad then watch it go onto to generate over 900,000 downloads in the iPhone App store and a feature piece on CNN. With tools like GameSalad, Unity, Construct 2 making games has never been easier. Finding people that have skills you’re lacking so you produce a higher quality product is no longer restricted to just your friends (such as OpenGameArt.). Once you have your masterpiece, then your choices are open too. Steam, the Apple App stores, Google Play, Facebook or just put them on the web. Hardware too, Ouya and Oculus are examples of projects that are using the crowd funding site Kickstarter to get to market. What do these projects mean for an industry dominated by the big established players? Let’s discuss what makes this a good time to try your hand at writing games or bringing your gaming hardware to market and what’s out there to help you gain the skills you need.
MODERATOR: TBD
PANELISTS: Chris Pink, Tony Walsh, Rob O’Quinn, Colin Nickerson
Rising in the East: Local Tech Standouts
Do you grow creativity or invite it in? This session will explore the panelists' experiences with their studios and discuss the pros and cons of internal bootstrapping and creative cultivation vs. the benefits derived from networking and social participation.
Speakers: Paul Ryan, Ryan Fitzgerald, Jonathan Burns, Jevon MacDonald
Proximity is Virtue: Why location based marketing isn't really about location
Mobile technologies allow a whole new way of thinking about customers, providing the means to identify the precursors to purchasing, which in turn requires new ways to think about marketing.Mobile devices leave behind a digital exhaust, which lets people, and their favored brands, track, modify and optimize their behavior together - which may be what new marketing looks like.How to think about mobile - a medium which operates exclusively in different kinds of NOW.
SPEAKER: Faris Yakob
Silicon Hills: How Austin's Music Scene Drives Tech
While Austin, Texas is known for music – billed “The Live Music Capital of the World” – it’s also a major high tech hub. With companies like 3M, AMD, Apple, AT&T, Dell, Evernote, Facebook, Google, HP, IBM, Intel, Nvidia, and PayPal putting down roots, Austin’s earned an equally important reputation as “The Silicon Hills.” What is it about this American capitol that draws so many large and small companies? Could it be the cultural hub that Austin methodically built? Join Don Pitts, the Music Programs Manager for the City of Austin, as he outlines how his hometown built a cultural and tech hub on a musical foundation. He’ll describe how the city encouraged the creative economy to thrive, new jobs to be generated and how this mid-sized American City in the heart of Texas became a global force.
SPEAKER: Don Pitts
How to Give Everything Away
This is a discussion about sharing. Sharing code and ideas, and collaborating on artwork. Sharing personal information, and learning about the difference between what's public and private. It's about what you do when your girlfriend asks you to stop posting everything you type directly to Twitter. It's about what you do when the Secret Service confiscates your laptop as you're trying to learn about human computer interaction. It's about responding to thousands of emails from people you've never met, who have questions you could never imagine. This is a discussion about the future of creativity.
SPEAKER: Kyle McDonald
LONG WEEKENDS & SLAM DUNK @ CKDU FREE
Slam Dunk from Victoria BC. A nice group of people in a band. Most of them are reliable, work day jobs. Two of them are in what seem to be long-term relationships while the other three not so much. One of them appears to be seeing someone right now actually, but we haven't asked. New album coming out November 13th. Good for feelin' good.
http://slamdunkband.com/
LONG WEEKENDS & SLAM DUNK @ CKDU FREE
Three Halifax friends band together over a shared interest in punk and garage rock records. They release a series of online singles, EPs and a 7" in the space of a year before following the train tracks out of Castle Rock to search for Ray Brower's dead body.
http://www.looongweekends.com
EUGENE MIRMAN AND GUESTS @Reflections Cabaret $20
Witty, sharp, quick and innocently idiotic and wonderfully energetic. Brian draws from his weird existence and the absurdity that surrounds day to day life. Buckle up!!!
EUGENE MIRMAN & GUESTS @ Reflections Cabaret $20
Instead of adopting the usual joke/punchline routine, Andie Bulman has created a style that revolves around the fast paced succession of humorous stories. Talking about heavy subjects in a light/fun way while touching on themes like: nostalgia, regrets, childhood, and the death of literature. She also make jokes about things that could be described as nerdy and has several bits about: Transformers, Magic the Gathering and Star Wars.
EUGENE MIRMAN & GUESTS @ Reflections Cabaret $20
A Halifax favorite that does comedy throughout the Maritimes has been going steady since 2006. A finalist on Second City’s Next Comedy Legend aired on CBC in 2007, filled his heart with disgust and scorn for the mainstream. Mackie first took the stage in Halifax before there were any comedy clubs in town, opening for drag shows at the gay bar, Toolbox. He's one of the hardest working most resilient and edgy comics around; come see him before he goes to jail.
ATLAS SOUND, ADO, ROBERT LOVELESS @ St. Matthew's Church $25
Found sounds in the wood works. The place where they originate. Phenomena of nature. Deep about Alchemy. Singing I put a spell on you. Surf beaten. A doomed lad sitting down upon the earth telling sad stories.
http://www.robertloveless.bandcamp.com
MARK DAVIS, PAT LEPOIDEVIN, PAPER BEAT SCISSORS. TERRA LIGHTFOOT @ The Company House $10
Her voice is hauntingly beautiful, following melodies that soar over incendiary chords. With roots based in math rock bands and an addiction to blues pioneers like Robert Johnson, her music fuses calculated riffs and rhythms with graceful melodies and a voice that leaves you breathless.
http://www.terralightfoot.com/br />
EUGENE MIRMAN & GUESTS @ Reflections Cabaret $20
Laugh your pass off. Eugene Mirman is a comedian and hero who lives in Brooklyn, NY. He is a regular on Flight of the Conchords, Adult Swim's Delocated, voices "Gene" on Fox's hit animated series Bob's Burgers, had his own special on Comedy Central, and curates the annual Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival.
http://eugenemirman.com
HPX DIGITAL OPENING PARTY $25 or included in HPX Digital Pass
Welcome to HPX Digital, the first event of its kind in Atlantic Canada, bringing together the best minds from the world of web, mobile, gaming, startups, design and marketing for three days of sessions, keynotes, networking and showcases. The opening night of HPX Digital strategically lands on the Third Wednesday of October, a night already well known in the Halifax tech/media/
marketing community for networking and invigorating discussion so we are elated to hold our opening party in conjunction with Third Wednesday. Come on down to the historic Marquee Club for this party before hitting the nightclubs to see some great music. Musical entertainment, refreshments and invigorating discussion will abound.
ATLAS SOUND, ADO, ROBERT LOVELESS @ St. Matthew's Church $25
Twisted pop wet with chocolate bar crunch. Nathan, Kathleen, and Noah plow through tunes for goons. Unassuming characters playing less assuming songs. Dartmouth, Truro and Halifax. Basements, smoke, coffee, and candy.
http://adoband.bandcamp.com/
D.O.A., THE HEMINGWAYS, OUTTACONTROLLER , THE I DON'T GIVE A RIPS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
"I said cool" - R.Smackhead. Words to live by. It's punk music. 15 minutes of fame.
http://theidontgivearips.tumblr.com/
MARK DAVIS, PAT LEPOIDEVIN, PAPER BEAT SCISSORS. TERRA LIGHTFOOT @ The Company House $10
This partially British cat will blow your ears off/in. In a gentle and strange and sad way. Voice will float, sometimes stab. Guitar will support beneath, like one of those old train trestle bridges.
http://www.paperbeatscissors.com
ATLAS SOUND, ADO, ROBERT LOVELESS @ St. Matthew's Church $25
Atlas Sound is the solo moniker of Deerhunter frontman/provocateur Bradford Cox, so named since 1994, when a sixth-grade Bradford made recordings on a karaoke cassette machine bearing the words 'Atlas Sound'. Cox's work represents a feral and prolific musical voice. With its scorched beauty, stream of consciousness, and wonderfully cohesive pop narrative, This is another outlet for Cox's relentless creativity.
http://4ad.com/artists/atlassound
RIA MAE & QUIET PARADE @ The Carelton $15
Mixing elements of pop-rock songwriting with unabashed lyrics, Quiet Parade's bleeding-heart alt-folk music channels bands such as Low, Hayden and Sun Kil Moon as well as the influence of artists/producers such as Elliot Smith and Phil Spector alike.
http://www.quietparade.com
FAILURE EPICS, WE'RE DOOMED, KUATO, THE WIDES @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
Surrounded by storming rhythm, razor sharp guitars, eager vocals, and an aura of unrestrained power, The Wides purpose is to strangle the sound out of every nook and stomp it into every cranny.
http://thewides.bandcamp.com/
THE COAST PRESENTS: BORN RUFFIANS, SECRET GUEST, THE ELWINS, WRITERS' STRIKE @ Reflections Cabaret $20
Writers' Strike are an Indie Rock band who believe in Bruce Springsteen anthems and Beach Boys' harmonies. Armed with thundering drums and blazing synths, they pack their songs to the edges with hooks. Their incendiary live show has won over audiences from Halifax to Toronto.
http://writersstrike.ca
D.O.A., THE HEMINGWAYS, OUTTACONTROLLER, THE I DON'T GIVE A RIPS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
Wielding buzz saw guitars, power-punk riffs, and fuzzed-out garage vocals OUTTACONTROLLER comes crashing out of the gates of North End Halifax with frantic, gritty pop songs about girls, gumption, and graveyards.
http://outtacontroller.bandcamp.com/
MARK DAVIS, PAT LEPOIDEVIN, PAPER BEAT SCISSORS. TERRA LIGHTFOOT @ The Company House $10
Pat has been honing his sound in Sackville, NB for several years and is known for his ability to incorporate a wide assortment of instrumentation into his dynamic live shows. Using a loop station, LePoidevin creates an orchestra of folk music with guitars, ukuleles, percussion, and deep melodic vocals.
http://www.facebook.com/patlepoidevin
POP MONTREAL PRESENTS: THE BLIND SHAKE, PONCTUATION, SLAM DUNK, BLOODHOUSE, STOP MOTION MASSACRE @ Gus' Pub $10
A nice group of people in a band. Most of them are reliable, work day jobs. Two of them are in what seem to be long-term relationships while the other three not so much. One of them appears to be seeing someone right now actually, but we haven't asked.
http://stopmotionmassacre.bandcamp.com/
FAILURE EPICS, WE'RE DOOMED, KUATO, THE WIDES @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
Weaving together intricate movements, emotive melodies and subtle timbres of eerie aggression, Kuato crafts each song of their repertoire into a post-rock instrumental opus.
http://kuatoband.com
RIA MAE & QUIET PARADE @ The Carelton $15
Ria Mae creates slick pop songs with universal themes of longing, love lost, and hearts found. Her debut full-length album, Under Your Skin, is produced by Asif Illyas (MIR) and won the 2012 East Coast Music Award for Pop Recording of the Year.
http://www.facebook.com/riamaemusic
THE COAST PRESENTS: BORN RUFFIANS, SECRET GUEST, THE ELWINS, WRITERS' STRIKE @ Reflections Cabaret $20
Indie pop outfit The Elwins have been garnering a healthy amount of attention of late thanks to their bouncy brand of '60s-tinged rock music and quirky, creative nature. Whether the sweet sounds are coming from a stereo or sweat-covered stage, it's one you'll want to get into sooner rather than later.
http://www.facebook.com/TheElwins
POP MONTREAL PRESENTS: THE BLIND SHAKE, PONCTUATION, SLAM DUNK, BLOODHOUSE, STOP MOTION MASSACRE @ Gus' Pub $10
Lazy, spiteful, and critically uptight. Your favorite band Bloodhouse plays heavy pop music that makes up for all the bullshit your friends and family put you through. Yip, you have bad friends, change your friends.
http://bloodhouse.bandcamp.com
D.O.A., THE HEMINGWAYS, OUTTACONTROLLER, THE I DON'T GIVE A RIPS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
Several years ago, four aging beer-gutted debutantes joined forces in Halifax, Nova Scotia to form The Hemingways. Sounding like a burning Wal-Mart apparently paid off as there was a desire to put out records and comment on the stupid, insane shit that goes on in the world. Tomfoolery followed; drinks were downed and guitars were thrown. Ahhh, these are the days indeed.
http://thehemingways.bandcamp.com/
MARK DAVIS, PAT LEPOIDEVIN, PAPER BEAT SCISSORS. TERRA LIGHTFOOT @ The Company House $10
Mark Davis' Eliminate the Toxins is Herohill's 2011 Polaris choice. "Davis' songs are innovative, energetic and challenges everything you know about folkies, augmented with fuzzed out guitar, surging riffs and even fragmented dub. Eliminate the Toxins is the one record every Canadian music fan should hear."
http://markdavismusic.ca
THE COAST PRESENTS: BORN RUFFIANS, SECRET GUEST, THE ELWINS, WRITERS' STRIKE @ Reflections Cabaret
Who could it be? Follow @halifaxpopx on Twitter to find out…or just show up, it'll be a surprise!
FAILURE EPICS, WE'RE DOOMED, KUATO, THE WIDES @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
A groovy yet heavy assault on progressive rock, the Halifax-based Trio We're Doomed draws inspiration from the impending apocalypse and the human condition. With heavy riffs, syncopated rhythms, and a general disregard for barriers bridging many genres, these gentlemen will melt your face faster than a zombie outbreak would overrun civilization.
http://www.facebook.com/weredoomedbr />
POP MONTREAL PRESENTS: THE BLIND SHAKE, PONCTUATION, SLAM DUNK, BLOODHOUSE, STOP MOTION MASSACRE @ Gus' Pub $10
A nice group of people in a band. Most of them are reliable, work day jobs. Two of them are in what seem to be long-term relationships while the other three not so much. One of them appears to be seeing someone right now actually, but we haven't asked.
http://slamdunkband.com
D.O.A., THE HEMINGWAYS, OUTTACONTROLLER, THE I DON'T GIVE A RIPS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
Canada’s legendary Punk Kings,who helped spread punk rock counterculture around the world, approach a momentous milestone. For nearly 25 years D.O.A. has been happily slashing away at all manner of philosophical enemies. They’ve travelled the globe almost continuously since they formed in 1978; they released their first snarling piece of vinyl, the "Disco Sucks" EP in June of that year. That slab of plastic opened the door to international prominence, riots, rip-off record companies and three generations of fans. Come join in the power and non-compromise that is D.O.A.
http://www.myspace.com/doapunk
THE COAST PRESENTS: BORN RUFFIANS, SECRET GUEST, THE ELWINS, WRITERS' STRIKE @ Reflections Cabaret $20
Starting every show in a huddle, some occult energy is summoned, deemed good, and exploded into a set of writhing, jagged pop songs as beautiful and dangerous as shards of broken glass. You'd swear they were on the war path, till a pure rock and roll howl and sharp guitar hooks bring you back to the indie universe.
http://bornruffians.com/
FAILURE EPICS, WE'RE DOOMED, KUATO, THE WIDES @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
Failure Epics is a progressive rock project inspired by the incredible world around us; and by the horrible things we see fit to do to it.
http://failureepics.wordpress.com/
POP MONTREAL PRESENTS: THE BLIND SHAKE, PONCTUATION, SLAM DUNK, BLOODHOUSE, STOP MOTION MASSACRE @ Gus' Pub $10
The Blind Shake are a de-tuned, garage-stomp, punk trio from Minneapolis, MN. Two brothers, Mike and Jim Blaha, front the band and play baritone and regular guitar respectively, while longtime chum Dave Roper plays drums.
http://www.theblindshake.com/
Wednesday, October 17-Friday, October 19
HPX DIGITAL LOUNGE, ATLANTICA HOTEL, 1980 ROBIE STREET, 9AM-5PM PRESENTED BY THE HUB HALIFAX
The HPX Digital Lounge is at the centre of conference activity, serving as the hub for meeting other attendees, catch up on work related emails as well as a chance to play some great games and experience some interactive tech and otherwise hang out and enjoy yourself with some very cool people.
ideaBOOST Info Session: Presented by the Canadian Film Centre
CFC Media Lab has recently launched ideaBOOST, a new creative and business development lab like no other. Over an intense four months, digital entertainment entrepreneurs will get the insights, tools, and mentorship needed to grow an idea into a product & their concept into a business -- even better, IdeaBOOST is the first program of its kind that invites Canadian audiences to participate every step of the way -- from short-listing ideaBOOST applicants to helping shape the products themselves. Combining proven entrepreneurial methods from Silicon Valley with groundbreaking “audience engagement framework” and tools, this innovative CFC Media Lab program will boost a creative team's trajectory for financial success with customers, investors, partners, and audiences.
Speaker: Leonardo Dell'Anno
Turning Slacktivism into Online Activism
In this presentation, Boyd Neil a former political activist and trade unionist looks at the fallacy that social web advocacy and activism channels energy away from making real-world social and political change. Using experience as a political and union organizer in the 70s and early 80s, Boyd demonstrates that slacktivism online is a failure not of the social web but of poor ‘organizing’.
SPEAKER: Boyd Neil
Creating Creators with Raspberry Pi
David Braben is an iconic figure in the videogame industry, an angel investor and a passionate advocate in the field of computer science education. David will discuss the context, motivation and latest progress of the Raspberry Pi charitable foundation’s work to revolutionize computer science education through their $25 computer from the point of view of life at Frontier, one of the world’s leading independent videogame developers, and the rapidly changing digital landscape that affects all our lives. Computer Science is the new Latin!
SPEAKER: David Braben
2012: The Year of the People
It's time for the ultimate face-off: People vs. Brands. We'll dissect six of the biggest trends in our industry, including storytelling, transmedia, entrepreneurialism, curation, influence & cause marketing. We'll look at best-in-class examples from both brands and people. Currently relevant trends include storytelling, content curation, entrepreneurialism, transmedia, influence & cause marketing. Each round's winner will be determined by audience votes, so come prepared to participate. After determining who comes out on top, we'll look at what we can learn from the winner and how to apply key learnings to brand communications & marketing strategies. This presentation will not be theoretical, but instead will be focused on providing practical applications and solutions.
Speaker: Rosie Siman
How to Start a Startup
Everyday more and more web startups are getting founded by entrepreneurs tenured and new. However, most abandon basic business pillars when building a venture in the digital economy. Not every start-up requires the same advice, but there a similar threads that apply to almost every company attempting to build a new digital product. We will be discussing the 5 things every startup must have to succeed.
SPEAKER: David Crow
The Secrets of Creation Panel
Get inside the heads of HPXDigital’s most interesting minds and extract the secrets that make them make things. Find out how they break through the barriers of procrastination, distraction, and worst of all, self-doubt. What routines do they employ to make their work a priority? Discover their techniques for staying focused, and for capturing, cataloging, and reviewing their ideas. What makes them unique and original creators? Find out their secrets here, and make sure some of them rub off on you.
MODERATOR: Riccardo Giraldi PANELISTS: James White , Zander Brimijoin Kyle McDonald
What Makes an Idea Stick?
Do you ever wonder why certain campaigns take off and others die a slow death? There is a lot more behind the latest viral campaign then meets the eye. This presentation will take a look into the steps that are taken to, dare I say, guarantee success (at least in the client's eye) in a day and age where trying to get someone's attention seems impossible.
SPEAKER: Mavis Huntley
Business. Plan for Success
Whether you’re just-starting a start-up or looking to re-energize your long-established establishment, getting a business plan in order can lure potential investors, secure new customers and guide you down a more profitable, creative and fulfilling career path. How can a strategic, realistic & ambitious business plan help you with business modeling, fund raising, product development and sales? Just ask our expert panel! You’ll learn from their interesting experiences, brutally honest advice & bright insights into the future.
MODERATOR: Toon Nagtegaal SPEAKERS: David Crow, Saul Colt, Chris Keevil
Evolution of the Web (Panel)
Over the past 20 years, expectations of the Web have progressed from something akin to a slow-loading brochure into something commonly regarded as the central platform for audience interaction. Successful companies understand that a refined and integrated web presence can be an essential source of organizational value. Join our panel as we examine trends in user experience, design, and content, as well as sharing examples of exceptional sites and the latest development processes that are pointing the way forward for the Web.
MODERATOR: Jeff MacArthur , PANELISTS: Kathryn Tector, Stacey Mulcahy , John Atkins
Like This Lollipop
Getting people to like your creations on Facebook is what everyone aims for, but it's easier said than done. Clients ask to embed Like buttons all over the app thinking that's how to generate interest, rather than actually building something people want to talk about. They also ask for something new that no one else has ever technically done before, and ignore the story development. In my experience, it's best to start with a story and a theme and then build into that. We'll explore how to merge creativity with new technology in a compelling, well-presented manner, as opposed to doing it just because. I'll also walk through the experiences we encountered in creating “Take This Lollipop” and what its success means to the future of socially connected experiences. We're at the beginning of a new era in online entertainment and it's going to continue to evolve. There are a lot of possibilities in this new frontier so we'll explore some ideas in creating new experiences like Lollipop.
SPEAKER: Jason Nickel
Startup Marketing: Techcrunch Is Not A Marketing Plan
A while back there was a viral video about two people talking over a water cooler and how his startup was going to get huge any day because it was going to appear on Mashable as well as Techcrunch and thats all you need to hit it big. This was funny because people thought it was true. Most Startups fail because they don’t gain traction and people go about marketing them the wrong way. In this talk by the very handsome Saul Colt he will explain what the goals and steps you need to be successful in the very different world of tech startups.
SPEAKER: Saul Colt
Amber Mac Keynote
In this talk, Amber will share how her entrepreneurial roots took her from a one-room schoolhouse in the remote countryside on Prince Edward Island; to Razorfish in the heart of Silicon Valley in the late 1990s; to launching her own business (MGImedia.ca) where she was recently crowned one of Canada’s top social media expert on how to build a brand.
SPEAKER: Amber Mac
HPX DIGITAL MIXER
Join us in the Digital Lounge for cocktails and networking after a day of inspiring sessions. Have you gotten your blind self-portrait done yet or checked out the apps and games on showcase in the Digital Lounge? Now is the perfect time to experience this unique space while meeting new people.
Open to HPX Digital Delegates Only
The Industry Mixer- A Networking Event Sponsored by MMF and SOCAN
Open to all HPX delegates, artists and media, this industry mixer is the perfect way to “break the ice”, make new friends and potential business contacts before the music conference begins! This networking opportunity gives artists, managers and the industry at large the chance to make connections, build relationships, discuss deal opportunities and issues.
Rdio presents Polaris Record Salon: Behind the Polaris Curtain
Have you ever wondered how Polaris arrives at its Long List, Short List and winner? Well, hold onto your knickers as the Polaris Record Salon, presented by Rdio, hits Halifax for the first time at Halifax Pop Explosion. Join Polaris founder Steve Jordan as he moderates a panel discussion with some of our esteemed Halifax jury members who'll look back at the newly crowned 2012 winner and look forward to Polaris 2013. Expect great music, great discussion and great prizes including a chance to win a one-month subscription to Rdio.
Hosted By: Steve Jordan
Speakers: Stephen Cooke- The Chronicle Herald, Stephanie Johns- The Coast, Darryl Smith- CKDU 88.1fm, Ryan McNutt- McNutt Against The Music
SOUTHERN SHORES & THIS SOUND WILL SAVE YOU @ CKDU FREE
This Sound Will Save You blends unexpected electronic arrangements with epic pop adventures. Their live show is a musical fruit smoothie bursting with unique vocals, analog synthesizers and computer based loops drenched in catchy melodies and dance inspiring rhythms.
https://www.facebook.com/thissoundwillsaveyou
SOUTHERN SHORES & THIS SOUND WILL SAVE YOU @ CKDU FREE
In time for the summer solstice, Southern Shores debut Atlantic, an EP of pure pop bliss and wanderlust, gravitating towards tropical coastlines and losing yourself to idyllic settings. Beneath the bright, balmy surface of Atlantic is a series of songs with simple, resonant melodies.
http://soundcloud.com/southernshores/
MOLSON M PRESENTS: WINTERSLEEP, ELLIOTT BROOD, RAIN OVER ST. AMBROSE, KESTRELS @ Olympic Community Hall $32
Kestrels have not created a wall of sound, but rather a wall of noise. Drums crash, bass swells and guitars howl while notes bend in cacophony. Through it all, melodies shine & you are left with the distinct impression that noise and melody can coexist.
http://www.kestrels.ca
WEIRD CANADA PRESENTS: EACH OTHER, FREAK HEAT WAVES, TORSO, HEAVEN FOR REAL @ The Bus Stop Theatre $10
Baby Jazz music. Kind of like hand-stand practice by the tall hotel - except with songs instead of grass stains
EXCLAIM! PRESENTS: THE HELIO SEQUENCE & JON SAMUEL @ St. Matthew's Church $25
Samuel reportedly builds pop songs using only a few chords, and this provides "the best foundation on which to build with scrappy instrumentation and playful vocal harmonies."
http://hiddenpony.ca
TASSEOMANCY, DEMETRA, DOOM SQUAD, SEA GLASSES @ The Company House $10
Sea Glasses is Garrett Mombourquette and Brant Hunter - previously known as Aux. Out, hidden behind a thick fog of tape hiss. Banquet Ltd. writes, "dream-pop with short interludes of crystallized ambiance." A lush composition of swirling colour, replete with live percussion, and electronic soundscapes.
http://seaglasses.bandcamp.com/album/the-sky-is-such-a-choir-here
JAGERMEISTER PRESENTS: EL-P, AMBITION, RYAN HEMSWORTH, AIN'T NO LOVE, WEIRDO CLICK @ Reflections Cabaret $20
Dysfunctional family. Heavily based upon mood creating music & celebrating hard-core rap. Very multicultural. Definitely 16+ content & come fucked up.
http://weirdoclick.tumblr.com/
MOLSON M PRESENTS: WINTERSLEEP, ELLIOTT BROOD, RAIN OVER ST. AMBROSE, KESTRELS @ Olympic Community Hall $32
Out of the foggy banks of Nova Scotia emerges a band that combines powerful melodies with good old-fashioned rock n' roll. Their knack for churning out high-energy pop-rock anthems earned the band the title of "Best New Band in Halifax" by The Coast's Best of Music.
http://www.onesheet.com/RainOverStAmbrose
JAGERMEISTER PRESENTS: EL-P, AMBITION, RYAN HEMSWORTH, AIN'T NO LOVE, WEIRDO CLICK @ Reflections Cabaret $20
As our world develops, Ain't No Love's sound evolves accordingly. Fresh off showcases at the most recent SXSW, NXNE, Pop MTL, and M For MTL festivals, this electronic hip-hop quartet born in Toronto but cultivated in Montreal is making the music they want to hear... it just so happens you'll love it too!
http://www.aintnolove.com
TASSEOMANCY, DEMETRA, DOOM SQUAD, SEA GLASSES @ The Company House $10
Their music utilizes an eclectic mix of instruments and loops that bridge Western popular music traditions like garage rock and psychedelia with spiritually infused indigenous approaches to music like trance, repetition, breathing and chants.
http://doomsquad.bandcamp.com/
EXCLAIM! PRESENTS: THE HELIO SEQUENCE & JON SAMUEL @ St. Matthew's Church $25
Tape and analog delays, spring and plate reverbs, tube preamps, ribbon microphones, and analog synths... Add this to their new improvised lyrical style and Brian Eno-esque ambient production it all serves as a testament to the beauty, blessing, and excitement of a fresh start.
http://www.subpop.com/artists/the_helio_sequence
WEIRD CANADA PRESENTS: EACH OTHER, FREAK HEAT WAVES, TORSO, HEAVEN FOR REAL @ The Bus Stop Theatre $10
TORSO has been recording and performing power electronics noise for the past 8 years using custom built electronic instrumentation to evoke hallucinatory industrial soundscapes.
http://torso.bandcamp.com/
D5R PRESENTS: CAULDRON, DANCE LAURY DANCE, BLACK MOOR, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER, DIEMONDS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
Toronto's hungriest band, clawing their way out of the underground with their saccharine-and-daggers hard rock. Fronted by rock's most dangerous deity Priya Panda, the band shines on stage, commanding an audience all night long. Diemonds aren't through until every single crowd member has had a real rock n' roll experience.
http://www.diemonds.net
HEATHER GREEN, THE MOUNTAINS & THE TREES, JESSIE BROWN @ The Carleton $15
Jessie Brown's powerful and expressive voice is turning heads and captivating audiences. In just two short years on the Halifax scene her performances have caught the attention of both noted local music phenoms and music fans. Jessie's vocal performance is a mix of soul and blues, with instrumental influences of metal and rock.
http://jessiebrownband.com/
JAC PRESENTS: THE SPRING STANDARDS, NORTH LAKES, LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS, WIND UP RADIO SESSIONS @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
Wind Up Radio Sessions are a finely woven fabric that write and perform folk-rock songs with charming arrangements and intimate lyrics. The group are now releasing their 2nd LP 'Bird Eyes' and heading out on a coast to coast summer tour. Tumble to dry, and stay tuned for upcoming shows.
http://windupradiosessions.com
MOLSON M PRESENTS: WINTERSLEEP, ELLIOTT BROOD, RAIN OVER ST. AMBROSE, KESTRELS @ Olympic Community Hall $32
Since forming in late 2002, their sounds have been labeled "death country", "blackgrass" and even "urban hillbilly", none of which truly capture the essence or energy of the band. With Elliott BROOD, the storytelling is paramount. The band presents tales from the dustier sides of life in dimly lit rooms with half empty bottles.
http://www.elliottbrood.com/News.shtml
FRESHTABLES PRESENTS: ADVENTURE CLUB, DVBBS, FRESHTABLES, BIT FUNK, P-80, DOC BROWN, MATTYBOH @ The New Palace $20
MattyBoh is now becoming one of Halifax's biggest party rockers to hit the DJ scene. With his release of his first original track "M.D.M.A", MattyBoh has been getting local and international recognition with some of the highest Electronic music blogs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxl8dXPUbOg
JAGERMEISTER PRESENTS: EL-P, AMBITION, RYAN HEMSWORTH, AIN'T NO LOVE, WEIRDO CLICK @ Reflections Cabaret $20
Combine raw talent, determination, and a love for hip-hop, and you've got Ambition. Having already put out a mixtape, Kicks Rule Everything Around Me (K.R.E.A.M) and a full length LP, Just for Kicks; this Halifax native already has the local industry buzzing.
http://www.sonicbids.com/ambition
RDIO PRESENTS: PURITY RING, SOUTHERN SHORES, ORGAN MAGIC, CLUB STOIC @ The Marquee Club $20
The music is psychedelia that's been dressed up, dressed down, twisted, broken and glued back together again so that it can provide audio satisfaction whenever you need a dose of really great stoner jams, and listening to Black Mountain for the 20th time in a row just won't do.
http://soundcloud.com/club-stoic
TASSEOMANCY, DEMETRA, DOOM SQUAD, SEA GLASSES @ The Company House $10
With her silken voice revealing a wild soul of the world, Demetra's songs speak to broad landscapes, icy tundra, and the solitude of the wild. They are manifested in bone-chilling melodies, haunting arrangements and the warm blanket of lush reverb.
https://twitter.com/#!/demetrapenner
SECRET GUEST, THE NYMPHETS, SONIC AVENUES, FAT STUPIDS @ Gus' Pub $10
Mostly fat and stupid as a fox, this three chord pop-punk trio from Halifax 1-2-3-4's its way through its set with buzzsaw guitars, dual lead vocals and a bone crushing back beat. Quit your job, drop out of school and come join us; we're with the Fat Stupids.
http://fatstupids.bandcamp.com
WEIRD CANADA PRESENTS: EACH OTHER, FREAK HEAT WAVES, TORSO, HEAVEN FOR REAL @ The Bus Stop Theatre $10
From its conception Freak Heat Waves has derived much of its aesthetic from highly admired facets of New York '70's punk/new wave and UK Post-Punk bands. The three-piece group generates a sharp yet discreet sound comprising of moments both sparse and dense.
http://freakheatwaves.bandcamp.com/
D5R PRESENTS: CAULDRON, DANCE LAURY DANCE, BLACK MOOR, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER, DIEMONDS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
Like its namesake, Death Valley Driver will leave you with a sore neck and a few bruises. Since forming in 2008, they have become one of the hardest gigging metal bands on the Island. In that time, they have played all over the Maritimes.
http://www.reverbnation.com/deathvalleydriver
FRESHTABLES PRESENTS: ADVENTURE CLUB, DVBBS, FRESHTABLES, BIT FUNK, P-80, DOC BROWN, MATTYBOH @ The New Palace $20
Brooklyn's Bit Funk is an indie dance mainstay and Hype Machine chart topper, with songs featured everywhere from Treasure Fingers' DJ crate to the soundtrack for CW's Vampire Diaries. Appearing on major labels from Defected to Hed Kandi, his signature synth drenched disco sound has ignited dance floors from LA's Avalon to exclusive showcases at SXSW.
http://www.bitfunk.com
JAC PRESENTS: THE SPRING STANDARDS, NORTH LAKES, LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS, WIND UP RADIO SESSIONS @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
On their latest nationally acclaimed full length album, 'TRACKS', we find Newfoundlands Long Distance Runners further exploring their stoner rock and folk & bluesy roots. Again, clever wordplay, catchy melodies and sweet harmonies draw the listener into a compelling listening experience.
http://www.thelongdistancerunners.com
HEATHER GREEN, THE MOUNTAINS & THE TREES, JESSIE BROWN @ The Carleton $15
The Mountains & The Trees are/is Jon Janes. He sings tales of sorrow and joy, backed by a variety of instruments . Performances involve a mixture of storytelling and songs that engage the audience on a personal level, leaving them with a warmth in their heart and a smile on their face.
D5R PRESENTS: CAULDRON, DANCE LAURY DANCE, BLACK MOOR, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER, DIEMONDS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
Black Moor plays pure, unapologetic heavy metal; think bullet belts, air guitar solos, denim and leather. Never taking themselves too seriously, the boys bring a sense of fun and an explosive live show to the stage which has made them one of the premiere metal acts on the Canadian East Coast.
http://www.black-moor.com
WEIRD CANADA PRESENTS: EACH OTHER, FREAK HEAT WAVES, TORSO, HEAVEN FOR REAL @ The Bus Stop Theatre $10
Rich in guitar with shimmer while some texture psychedelic and pop harmonies, songs of either drum. to amplify it further, sheath unique addition to it becoming clear outline more a moment feel have also to the strength of the core is.
eachotherssongs.bandcamp.com
JAGERMEISTER PRESENTS: EL-P, AMBITION, RYAN HEMSWORTH, AIN'T NO LOVE, WEIRDO CLICK @ Reflections Cabaret $20
As a lyricist, El-P is a hyper-verbose spitfire full of paranoia and contradictions. Production-wise, his electro-aggro beats are forward-leaning in a way that conjures images of gunmetal gray machines, and the political ideology of 1984.
http://www.facebook.com/THEREALELP
RDIO PRESENTS: PURITY RING, SOUTHERN SHORES, ORGAN MAGIC, CLUB STOIC @ The Marquee Club $20
This organ is magic.
SCECRET GUEST, THE NYMPHETS, SONIC AVENUES, FAT STUPIDS @ Gus' Pub $10
After obliterating eardrums from stages across North America and Europe in support of their blistering, triple-sold-out 2009 self-titled debut album, these four Montreal punk-poppers returned in 2012 with a crushing follow-up for revered Portland-based punk label DIRTNAP RECORDS, and conquered Europe for the second time in as many years!
http://www.sonicavenues.com
TASSEOMANCY, DEMETRA, DOOM SQUAD, SEA GLASSES @ The Company House $10
Tasseomancy is a continuation of what was a bare bones neo-folk duo. Formerly known as Ghost Bees, Canadian twins Sari and Romy Lightman have found a heavier, more ambient sound, ripe with dreamy, dissonant vocals, influenced by eastern song, drone music, phonography and myth.
http://www.twitter.com/tasseomusic
MOLSON M PRESENTS: WINTERSLEEP, ELLIOTT BROOD, RAIN OVER ST. AMBROSE, KESTRELS @ Olympic Community Hall $32
Ambitious and remarkably accessible. Not since Eric's Trip has a Canadian band managed to so successfully combine music that's both head-smashingly heavy and heart-achingly delicate." -FFWD Magazine, Calgary
http://wintersleep.com/
HEATHER GREEN & SLOW DOWN, MOLASSES @ The Carleton $15
Heather Green initially commands the stage with an endearing bashfulness that quickly disappears when the first notes are sung. Shifting from cordial conversation to witty wisecracks, her live performance is as multifaceted as her music.
http://www.heathergreen.ca
FRESHTABLES PRESENTS: ADVENTURE CLUB, DVBBS, FRESHTABLES, BIT FUNK, P-80, DOC BROWN, MATTYBOH @ The New Palace $20
dVbbS is an electro/house duo from Toronto, Canada. Alex & Chris write and produce bangers that are sure to keep the party going. Their unique style allowed them to quickly build a loyal fanbase, which in turn allowed them to release their EP Initio in March, 2012.
http://dvbbs.com/
JAC PRESENTS: THE SPRING STANDARDS, NORTH LAKES, LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS, WIND UP RADIO SESSIONS @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
North Lakes are a five-piece rock'n'roll band from Charlottetown, PEI. Their first LP 'Cobra' was named "Best Alternative Recording of the Year" by Music PEI in 2011. North Lakes have recently completed recording their second album, 'Grand Prix', which they will be promoting over the course of the next year.
http://northlakesmusic.bandcamp.com/
D5R PRESENTS: CAULDRON, DANCE LAURY DANCE, BLACK MOOR, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER, DIEMONDS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
Dance Laury Dance is here to stay. With their rock n' roll high kicks, fiery stares, electrifying solos and irreverent banter, DLD is rock solid. Their music makes crowds go wild and brings life to the party.
http://www.dancelaurydance.com
RDIO PRESENTS: PURITY RING, SOUTHERN SHORES, ORGAN MAGIC, CLUB STOIC @ The Marquee Club $20
Southern Shores return with their highly anticipated second EP, New World. Built on a bed of electronics, breakbeats and Balearic breezes, New World is a technicolour journey across oceans, from one coast to another. Leaving what's familiar, eyes wide to the world that awaits.
SECRET GUEST, THE NYMPHETS, SONIC AVENUES, FAT STUPIDS @ Gus' Pub $10
The Nymphets started in Montreal, and have, more recently, been based in New York, Stockholm and Halifax. They are family and play punk music. They have played shows throughout North America and Europe.
http://thenymphets.com/
JAC PRESENTS: THE SPRING STANDARDS, NORTH LAKES, LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS, WIND UP RADIO SESSIONS @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
An energetic force of three-part harmony circling over a rock n' roll sound with an old country aftertaste. They explode on stage with spirit, spontaneity, and a style all their own. "They willingly embrace dissonance, and their execution is impeccable, from their tight, CSN-worthy vocal harmonies to their wickedly intense percussive power."
http://www.thespringstandards.com
FRESHTABLES PRESENTS: ADVENTURE CLUB, DVBBS, FRESHTABLES, BIT FUNK, P-80, DOC BROWN, MATTYBOH @ The New Palace $20
Full time dubsteppers, part time lumber jacks.
http://www.facebook.com/AdventureClubDub
D5R PRESENTS: CAULDRON, DANCE LAURY DANCE, BLACK MOOR, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER, DIEMONDS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
In 2011, CAULDRON's sophomore studio album Burning Fortune upped the ante for the band. The video track 'All Or Nothing' made its way onto the Rock Band Network and garnered more then 350,000 views on YouTube/Vevo. Burning Fortune also gained the band a JUNO nomination for Best Metal Record.
http://cauldronmetal.com
RDIO PRESENTS: PURITY RING, SOUTHERN SHORES, ORGAN MAGIC, CLUB STOIC @ The Marquee Club $20
Purity Ring makes lullabies for the club, drawing equally from airy 90s r&b, lush dream pop, and the powerful immediacy of the very best modern indie pop...beautifully alien.
http://purityringsongs.com/
FRESHTABLES PRESENTS: ADVENTURE CLUB, DVBBS, FRESHTABLES, BIT FUNK, P-80, DOC BROWN, MATTYBOH @ The New Palace $20
Remember the good old days of Dubstep, Moombahton & Electro... oh wait, those days are now. With DJ Olympics, a radio show and award winning online music mag 'Triple-Bypass' under his belt, Freshtables will make you move like you didn't know you could.
http://www.soundcloud.com/freshtables
FRESHTABLES PRESENTS: ADVENTURE CLUB, DVBBS, FRESHTABLES, BIT FUNK, P-80, DOC BROWN, MATTYBOH @ The New Palace $20
I live for music and performing. I began DJ-ing after falling in love with electronic music at Evolve festival many years ago. I love to improvise my sets based on time and setting, also including most electronic genres that are relevant; Electro-House, Breaks, Dubstep, Drum & Bass, and Glitch Hop.
http://www.facebook.com/docbrownbass
FRESHTABLES PRESENTS: ADVENTURE CLUB, DVBBS, FRESHTABLES, BIT FUNK, P-80, DOC BROWN, MATTYBOH @ The New Palace $20
Halifax bass music producer and DJ, signed to Code of Arms Records (NYC) and Freak2Freak Records (FL). His energetic sets provide a fresh yet familiar angle to electronic music and are nothing short of ground shaking.
http://www.wickedbad.net/P-80
Wednesday, October 17-Friday, October 19
HPX DIGITAL LOUNGE, ATLANTICA HOTEL, 1980 ROBIE STREET, 9AM-5PM
PRESENTED BY THE HUB HALIFAX
From software to hardware, video to virtual, the HPX Digital Lounge will allow attendees to experience some of the best in games, gadgets, and other technology to come out of the Atlantic and beyond in a comfortable shared workspace environment presented by the Hub Halifax.
The HPX Digital Lounge is at the centre of conference activity, serving as the hub for meeting other attendees, catch up on work related emails as well as a chance to play some great games and experience some interactive tech and otherwise hang out and enjoy yourself with some very cool people.
Crowdfunding Fuels Big Change
Musicians, artists and entrepreneurs are connected more deeply to their audience and network than ever before. Modern social networking makes reaching out simple and virtually free, while the costs of creative production and distribution have decreased. A new revolution is emerging on this grassroots level of creativity: crowdfunding. By leveraging one’s network and audience for funds, this manifesto combines the emotional power of traditional patronage with the massive reach of digital communication.
SPEAKER: Brian Meece
Dynamic Instability: Rebooting How You Work
The explosion in mobile has made responsive design a necessity for any forward looking organization, but it's not just about the code. How can we help clients understand the new challenges, costs and realities of responsive projects? It demands a new way of working based on some not-so-new concepts. Agile development in it's simplest form provides the ideas you need to take your work to the next level and avoid the odyssey of pain that awaits waterfall practitioners. In this session we'll see why responsive projects need this, practical ways to do it and what's gonna happen when you don't. Death to Excel!
SPEAKER: Kurt Krumme
Physical Interfaces and Warm Feelings
When making physical installations it’s important to ask the question, “What should this feel like?” Every decision made over the course of an installation project directly affects how people will react to it. Putting thought into the emotional impact of an interface is a key part of our process. It starts with a feeling, and along the way we use cardboard, fur, bike tires, treadmills, sugar cubes, and ping pong balls to make those emotions happen. We’ll show technology that you can swim through, jump on and ride through the forest with. Interactivity goes far beyond buttons and swipey menus, and we’d love to show you how.
SPEAKERS: Zander Bromijoin , Charlie Whitney
Strategies for pitching new clients
Whether it’s a cold-call (ugh!), networking, or word of mouth, the “pitch” is crucial in establishing your relationship with prospective clients. Attendees will learn how to use social media, branding, research, and charisma to land the kinds of clients they've always wanted to. We'll look at examples of what some studios use and hear examples from the presenter on how he landed clients like Dave Matthews Band, IFC, Greenpeace, Oxfam, and more. Attend this presentation and you’ll be full of confidence the next time you are approaching a new client!
SPEAKER: Daniel Schutzsmith
Mess with Texas: How to do SXSW Right
You’ve been accepted to play South By Southwest! You won the battle, but can you win the war? Getting to Austin and making a splash at South By requires a LOT of hard work. This discussion will help you navigate the long road to Texas.
Speakers: Brad First- SXSW, Jason Burns- Sonic Entertainment Group, Scott Long- Music Nova Scotia, John Mulane- In-Flight Safety
Design Renegade
In order to reach our goals in the upside-down world of graphic design, you need to be a rogue. A misfit. A renegade. James White from the Signalnoise Studio has based his career on doing things outside of the ordinary, turning his back on boardrooms and creative briefs in order to chase his design dreams with vengeance and rock n' roll. He will be telling his story while discussing personal projects built from love and ambition in his small home office in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. These led to him working with respected people all over the world, from his favourite metal band to film juggernaut Kevin Smith. James will talk about chasing your creative path, building your personal body of work, the value of supporting friends, and never forgetting the artist inside. Being "different" isn't enough anymore. You need to be a renegade!
SPEAKER: James White
Points Don't Make It A Game (The Sequel)
At North By Northeast Interactive in 2011 James presented “Points don’t make it a game!” wherein he challenged the assumptions of gamification, which was riding high on the hype cycle at the time. A year later and the space has matured considerably but the pitfalls remain, trying to apply game design like a coat of paint is just going to leave you with a peeling mess. James will examine how game mechanics modify player behaviour and why they have to be built into the foundations of an experience to succeed.
Founding Fathers…and Mothers!
Come experience 20 years of Halifax Pop Explosion history in one hour! Hear incredible stories about the early struggles, the best shows, the mysterious missing year, and the current successes of the festival straight from the source. They were there, man. They were there.
Moderator: Allison Outhit Speakers: Peter Rowan, Angie Fenwick Gibb, Waye Mason, Shelley MacPhail
Funding Digital Projects: Government & Private Sector Perspectives (Panel)
As competition for funding increases, your business' ability to present itself as both an innovative organization and also a solid investment is harder than ever. Are granting agencies becoming become more conservative and risk averse? Should you be emphasizing feasibility instead of innovation? How can you best communicate, position and network you way to gaining support for your vision, regardless of how unconventional it may be? Join our panel of experts from the National Research Council, the province and more to learn how to turn your creativity into opportunity
Moderator: TBD
Speakers: Duncan McKie, Jeff Stockhausen, Patrick Keefe, Jevon MacDonald
Mobile Stuff We'de Like to Build and Use More Of
This discussion examines how technology, design and content applies to mobile going forward. We’ll identify mobile trends as they relate to publishing, advertising and content distribution (confirm panelist comfort). Focusing on technology forward-looking but not far-removed from today’s state, such as casual local social networks, cross-screen environments, less disruptive monetization (if we can make more money, we can do more stuff!). Also discussing notable apps: Highlight (local social network), MLB At Bat (in-app purchase), Draw Something (social mobile gaming) and Instagram (confirm these are apps panelists comfy speaking to). Does building awesome product suffice in gaining user adoption?
MODERATOR: TBD
PANELISTS: Phil Giroux, Bill Wilson, John Arnold, Andrew Burke
Please Refer to Management: A Q&A with Music Managers
Participate in a discussion period for artists and managers, addressing the issues the face in today’s ever-changing industry. In this workshop, a panel of active and experienced managers are set to answer YOUR questions, so come prepared to ask and learn! Moderator: Tim Hardy- SOCAN
Speakers: Craig Hill- 2+2 Management, Jeffrey Remedios- Arts & Crafts, Jason Murray- Black Box Music, Sheri Jones- Jones & Co. Management
The Creative Process: From Inception to Realization
Legendary jazz drummer Jerry Granelli delves into the creative process of composition. These skills are the underbelly of technical ability and without them one’s technical ability amounts to little musically. The objective is to arrive at the point where you become more familiar with playing in the moment.
Speaker: Jerry Granelli
Back to the Good Old Tangible World
It’s time to move away from the safe margins of our screens and experience the sensations of the good old tangible real world. As the boundaries between the real world and what we used to call digital are blurring, we have the unmissable opportunity to innovate, combining creativity and technology to define new emotional experiences and new ways for people to interact with each other. Join Riccardo for an overview of B-Reel’s approach to experimental technology, storytelling and the tangibleness of interactive experiences.
SPEAKER: Riccardo Giraldi
Project Butterfly: Escaping the Web
What effect can learning about how sociable people interact in the real world have on the online space? We set out on a multi-city project, both online and in the real world, actively immersing ourselves in a variety of communities so that we could truly understand the elements that contribute to interaction and involvement. We entered real-life communities ranging from coastal skateparks to suburban supermalls, making observations and conducting “speed friending” experiments. We infiltrated college fraternities, entrepreneur hotspots and senior citizen get-togethers, all the time chronicling sociable behaviours and the way that they developed. We contrasted this with an exploration of 'online hyperconnectors', people who were extremely active on social media, those with literally thousands of friends on facebook/ twitter, those who self identified as being highly influential. By learning how we naturally interact with each other and by building a framework of how 'highly sociable' people work in each sphere, we're able to use this knowledge to help build online social communities that act more naturally. This immersive qualitative work seamlessly merged social psychology, digital anthropology with cutting edge ethnography and is a collaboration between Toronto's The Palmerston Group and Seattle's Cole + Weber United.
SPEAKER: Daniel Berkal
Drop the Beat: Emerging EDM and what it means for the music industry
All over the world, Electronic Dance Music artists are smashing sales records and headlining major music festivals. Suffice to say, the genre and its culture has broken into the mainstream, with little, if any, signs of slowing down. This discussion will examine the rapid rise of EDM and its effect on the music industry as a whole, from both a creative and industry perspective.
Moderator: Scott Honsberger Speakers: Craig Hill- 2+2 Management, James McBean- The New HFX, Rob Daily- Daily Unsigned, Rachel Noonan- RDIO
Meet the Managers: A Music Managers Forum Roundtable
***This event limited to 30 attendees. Please email josh@halifaxpopexplosion.com to register.*** Following the managers’ Q&A session, this roundtable will give you the chance to sit down with some of the best in the business to explore some more in-depth issues surrounding music management. Great for artists, managers and students alike.
MANAGERS: Jeffery Remedios- Arts & Crafts, Jason Murray- Black Box Music, Sherri Jones- Jones & Co. Management, Peter Rowan- Peter Rowan Management
Alexis Ohanian Keynote
Music, Culture, Media, and Cats will never be the same. And that’s awesome news.
SPEAKER: Alexis Ohanian
Band:Smart with Martin Atkins
After his book *Tour:Smart* taught everyone the ins and outs of life on the road, Martin returns with lessons from his new book, *Band:Smart*. There are numerous obstacles to success in the music industry...your band should NOT be one of them. Smarten up with *Band:Smart*.
Speaker: Martin Atkins
FAT STUPIDS & SONIC AVENUES @ CKDU FREE
After obliterating eardrums from stages across North America and Europe in support of their blistering, triple-sold-out 2009 self-titled debut album, these four Montreal punk-poppers returned in 2012 with a crushing follow-up for revered Portland-based punk label DIRTNAP RECORDS, and conquered Europe for the second time in as many years!
http://www.sonicavenues.com
CAULDRON, BLACK MOOR, DUMPSTER MUMMY, METALHEART @ The Pavilion $10
Replete with heavy riffs, thematic lyrics, classically influenced instrumentation and explosive double bass drum grooves decorated by intense guitar and keyboard solos, Metalheart is a fusion of Progressive Metal, Power Metal, Neoclassical Metal, Thrash Metal and 80's Hard Rock.
https://www.facebook.com/MetalheartOfficial
FAT STUPIDS & SONIC AVENUES @ CKDU FREE
Mostly fat and stupid as a fox, this three chord pop-punk trio from Halifax 1-2-3-4's its way through its set with buzzsaw guitars, dual lead vocals and a bone crushing back beat. Quit your job, drop out of school and come join us; we're with the Fat Stupids.
http://fatstupids.bandcamp.com/
CAULDRON, BLACK MOOR, DUMPSTER MUMMY, METALHEART @ The Pavilion $10
Intensity in physical form, Not just musically, but visually. With a wide variety of influences, Dumpster Mummy offers an original twist to traditional heavy music. Providing a relentless live performance, full of energy and aggression.
http://www.facebook.com/dumpstermummy
SYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIA PRESENTS: DAN MANGAN WITH SYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIA @ The Rebecca Cohn Auditorium *SOLD OUT* (1 ticket is included in HPX VIP Pass which are still available)
In a few short years, Dan Mangan has gone from globetrotting folk crooner to one of independent music's most promising storytellers.
http://www.danmanganmusic.com
CAULDRON, BLACK MOOR, DUMPSTER MUMMY, METALHEART @ The Pavilion $10
Black Moor plays pure, unapologetic heavy metal; think bullet belts, air guitar solos, denim and leather. Never taking themselves too seriously, the boys bring a sense of fun and an explosive live show to the stage which has made them one of the premiere metal acts on the Canadian East Coast.
http://www.black-moor.com
IN THE DEAD OF WINTER PRESENTS: THE BURNING HELL, CATRIONA STURTON, AMOS THE TRANSPARENT, DARK FOR DARK @ The Company House $15
Dark For Dark is a trio of merciful women. Their hearts large and harmonies lulling, they write 'you and me' songs, 'she and he' songs; songs about people trying to figure out how and where to sit quietly and love.
LIXAR PRESENTS: OF MONTREAL, SHEER AGONY, THE BICYCLES, HYMM @ Olympic Community Hall $32
Like a kick in the POP ROCKs with an oversized novelty COWBOY boot. Blah blah blah blasphemy.
http://hymm.bandcamp.com/
TICKETPRO PRESENTS: YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN & INSTRUMENTS @ St. Matthew's Church $25
Minimalist ambient particle rock; by nerds, for nerds since 1993.
http://instrumentslab.com/
JAZZEAST PRESENTS: JERRY GRANELLI, HEY MOTHER DEATH, PANOS, SPECIAL COSTELLO @ The Bus Stop Theatre $15
Their shows glisten with theatrical bravura as they take the stage in face paint and outlandish costumes. The music being bass and drums exclusively is stripped down, yes, but still commands your attention and sings to you as if you were the only girl/boy in the world.
http://specialcostello.bandcamp.com/
CONVERSE PRESENTS: CEREMONY, BAD VIBRATIONS, CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN, YELLOWTEETH @ Reflections Cabaret $15
Yellowteeth was formed out of frustration and the boredom of a small town summer. Four friends gave birth to a band that threatens to tear itself apart at any second. Shredding guitar, gain, crunch and hooks. Yellowteeth wants to peel your skin off one layer at a time.
http://yellow-teeth.bandcamp.com/
HPX DIGITAL CLOSING PARTY
We’ve reached the end of what we hope was an awesome week spent with inspiring speakers and attendees and want to go out with a bang. Join us at the Pacifico Nightclub for a few hours of musical entertainment and refreshment designed to get you primed for our Friday night festival program, which includes some of the most exciting music in 18 venues throughout the downtown core.
$25 or included in your HPX Digital Pass
IN THE DEAD OF WINTER PRESENTS: THE BURNING HELL, CATRIONA STRUTON, AMOS THE TRANSPARENT, TBA @ The Company House $15
Although they claim to be transparent Amos are anything but. They live between the light and the dark, sometimes in the shadows, occasionally in the dark, more often in the light. Their songs take them there. Quantum shifts between heavy and light, soft and hard, loud and quiet.
http://www.amosthetransparent.com
CANADIAN BLAST SHOWCASE! PAPER LIONS, COYOTE, EXTRA HAPPY GHOST!!!, TECHNICAL KIDMAN, BREDRINS @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
One half surf-pop and one half angular guitar, Bredrins are singing you love songs from the underground. Originally from Halifax, this husband-wife duo recently packed up their belongings and moved to Northern Ontario. Now they sing about the ocean.
http://bredrins.bandcamp.com/
CONVERSE PRESENTS: CEREMONY, BAD VIBRATIONS, CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN, YELLOWTEETH @ Reflections Cabaret $15
Castle Wolfenstein are a five piece blackened hardcore punk/metal band from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Forming in the winter of 2009, Castle Wolfenstein has since released a demo ("Demo I"), a split CD with Oceans Apart, and are soon to release their first full length record, Enter Castle Wolfenstein, in Spring of 2012.
http://castlewolfenstein.bandcamp.com
CAULDRON, BLACK MOOR, DUMPSTER MUMMY, METALHEART @ The Pavilion $10
In 2011, CAULDRON's sophomore studio album Burning Fortune upped the ante for the band. The video track 'All Or Nothing' made its way onto the Rock Band Network and garnered more then 350,000 views on YouTube/Vevo. Burning Fortune also gained the band a JUNO nomination for Best Metal Record.
http://cauldronmetal.com
JAZZEAST PRESENTS: JERRY GRANELLI, HEY MOTHER DEATH, PANOS, SPECIAL COSTELLO @ The Bus Stop Theatre $15
PANOS is Panos Giannoulis' (Their Majesties, Jerry Granelli) songs played on guitar, bass, drums, sax, violin and red-light district church bells.
LIXAR PRESENTS: OF MONTREAL, SHEER AGONY, THE BICYCLES, HYMM @ Olympic Community Hall $32
For over a decade The Bicycles have been purveyors of perfect, compact pop. Their 2 albums, "The Good, The Bad and The Cuddly" (2006) and "Oh No, It's Love (2008)" combine classic songwriting and musicianship with scrappy DIY energy.
http://thebicycles.bandcamp.com
TICKETPRO PRESENTS: YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN & INSTRUMENTS @ St. Matthew's Church $25
Through reference to a variety of cultural forms the band shatters the comfort with which colonialist cultures have appropriated the image and art of Asian and First Nations peoples to assemble a unique hybrid form. This is Noh-Wave, and it simultaneously recalls pop and J-pop, British prog and Japanese psychedelia, punk rock and Iroquois social songs, black metal and Chinese Opera, noise music and Noh theatre.
http://yamantakasonictitan.bandcamp.com/
LIXAR PRESENTS: DEER TICK, THE NOVAKS, THE BELLE COMEDIANS, BILLIE DRE AND THE POOR BOYS @ The Marquee Club $25
Billie Dre and the Poor Boys started in late 2010 as a recording project between former Childern of Eve guitarist William Dray and former Grass drummer Dylan Ryan. Finding common ground in old country and rock and roll records the pair soon started to find a sound. Corey Henderson soon became the perfect fit to play bass and the Poor Boys were born.
http://www.facebook.com/BillieDre
THE NEW HFX PRESENTS: DJ CRAZE, SKRATCH BASTID, DJ IV, NICK BIKE, DJ JAMES REID, DJ T-WOO @ The New Palace ADV $15
Based out of Halifax, NS, T-Woo has been playing all over the east coast for over 5 years. More than comfortable jumping between genres, Woo is one of the most versatile hard working djs in Atlantic Canada. He has the knowledge and experience to rock any party, big or small.
CONVERSE PRESENTS: CEREMONY, BAD VIBRATIONS, CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN, YELLOWTEETH @ Reflections Cabaret $15
Delivering sweet mayhem to friends and strangers since 2009.
http://badvibrations.bandcamp.com/
IN THE DEAD OF WINTER PRESENTS: THE BURNING HELL, CATRIONA STRUTON, AMOS THE TRANSPARENT, TBA @ The Company House $15
Catriona Sturton plays deep, raw instrumental blues, and sings light, sweet songs. She learned to file harmonica reeds in a Halifax alley, studied in New Orleans and Mississippi, and apprenticed with master teachers of shamisen (Japan) and ngoni (Mali). Her heavier guitar playing has been mistaken for Ali Farka Toure's.
http://catrionasturton.com
PIGEON ROW PRESENTS: LANTERN, MIKE O'NEILL, JON MCKIEL, OLD AND WEIRD @ Gus' Pub $15
Old & Weird are four friends from Halifax. Pretty much one person says "I was doing this," and the other person says "cool." They include one to a million ideas per song.
http://oldandweird.bandcamp.com/
LIXAR PRESENTS: OF MONTREAL, SHEER AGONY, THE BICYCLES, HYMM @ Olympic Community Hall $32
Sheer Agony began as a recording project between the guitar-playing half of Play Guitar, Jackson MacIntosh and Christian Simmons. Along with Markus Lake on bass, they play eccentric guitar pop in the vein of the Soft Boys, the dB's, Sell Out-era Who, Todd Rundgren, and the Homosexuals.
http://sheeragony.bandcamp.com/
CANADIAN BLAST SHOWCASE! PAPER LIONS, COYOTE, EXTRA HAPPY GHOST!!!, TECHNICAL KIDMAN, BREDRINS @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
"These guys are like Spiritualized if Spiritualized were more fun, less cerebral and more into the ritualistic dance circles." Dan Seligman [Pop Montreal]
http://vimeo.com/23612830
ROCKABILLY RIOT PRESENTS: GINGER ST. JAMES, BIG JOHN BATES, BUDDY MCNEIL AND THE MAGIC MIRRORS, THE GREEN REFLECTORS, HELENA DARLING @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
A two piece instrumental rock band based in Bridgewater, NS. Think tube amps and vintage vinyl records, 60's flavour rock n' roll influenced by such artists as Link Wray, The Ventures and The Beatles. Their music includes a few tribute songs and some catchy original numbers.
http://thegreenreflectors.bandcamp.com/
JAZZEAST PRESENTS: JERRY GRANELLI, HEY MOTHER DEATH, PANOS, SPECIAL COSTELLO @ The Bus Stop Theatre $15
Hey Mother Death are partners Laurence Strelka (Paris) and Denma Peisinger (Halifax). Ethereal French and English poetry, wild avant-guitar exploration, minimalist organs, deconstructed rhythm. The duo create a mesmerizing, dark and dramatic moodscape. An unclassifiable and surprising late night vibe. The free jazz score of a forgotten avant-gard French film
http://heymotherdeath.com/
JAGERMEISTER LOUNGE
Come down to the Jagermeister Lounge for two nights of exclusive parties. Open only to Bands, Delegates and Wristband and Pass holders, the Jagermeister Lounge will have performances and a party vibe. Open to 19+ only.
THE NEW HFX PRESENTS: DJ CRAZE, SKRATCH BASTID, DJ IV, NICK BIKE, DJ JAMES REID, DJ T-WOO @ The New Palace ADV $15
Straight out of Halifax, this young playa has been making crowds "get buck" for a minute. Whether he's playing dirty-south rap classics, or indie rock hits, you know the party will be poppin' off!
http://www.twitter.com/JamesDReid
LIXAR PRESENTS: DEER TICK, THE NOVAKS, THE BELLE COMEDIANS, BILLIE DRE AND THE POOR BOYS @ The Marquee Club $25
Belle Comedians are the kind of band that takes the stage like they are climbing into your ear and hanging out for while. It’s a comfortable and interesting sensation. Their music aims for impact; songs build and flow, with lush arrangements and emotionally driven vocals, taking you by the hand and sharing with you a story you want to hear. The band blend the heartfelt, intricate songwriting of singer Benjamin Ross with a jangling musical style comprised of elements of folk, alt-country and indie rock.
http://thebellecomedians.bandcamp.com/
ROCKABILLY RIOT PRESENTS: GINGER ST. JAMES, BIG JOHN BATES, BUDDY MCNEIL AND THE MAGIC MIRRORS, THE GREEN REFLECTORS, HELENA DARLING @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
Helena Darling is a volcano of energy that erupted on Halifax’s scene in ‘10. She is a pin up model, a tattoo artist, and a tiger on the stage. This temptress takes command of the room, and she likes it when you watch!
ROCKABILLY RIOT PRESENTS: GINGER ST. JAMES, BIG JOHN BATES, BUDDY MCNEIL AND THE MAGIC MIRRORS, THE GREEN REFLECTORS, HELENA DARLING @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
A 50s journey revisited by the musicians of the band - four well-known faces of the Montreal indie scene - which gave birth to a first EP from the Buddy McNeil Collection in spring 2008. A happy mix of 60s rock'n'roll garage, 50s high school pop dance, country and South-West cotton blues... Wam Bam! www.myspace.com/buddymcneilandthemagicmirrors
CANADIAN BLAST SHOWCASE! PAPER LIONS, COYOTE, EXTRA HAPPY GHOST!!!, TECHNICAL KIDMAN, BREDRINS @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
Extra Happy Ghost!!! used to say, "happiness is not found at the end of a rainbow, it lays in a sensory deprivation chamber with 'red headed stranger' playing on repeat". It turns out, that requires sound - now they say nothing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9c9VxIrOhk&feature=relmfu
PIGEON ROW PRESENTS: LANTERN, MIKE O'NEILL, JON MCKIEL, OLD AND WEIRD @ Gus' Pub $15
On the edge of a golden river there is a small house filled with dark songs. Jon McKiel makes music that rides that elusive line between feathery folk and a total sludgefest.
http://jonmckiel.com/
CONVERSE PRESENTS: CEREMONY, BAD VIBRATIONS, CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN, YELLOWTEETH @ Reflections Cabaret $15
Ceremony are a punk band from Rohnert Park, California, just outside of San Francisco. Their three albums on the Deathwish and Bridge 9 labels are widely seen as the most compelling, unusual and progressive hardcore of the last five years.
http://www.ceremonyhc.com/
LIXAR PRESENTS: OF MONTREAL, SHEER AGONY, THE BICYCLES, HYMM @ Olympic Community Hall $32
Euphoric indie pop...not from Montreal.
http://www.ofmontreal.net/
IN THE DEAD OF WINTER PRESENTS: THE BURNING HELL, CATRIONA STRUTON, AMOS THE TRANSPARENT, TBA @ The Company House $15
The Burning Hell is the alter-ego of ukulele player and all-purpose nerd Mathias Kom, now happily based in St. John's, Newfoundland. The essence of The Burning Hell is music to dance to while laughing about death and smiling out of the side of your mouth.
http://www.wearetheburninghell.com
JAZZEAST PRESENTS: JERRY GRANELLI, HEY MOTHER DEATH, PANOS, SPECIAL COSTELLO @ The Bus Stop Theatre $15
Jazz Times magazine calls Granelli “one of those uncategorizable veteran percussionists who's done it all.” A Canadian citizen since 1999, Granelli burns with an intensity fuelled by a passion for “the pursuit of the spirit of spontaneity which drives the player.” A veteran of the San Francisco jazz scene, Granelli's recent flourish of recordings has documented remarkable collaborations between the generations.
http://www.jerrygranelli.com/site/
THE NEW HFX PRESENTS: DJ CRAZE, SKRATCH BASTID, DJ IV, NICK BIKE, DJ JAMES REID, DJ T-WOO @ The New Palace ADV $15
Nick Bike is an open-format DJ and producer. He has had the opportunity to play across the country with some of Canada's finest DJ talent, all while obtaining his BBA at UPEI. Continuously pumping out mixtapes and various productions, he prides himself on constant learning, dedication, and hard work.
http://www.djnickbike.com
LIXAR PRESENTS: DEER TICK, THE NOVAKS, THE BELLE COMEDIANS, BILLIE DRE AND THE POOR BOYS @ The Marquee Club $25
The Novaks are a Rock group from St. John’s, Newfoundland, a lovely little island in the North Atlantic, but geographically the worst place in the world for band headquarters. Mick sings (please take this lightly) and plays the guitar, Mark plays (...again...) the bass, Elliot plays (...nope...he’s actually quite good) the drums.
http://thenovaks.ca/
ROCKABILLY RIOT PRESENTS: GINGER ST. JAMES, BIG JOHN BATES, BUDDY MCNEIL AND THE MAGIC MIRRORS, THE GREEN REFLECTORS, HELENA DARLING @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
Fuelled by fire and keeping whiskey within close reach, Bates & his razor-sharp Gretsch chiseled out a career with a caravan of misfits, playing hundreds of shows every year across North America & Europe. Big John Bates has what Pavement might describe as miles of style, as the Gretsch-slinging frontman drags his throwback roots music through the heart of Death Valley
http://www.bigjohnbates.com
CANADIAN BLAST SHOWCASE! PAPER LIONS, COYOTE, EXTRA HAPPY GHOST!!!, TECHNICAL KIDMAN, BREDRINS @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
Coyote is a five-piece band hailing from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. With an explosive and energetic live show, the group produces up-tempo indie rock and unleashes a wall of sound decorated with whimsical lyrics and brave leads.
http://wearecoyote.bandcamp.com/
PIGEON ROW PRESENTS: LANTERN, MIKE O'NEILL, JON MCKIEL, OLD AND WEIRD @ Gus' Pub $15
Mike O'Neill has "has sounds that range from the explosion of the noon gun on the Halifax Citadel to the intimacy of a phone call between friends. It has hip hop drums and doo-wop harmonies. Each song is approached differently, but the songs bear a familial resemblance; they make sense together."
http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/Mike-ONeill
THE NEW HFX PRESENTS: DJ CRAZE, SKRATCH BASTID, DJ IV, NICK BIKE, DJ JAMES REID, DJ T-WOO @ The New Palace ADV $15
Halifax's Award Winning Dj IV started his early career as a Battle Dj & has since progressed his style into a Party-Rockin', Remixing Turntablist who is the OFFICIAL Dj for local legends Classified & Universal Soul.
http://www.theivleague.ca/
LIXAR PRESENTS: DEER TICK, THE NOVAKS, THE BELLE COMEDIANS, BILLIE DRE AND THE POOR BOYS @ The Marquee Club $25
The songs are there. The delivery is in your face. There's no studio magic. There's no hiding the fact that Deer Tick is just five regular dudes making music that is raw, loud, heartfelt, and completely uninterested in whatever the hell the rest of the music industry is up to.
http://www.deertickmusic.com/
CANADIAN BLAST SHOWCASE! PAPER LIONS, COYOTE, EXTRA HAPPY GHOST!!!, TECHNICAL KIDMAN, BREDRINS $15
Paper Lions are a rock band from Belfast, PEI renowned for clear-voiced harmonies, clanging guitars, and vibrant pop songs. They are currently enjoying an upswell of fan-driven support for their latest EP, ‘At Long Creek’, and their video for “Traveling” has gone viral with 2 million views.
http://paperlions.com/
ROCKABILLY RIOT PRESENTS: GINGER ST. JAMES, BIG JOHN BATES, BUDDY MCNEIL AND THE MAGIC MIRRORS, THE GREEN REFLECTORS, HELENA DARLING @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
"Ginger St. James cleverly mixes vaudeville, cabaret, rock and roll and tease like a bartender fixing a million dollar drink."
http://www.gingerstjames.com
PIGEON ROW PRESENTS: LANTERN, MIKE O'NEILL, JON MCKIEL, OLD AND WEIRD @ Gus' Pub $15
After a couple of killer cassettes on Night-People and also perpetually backing everyone’s favorite crooner Dirty Beaches, Lantern steps over to Bathetic with their new cassette Dream Mine.
The tape comes out sounding like a rotgut, long-lost Stooges bootleg (coincidentally, there is a seven minute version of the classic “I Wanna Be Your Dog”), but with a bunch of weird shit going on that breaks up the slurred rock, like the heroin-withdrawal rambling drone of “Fools Gold.” This tape is like dreaming of the hottest girl in class while you are actually face-deep in a vat of tar, gasping and choking, snorting and flailing.
Not for the faint of heart, this slab is hot ‘n’ raw, wild ‘n’ nasty. Voodoo drips off the tape as it unwinds. Dip in and get shanked.
http://lantern.bandcamp.com/
THE NEW HFX PRESENTS: DJ CRAZE, SKRATCH BASTID, DJ IV, NICK BIKE, DJ JAMES REID, DJ T-WOO @ The New Palace ADV $15
From his humble beginnings a decade ago as a teenager in Halifax- the illest redhead on turntables has since gone viral. Increasingly recognized for his comfort and versatility in different styles – hip hop, funk, disco, club, rock, and just about every other genre that will make you dance.
http://www.skratchbastid.com/
THE NEW HFX PRESENTS: DJ CRAZE, SKRATCH BASTID, DJ IV, NICK BIKE, DJ JAMES REID, DJ T-WOO @ The New Palace ADV $15
"My mom always taught me I could do anything I put my mind to. So when she asked what I wanted to do with my turntables, I told her, 'Be the best DJ in the world,'" And that he proved 3 times at the DMC World Championships, an unprecedented record.
http://www.djcraze.com/
Major Misconceptions of the Unsigned Artist with Rob Daily
Rob Daily brings one of his most divisive blog posts to life with his “Major misconceptions of the unsigned artist.” After his 16 misconceptions hit the Internet, Rob was both supported and criticized. Which side will you be on?
Speaker: Rob Daily
The Intricate Dance of Crowdfunding and Grants
Did you know that if you got a little bit of money from a bunch of different sources, it would add up to one big vault of cash?! Okay, so maybe the vault isn’t THAT big, but this discussion of WILL help you learn the best way to leverage your funding to achieve your goals.
Speakers: Martin Atkins- *Band:Smart*, Duncan McKie- FACTOR, Mickey Quase- Nova Scotia Culture Division, Laura Simpson- Music Nova Scotia
HALIFAX RECORD FAIR 4- Presented by Halifax Pop Explosion $5 (FREE with HPX wristband/pass)
We are super excited to be working with the folks at Halifax Record Fair for their 4th installment of vinyl awesome happening during HPX on Oct.20th.
All HPX wristbands and pass holders will gain free admission- if you're not too hungover, get up early, avoid the line up and score some treasures!
http://halifaxrecordfair.ca/
Who Needs the Middleman? Social Media Strategy with Alan Cross
Here’s a word to remember: disintermediation. It means “cutting out the middleman,” which is exactly what social media has done for artists and their fans. This is a good thing—mostly. But it also comes with its challenges, difficulties, and perils. Alan will show how things used to be, how they are now and where they could be headed.
Speaker: Alan Cross
This Panel Shouldn’t Exist
Women in rock: Why are we still talking about this? Is it because women playing music is still so notable that we must point it out at every turn? Is it because women playing music is actually a different thing from men playing music? Is it because it’s a marketing tool? And if it's that, why is there such a dearth of women playing festivals—because there aren’t enough, or somebody’s not paying attention—and how do we change that? Is it about changing the conversation, or the programmers, or a larger mindset?
Moderator: Tara Thorne - The Coast, Dance Movie Speakers: Heather Gibson- JazzEast, Allison Outhit- FACTOR
2012 ZINE FAIR! FREEEEEEEE
Brought to you by the Anchor Archive Zine Library and Strange Adventures.
For thirteen years running, this event has been an awesome, annual showcase of all kinds of do-it-yourself projects- zines, small press books, comics, posters, records, cassettes, and more.
2012 Confirmed Tables (more to come!)
David Germain
Buy Me Comics
Fish Bone Prints
Bunch of Farmers Press
snapped in half records
white elephant button co.
Cherry Bomb Zine
DIVORCE
trances people live/
Invisible Publishing
Jordyn Bochon
Tim Carpenter
Tinkercmx
little foible
Conundrum Press
finders keepers printing co
The Socio-Economic Background to the Punk Rock Revloution
Martin Atkins takes us on a journey to the UK and examines the social circumstances that lead to the development of the punk rock scene. Atkins is definitely a leading authority on the topic—not just because he was in a band with Johnny Rotten for five years —but because he grew up in the north of England and mutated from a trippy hair band to punk rock pill head in a couple of years. This is the UK version of punk and the climate that surrounded it—miners’ strikes, the IRA, and some unexpected lessons from the first time he gave this lecture at USC in California.
Speaker: Martin Atkins
Audio Blood & SpinCount present... HPX #DAYPOP A Free Day Party! @ The Khyber
1-6pm Saturday, Oct. 20
Featuring...
1:15pm Amos the Transparent
1:55pm Natasha Peach
2:35pm Gabrielle Papillon
3:15pm Dana Beeler
3:55pm Hands & Teeth
4:15pm Jessie Brown
4:55pm Revelstoke
5:35pm Steven MacDougall
FREE with a #DAYPOP tweet!
Artist Interview: 20th Anniversary Edition
Come hang out and hear about the explosion of music that lead Halifax to be dubbed “Seattle East.” Mike Campbell leads our 20th Anniversary talk with members of seminal Halifax bands The Super Friendz, Cool Blue Halo, Hip Club Groove, and The Strate Jackets in advance of their performance Saturday night. Host: Mike Campbell Speakers: Cory Bowles- Hip Club Groove, Charles Austin- The Super Friendz, Paul Boudreau- Cool Blue Halo, Scott MacCulloch- The Stratejakets
Above Average: The Best Seven Inches You’ll Get This Year
Damian Abraham, of the self-described (and HPX alum) pretentious punk band Fucked Up, is here to share his incredible collection of seven-inch records through a decade-by- decade dissemination. Hear songs from well-known musical influences as well as long-forgotten scene builders that not only shaped Damian’s musical identity, but may have helped forge the shape of music to come.
Speaker: Damian Abraham
CONVERSE PRESENTS: BANE, CEREMONY, CODE ORANGE KIDS, SECRET GUEST, BARLOW @ The Pavilion $15
Barlow are a thrash/hardcore band with rock and roll styling to match. Slow and brooding, the intensity rolls out with ease as they grind your bones to bake their bread whilst deafening drums, gritty bass and screaming guitars come together as one unit, backed up by loathsome vocals, to paint an intimidating picture.
http://facebook.com/barlowband
CONVERSE PRESENTS: BANE, CEREMONY, CODE ORANGE KIDS, SECRET GUEST, BARLOW @ The Pavilion $15
Who could it be? Follow @halifaxpopx on Twitter to find out…or just show up, it'll be a surprise!
CONVERSE PRESENTS: BANE, CEREMONY, CODE ORANGE KIDS, SECRET GUEST, BARLOW @ The Pavilion $15
Code Orange Kids are a lot of things: they're from Pittsburgh, they're all teenagers, they play hardcore and we'd be damned if you can find anything that will leave you feeling the same after one of their notorious shows.
http://topshelfrecords.com/tsr2/_pages/artist_code_orange_kids.php
CONVERSE PRESENTS: BANE, CEREMONY, CODE ORANGE KIDS, SECRET GUEST, BARLOW @ The Pavilion $15
Ceremony are a punk band from Rohnert Park, California, just outside of San Francisco. Their three albums on the Deathwish and Bridge 9 labels are widely seen as the most compelling, unusual and progressive hardcore of the last five years.
http://www.ceremonyhc.com/
SIRIUS XM PRESENTS: THE PACK A.D., SHOOTING GUNS, LIKE A MOTORCYCLE, AMBERSAND @ Reflections Cabaret $20
'Unmistakably British, with American undertones' would be an apt description of this South London four piece. Blending classic UK indie, laid-back Californian vibes and the most effervescent 'pop' elements of Brit Pop, Ambersand have created a sound that is as unique as it is familiar.
http://www.soundcloud.com/ambersand
AUDIO BLOOD AND SPINCOUNT PRESENT: MO KENNEY, WILLIE STRATTON, GABRIELLE PAPILLON AND THE MIGHTY OAK, REVELSTOKE, FOLLY AND THE HUNTER @ The Company House $15
Catchy melodies, multiple harmonies and a subtly crafted mix of acoustic instruments blend to create warm and full compositions. Folly and the Hunter bases its sound in the American folk tradition and pulls inspiration from contemporary indie and post-rock trends, resulting in accessible pop songs that carry a significant level of emotional and artistic depth.
http://www.follyandthehunter.com
PORTER AIRLINES PRESENTS: COLD SPECKS & JULIE DOIRON @ St. Matthew's United Church $25
More than any other songwriter, you can tell exactly what’s going on in her life. Direct and painfully honest, she lays it all out in her lyrics.In the past, listeners have shared in the heartbreak of loneliness, the break-up of a band, the grind of raising young kids, and the dark fears anyone can slip into during a relationship. While the direct approach is still very present, this time she’s almost the happiest woman in town.
http://www.juliedoiron.com/
MOLSON M PRESENTS: BLACK LIPS, COLD WARPS, MONOMYTH, THE GROUP SOUND @ Olympic Community Hall $25
Drawing influence from 60's garage, surf, doo-wop, and late 50's rock and roll, The Group Sound makes music that is familiar yet contemporary. With reverb soaked guitar riffs, boy-girl vocals and instantly catchy melodies the band has adapted old sounds to their own context.
http://thegroupsound.bandcamp.com/
OSHEAGA PRESENTS: ZOLA JESUS, TASSEOMANCY, THIS SOUND WILL SAVE YOU @ The New Palace $20
This Sound Will Save You blends unexpected electronic arrangements with epic pop adventures. Their live show is a musical fruit smoothie bursting with unique vocals, analog synthesizers and computer based loops drenched in catchy melodies and dance inspiring rhythms.
https://www.facebook.com/thissoundwillsaveyou
IRREVERAND JAMES AND THE CRITICAL MASS CHOIR, CANAILLES, YOUNG RIVER, OWEN DACOMBE STEELE @ The Bus Stop Theatre $15
From a one man band with a 12 string tuned to C, a kick drum, and homemade microphones, to on the spot improvised ensembles with players from the crowd. It's built to pay homage to the past, yet retain a perfectly original sound.
http://www.owensteel.bandcamp.com
CONVERSE PRESENTS: BANE, CEREMONY, CODE ORANGE KIDS, SECRET GUEST, BARLOW @ The Pavilion $15
Founded on beliefs that are in short supply within the current underground music scene, Bane has established themselves as one of the most influential and relevant bands in hardcore today. Since their inception, they've become one of the scene's hardest working bands touring the world over
https://www.facebook.com/banecentral
SIRIUS XM PRESENTS: THE PACK A.D., SHOOTING GUNS, LIKE A MOTORCYCLE, AMBERSAND @ Reflections Cabaret $20
Aggressive, yet melodic guitar playing chasing the heels of dance/rhythmic and galloping drum beats clutching firmly to bass lines that relentlessly strut around the stage. Vocals that reflect, haunt and flip you off all at once. Sweaty and loud.
http://www.sonicbids.com/likeamotorcycle
MOLSON M PRESENTS: BLACK LIPS, COLD WARPS, MONOMYTH, THE GROUP SOUND @ Olympic Community Hall $25
Will be wonderful.
http://mmyth.bandcamp.com/
AUDIO BLOOD AND SPINCOUNT PRESENT: MO KENNEY, WILLIE STRATTON, GABRIELLE PAPILLON AND THE MIGHTY OAK, REVELSTOKE, FOLLY AND THE HUNTER @ The Company House $15
Revelstoke is folk music played in an underwater city still trapped in the 40s using alien technology. Mini-symphonies built using a banjo, mandolin, violin bowed guitar with gentle poetic lyrics looped through a pedal. Abstract and dreamy.
http://youtu.be/-HetGPLQo-k
OSHEAGA PRESENTS: ZOLA JESUS, TASSEOMANCY, THIS SOUND WILL SAVE YOU @ The New Palace $20
Tasseomancy is a continuation of what was a bare bones neo-folk duo. Formerly known as Ghost Bees, Canadian twins Sari and Romy Lightman have found a heavier, more ambient sound, ripe with dreamy, dissonant vocals, influenced by eastern song, drone music, phonography and myth.
http://www.twitter.com/tasseomusic
PORTER AIRLINES PRESENTS: COLD SPECKS & JULIE DOIRON @ St. Matthew's United Church $25
Describing her sound as 'Doom Soul', Cold Specks' music is steeped in the musical traditions of the Deep South. With a voice that evokes the 'spirit feel' of Mahalia Jackson and the visceral tones of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Cold Specks' sparse arrangements and chain gang rhythms stop you dead in your tracks.
http://coldspecks.com/
HUNTER'S ALEHOUSE PRESENTS: MARDEEN, ENGLISH WORDS, HANDS AND TEETH, SEAMUS ERSKINE @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
Seamus Erskine's sets consist of precise rock & roll and free form skronk punctuated by absurdist humour and interaction with the audience.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seamus-Erskine/133723933375697
20TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION SHOW: THE SUPER FRIENDZ, COOL BLUE HALO, HIP CLUB GROOVE, STRAKEJAKETS @ The Marquee Club $25
The Stratejakets are looking forward to sharing a sampling of their long musical history together with some eager ears at this year's HPX.
IRREVERAND JAMES AND THE CRITICAL MASS CHOIR, CANAILLES, YOUNG RIVER, OWEN DACOMBE STEELE @ The Bus Stop Theatre $15
Young River writes modern day nocturnes about the fine lines between secrets and announcements, lust and love, and good and evil. Their debut album is a lyrical expression of the things we keep to ourselves, combined with sweltering guitar solos over due-paying rock and roll rhythms.
http://www.youngriverband.com
MOLSON M PRESENTS: BLACK LIPS, COLD WARPS, MONOMYTH, THE GROUP SOUND @ Olympic Community Hall $25
Brilliant AM radio power-pop poured through fuzz and played faster and louder. Simple songs, lo-fi production, sparse solos and raw-sugar harmonies. The fixed link between Halifax and Ottawa, Cold Warps are garage/power-pop at it's whatever-est.
http://coldwarps.bandcamp.com/
AUDIO BLOOD AND SPINCOUNT PRESENT: MO KENNEY, WILLIE STRATTON, GABRIELLE PAPILLON AND THE MIGHTY OAK, REVELSTOKE, FOLLY AND THE HUNTER @ The Company House $15
"Gabrielle Papillon has a hook that clasps a handle on the heart– she simply breathes vocals." "She's a new kind of folk performer, almost a hybrid, a bit of an indie rock kid as well." Her muse is the amalgamation of people in her life, or an imaginary scenario.
http://vimeo.com/34797310
SECRET GUEST, COUSINS, STALWART SONS, SCRIBBLER @ Gus' Pub $15
Scribbler is percolated tapes, anything worth repeating gets rehearsed. Scribbler shows rely on spontaneity and experimentation; the performances are painfully loud and hauntingly calm. Scribbler has a rich, prolific past and plans a concentrated future. Scribbler is Neo Grunge Twee with fuzzy clean washed out warmth & waves of feelings.
SIRIUS XM PRESENTS: THE PACK A.D., SHOOTING GUNS, LIKE A MOTORCYCLE, AMBERSAND @ Reflections Cabaret $20
Recently recognized on the Polaris Music Prize Long List, Shooting Guns haunts the foggy moor between Sabbath-styled doom riffery and heavy pulse-riding kraut-rock. Their spectacle is rapidly attracting a cult of barbarian metal-heads, indie hipsters, Neanderthals, nerds, and the well-dressed ladies who scare them.
http://shootingguns.ca
CAREER SUICIDE, NAPALM RAID, WORD ON THE STREET, VIXENS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
VIXENS: All woman, all hardcore punk, always fast and noisy. Four best buds just givin' it all we've got. Smoke volcanic dope.
http://www.vixens.bandcamp.com/
OSHEAGA PRESENTS: ZOLA JESUS, TASSEOMANCY, THIS SOUND WILL SAVE YOU @ The New Palace $20
Nika Roza Danilova has gone from being an outsider experimental teenage noise-maker to a full fledged internationally celebrated electronic pop musician. Despite her age (young), her geography (mid-western, desolate), her accelerated scholastic requirements and her diminutive physical size (4"11, 90 lbs) she has emerged as a figurehead-a self-produced, self-designed, self-taught independent woman.
http://www.zolajesus.com/splash/splash.html
IRREVERAND JAMES AND THE CRITICAL MASS CHOIR, CANAILLES, YOUNG RIVER, OWEN DACOMBE STEELE @ The Bus Stop Theatre $15
Canailles' love story took a whole new level after a couple of months, and they started writing their own songs in French Quebecois joual, crafting a sound that would be all their own, a crazy mix of cajun, zydeco, country, blues, bluegrass, ragtime and rock garage.
http://canailles.bandcamp.com/
HUNTER'S ALEHOUSE PRESENTS: MARDEEN, ENGLISH WORDS, HANDS AND TEETH, SEAMUS ERSKINE @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
Toronto's Hands and Teeth are a collective indie rock explosion that lies somewhere between quiet/delicate and loud/abrasive rock and roll. Duelling female and male vocals lead the pack while catchy-as-heck melodies steal the show.
http://handsandteeth.com
20TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION SHOW: THE SUPER FRIENDZ, COOL BLUE HALO, HIP CLUB GROOVE, STRAKEJAKETS @ The Marquee Club $25
M88Kenzie, Cheklove, and Big Moves - Cocky, witty, skilled, sharp, and completely awesome. Hip Club Groove were known as trailblazers for east coast hip hop, their live shows scorched the country and rarely ended. http://www.myspace.com/hipclubgroove
SECRET GUEST, COUSINS, STALWART SONS, SCRIBBLER @ Gus' Pub $15
Imagine if the melodic aggression of Rites of Spring were raised listening to B.T.O. With classic rock-informed riffs, shredded vocal cords yet packaged with a pop sensibility with catchy, bouncing bass lines, and some of the most cathartic & sincere songs ever hoarsely sung by unabashed Albertans.
http://stalwartsons.bandcamp.com/
AUDIO BLOOD AND SPINCOUNT PRESENT: MO KENNEY, WILLIE STRATTON, GABRIELLE PAPILLON AND THE MIGHTY OAK, REVELSTOKE, FOLLY AND THE HUNTER @ The Company House
Willie Stratton is a howling, seething cyclone of god-fearing folk music. Lashing together three part harmonies, thundering war drums, and a whole lot of soul, Willie Stratton is slightly less likely to make you feel OK than they are to kill your boredom absolutely stone cold dead.
http://williestratton.bandcamp.com/
CAREER SUICIDE, NAPALM RAID, WORD ON THE STREET, VIXENS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
Fast and loud, Word On The Street strives to give the best performance possible while breaking themselves with their own music. Taking cues from late eighties New York hardcore bands, they incorporate a stripped down and raw guitar sound with guttural vocals and stop-on-a-dime-and-start-again elements in their songs. Always do the right thing.
http://wordonthestreet.bandcamp.com/
MOLSON M PRESENTS: BLACK LIPS, COLD WARPS, MONOMYTH, THE GROUP SOUND @ Olympic Community Hall $25
It is this question, the question of belief, nay, the question of faith, that is the crux of the matter. It is this question that was asked of the Black Lips. And the Black Lips have answered it. They have answered it in their songs and in their actions. They have answered it for every shit-assed, burned-out brat that staggers out of the suburbs.
http://www.black-lips.com/
SIRIUS XM PRESENTS: THE PACK A.D., SHOOTING GUNS, LIKE A MOTORCYCLE, AMBERSAND @ Reflections Cabaret $20
A dense cloud of fuzz bomb riffs, tribal rhythms, and hard (legal) drugs. An epically fierce explosion of blues, punk, and garage rock that dwarfs all those before it. Neither mythological beast nor unrepentant dipstick stands a chance of surviving the aural onslaught of The Pack A.D.
http://thepackad.com
20TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION SHOW: THE SUPER FRIENDZ, COOL BLUE HALO, HIP CLUB GROOVE, STRAKEJAKETS @ The Marquee Club $25
Cool Blue Halo was a well loved veteran band of the Halifax music scene who came together and found peace of mind in a unanimous love for pure, classic pop. They left the alternative stereotype behind to deliver well-crafted, infectious tunes. Broken up since 1998, they are returning for a 20th anniversary party not to be missed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrSkImq97Nw
HUNTER'S ALEHOUSE PRESENTS: MARDEEN, ENGLISH WORDS, HANDS AND TEETH, SEAMUS ERSKINE @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
This five-piece has created a collage of new wave and 80's alternative, with bursts of neo-psychedelia and even a hint of Britpop, forming a singular vision of original and infectious electro rock. For over a year now the band has been working hometown crowds in Charlottetown, PEI, into a frenzy.
http://www.englishwordsband.com
IRREVERAND JAMES AND THE CRITICAL MASS CHOIR, CANAILLES, YOUNG RIVER, OWEN DACOMBE STEELE @ The Bus Stop Theatre $15
A secular, rabble-rousing, barn-burning, queer-positive, feminist, subversive gospel music band. The spirit and verve of old-time Gospel music fit with a modern script. Through this uniquely uplifting form of expression and barn-burning live performances, the joyful and spiritually rewarding experience of the religious mass, they reach atheists and theists alike.
http://www.vimeo.com/criticalmasschoir
SECRET GUEST, COUSINS, STALWART SONS, SCRIBBLER @ Gus' Pub $15
COUSINS is a tidy little band from Halifax. I've come prepared for the long night. I'd rather use my heart and mind, fighting for a love that's kind.
http://cousinscousins.bandcamp.com/
AUDIO BLOOD AND SPINCOUNT PRESENT: MO KENNEY, WILLIE STRATTON, GABRIELLE PAPILLON AND THE MIGHTY OAK, REVELSTOKE, FOLLY AND THE HUNTER @ The Company House $15
Mo Kenney is 21 years old and resides in Waverley, Nova Scotia. Mo writes songs on a Hensel parlour guitar and enjoys singing them for people when the opportunities arise. A few of the songs are happy. Most are not.
http://www.mokenney.com
CAREER SUICIDE, NAPALM RAID, WORD ON THE STREET, VIXENS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
"They fucking sounded like a bomb going off, with massive waves of noise being showered across the room in all directions, making you either wanna start slamming around in glorious ignorance to the people around you or to fucking stand there stunned by what the band was playing"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEQtlmQMvZA
HUNTER'S ALEHOUSE PRESENTS: MARDEEN, ENGLISH WORDS, HANDS AND TEETH, SEAMUS ERSKINE @ The Seahorse Tavern $15
Mardeen stepped away from performing and writing for a bit. After getting some inspiration from one record in particular, they felt that urge to get back in the saddle. They wrote a bunch of songs and recorded them live. They're releasing the record when it gets hot out. http://www.myspace.com/mardeen
20TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION SHOW: THE SUPER FRIENDZ, COOL BLUE HALO, HIP CLUB GROOVE, STRAKEJAKETS @ The Marquee Club $25
No strangers to the Halifax Pop Explosion, The Super Friendz have been rocking faces off since the beginning. Critically acclaimed, Juno nominated and time tested...
http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/The-Super-Friendz
CAREER SUICIDE, NAPALM RAID, WORD ON THE STREET, VIXENS @ Michael's Bar and Grill $15
Career Suicide is a hardcore punk band from Toronto, Canada. Effectively formed in 2001, the band's first live performance took place in January 2002, with first recorded output soon to follow. The band has gone on to record several full-length albums and singles on various international labels.
http://www.careersuicide.net
SECRET GUEST, COUSINS, STALWART SONS, SCRIBBLER @ Gus' Pub $15
Who could it be? Follow @halifaxpopx on Twitter to find out…or just show up, it'll be a surprise!