HPX 2013 Program Guide by Jonny Stevens

200 BANDS, 20 VENUES, 5 DAYS, 1 WRISTBAND

PROGRAM GUIDE Wristbands and passes available at HALIFAXPOP EXPLOSION.COM

PROUD SPONSOR

CONTENTS THE FACTS TEAM HPX 1 STAFF PICKS 2 INTRODUCTIONS 4 GREETINGS FROM THE VIPS 5 SPONSORS 7

CONFERENCES AND EVENTS HPX DIGITAL CONFERENCE 9 DIRECTORY 17 POP!TALKS MUSIC AND CULTURE CONFERENCE 18 EDM/DJ WORKSHOP 20 POPEXPO! 21 EXTERNAL EVENTS 22

MUSIC AND COMEDY SHOWCASES TUESDAY 23 WEDNESDAY 29 THURSDAY 37 FRIDAY 53 SATURDAY 73

HELP DESK WRISTBANDS, TICKETS, PASSES 44 SCHEDULE 45 VENUES AND MAP 47 INDEX 91

For 21 years, Nova Scotia has hosted this international festival and conference attended by thousands and featuring close to 200 bands across 20 venues. For the best in new and emerging music, digital technology, and cultural trends – don’t miss Halifax Pop Explosion 2013!

The Facts

TEAM HPX 2013 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JONNY STEVENS

TALENT DIRECTOR STEVE LUTWICK

OPERATIONS MANAGER JOSH WHITE

EVENT MANAGER ASHLEY MORAN

CONFERENCE MANAGER JACQUELINE POOLE

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR DANNY THOMAS

ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN IMPACT

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR KEVIN HALL

SHOWCASE COORDINATOR ADRIAN BRUHM

MARKETING COORDINATOR JANESTA BOUDREAU

MUSIC PROGRAMMER ANDREW NEVILLE

COMEDY CURATOR STEPHAN MACLEOD

VOLUNTEER AND PRODUCTION COORDINATOR JEREMY MACNEIL

COPY EDITOR TARA THORNE

GUIDE WRITERS ANDREW PATTERSON ADRIA YOUNG

POP!EXPO COORDINATORS RECORD KEVIN BEAL

ZINE/CRAFT MADELINE DRISCOLL

RECORD PHIL MACDONALD

PROJECT MANAGER ERIN KELLY

CONNECTOR RENEE ROBINSON

COORDINATOR LISA WALTERS

HPX DIGITAL LEAD CURATOR & MATCHMAKER SHAWN PUCKNELL

VOLUNTEER TEAM LEADS VENUE AND STAGE MANAGER DANA BEELER

MERCHANDISE SAM BOLTON

HOSPITALITY SAM FORSYTH

DOOR HEATHER GILLIS

SIGNAGE AND SPONSOR TARA MACDONALD

BOX OFFICE AND REGISTRATION STEPHANIE MUISE

TRANSPORTATION JASON MULLEN

LOADER AND TECH LUCAS REEVES

DIGITAL AND MUSIC CONFERENCE RAYELLE MATTHEWS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR KRIS MCCANN

VICE-CHAIR JEREMY LUTES

TREASURER JOSH HOGAN

SECRETARY TREVOR MURPHY

CRAIG MERCER

STEPHANIE PURCELL

TARA THORNE

CHRIS TOMS

LEGAL ADVISOR BRIAN AWAD

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

STAFF PICKS

We have compiled a list of places to go and things to do while you’re visiting Halifax. Here’s the lowdown:

BEST BREAKFAST SPOT:

CAFES, COFFEE, CAFFEINE:

CHEAP LUNCH:

LATE-NIGHT TAKE-OUT FIX:

TESS

SECOND CUP

BLUENOSE II RESTAURANT

BURRITO JAX

Killer eggs Benny (might I suggest the bacon on brie option), AND they make a bacon Caesar. BACON. CAESAR.

DAVID’S TEA

Affordable. Quick. Varied menu—including all-day breakfast, burgers, homey meals and Greek things. And good milkshakes and pies for dessert!

Best Burrito in town.

-JB

BURRITO JAX FOR PREZ.

5687 CHARLES STREET

-JB

THE COASTAL CAFE

5425 SPRING GARDEN ROAD 5486 SPRING GARDEN ROAD I’m a sucker for Second Cup lattes, and David’s Tea’s Honeybee was my saviour last year.

2731 ROBIE STREET

-Jac

Last time I was there my breakfast included bacon in three different ways.

STEVE-O-RENO’S CAPPUCCINO

-Jac

Delicious coffee, specialty coffees (love their lattes) and smoothies. If you don’t fancy getting out of your vehicle—there is a drive up shack in an empty lot on Robie Street (2854 Robie) Looks weird. Tastes divine.

GREEK VILLAGE

6253 QUINPOOL ROAD Cheap and dirty? How about a beer with our breakfast. -Adrian

MICHAEL’S BAR & GRILL 6100 YOUNG STREET

All-you-can-eat breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Bring me all the meats. -Josh

1536 BRUNSWICK STREET

-JB

UNCOMMON GROUNDS 1237 BARRINGTON STREET Delicious coffee and great service. What more do you need?

MARY’S PLACE CAFE

-Josh

Cheap all-day breakfast. Enough said.

1869 UPPER WATER STREET

2752 ROBIE STREET

-KH

COSY’S SNACK BAR

6411 LIVERPOOL STREET Great hole-in-the-wall-esque type place in the beautiful west end. Particularly awesome if you’re a Habs fan. -Trevor

BLUENOSE II RESTAURANT 1824 HOLLIS STREET

The eggs Benedict (which is delicious, by the way) comes with a side salad. I don’t know why, but I friggin love it—especially with Italian dressing.

ALTEREGOS

2193 GOTTINGEN STREET Altereggo. With bacon. The end. -Tara

TWO IF AND BY SEA

1824 HOLLIS STREET

RAY’S FALAFEL

5201 DUKE STREET, SCOTIA SQUARE MALL FOOD COURT Get the roast chicken pita. You won’t regret it. -KH

A TASTE OF INDIA

5201 DUKE STREET, SCOTIA SQUARE MALL FOOD COURT The food is worth more than you’ll pay. Serve yourself or ask for a dish. -KH

ACE BURGER CO.

2605 AGRICOLA STREET The best burgers in town for under ten bucks. Grab some Bridge Company Brewing Co. beer and that’s a damn fine lunch.

I feel like this place takes pride in their coffee. If that’s not enough, their baked goods top it off.

I second the Ace Burger recommendation

-KH

WESTCLIFF RESTAURANT

TIM HORTONS EVERYWHERE

I like Tim Hortons and I’m sorry. -Ash

LOCAL JO’S

2959 OXFORD STREET What can I say? The west End’s my ‘hood. Have kids with you on tour? This place is super kidfriendly. (Warning: This could also be a detriment depending on your stance on kids).

-Josh Hogan

5215 BLOWERS STREET -Adrian I second. -KH -Ash

MEZZA LEBANESE KITCHEN 1558 BARRINGTON STREET

Chicken shawarma with garlic sauce. Yes, please. -JB Anywhere I can get a donair that doesn’t wrap them in a plastic bag under the tinfoil, that’s just weird. -Jac

TONY’S PIZZA

2390 ROBIE STREET I might be alone on this one, but Tony’s knows my address by heart. That counts for something. -Josh

XTREME PIZZA

5970 SPRING GARDEN ROAD They make this poutine that is really heavy and basically has like cut-up chicken fingers in it, it’s really bad for me.

3089 OXFORD STREET

-Andrew

Write down your order on a sticky note and watch the husband & wife owners cook your lunch.

ALEXANDRA’S PIZZA

A seriously fun cheap diner. Often wins the “Best Bang for your Buck” Readers’ Poll award in The Coast.

1263 QUEEN STREET

They put so much gravy and cheese on these poutines, my heart has slowed just thinking about it. Also great garlic fingers—an east coast classic.

THE ISLAND GREEK

2150 GOTTINGEN STREET GIVE ME ALL THE GYROS. -Tara

-Trevor

JUST US

VARIOUS LOCATIONS My favourite French roast. -Josh Hogan

#HPX2013

STAFF PICKS

We have compiled a list of places to go and things to do while you’re visiting Halifax. Here’s the lowdown:

VERIFIED VEGETARIANAND VEGAN-FRIENDLY:

POINT PLEASANT PARK

OBSOLETE RECORDS

THE WORKS

Sit by the ocean, rest in the woods, explore old cannons and forts, or hike around wellgroomed walkways. Note the bare spots where hurricane Juan blew down over half of the park’s trees. Jerk.

I love this place. It’s packed with new vinyl releases, local records,and popular indie picks. You’ll find something.

5431 DOYLE STREET It has two different veggie burger patty options, and then lets you dress it anyway you like. I like mine with bacon. -Jac I recommended a Caesar drink with bacon in it above. I don’t think this is my category. -JB

THE HEARTWOOD

6250 QUINPOOL ROAD Vegetarian and vegan food made with love...and vegetables. -Josh

ACE BURGER CO.

2605 AGRICOLA STREET Ace Burger has a good Veggie Burger. -KH

WILD LEEK

2156 WINDSOR STREET Great vegan fare, great juices and stuff. - Andrew

THE WOODEN MONKEY 1707 GRAFTON STREET

The Wooden Monkey has great veggie/vegan stuff and this is coming from a carnivore. -Josh Hogan

AFTERNOON OUTDOOR HANGOUT SPOTS: THE HALIFAX COMMON

ROBIE STREET AT QUINPOOL ROAD

SOUTH END

-JB

DAILY SWEETS VINTAGE ARCARDE 2860 OXFORD STREET

Awesome, rotating selection of vintage arcade games (MK II!). In a convenience store so you’re never far from Cheetos and a Mountain Dew. -Josh

THE DOCK AT THE END OF JUBILEE. -Andrew

THE WATERFRONT The waterfront is a nice little walk. Plus you can end at Garrison Brewing and have some tasty beers inside or on the patio. -Josh Hogan

I second Obsolete Records—grab some local vinyl from Ian. -Trevor I played my first HPX in a band with Ian. We got free Converse. That was 2008 and it’s still the most I’ve ever made from music. Go support a local shopkeep/ alum. -Tara Halifax is full of hidden treasures, go adventure and see what you can find yourselves! -Josh Hogan

AWESOME SHOPS TO BUY AWESOME STUFF: TAZ RECORDS

1521 GRAFTON STREET Best and only place to buy vinyl downtown.

Looking for people to follow? Get a handle on these! @stephaniejohns @stilldrunkenest @WayeMason @thedingler @markmarklittle @liveactionfloyd @ilovelocalhfx @HfxIsBurning @hfxhappyhour @DiscoveryCntr @andrewneville @hughstewart @flagontheplay911 @ajcrowley @100_deep @CH_scooke @CKDU881FM @sealegsco @noisography @jeffpineau @hogansbeard @redtentacle_

FRESH GOODS SNEAKERS & APPAREL

2180 GOTTINGEN STREET

The best kicks in the city.

@halifaxpopx Official Festival Twitter

Nostalgia, antiques, a cafe & oddities, this place has something for everyone, and I do mean everyone.

-Josh White

PLAN B MERCHANTS CO-OP

-Adrian

KEE HEONG CANTONESE BAKERY 1532 GRANVILLE STREET

Desserts and buns and dim sum and yumminess.

-Adrian

-Jac

With colouring books and snacks.

DRESS IN TIME

-KH

WHO YOU SHOULD FOLLOW FOR THE BEST OF HALIFAX TWEETS:

AND FOR FESTIVAL UPDATES AND INSIDER SECRETS, PAY ATTENTION TO THESE TWITS:

BEST PLACE IN THE CITY YOU WOULDN’T FIND OTHERWISE:

Baseball games, The Oval, Skate Park and green green grass.

-Jac

2454 AGRICOLA STREET

-JB

1491 SOUTH PARK STREET

PRO SKATES

6451 QUNIPOOL ROAD Skateboards, snowboards, gear, accessories, clothing...buy local! -Josh White

STRANGE ADVENTURES 5110 PRINCE STREET

Comic books, action figures, memorabilia, do it! - Adrian

5670 SPRING GARDEN ROAD, ENTRANCE ON BRENTON

THE INTERNET.

Super small little shop with TONS of old vintage stuff. Take your time and you’re sure to find something rad.

There is this store on Robie Street, Bill’s Bargain World, and it smells like dust, but they have lots of cool stuff.

-Josh

-Andrew

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

-Jac

@hpxdigital Official Digital Conference Twitter @jonnystevens Executive Director @hpxjosh Operations Manager @smashleymoran Event Manager @GrapplinGraboid Event Coordinator @ihopeyouareokay Conference Manager @RockingHorseJB Marketing & Communications Coordinator @khkevinhall Production Coordinator @PigeonRow Festival Publicity

The Facts

INTRODUCTIONS FROM THE HPX GANG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S WELCOME Last year we got to celebrate the Halifax Pop Explosion’s 20th anniversary, which made me think about the future. How do we celebrate the 21st year of HPX? Will it stack up to the previous years? Will people remember it as they have remembered past events? Do we have what it takes to keep this giant ship moving, on course, for another 20 years? I took some time after the 2012 festival to care for my son and reconnect with family after what felt like three straight years of living and breathing nothing but HPX. During my time off, I had time to contemplate these important questions and came to the following conclusion: Halifax Pop Explosion will remain relevant and vibrant, so long as we don’t lose connection to the reason this festival was started in the first place. It is milestones, like the 20th anniversary, that help remind us where we come from and why we do what we do. The “we” in this statement are the individuals who, through their dedication, keep the momentum of HPX moving forward. With this in mind, I can say that HPX has come into its own after 20 years. Sure, there will be those who reminisce about the days when we were smaller, and more manageable, but that still exists. The beauty of HPX is that there are many little festivals that come together to create the massive event. You can enjoy nothing but new (to you) music, you can focus simply on the headliners, you can spend every night experiencing different venues, you can spend your time focused on meeting new people, you can attend one or both of our conferences, you can see film, you can experience different kinds of art—or you can do a little bit of everything. So more than anything, what I wish to convey is the importance of discovery. We have put together the most comprehensive lineup of the best in music, digital and culture. We welcome you to discover something new. Welcome to the 2013 Halifax Pop Explosion, where you will make the next 20 years of history. Jonny Stevens Executive Director, Halifax Pop Explosion Association

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ WELCOME On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Halifax Pop Explosion Association, welcome to Halifax Pop Explosion 2013! This year is shaping up to be incredible. We have programmed the best and most exciting music from a diverse range of genres to produce what may be our strongest year musically. HPX Digital is now in its second year, and it continues to get better. We have reinvented the music conference to make it more relevant to our audience, as well as making it more accessible by including it at no extra cost with all of our passes. Aside from that, we have also introduced a free bus service to make it easier to get from venue to venue, and added a couple of exclusive bonuses for our loyal early bird buyers. There are so many people who work so hard to make this festival what it is, and I am truly humbled to stand in their company. It would be impossible to thank everyone by name, but I would like to thank our amazing staff: Jonny, Steve, Josh, Ashley, Jacqueline, Jeremy, Adrian, Kevin, Andrew and Janesta. Thanks to the speakers and performers who travel all this way to deliver performances that never fail to entertain, inspire, and amaze. Thank you to our volunteers, who give freely of their time, because they believe that what we are doing matters. Thank you to our government and corporate partners, without whose help we wouldn’t be able to make this happen. Finally, thank you to the fans—your enthusiasm for this event, year after year, is why we do what we do. Kris McCann Chair of the Board, Halifax Pop Explosion Association

#HPX2013

The Facts

GREETINGS FROM THE VIPS MAYOR’S MESSAGE As Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality, I am delighted to extend warm greetings and a special welcome to all participating in The 2013 Halifax Pop Explosion Festival and Conference taking place at venues across our region. HPX, one of the best music festivals in North America, will showcase more than 200 artists from across the country and around the globe. The Festival, a five-day music, digital and culture celebration, promises to deliver an awesome experience with an eclectic mix of music that’s guaranteed to captivate and delight music fans from far and wide. I wish to acknowledge, with gratitude, the organizers, sponsors, partners and volunteers for investing in this incredible fusion of music, media and culture and making HPX 2013 the awesome success it is! Congratulations and best wishes for another successful season! Kindest regards, Mike Savage Mayor

PREMIER’S MESSAGE On behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia, welcome to the 2013 Halifax Pop Explosion–the 21st year for this internationally-renowned music festival. Thanks to a stellar line up of performers and a reputation for being one of the best music experiences in North America, the Halifax Pop Explosion has become a must-see for 22,000 fans every year. It is the place to be seen and heard for established and up and coming musical artists and showcases the world-class talents of our musicians and performers to a truly global audience. This year the festival’s impact on the music industry will be expanded, thanks to a growing international delegate program that will introduce more than 200 diverse local, national and international music artists to a potential world-wide market. They will energize venues throughout our capital city and the public will be able to enjoy free concerts in Halifax’s Grand Parade. Congratulations and thank you to the organizers, sponsors and volunteers who make this exciting annual event possible. Enjoy your time in Nova Scotia. Come and see us again soon! Sincerely, Darrell E. Dexter, Q.C., M.L.A. Premier

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

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The Facts

SPONSORS

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT

CHAMPIONS

CONTRIBUTORS

SUPPORTERS

GOVERNMENT & AGENCY PARTNERS

HPX DIGITAL PARTNERS

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Conferences and Events

HPX DIGITAL CONFERENCE WEB - MOBILE - GAMING - STARTUPS - DESIGN - MARKETING OCTOBER 23-25, 2013 10AM-5PM ATLANTICA HOTEL, 1980 ROBIE STREET

HPX Digital is an interactive event for digital creators curated by leading design and technology event producers FITC. HPX Digital will focus delivery on trends in web, mobile, gaming, startups, design and marketing and will showcase Atlantic Canada as a hub for creative professionals.

HPX DIGITAL KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

If you work in interactive this is an event not to miss. Now in it’s second year, HPX Digital has added the International Program, MentorCamp, DemoCamp, GameJam and more! More information is available at hpxdigital.com, by following us @HPXDigital or liking us on Facebook.

HPX DIGITAL REGISTRATION STANDARD FLEX STUDENT ADVANCED

$349

ADVANCED $449

ADVANCED $199

WALK-UP

$425

WALK-UP $525

WALK-UP $249

(PLUS TAX AND SERVICE FEES)

HPX DIGITAL PASSES INCLUDE: HPX Digital Workshops, Sessions, Keynotes and Parties 5-Day Access to all Music, Comedy and Culture Events (subject to venue capacity; not including Symphony NS) • Pop!Talks Conference • Bike Concierge Parking at Key Venues • HPX Festival Express Bus Pass • Pop Expo! (Records/Zine/Craft/Art Fair) entry • Insider Festival Communications and Special Offers Registered non-profits and charities qualify for a $50 discount off any pass type with promo code HPX13NPO. (not including Student Pass). For group sales of 5 or more passes please contact digital@halifaxpopexplosion.com to take advantage of our group discount.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

JOHNNY CUPCAKES JOHNNY CUPCAKES

Mr. Johnny Earle—aka Johnny Cupcakes—tells the story of how he turned a simple idea into a multimillion-dollar business using nontraditional methods. Starting his business at the age of 19, Johnny developed his company without a business plan, startup loans, investors or even conventional advertising. He managed to launch one of the most recognized independent t-shirt brands in the US and Europe, with retail stores in Boston, Los Angeles and London. Recognized for his innovative business strategies, Johnny has been named America’s #1 Young Entrepreneur by BusinessWeek, and his company was ranked in Inc. Magazine’s top 500 fastest-growing independent businesses. The Boston Globe recently named Johnny as one of the 30 most innovative businessmen in Massachusetts. Johnny Cupcakes has also been featured on NPR, CNN, MTV, MSNBC, and in The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, Web Marketing for Dummies, The New York Times, Wired Magazine and The Los Angeles Times.

Conferences and Events

IRENE PEREYRA & ANTON REPPONEN FI

IVAN POUPYREV

DISNEY INTERACTIVE Dr. Ivan Poupyrev directs an Interaction Technology group in Disney Research’s Pittsburgh Lab, Walt Disney Imagineering, a unit of Walt Disney Company tasked with dreaming up and developing future technologies for Disney parks, resorts and cruises. Dr. Poupyrev’s research focuses on inventing new interactive technologies for the seamless blending of digital and physical properties in devices, everyday objects and living environments, a direction he broadly refers to as physical computing. It spans a broad range of research fields including haptic user interfaces, tangible interfaces, shape-changing and flexible computers, augmented and virtual reality as well as spatial 3D interaction. His research was broadly published and received awards at prestigious academic conferences, exhibited worldwide and extensively reported in popular media, such as CNN, BBC, Financial Times, New York Times and New Scientist to name a few. The results of his research were also released on the market in various consumer products and applications Prior to Disney, Ivan has worked as a researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratories and the Advanced Telecommunication Research Institute International, both in Japan. He also had a stint at the Human Interface Technology Laboratory at the University of Washington as a visiting scientist while working on his Ph.D. dissertation in Hiroshima University, Japan.

Irene is currently the head of UX and strategy at Fi, responsible for translating business requirements into intuitive interactive solutions. She also manages the agency’s global UX team to develop digital experiences that incorporate all technical, editorial and usability specifications. For the last three years, she has led Fi strategy and UX initiatives for clients including USA Today, EA, HTC, Google, Nickelodeon, FOX, Verizon, BBC and Red Bull for both the web and cross-platform applications. Her work has been recognized by Cannes, The Webbys, FWA, Interaction Design Association and The European Design Awards. Irene has been a guest speaker at numerous conferences such as OFFF and FITC and taught at prestigious learning institutions like Hyper Island. Her personal projects have been displayed in design conferences and festivals in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Paris, New York, Singapore and Tegucigualpa. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts from the Art Institute of Atlanta, and a Masters of Science in Communications Design from Pratt Institute in New York. Originally from Amsterdam, she currently lives in Brooklyn, is a Scandinavian sweater and mid-century furniture enthusiast, and commutes by bike to work every day. A recipient of the prestigious Red Dot “Best of the Best” award, Anton Repponen is a highly influential designer in the digital creative industry. Anton is currently Global Creative Director at Fi, responsible for delivering creative solutions for agency clients such as Google, USA Today, HTC, Nickelodeon, Porsche and SAS. In this position, he is the principal creative, managing and guiding Fi’s worldwide team of senior designers and interactive developers. Since joining the agency in 2006, his work has helped Fi achieve the highest recognitions including .net Magazine’s Design Agency of the Year (2008), Webby People’s Choice (2010) and a Cannes Cyber Lion (2012). Anton is a frequent guest speaker at various industry conferences including SXSW, OFFF, Adobe Live, and keynoted at Digitized 2011 in Athens, Greece. His works have been published in Fast Company and Taschen’s Internet Case Study Book and he has led workshops at the Rochester Institute of Technology and Hyper Island in Sweden. Anton studied architecture from Tallinn College of Engineering in Estonia and currently resides in New York City.

#HPX2013

Conferences and Events

SPEAKERS AND PANELS

ATLANTICA HOTEL, 1980 ROBIE STREET

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23 STARTUP OPERATIONS PRESENTED BY VOLTA LABS

TYING SALES AND SUPPORT TOGETHER 10AM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: GREG POIRIER It may be tempting to forgo getting a Customer Relationship Management system (CRM) if you are a start-up – after all, they consume precious resources. You are a small organization, you know your customers already and you really don’t have that many to keep track of. A simple shared spreadsheet can probably do the trick. Do you really need to be wasting money and head-space on a CRM? Greg Poirier, will tell you why a CRM is the heart and soul of your business. How it helps ensure you know who your prospects and customers are, that you bill them when you should and that as you grow quickly – your most important asset (paying clients) aren’t lost in the shuffle.

STARTUP SALES PROCESS 10:30AM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: ELIZABETH MACAULAY Whether you are in the early stages of pitching to investors, signing on your first clients or down the path of growing your existing client base a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool and a carefully developed sales process can never come too soon for your company. This presentation is designed to demonstrate how mapping your CRM ties to your sales process and how it can help you grow your business and stay on top of deals. Learn how to develop a successful and sustainable CRM methodology and sales process.

SPLIT TEST ALL THE THINGS

FROM JEDI TO JFDI

11AM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: PATRICK HANKINSON

10:30AM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: THOMAS RANKIN

Learn how to implement growth hacking strategies in product, marketing, and life. This talk will explore the basics of growth hacking and various case studies. Patrick Hankinson is a founder at Compilr and Tether. He successfully grew Tether into a mutli-million dollar business and grew Compilr from 0 to 200,000 users.

Investors and startup entrepreneurs need each other like the desert needs the rain. Yet psychological and economic motivations can sometimes be at odds. Thomas will talk about his experience on both sides and provide tips on how we can all just get along.

DEVELOPING REQUIREMENTS FOR MOBILE APPLICATIONS 11:30AM GUILD EAST SPEAKER: BILL WILSON If you ever find yourself wondering what the key factors that drive a successful app development are, this workshop is for you. MindSea’s founder Bill Wilson and Lead Designer Reuben Hall will walk you through the steps necessary to plan for and launch a successful app for your business. MindSea Development delivers beautiful, entertaining, informative mobile apps, which are often featured by Apple and are highly rated by over one million users worldwide.

STARTUP STRATEGY

PRESENTED BY VOLTA LABS

WRITING ENGAGING COPY 10AM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: MARTHA GALLAGHER You can have all the content in the world - but if no one reads it, does it matter? This session will give you insight into creating content that attracts customers and drives sales. Martha Gallagher has created content for multinational enterprises and local startups. She believes in the importance of creating engaging content that turns sales transactions into lasting relationships.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

A former VC, Thomas recently made the jump to startup life. His company Pathmata builds mobile retail e-commerce products that give brands the power to get shoppers what they want. In his spare time Thomas likes wearing Ray-Bans, teaching his daughter about Star Wars, and running quickly.

MONETIZING SOCIAL MEDIA 11AM, GUILD WEST SPEAKERS: ROB BEGG, TAPAJYOTI (TUKAN) DAS, TIM BURKE

FIRESIDE CHAT ON FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES IN ATLANTIC CANADA 11AM, GUILD WEST SPEAKERS: PATRICK KEEFE AND JEVON MACDONALD

THE POWER OF STARTUP STORYTELLING 12PM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: THE HUB HALIFAX

OPM: FINDING “OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY” AND FUNDING YOUR ENTERTAINMENT STARTUP 1:30PM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: JON KIMMICH “Ideas are a dime a dozen,” as the saying goes, but teams that can deliver them and more importantly raise funding for them are rare. Doubly so for entertainment products that are “hit” driven. This presentation steps through overviews of funding sources from the traditional bootstrap/ self-fund, publisher funding to crowdfunding, venture capital and angel investment. Jon will provide an overview of how each of these has evolved in recent years in the games and digital entertainment sectors and for different platforms. He will discuss considerations as to what each of these sources is looking to see from a company/ team, how to present yourself and your company and the risks and benefits of each of these sources of Opm.

HERDING CATS 101 1:30PM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: STACEY MULCAHY It’s time to talk about our favourite elephant in the room—process— or maybe even a lack thereof? Let’s address every buzz word imaginable when it comes to team process and workflows— starting at Ideation and ending at Agile. This session will take a look at common issues in the project process including planning, scope, team workflows, communication and dynamics and present potential solutions or obvious considerations. Everything is fair game—let no discipline leave unscathed.

Conferences and Events

SPEAKERS AND PANELS

ATLANTICA HOTEL, 1980 ROBIE STREET WE’RE NOT HERE TO MAKE SENSE

CONNECTING WITH THE CROWD

2:30PM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: ABLE PARRIS

3:30PM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: DAVID WALSH

Able Parris is a relentless realist, typically optimistic even when the outlook is not so good. He will walk us through the less glamorous aspects of the design industry, and give a snapshot of what it looks like to be a designer in the digital age. Although Able is a designer, he works closely with producers, strategists, technologists and his clients in small, collaborative teams. This talk would probably be interesting to folks like them who have to work with people like Able on similar projects.

On January 4, Frontier, one of the world’s leading independent video-game creators, closed its Elite: Dangerous Kickstarter campaign with the highest ever crowdfunding “ask” successfully achieved. David explains how Frontier fostered the initial relationship with the crowd of backers during the Kickstarter campaign; have subsequently continued to extend the relationship by embracing the crowd community in some surprising ways as development progresses and the company successfully IPO’d in July; and how they plan to deepen the engagement still further up to launch and beyond. And if he can twist a few arms he’ll illustrate proceedings with some glimpses of the game, too...

HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE YOUTUBERS 2:30PM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: IPSA DESAI Artists and brands can use YouTube in a variety of different ways to build their audience, engage with their fans and monetize. Ipsa will walk through the most effective methods and techniques.

WHY GOOGLE GLASS IS GOING TO CHANGE YOUR BUSINESS 3:30PM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: MIKE DIGIOVANNI Google Glass is spreading, but there are still only relatively few devices in the wild. Find out what the Glass experience is like. Learn about the potential uses for this hardware in your business and shatter the misconceptions that surround this technology. To be followed up with a hands-on experience with Google Glass.

KEYNOTE: HOW TO START AND GROW A UNIQUE IDEA/PASSION/BIZ WITH LITTLE TO NO STARTUP MONEY PRESENTED BY IMPACT

4:30PM, GUILD HALL SPEAKER: JOHNNY CUPCAKES Johnny’s lecture focuses on starting a brand and business (both web-based and retail) with little or no startup money; entrepreneurship; smallbusiness management; product development, marketing and communication; graphic design and time management. From tips and tricks for approaching business in innovative and unconventional ways, to useful advice, resources and direction for those interested in following their passion or reaching a goal, Johnny’s lectures provide comprehensive blueprints for getting any small company or idea off the ground. Johnny’s sold-out lectures have inspired and motivated students, teachers and entrepreneurs around the world.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24

SERIOUS GAMES

MARKETING FOR THE SHY TYPE

It’s time to get serious about playing games. How you can use game mechanics to increase exhibit attendee engagement, create viral network effects, and seamlessly support lead generation. Illustrated though case studies of Globacore’s 2013 work for clients including Honda, AT&T, BNY Mellon, Ebay and Intel you will learn the real world effects of applying game theory to communicate brand stories... also a little bit about recreating an 80’s video game with a Kinect, Oculus Rift, Wahoo Kickr, and an iPad.

10AM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: DANIEL SCHUTZSMITH You can make the world’s-best new fangled widgets, but if no one sees them, you won’t get the recognition. Marketing is just as important to the success of a business as the work produced. Find out how some of the most well-known studios and startups have gained their notoriety. Hint: it’s not just about the work! This presentation will focus on various techniques—for everyone from freelancer to full-timer to founder—to market work, promote skills and attract the most desirable clients. We will also discuss the role of awards in the art of promotion, and highlight some ways to make yourself look awesomesauce in the eyes of your clients.

COLOURING THE WEB 10AM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: GERI COADY In a time where exciting things like HTML5, CSS3 and responsive design are at the top of everyone’s minds, a complex topic like colour can easily be brushed aside by designers, developers, and clients alike. When used appropriately, it can be a powerful method of communication with strong persuasive effects, but when used inappropriately, the effects can be much more serious than you think. In this session we’ll learn a variety of important things to remember when working with colour on the web—things like colour theory, message and meaning, accessibility, coding tips and even the dreaded topic of colour management—proving that colour needs to be considered in every step of our design process.

11AM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: BEN UNSWORTH

GRABBING ATTENTION FOR YOUR STARTUP WITH LITTLE BUDGET 11AM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: SAUL COLT The recipe for startup success is easy. Have a great product/ service and make sure everyone knows about it. Pretty simple huh? For those who still need some help, this talk will cover a few simple techniques for grabbing attention and making sure people know your company exists so they can find about your great product or service. The format of the talk will be a quick talk with a Q and A at end with the opportunity to ask Saul Colt for specific help on how to apply these techniques to your specific company. So please come with some questions.

#HPX2013

Strike a chord with your audience. Proud supporters of Halifax Pop Explosion.

Enjoy the show!

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Conferences and Events

SPEAKERS AND PANELS

ATLANTICA HOTEL, 1980 ROBIE STREET CINECOUP: WHAT’S NEW FOR FILMMAKERS, FANS... AND COMPOSERS!

THE NEW ’BORGS: WHAT DOES “DIGITAL” MEAN TODAY?

12PM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: J. JOLY

2:20PM, GUILD EAST MODERATOR: JASON THEODOR SPEAKERS: IVAN POUPYREV, JON LAX, ALEX BEIM

J. Joly (CEO and founder) discusses the design, development and deployment of the CineCoup pilot. Updates will include: the challenges of putting Wolfcop (and other projects) into production, new features for both filmmakers and fans and a sneak peek at an innovative module for composers and musicians to be involved with creating the soundtracks for CineCoup projects. J. will also discuss CineCoup’s plans for expansion into Quebec and international markets. Not to be missed by creative film and music entrepreneurs interested in disrupting linear (re: traditional) media models.

THE LAW OF INTENTION AND DESIRE 12PM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: SARA BLAKE The Law of Intention and Desire is one of Deepak Chopra’s seven laws of success. Sara likes to think about this law in terms of creativity, and harnessing our innermost character to output creative work that represents who we are as individuals. Working happy and working successfully is all about doing something that you truly love. Sara’s talk will explore her personal process and how she got started when she was younger, but will also explore ideas that apply to all creative disciplines.

Analogue is the new digital. Digital is inside everything. With the rise of “smart” objects, mobile push media, Google Glass, interactive installations and projection mapping, websites look more and more like cave paintings. What does this mean for you, your company or your brand? And what does it mean for the future of the digital/ interactive/online/new media/ smart worker?

THE FUTURE OF MARKETING IS HAPPENING AT STARTUPS 2:20PM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: AMRITA CHANDRA Once upon a time, the best marketing on the planet was being done by big brands. Buyers no longer trust brands the way they used to and are better informed about what to buy. Learn how startup marketers have become the trailblazers for a new approach to marketing, one where science trumps art, agility beats size and where marketing is no longer contained inside one department.

AUTOMOBILITY—PAVING THE WAY FOR THE NEXT DRIVING EXPERIENCE 3:20PM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: JUSTIN MOON We live in a connected world— until we open the door to our cars. Connectivity in vehicles means so much more than just streaming music or playing It is the engine behind the next driving experience, playing a role in the day-to-day that is life. AutoMobility is a discovery of the potential in ubiquitous connectivity as it relates to the driving experience and beyond.

Dear HPX, thank you for making magic year after year! Waye Mason Councillor, Peninsula South Downtown 902 490 8462 waye.mason@halifax.ca W facebook.com/wayemasonhrm W wayemason.ca twitter.com/wayemason halifax.ca

#HPX2013

Conferences and Events

SPEAKERS AND PANELS

ATLANTICA HOTEL, 1980 ROBIE STREET FUN, FAILURE, AND FORGING AHEAD 3:20PM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: GRANT SKINNER In his career, Grant Skinner has dabbled in hacking, design, code, UX, digital art, micro electronics, computer vision, teaching, open source, consulting, entrepreneurship and occasionally even taking time off. He’s won a few awards, spoken at a ton of conferences, built a successful business, worked with some really cool clients and most recently led a major open-source project. This talk meanders through Grant’s life, examining the highs and lows, fun experiments, bad clients, and the ongoing struggle to figure out “what do I want to be when I grow up.” There’ll be lots of hard-won wisdom, visual experiments, lame jokes and pointless anecdotes. Because hey, if designers can do “biopic” talks, so can developers. Amiright?

KEYNOTE: COMPUTATIONAL REALITY 4:20PM, GUILD HALL SPEAKER: IVAN POUPYREV The digital revolution is over. Information is no longer confined to the pixels on our screens. Instead the entire physical world, even living and breathing matter, are being infused with data demanding new, unprecedented forms of interactivity. Ivan is inventing and designing technologies and interactive experiences for a new brave world world where digital and physical are seamlessly merging. The scope of his investigations is broad. He has investigated sensing and actuation, visual and tactile, the future of manufacturing, energy harvesting and the fine art of growing tropical plants. Although everything he develops has immediate applications in the world of today, it is the dream of a better and brighter tomorrow, for the human race emphasized by Walt Disney himself, which drives his work.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 DESIGNERS COULD CHANGE THE WORLD 10AM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: ALEX BEIM Design has never before affected society and culture as much and as fast as it does today. Small changes in design can have a huge impact on culture. Designers today now have an opportunity to change the way we live life completely. Are we prepared to take on this responsibility?

CREATING TRULY INNOVATIVE EXPERIENCES 10AM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: ADAM KRUSZYNSKI Digital technology continues to grow at an astonishing rate. Consumer demand for device integration is about to explode. How do businesses and marketers keep pace and create new meaningful experiences to drive their message? Regardless of technologies like Google Glass, Apple iWatch, or touchscreen windows. The principles of creating great innovative human experiences remain the same. Let’s review the art and the science of this process for businesses, marketers and designers alike.

EMBRACING INSTABILITY: RESPONSIVE DESIGN AS IDEALOGY 11AM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: ERIK VON STACKELBERG Responsive design has received extensive industry attention. This talk explores the principles and intentions that underpin responsive design, elevating the conversation to the level of design ideology (mindset). How can a responsive design mindset positively impact flexible and creative thinking, client relationships, accessibility and other design considerations?

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

MAKE SOMETHING UGLY: AN EXPERIMENTAL CREATIVE PROCESS 11AM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: MYRON CAMPBELL Some of the most successful and prolific designers are those who implement experimentation and exploration into their design process. It is these designers that end up innovating and making the most memorable design work. Sagmeister, Josh Davis, Milton Glaser, David Carson to name a few. More and more studios are encouraging this type of creative culture to keep their designers fresh AND happy. This talk will explore ways to improve the creative process. It will include the importance as a working designer to maintain a personal practice without limitations and include an experimental component into your creative process. It also encourages designers to take risks and make something ugly to reach innovation and to fail often and salvage beauty from mistakes.

THE LAST THING THE WORLD NEEDS IS ANOTHER DIGITAL AGENCY: LESSONS LEARNED FROM BUILDING A DIGITAL AGENCY

PRESENTED BY POCKETBOOTH 12PM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: JON LAX You’ve been thinking about starting an agency. Maybe a digital agency, design firm or god forbid an ad agency. Let Jon Lax save you a lot of time and headache. He will share lessons he learned from 10 years of building Teehan+Lax, a Torontobased company that helps clients create digital products and services.

PROCESS: DESTROY 12PM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: JAMES WHITE Everyone needs to start somewhere when pursuing a career in the visual arts. We all start off weak, producing work we’re unsatisfied with as we do battle with our skills to improve our creative output. James White of the Signalnoise Studio will talk about his own journey from drawing as a kid and spending late nights and weekends producing work. This talk is NOT all the highlights—the bulk of the work shown and stories told are about the stuff that nobody sees from the dusty corners of the Signalnoise archive. Funny, embarrassing, heartwarming and downright crappy, James takes us through his own 10-year battle in order to eventually find his creative voice and how he wasn’t scared to destroy his own process many times over. This rust-covered presentation is not to be missed.

CREATE FOR YOUR TYPE 2:20PM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: JASON THEODOR Creative director, speaker and author Jason Theodor explores the eight Creative Types and how they affect the creative process. What are the biggest barriers to creativity? How can we come up with many ideas fast? Why do we need a focus? And in what ways can we be more original? Jason dissects the very notion of creativity and points out exercises and practices that can help anyone create more, better and different.

Conferences and Events

SPEAKERS AND PANELS

ATLANTICA HOTEL, 1980 ROBIE STREET INFLUENCERS: THE NEW MEDIA BUY 2:20PM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: MEG BUTTON

TBA 3:20PM, GUILD EAST SPEAKER: TBA

Out with the old billboards and big box banners, in with the new social media influencers. With the continuing shift from mass advertising to branded social movements, marketers are going beyond the standard ad buy to generate brand awareness. This talk will take a look at the world of influencers, answering questions from both sides of the fence. For marketers: How do I determine who my brand influencers are and how can I use them to positively impact my brand? How much will it cost and what’s the ROI? For influencers: How can I make money without becoming a sellout to my fans and followers?

HYPERBLENDER - THE COLLISION OF ART AND TECHNOLOGY

KEYNOTE: INNOVATION AND LARGE-SCALE CONTENT

3:20PM, GUILD WEST SPEAKER: JASON WHITE

4:20PM, GUILD HALL SPEAKERS: IRENE PEREYRA AND ANTON REPPONEN

Throughout time, major influencers and artists have sought to leverage visual experiences to connect them— and reinforce their relevance—to the masses. In his talk, Leviathan’s Jason White will briefly explore humans’ history of creating transformative visual experiences which have moved people to believe, participate and directly engage in the world around them. Today, fully dimensional visual experiences are being created to draw people in where traditional marketing can’t. Jason’s talk will also discuss some of the transformative experiences of the present, as well as those shaping up for the future

Irene Pereyra, global director of UX and strategy, and Anton Repponen, global creative director, will be walking through an in-depth behind the scenes of USAToday.com in a chronological manner, all the way from how the project started to the success and hurdles along the way, and ultimately to launch. The yearlong project, which involved all disciplines within Fi, has been touted as the most innovative newspaper website ever released. They’ll also be showcasing two other big projects that will be launching this year.

Conferences and Events

DIRECTORY ALEX BEIM

Owner & Creative Director TANGIBLE INTERACTION

@tangibleint

MIKE DIGIOVANNI ANTON Emerging Technology REPPONEN Lead ROUNDARCH ISOBAR

@evilmikedg

SARA BLAKE

J. JOLY

@helloZSO

@J_dot_Joly

MEG BUTTON

JON KIMMICH

Illustrator and Designer ZSO

Digital Creative Lead STAR CONTENT STUDIO

@megbutton

MYRON CAMPBELL

Instructor VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL

@notsosimpleton

Founder CINECOUP

Founder & CEO SOFTWARE ILLUMINATI LLC

@jonkimmich

ADAM KRUSZYNSKI

Director of Digital, Senior Brand Strategist REVOLVE

@adamoutsidedbox

AMRITA CHANDRA JON LAX Co-Founder

PRESENTS:

Action Bronson

ROCKET SCOPE

@amritachandra

GERI COADY

Designer, Illustrator, Photographer

@hellogeri

SAUL COLT

with

Killer Mike BADBADNOTGOOD Quake Matthews Weirdo Click

Head of Magic SAUL! THE IDEA INTEGRATION COMPANY

@saulcolt

JOHNNY EARLE

Founder and Head Baker JOHNNY CUPCAKES

@JohnnyCupcakes

IPSA DESAI

Strategic Partnerships Manager YOUTUBE

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

@repponen

DANIEL SCHUTZSMITH

Creative Director & CoFounder MARK & PHIL

@schutzsmith

GRANT SKINNER

Chief Architect & CEO GSKINNER

@gskinner

ERIK VON STACKELBERG

Creative Director MYPLANET DIGITAL

@stackelberg

Co-Founder TEEHAN + LAX

JASON THEODOR

JUSTIN MOON

@jted

@jlax

Director of Innovation LIXAR

STACEY MULCAHY Technical Evangelist MICROSOFT

@bitchwhocodes

ABLE PARRIS Design Director BIG SPACESHIP

@ableparris

IRENE PEREYRA Head of UX and Strategy FI

IVAN POUPYREV

Senior Research Scientist DISNEY INTERACTIVE GROUP

@ipoupyrev

Thursday, October 24 $35 on entry Doors at 7:00pm Olympic Community Hall

Global Creative Director FI

Creative Director PUBLICIS

DAVID WALSH

Chief Operating Officer FRONTIER DEVELOPMENTS

@DavidWalsh64

JAMES WHITE Artist & Designer SIGNALNOISE

@Signalnoise

JASON WHITE Executive Creative Director LEVIATHAN

@lvthn

Conferences and Events

POP!TALKS MUSIC & CULTURE CONFERENCE OCTOBER 25-26, 2013 10AM-5PM ATLANTICA HOTEL, 1980 ROBIE STREET For the eighth year running, the Halifax Pop Explosion is proud to present an educational, inspiring and entertaining music and culture conference. Pop!Talks brings together industry veterans and fresh-faced upstarts - musicians, managers and media mavens; photographers, funders and filmmakers - for a two-day smorgasbord of sessions and presentations. Pop!Talks sessions cover everything from artist management to crowd sourcing, from open businesses to embracing failure, and from religion to mental health. For the first time ever at HPX, ALL wristbands and passes have access to Pop!Talks. So whether you want to take it all in, or simply attend one session, come join us. It’s poppin’ off.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 POSTCARDS FROM THE ROAD: A DIY TAKE ON HOUSE SHOW DISTRIBUTION 11:00AM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: KEV CORBETT (Beardy Folk Dude)

It’s about a new DIY distribution model that kicks ass, how it came about and how it did out on the road. Sure, some gatekeepers are saying no, but it works at the merch table, particularly following the intimacy and intensity of a house concert by a story-based artist like Corbett.

MAN THAT YOU FEAR: MARILYN MANSON’S ANTICHRIST SUPERSTAR AS SOCIAL PROPHET 11:30AM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: TREVOR MURPHY

(Musician; MA Theology & Religious Studies)

With his 1996 album Antichrist Superstar, Marilyn Manson solidified himself as one of America’s most notorious and visible shock-rockers of our generation. Combining an understanding of the historical Antichrist legend with an analysis of the album’s imagery, lyrics and music, this presentation examines how Marilyn Manson uses the character of the Antichrist Superstar on this record as a vehicle for social prophecy.

MUSICIANS: THE ORIGINAL LEAN STARTUP 12:00PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: JESSE MAWHINNEY (Marketer, Photographer, Start-up Enthusiast)

If you’re a musician or artist, it’s likely that you’ve heard “your band is a business.” But have you ever thought about your band as a startup enterprise? Jesse Mawhinney will examine what a lean startup is, and why musicians invented this but didn’t claim it for themselves.

WHAT KIND OF FAILURE WILL YOU BE? 12:30PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: ROB MACARTHUR (ioumusic.com)

There is a weird paradox in the music industry where the status quo seems to be constant change. Rob MacArthur will explore how to deal with change, how setting clear goals and being different can keep you on the right path and how embracing change and failure can be beneficial to your career.

THE CLUMSY AND IRRELEVANT MANNER IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS 2:00PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: JASON BURNS (Burnt Tree Entertainment)

Does anything ever go the way you expected in the music business? If you play by numbers, then your chances are better but your potential will become stuck half-rising in an ever-changing landscape. If you play by guts, you’re rolling the dice. A mix of numbers and guts, and even still the industry can be a clumsy stumble through the murk. How can we make the clumsy more stable? How can we make our time better spent? Join Jason Burns as he examines the trade of “luck,” who to trust, what numbers to follow and how to sharpen instincts.

20 REASONS YOU’RE NOT A ROCK STAR 2:30PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTERS: JOSH HOGAN & HASSAN KING (Red Tentacle Music Solutions)

BECOMING AN OPEN BUSINESS 3:00PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTERS: MARIE FLANAGAN & AARON LEVIN (Weird Canada) Stop hiding all your information right now. Give your grant applications to your competitors. Publish your editorial policies. Write openly about your mistakes. This is the Open Business and it is terrifying. Join Weird Canada for a discussion on the Open Business movement, how they’ve implemented it and how this terrifying fear of constant openness has changed the way they work (and how the world works with them).

IT TAKES A LOT TO LAUGH: FUNNY MUSICIANS, TUNEFUL COMEDIANS 3:30PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: VISH KHANNA (Kreative Kontrol)

Vish Khanna briefly discusses the connections between comedy and music and why so many artists from either discipline strive to find ways to cross over to the other side.

A 20-minute crash course highlighting 20 reasons why you’re not a rock star and tips on how you can better improve your independent music career with honesty and realism. From the people who brought you “NO ONE OWES YOU SHIT! And Other Inspiring Truths About the Music Industry.”

#HPX2013

Conferences and Events

POP!TALKS MUSIC ATLANTICA HOTEL, 1980 ROBIE STREET GOING BEYOND CROWDFUNDED MUSIC: GETTING THE DIRECT-TOFAN RELEASE RIGHT 4:00PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: BENJI ROGERS (Founder/CEO PledgeMusic)

Some of the key questions in the digital music space revolve around sustainability. Crowdfunding is often seen as “going to the well,” begging or not something that can be repeated. We will look in-depth at the hybrids that exist and how to go beyond just the funding of music and into the world of directto-fan sales, strategies and routes to market that maximize both engagement and sustainability. From social (online) to direct (offline), we will discuss how the business of making music could become the new music business.

MIXOLOGY MIXER

PRESENTED IN COOPERATION BY FACTOR, SOCAN, CIMA, MMF, MUSIC NS 5:30PM - 7:30PM, COMMONS ROOM Open to all HPX Artists and Delegates (including HPX Digital), this industry event is a joint effort brought to you by the fine folks at MUSIC NS, FACTOR, SOCAN, CIMA, and MMF. With numerous National and International delegates in one room at one time, this is THE networking event to attend. Enjoy a bite and a bevvy in a relaxed, casual atmosphere while making new business connections, building relationships, and prepping for a big Friday night at HPX!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 OLD SCHOOL VS. NEW SCHOOL: HAS ANYTHING REALLY CHANGED? 11:00AM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTERS: JAKE GOLD

(President/CEO, The Management Trust), JASON BURNS (Burnt Tree Entertainment)

To say that the music industry has undergone some monumental changes in the past two decades is an understatement. Artist managers Jake Gold and Jason Burns are here to discuss the role of a manager in today’s landscape as it compared to 20 years ago. The industry has changed—have the managers changed with it?

BEST FOOT FORWARD

PADDLE TO THE OCEAN 11:45AM, COMMONS ROOM PRESENTERS: ZAC CROUSE (Musician, Speaker, Filmmaker), KRIS POPE (Musician) Dealing with the social stigma associated with mental illness is a significant challenge for many individuals in Canada. As an individual living with a diagnosed mental illness, Zac shares stories about his musical career and kayak adventures featuring clips of his documentary film Paddle to the Ocean, the story of a solo adventure in a sea kayak from Ottawa to Halifax and Zac’s recovery from PTSD. Zac and Kris Pope will also discuss the process of creating a soundtrack to a documentary film and perform some selections from the finished product.

12:30PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: MARC BELLIVEAU (Partner, Stewart McKelvey)

In Canada, the Copyright Act gives an owner the sole right to produce, reproduce or rent a protected work. There are certain uses that can be made of copyrighted material which are legal defences to claims of infringement. Historically, such defences have been called “fair dealing” (in contrast to “fair use” under US law), however as a result of a recent line of decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada, fair dealing is now described as “user rights” in Canada. This session will deal with how one can lawfully exercise such user rights.

YOUR MUSIC IN APPS

DEATH FROM EXPOSURE

(FACTOR)

12:00PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: KELSEY MCLAREN

2:00PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: CHR!S SM!TH

Talent, you’re born with. But maximizing the commercial potential of that talent is something you can learn. Join Allison Outhit (LL.B and VP of Operations at FACTOR) for some practical advice on setting yourself up at the corner of Art and Commerce. Artists, bands, labels, managers and other music businesses all welcome.

Your music is going to be in an app! Hooray! But wait, what rights should you be fighting to keep when an app wants to use your music? Kelsey McLaren of Pink Larkin will discuss the basics on licensing music, the terms of the agreement, what to do if an app steals your music and more. Come on, get appy!

11:30AM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: ALLISON OUTHIT

(Pink Larkin)

PROTECT YOUR ASSE(T)S 12:15PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: SCOTT PICKUP (Associate, Stewart McKelvey)

Are you serious about your art and your career as an artist? If so, there are legalities that you just cannot ignore. This presentation by Scott Pickup of Stewart McKelvey examines copyright of your music (who owns what), songwriter vs. groupwritten content, protecting your group name and the ins/outs of the almighty record deal.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

(funkfactor)

The music industry consistently offers to pay photographers in exposure. But if you can find a bank or landlord that will take exposure as currency, we’d love to hear from you! Is there still such a thing as a job in music photography? Financially, is it as wise as opening a new CD store? Is it time to suck it up and enjoy it for what it really is, a hobby? Come watch as award-winning photographer Chr!s Sm!th shares some laughs and smashes some dreams.

Conferences and Events

MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY DISCOURSE

MUSIC EXPORT CASE STUDY: BEN CAPLAN

ACCESSIBILITY & COMMUNITY

2:30PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: CHR!S SM!TH (funkfactor), SCOTT BLACKBURN (Gingersnap), TIFFANY NAUGLER (Noisography), MATT CHARLTON

3:00PM, COMMONS ROOM PRESENTERS: SCOTT HONSBERGER (CIMA), SCOTT LONG (Music NS), TIM HARDY

4:15PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTERS: MARIE FLANAGAN & AARON LEVIN (Weird Canada)

(Pigeon Row Public Relations)

As an artist, your ideal market may be around the corner, or halfway around the world. But breaking into international markets can be a difficult and confusing task. In this session, we’ll use Halifax’s own Ben Caplan as a case study to explore the various exporting opportunities that exist for Canadian artists, and what impact they can have on your career. Presented in partnership between CIMA, Music Nova Scotia and SOCAN.

Following Chr!s’ presentation, he’ll be joined by a panel of other photographers and public relations types to discuss the future of the changing world of photography within the music biz. Maybe they’ll agree...maybe they’ll think he’s full of crap.

FEATURED ARTIST INTERVIEW: METZ 2:00PM, COMMONS ROOM ARTIST: METZ (Alex Edkins, Hayden

(SOCAN)

Menzies, Chris Slorach)

DRIVE, PLAY, SLEEP, REPEAT

(Kreative Kontrol)

3:15PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: STEFANIE PURIFICATI

HOST: VISH KHANNA

Hang out with host Vish Khanna and one of HPX 2013’s most exciting acts, METZ! This entertaining and informal interview will give great insight into the band’s inner workings and is sure to produce more than a few laughs!

BROADSIDE 3:00PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTERS: TARA THORNE (The Coast), STEPHANIE DOMET (writer,

broadcaster)

A simple action plan you can use to get more women (on stage). (Spoiler alert: It doesn’t involve crowdfunding.) Local loudmouths about town Stephanie Domet and Tara Thorne will gesticulate wildly, talk about CanCon and offer solutions for 10 minutes before handing the floor over for discussion because if we’re not in this together, where are we?

(The Agency Group)

Stefanie Purificati, Associate Agent at The Agency Group and former club booker, shares her insight and wisdom on gigging across Canada, perfecting the art of your show and what agents look (and listen) for when signing new bands.

THE KIDS ARE ONLINE 4:00PM, CITADEL/CUNARD ROOM PRESENTER: BRENNAN MCCRACKEN (Music Blogger, High

Are you accessible? Is your band, crew, organization, festival, collective or company accessible? Is it really? Because you cannot be accessible to everyone, you must be excluding someone. Who are you excluding? And why? Join Weird Canada for a discussion on accessibility and community, who gets to be involved, who doesn’t, how to make live music shows more accessible and how to remain open in a culture of exclusionary “cool.”

RECORDING ARTISTS’ COLLECTING SOCIETY PRESENTS

POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE SALON

4:00PM, COMMONS ROOM PRESENTERS: STEVE JORDAN (Polaris Music Prize), JAMES KEAST (Exclaim!), ANDREW KING (Canadian Musician), MORE TBA The Polaris Music Prize is hotly contested and fiercely debated every year. As this Salon takes place after the 2013 winner is announced, the HPX audience gets the rare opportunity to discuss not only the Long and Short List, but also the winning artist. Take a look back at the 2013 race and get insights on expected contenders for 2014.

EDM/DJ WORKSHOP OCTOBER 25, 2013 ALL DAY

THE BUS STOP THEATRE, 2203 GOTTINGEN STREET POP!TALKS MUSIC & CULTURE CONFERENCE PRESENTS

EDM/DJ WORKSHOP

THE BUS STOP THEATRE, 2203 GOTTINGEN STREET Join us on Friday, October 25, for a day-long EDM/DJ workshop. The Bus Stop Theatre will play host to various sessions from local DJs and producers including DJ T-Woo, Snug and KDZ. Sessions include DJ Basics, Ableton Live 101, SelfPromotion and Self-Production, with more to come! Stay tuned to halifaxpopexplosion.com for the most up-to-date info on the workshop! NOTE: WORKSHOP OPEN TO ALL WRISTBANDS/PASSES BUT PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AS SPACE IS LIMITED. PLEASE EMAIL JOSH@HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM TO REGISTER.

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Brennan will discuss the experience of the Tumblr music community, how it compares to other music journalism both on and offline, and what it’s like to be an underage music fan in a culture that often ignores the critical youth voice.

#HPX2013

Conferences and Events

POPEXPO!

OCTOBER 26, 2013 8AM-5PM HALIFAX WORLD TRADE AND CONVENTION CENTRE, 1800 ARGYLE STREET HPX has combined the Record, Zine, Craft and Art fairs into PopExpo!, which showcases a mix of local vendors, artists and artisans at The World Trade and Convention Centre. Be sure to get there early for first pick at the records! Entry is free for all wristband/passholders and just $5 for the general public from 8am until 1pm and then COMPLETELY FREE for everyone from 1pm until 5pm.

RECORDS Partnering with the Halifax Record Fair to bring you the sixth Record Fair, confirmed vendors include: Black Buffalo Records, Rockwell Records, Lets Riot Music, New Scotland records, Forward Music Group, Divorce Records, Second Spin, Back Street, Taz, Select Sounds, & Days of Wine and Vinyl. Also included are personal collections from Jordan Urquart, Ed Cooper, James Drew, Raven, Brooklyn Audio, Dale Cropper, Brian Rafuse, The Fishers, Paul Okeefe, Steve Lepage, Debbie & Ted Monk, Kevin Osmond, Don Ninos, Mike Murray, Garth Goldsmith, Gary Fraser, Keith Dodge, Jim Stacey, Paul Beauregard, and Gilles Lefranc. For more info or to check out some pics from past events please visit blackbuffalorecords.ca.

ZINE AND CRAFTS For fifteen years running, The Zine Fair has been an awesome annual showcase of all kinds of do-it-yourself projects窶配ines, small press books, comics, posters, records, cassettes and more. Zine fair participants include: Wasted Potential Zines, Invisible Publishing, Anchor Archives Zine Library, Robotique, ASAP Zine, AGP Books, Girlzone, White Raven Ink, and more.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Conferences and Events

EXTERNAL EVENTS SCOTT TAPPEN RETROSPECTIVE OCTOBER 19-26

PARENTHESES GALLERY

2168 GOTTINGEN STREET, FREE, 11AM-7PM Scott Tappen was a talented musician and artist in Halifax in the 1990s. Scott began designing posters to advertise his own band, The Quahogs, and was soon being asked to design posters for friends, many of whom played in bands that were getting major buzz coming out of Halifax’s burgeoning music scene. Scott passed away of cancer in 2000. ( ( (Parentheses Gallery) ) ) is pleased to be showcasing and celebrating Scott Tappen’s creative spirit and unmistakable talent.

THE DART GALLERY PRESENTS HPX: A DARKSIDE RETROSPECTIVE OCTOBER 19-26

THE DART GALLERY

127A PORTLAND STREET, FREE (DARTMOUTH), 10AM-6PM In collaboration with Halifax Pop Explosion, The Dart Gallery is proud to present an exciting exhibition that focuses on the relationship between music and art, viewed through the showcase and installation of various posters and memorabilia from the HPX archive. This exciting show will celebrate The Dart Gallery’s first special exhibit at Nocturne, Halifax’s Annual Art at Night event.

PLEDGEMUSIC MIXER THURSDAY OCTOBER 24

THE WOODEN MONKEY 1707 GRAFTON STREET, 3PM-6PM

Access: Artist or Delegate pass Mix and mingle with PledgeMusic representatives at HPX. Based in NYC, PledgeMusic is the globally leading direct-to-fan platform, allowing artists to create and manage their own careers while creatively including their fans in the process. PledgeMusic is changing the way of making music. pledgemusic.com

CARBON ARC AND THE HALIFAX POP EXPLOSION PRESENT: GOOD OL’ FREDA FRIDAY OCTOBER 25

CARBON ARC CINEMA

(MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY) 1747 SUMMER STREET, $7 OR FREE WITH PASS/WRISTBAND, 7PM TICKETS: carbonarc.ca/tickets Dir. Ryan White. Documentary. 86 minutes Five decades after serving as the Fab Four’s Girl Friday, the charming Freda Kelly breaks her silence on the storied band’s inner workings. The Liverpudlian teen landed the job of a lifetime in the 1960s when a local band hired her to run their fan club. Enjoy this fresh insider’s look at Beatlemania direct from their loyal secretary, fan and friend.

Mix And Match enjoy [yellowtail] responsibly

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

TUESDAY OCTOBER 22

The Seahorse Tavern

1665 ARGYLE STREET, FREE, PARTY AT 6PM INNOVACORP FLIP THE SCRIPT OPENING PARTY

JAMES REID

OPEN TO INVITED GUESTS AND PASS HOLDERS, THIS OPENING PARTY BRIDGES MUSIC AND DIGITAL AND KICKS OFF HPX IN STYLE.

Reflections Cabaret

(HALIFAX, NS) twitter.com/JamesDReid This H8R FR3 Haligonian has been our go-to party-starter for many a year. Well known for mixing an intoxicating ear-candy cocktail with steady hands on the ones and twos.

5184 SACKVILLE STREET, $20, DOORS AT 6:30PM, SHOW AT 7PM (PLEASE PROVIDE 2 PIECES OF ID: 1 GOV’T, 1 OTHER) STRANGE ADVENTURES PRESENTS

COMEDY

BRIAN POSEHN

(SACRAMENTO, CA) brianposehn.com Brian Posehn is a funny man who has been in lots of funny stuff and is known to many as “that one guy from TV.” If you pay attention to what you watch, you might know him best as Kevin, the weirdo mail boy from Just Shoot Me, or from any of his guest appearances on other sitcoms (Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, Bernie Mac, The Showbiz Show with David Spade) and movies (The Wedding Singer, Run Ronnie Run, Dumb and Dumberer, The Devil’s Rejects). Most notably though, you know him as part of the creative core of HBO’s legendary, Emmy-nominated Mr. Show, his Comedy Central special, and from the critically acclaimed Comedians of Comedy Tour.

MEG MACKAY

BRIAN AYLWARD (HOST)

JON MICK

KYLE HICKEY

(TORONTO, ON) twitter.com/kjhickeylol

(HALIFAX, NS) Twitter.com/meganmacawesome

International touring man Brian Aylward met Dennis Rodman’s father at a brothel in Thailand. Host of a Newfoundland cableaccess show, Syllables, and hater of pants.

Releasing comedy album Beef Dip / Tuna Melt with buddy Craig Martell, Jon Mick is the Edmonton comic who watches the most online porn, which says a ton about him, since it’s a pretty stiff competition.

Leaving Halifax for the golden arches of Toronto, Kyle returned to star in the web series Everyone’s Famous. He probably plays basketball. And he definitely plays the double-flush. I bet his poops are huge.

PEI to New Brunswick to Halifax, Meg MacKay has been standing up for stand-up since 2011. She once confused her own mother for some other lady at a PEI waterpark. Her dad likes Nickelback.

(HALIFAX, NS) twitter.com/bagsofsoup

(EDMONTON, AB) jonmick.bandcamp.com

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Music and Comedy Showcases

TUESDAY OCTOBER 22 Reflections Cabaret

5184 SACKVILLE STREET, $20, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW AT 9:30PM (PLEASE PROVIDE 2 PIECES OF ID: 1 GOV’T, 1 OTHER) ARTS & CRAFTS PRESENTS

ZEUS

(TORONTO, ON) Themusicofzeus.com

(TORONTO, ON) thedarcys.ca

THE DARCYS

(TORONTO, ON) stilllifestill.bandpage.com

STILL LIFE STILL

NORTH LAKES

In conversation, Zeus might sound like a bunch of keener teenagers eager to break out of the garage. But Say Us shows that they’re far from amateurs. Lots of young bands can conjure memories of the four Bs—the Beatles, the Band, the Beach Boys and Big Star, with the help of vintage gear and an ear for melody; very few can write songs that have a fighting chance of taking on the canon the way Zeus does here.

THE DARCYS are an art rock band from Toronto. Their self-titled Arts & Crafts debut was produced by Murray Lightburn of The Dears and released on October 25, 2011 as a free download and on limited edition vinyl. It is the first in a trio of planned full-length records.

Given how Still Life Still emerged in 2009 with its sex-drenched, party-inspired debut Girls Come Too, one might be surprised by the thematic shifts in 2013’s ominously titled follow-up, Mourning Trance.

Five beautiful rockers from Gnarlottetown, the North Lakes write seamless songs with big melodies and plenty of swagger. With a Music PEI win for Best Alternative Album in 2011, these cats are at the top of the everexpanding heap of high quality rock and roll from the island.

The Seahorse Tavern

THE BEARDS

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI) northlakes.ca

1665 ARGYLE STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW AT 10PM

(ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA) thebeardsblog.wordpress.com

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI) wearecoyote.bandcamp.com

COYOTE

TAKE PART

(DARTMOUTH, NS) takepartinthis.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) facebook.com/thebadlads

THE BAD LADS

The concept of The Beards is simple—a folk-rock band that performs songs exclusively about just one subject: beards. With a three-album back catalogue of crowd favourites like If Your Dad Doesn’t Have a Beard,You’ve Got Two Mums, You Should Consider Sex with a Bearded Man and No Beard, No Good, The Beards continue in their ceaseless journey to make the world a more beardfriendly place.

Expansive, energetic Charlottetown rock. With a handful of Music PEI nominations, Coyote (pronounced ‘uhp-n-kaum’er) has left tracks through the wilds of the east coast industry. The moon is low, move in for the kill, fellas.

Taking pieces from the Halifax pop scene of the ’90s, a little Cali pop-punk and the echoing choruses of stadium rock, Dartmouth’s Take Part makes honest, straightforward rock music. But wait, did I see a Beach Boy sneak in the back somewhere?

Got a case of Olands and some studs on your leather jacket? You’ll fit right in with these no-nonsense Nova Scotia trash-talkers giving New England punks something to rabble about.

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

TUESDAY OCTOBER 22 Gus’ Pub

2605 AGRICOLA STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW AT 10PM SLED ISLAND PRESENTS

OBITS

QUIVERS

TOUGH AGE

THE REFERENCE DESK

Dear Music Enthusiast, Thank you for what we are presuming to be your interest in the band Obits. They are a four-piece band who currently live in Brooklyn, NY, and whose music is most probably considered an occupant of the rock music genre, with more specific reconnaissance in the areas of garage, punk, surf, surf-punk, and garage-punk (though, not surf-garage). As is the habit of many of the best contemporary rock bands, Obits will perform live with the release of Bed & Bugs, both domestically and internationally.

The lesser known and, in this case, more apt definition of a “quiver” is “an archer’s case for holding arrows.” Stealing the riches of power-pop and sharing some cheap swill with the poor, unfortunate poets. Halifax’s ad hoc, cock rock justice league returns!

Vancouver’s bubblegum-garage rockers Tough Age are the most recent addition to the Mint Records roster. Though that means they’re now raking in the big bucks, it doesn’t change the reason they got into this business in the first place: wearing sneakers to work.

A new Halifax three-piece that makes sweet pop music without sounding too twee. Because of the bass. And the drums. And the threat of late fees. Book nerds who like to rock.

(BROOKLYN, NY) obitsurl.com

(HALIFAX, NS) quivers.bandcamp.com

The Carleton Music Bar & Grill

LADIES OF THE CANYON (MONTREAL, QC) ladiesofthecanyon.com

Montreal’s Ladies of the Canyon are returning with a powerful new record that captures the raw energy their fans have come to love from seeing them live, and ultimately harnesses the vintage sound of their rock n roll heroes. The new album, Diamond Heart, was produced by Mark Howard (Bod Dylan, Daniel Lanois) and dropped September 24.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

(HALIFAX, NS) thereferencedesk.bandcamp.com

(VANCOUVER, BC) tough-age.bandcamp.com

1685 ARGYLE STREET, $15, DOORS AT 8:30PM, SHOW AT 9:30PM

NICK FERRIO AND HIS FEELINGS (PETERBOROUGH, ON) nickferrio.com

Nick Ferrio is the Guy Clark to Peterborough’s Texas. Working with Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo, Ferrio and His Feelings deal a heavy hand of beautiful classic country. Gotta know when to hold ’em.

DANA BEELER

(HALIFAX, NS) danabeeler.com

This Halifax-based, country-tinged songstress is the total package: powerful, down-home vocals, impassioned lyrics, touching melodies and a great sense of comfort and redemption. Longlasting songs sung by a strong woman who can teach you a thing or two.

Music and Comedy Showcases

TUESDAY OCTOBER 22 The Company House

LES HOTESSES D’HILAIRE

2202 GOTTINGEN STREET, $15, DOORS AT 7:30PM, SHOW AT 8PM CKRH 98,5 FM AND FÉCANE PRESENT FRANCOPOP

SAHARA DRAGON

(MONCTON, NB) leshotessesdhilaire.com

(DIGBY COUNTY, NS) soundcloud.com/saharadragon

(DIGBY COUNTY, NS) jonahmeltwave.bandcamp.com

JONAHMELTWAVE

MARY BETH DE SCÈNE

Coca-Cola était de cinq cents bouteilles en 1960. This vintage Francophone five-piece from Moncton is a classic cola you can buy for a five-piece. Profiter de cette sensation de fraîcheur. Signe de bon goût.

Straight from the butcher: “Sahara Dragon is the brainchild of the universal music flow. Five talented musicians from the Acadian shores of Clare have channeled their inner Pink Floyd to bring you a top notch musical experience. The goal of Sahara Dragon is to make music that connects with people’s innermost emotional portal.”

Remixed pop hits, lush electronica, seagulls, a topless fat man. “I’m 17 and I make music in my bedroom.”

An exuberant, one-woman, multilingual escapade into the radical. Mary Beth De Scène fuses Celtic, creole and dreamscape influence to create a stompin’ good time. Having earned an ECMA nod as part of the duo Bette & Wallet and played folk festivals the country over, Mary Beth is a one-of-a-kind wonder.

(ANTIGONISH, NS) marybethdescene.com

MU SIC & ARTS FESTIVAL CALGARY, ALBE RTA SLED ISLA ND.COM

PRESENTS OB ITS Q U IVE RS THE REFERENCE DESK TOUGH AGE AT GUS’ PUB OCT. 22ND, 2013 DOORS @ 9PM $15.00 Pop Presents.indd 2

#HPX2013

2013-09-05 10:44 PM

Music and Comedy Showcases

TUESDAY OCTOBER 22 Parentheses Gallery

2168 GOTTINGEN ST, FREE, 5PM SCOTT TAPPEN RETROSPECTIVE

Government House 1726 HOLLIS STREET, FREE, DOORS AT 6:30PM, SHOW AT 7PM (THERE WILL BE A TICKET LOTTERY FOR ADMISSION)

EVENINGS AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE PRESENTS

MOONSOCKET

CHIEF THUNDERCLOUD

(HALIFAX, NS) moonsocket.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) chiefthundercloud.bandcamp.com

It’s tempting to call Moonsocket a kook, but that implies a little too much happiness. Moncton’s Chris Thompson did a whole lotta everything in Eric’s Trip and with Moonsocket, turns little nothings into big, scrappy somethings.

Halifax’s Craig Currie aka Chief Thundercloud is like a million white feathers afloat in space, weighted by the sound of nothing and yet capturing the sound of everything. Seriously heartwrenching stuff.

His Honour Brigadier-General The Honourable J.J. Grant, CMM, ONS, CD (Ret’d), Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia is pleased to welcome singer/songwriter Mo Kenney in association with Halifax Pop Explosion to Government House October 22 2013 at 7pm. This unique event is a highlight of the Evenings @ Government House series hosted by the Lieutenant Governor designed to celebrate cultural and civic excellence in Nova Scotia. This intimate and much anticipated performance will take place in the ballroom of Government House, the ceremonial home of all Nova Scotians. Admission is free of charge however seating is extremely limited. Those wishing to attend are requested to send an email including their full name and telephone number to contest@ halifaxpopexplosion.com with the subject line “Evenings @ Government House” from September 9-13. Thirty people will be randomly selected to receive two tickets each to attend Mo Kenney’s performance at Government House. Winners will be notified on September 20 and can pick up their tickets at the Halifax Pop Explosion Box Office. The Lieutenant Governor looks forward to welcoming Mo Kenney, Halifax Pop Explosion and guests for an evening of exceptional music in the historic and elegant setting of Government House. For more information on Evenings at Government House visit lt.gov.ns.ca

Presents: The HPX Artists’ Lounge Featuring: All Day Breakfast * Healthy Snacks * Smoothie Bar * Communal Dinners * Bar * TVs * Live Screen Printing * Mobile/Laptop Charging * Gear Storage * and Surprises (Full details at registration)

Rain Over St. Ambrose

On the heels of their critically acclaimed debut Truth For News, Rain Over St. Ambrose are partnering with ioumusic as they head into the studio to record their sophomore full-length album with producer Tim D’Eon (Wintersleep). Support them at: ioumusic.com/RainOverStAmbrose

Performing Wed. Oct.23rd @ Midnight @ The Seahorse

ioumusic.com | here for music(ians) 27

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

MO KENNEY

(HALIFAX, NS) mokenney.com

Sometimes Mo writes songs by the lake, facing out into a wilderness so wild only a pure heart could tame it. Sweet folk songs lap at the shoreline, concealing the darkness just under the wave.

Music and Comedy Showcases

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23

Olympic Community Hall

2304 HUNTER STREET, $35, DOORS AT 7PM, SHOW AT 8PM MOLSON CANADIAN PRESENTS

WAVVES

(SAN DIEGO, CA) wavves.net WAVVES are exemplifying every pastiche of what anyone in their mid 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has been through musically and somehow, some that they have not. Nathan Williams takes his influences from everything from sunshine pop, slacker pop, surf rock, teenage suburban punk and crackling lo-fi and evokes boyish reverie and reverence of thoughtful nostalgia.

OBITS

COLD WARPS

(BROOKLYN, NY) obitsurl.com Dear Music Enthusiast, Thank you for what we are presuming to be your interest in the band Obits. They are a four-piece band who currently live in Brooklyn, NY, and whose music is most probably considered an occupant of the rock music genre, with more specific reconnaissance in the areas of garage, punk,

surf, surf-punk, and garage-punk (though, not surf-garage). As is the habit of many of the best contemporary rock bands, Obits will perform live with the release of Bed & Bugs, both domestically and internationally.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

OUTTACONTROLLER

(HALIFAX, NS) coldwarps.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) outtacontroller.bandcamp.com

Lousy buncha soda-suckinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; jerks. No-good three-chord punks from a one-horse town.

Mixing the best of Halifax and Moncton power pop-punk, Outtacontroller rides in an abandoned Champlain Place shopping cart with one lazy wheel and the faint odour of urine. Energetic throwbacks about drugs, sex, beating up losers and turning on the fan turns on all the fans.

Music and Comedy Showcases

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23 Reflections Cabaret

5184 SACKVILLE STREET, $20, DOORS AT 6:30PM, SHOW AT 7PM (PLEASE PROVIDE 2 PIECES OF ID: 1 GOV’T, 1 OTHER) STRANGE ADVENTURES PRESENTS

COMEDY

BRIAN POSEHN

PAUL WARFORD (HOST)

CHERYL HANN

CRAIG MARTELL

(EDMONTON, AB) craigmartell.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) bloodthirstymelonproductions.com

Car salesman by day, comic by night, full-time Newfoundlander. Paul Warford’s gesticular style and ethnically confusing afro is only half as hilarious as his fear of bees. He’s like that kid in My Girl.

Picnicface’s Cheryl Hann is Hera, goddess of the heavens. And by heavens, we mean spacetravel and by goddess we mean undercover astronaut. Star of sketch show Ghost with a Boner, she is also Sailor Moon.

Originally from Nova Scotia, co-owner of Edmonton’s famed Wunderbar, Martell is a comedian who always seems surrounded by greasy old hot dogs. Did he win a lifetime supply or something? Gross.

An innocent, child-like stage presence is betrayed by absurdist but hilarious animated shorts (Bloodthirsty Melon Productions) from Halifax’s tallest comedian. How’s the weather up there, guy?

(HALIFAX, NS) twitter.com/paulwarford

(HALIFAX, NS) twitter.com/CherylHann

STRUAN SUTHERLAND

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23 Reflections Cabaret

5184 SACKVILLE STREET, $20, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW AT 9:30PM (PLEASE PROVIDE 2 PIECES OF ID: 1 GOV’T, 1 OTHER) JAZZEAST PRESENTS

BADBADNOTGOOD

KAYO

It all started with a YouTube video. Three young men flipped Odd Future songs into a jazz medley in an abandoned apartment. The drummer wore a pig mask. Soon after, a friendship on Twitter led to jam sessions with Tyler the Creator while he was in Toronto. The moment was captured on YouTube and spread through the web like wildfire. Inspired equally by Lil B or John Coltrane, BADBADNOTGOOD found the post-bop in Big Apple classics (“The World Is Yours”, “Mass Appeal”, “Electric Relaxation”), Zelda themes and the off-kilter electronic soundscapes of Flying Lotus.

This young, St. Lucian-born, Halifax-based hip-hop star has been making big waves. With a full-length on the way from Classified’s Half Life Records imprint, preceded by the red-hot single “1 Night,” things continue to look up for this celebratory, inspiring performer.

(TORONTO, ON) badbadnotgood.com

THE WAYO

(HALIFAX, NS) kayomusic.com

HERMITOFTHEWOODS

(HALIFAX, NS) thewayo.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) hermitofthewoods.bandcamp.com

This Halifax quintet makes sophisticated, tasteful music somewhere between jazz, pop and hip-hop. Something like Sade being regulated by Warren G.

An intrepid explorer of all things verbal, Halifax’s Hermitofthewoods uses hip-hop to pry open the minds of the willing. A dastardly blend of slam-poet and MC, bizarro producer and ambitious storyteller.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Music and Comedy Showcases

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23 The Seahorse Tavern

1665 ARGYLE STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW AT 10PM ADVANCED SCREEN PRINTING PRESENTS

GROENLAND

RAIN OVER ST. AMBROSE

THE MEDS

LE TROUBLE

Groenland is an artful orchestral indie pop band based in Montreal. Combining lead singer Sabrina Halde’s soulful vocals and lush string arrangements with touches of electro here and warm ukulele there, Groenland’s unique musical universe becomes a lively, joyous sing-along-filled celebration on stage.

A little heavy on the uptake, a little gloomy on the upbeat. Like if Eddie Vedder and Hey Rosetta! made a concept album and then asked Ringo Starr to master it. Yeah, I went there.

Indestructible rockers from Charlottetown. These dudes rode all the way to California to record their debut with none other than Mr. Matt Mays, who has served as a mentor to the group over the past six years. Well on their way up, The Meds go down real smooth.

New-fangled pop rock done the old-fashioned way: with an impassioned falsetto and a whole lotta guts. Montreal’s Le Trouble makes triumphant, razorsharp anthems for hard-partying romantics. Whoever said playing hard wasn’t hard work?

(MONTREAL, QC) groenlandband.com

(YARMOUTH, NS) rainoverstambrose.com

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI) themeds.ca

(MONTREAL, QC) letrouble.bandcamp.com

HALIFAX HAPPY HOUR APP

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23 Gus’ Pub

2605 AGRICOLA STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW AT 10PM

B.A. JOHNSTON

JAY ARNER

CHAIRS

(MONTREAL, QC) chairstheband.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) moonhalifax.tumblr.com

For every tour stop he makes (about a zillion a year), and every deep-fried item he consumes (likewise), B.A. Johnston edges ever closer to resembling the man who’s face is on Canadian Tire money. Which really should be B.A.’s face, because we trust a mesh-back way more than a pom pom, right?

Arner and co. make high order powder-pop with shimmering synth tones and whip-smart lyrics. The brainchild and namesake of veteran west coast producer Jay Arner, this group displays a palatable and generous kind of sophistication. Ear candy with a hint of arsenic.

Grab a seat for the solo project of Ian Jarvis (Ghostkeeper) with special guest appearances on his epic, lo-fi psych-rock album The Droning of an Insect Wing. A spine-straightening but plush Cubist experiment.

The only thing more fun than playing in Halifax’s premiere Krautrock outfit might be trying to free-associate a more appropriate genre title for it: gobstoppertrashbird-funck OR woop-drupe OR spruce disco...

(HAMILTON, ON) bajohnston.ca

(VANCOUVER, BC) jayarner.bandcamp.com

The Carleton Music Bar & Grill

MOON

1685 ARGYLE STREET, $15, DOORS AT 8:30PM, SHOW AT 9:30PM

LEIF VOLLEBEKK

DARK FOR DARK

QUIET PARADE

Shambling ballads, noisy folk songs, vivid portraits of a 27-year-old’s watercolour life. “I feel like I created a record from 1970, something that no one’s heard before,” Vollebekk says. “I’m haggard and this record is all I got.”

The folk project of in-demand violinist/vocalist Rebecca Zolkower (Prospectors’ Union, Gianna Lauren) featuring the equally arresting Jess Lewis (Cactus Flower) and Mel Stone (Heavy Blinkers) on backing vocals. Bittersweet songs steeped in lush harmonies. Dark For Dark have a clear vision, strong hands and a heart beating calmly.

The three-year reigning champion of Best Band to Listen to Quietly, Quiet Parade should actually be turned up to 11 every now and then. A group of old Halifax pop pros making new things and loving it.

(MONTREAL, QC) leifvollebekk.com

(HALIFAX, NS) darkfordark.bandcamp.com

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

(HALIFAX, NS) quietparade.com

Music and Comedy Showcases

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23 The Company House

2202 GOTTINGEN STREET, $15, DOORS AT 7:30PM, SHOW AT 8PM

GABRIEL MINNIKIN

GREY KINGDOM

ELGIN-SKYE

SEA GLASSES

It’s hard to imagine a feller with a sweeter soul than Gabe Minnikin. A founding member of alt-rockers The Guthries and frequent collaborator with his sister Ruth, he is a purveyor of rustic and heart-warming Americana. He has toured Canada and the UK extensively, preferring dirt roads to heavy loads.

Somewhere under the red pines at the heart of Grey Kingdom is an embarrassment of riches. Ex-Attack In Black man Spencer Burton is simultaneously the concealer and revealer of this peculiar treasure.

Delightfully off-kilter Montreal singer-songwriter whose looping, punctuated melodies are a gateway to her tender and telling heart. Her performances recall the coyness of Regina Spektor and the raw emotionalism of John Darnielle.

Roughly 10,000 grains of sand can be held in a handful, which means you have 10,000 chances to capture something nearly ethereal. Akin to the recent Woodsist slow-rock scene, Sea Glasses has a gentle grasp on the most fleeting of things.

(HALIFAX, NS) facebook.com/pages/Gabriel-Minnikin

(WELLAND, ON) greykingdom.com

Michael ’s Bar & Grill

(MONTREAL, QC) elginyskye.bandcamp

6100 YOUNG STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW AT 10PM

THE PLAN

CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN

FORCE FIELDS

Determined, legendary and legitimate. The Plan was at the forefront of Halifax’s thriving math-rock scene at the turn of the century. An inspiration to countless thought-provoking, innovative and challenging groups to come, The Plan is a true luminary.

Serious heart palpitation. Blistering, blackened music from the pits of Halifax. No labels, please. Just turn the lights out. Please, dear lord, let the darkness fill the room. That I might be swallowed. That I might thrash along. Wolfenstein is one with the evil one.

Long hath the beastly and tangled Force Fields slumbered. Too long, too long. What new, spindly tales await? Which dreams shall be reanimated in Technicolor confusion?

(HALIFAX, NS) music.cbc.ca/#/artists/THE-PLAN

(HALIFAX, NS) seaglasses.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) castlewolfenstein.bandcamp.com

(FREDERICTON, NB) soundcloud.com/force-fields

OLD MAN

(HALIFAX, NS) Dudes, you know who, making pummelling hardcore. North of America. Beat Material. See you in the pit.

#HPX2013

0913-CA-HPX_print-HD.pdf

03/09/13

17:38

Music and Comedy Showcases

CKDU Lobby

6136 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, ROOM 420, FREE, 5:30PM

THE EVERYWHERES

(HALIFAX, NS) theeverywheres.bandcamp.com Halifax. Pop. Slang for “sugar.” Geetar fuzz and jangly bits. They must have been snoozing when you rang the bell. It was Sunday, after all, and the light was pooling nicely on the chesterfield.

WILLIE STRATTON AND THE BOARDING PARTY (HALIFAX, NS) williestratton.com

Someday, in the golden dawn of the future, Bedford, Nova Scotia will finally live up to its reputation as “a traditional stopping place”: throngs of folk archivists and likeminded troubadours will make the pilgrimage to visit the hometown of the legendary Willie Stratton.

Parentheses Gallery

2168 GOTTINGEN STREET, FREE, 5PM SCOTT TAPPEN RETROSPECTIVE

ANDY MCDANIEL WITH CHARLES AUSTIN

DARK FOR DARK

I’m not saying this collaboration is the Haligonian, ’90s altrock version of Watch The Throne, but then again, I just did. Expert axers Chuck Austin (Superfriendz/The Lodge) and Andy McDaniel (Leonard Conan/ Alewives) combine to make sixstring icing on the power-chord cake.

The folk project of in-demand violinist/vocalist Rebecca Zolkower (Prospectors’ Union, Gianna Lauren) featuring the equally arresting Jess Lewis (Cactus Flower) and Mel Stone (Heavy Blinkers) on backing vocals. Bittersweet songs steeped in lush harmonies. Dark For Dark has a clear vision, strong hands and a heart beating calmly.

(HALIFAX, NS)

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

(HALIFAX, NS) darkfordark.bandcamp.com

creative digital engagement

digital strategies real-world impact!

konnektnow.com

JOIN US IN WINNIPEG

BREAKOUT WEST 2014 OCTOBER 2ND – 5TH BREAKOUT WEST FESTIVAL WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY AWARDS for more info visit us at www.BREAKOUTWEST.ca

photo credit: LUIS CARDONA

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24

Olympic Community Hall

2304 HUNTER STREET, $35, DOORS AT 7PM, SHOW AT 7:30PM VICE PRESENTS

ACTION BRONSON

KILLER MIKE

The former chef turned rhymesmith started rapping in 2009. After dropping the Come Up EP for free in 2010, Bronson followed up with the critically acclaimed Dr. Lecter produced in its entirety by Tommy Mas (Team Facelift). The song “Shiraz” and its viral video quickly spread like wildfire and Bronson became a favourite of the hip-hop blog cognoscenti after being championed by many top sites.

Nearly a decade deep in the rap game, Mike has released five critically hailed records and won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group with Outkast for the song “The Whole World.” But, in no uncertain terms, Mike will tell you that R.A.P. Music is his finest accomplishment. He’ll even call it a “classic.” Of course, every rapper calls every one of their albums a classic. The only difference is that Mike’s right.

BADBADNOTGOOD

QUAKE MATTHEWS

WEIRDO CLICK

Rub-a-dub-dub, IV League rapper Quake Matthews has been putting out tracks that shine bright like a waxed hood at the car wash. So much flow and so many releases since 2010, with plenty of premium collaborations. Quake only wants a smooth touch, no scrubs, and keep the change, ya filthy animal.

Way-laidback hip-hop crew from the 902. Things to expect in excess at a WC show in ascending order: weed references, blowjob references, people on stage, talent.

(ATLANTA, GA) killermikegto.tumblr.com

(QUEENS, NY) actionbronson.com

(HALIFAX, NS) quakematthews.com

(TORONTO, ON) badbadnotgood.com

through the web like wildfire. Inspired equally by Lil B or John Coltrane, BADBADNOTGOOD found the post-bop in Big Apple classics (“The World Is Yours”, “Mass Appeal”, “Electric Relaxation”), Zelda themes and the off-kilter electronic soundscapes of Flying Lotus.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

(HALIFAX, NS) weirdoclick.tumblr.com

Music and Comedy Showcases

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 The Marquee Ballroom

2037 GOTTINGEN STREET, $25, DOORS AT 8:30PM, SHOW AT 9:30PM SONIC CONCERTS PRESENTS

FUCKED UP

THE MOUTHBREATHERS

Fucked Up has the most perfect name for any band in rock history. In two words it bluntly states the truth that lies at the heart of the white noise maelstrom—things are different from what you expect. Right from the start this Toronto band has been pushing musical and conceptual boundaries. Forming ostensibly as a punk band, Fucked Up swiftly took on hardcore and twisted it into its own version, with a psychedelic edge, unexpected instrumentation like flute and keyboards, and songs stretched to perverse lengths.

Do you know the songs? Sure you do. Sing along. We wrote them for you, best pal. Ol’ buddy. You salty dog, you. When ya headed to Sackville, anyway? You know where to find us.

(TORONTO, ON) lookingforgold.blogspot.com

(SACKVILLE, NB) themouthbreathers.bandcamp.com

YOU LOVE THE PIT.

PUP

(TORONTO, ON) puptheband.com Once known as Topanga, these Toronto pop-punkers have shared the stage with Sloan, Tokyo Police Club, Titus Andronicus and Born Ruffians. Energetic down to the marrow.

COUSINS

(HALIFAX, NS) cousinscousins.bandcamp.com White van. Yellow wheels. Purple nurples.

YOUR KICKS DON’T. FRESHEN THEM UP AT FRESHGOODS. BRING IN YOUR HALIFAX POP EXPLOSION WRISTBAND OR PASS AND RECEIVE 10% OFF ANY REGULAR PRICE FOOTWEAR.

1491 South Park Street, 2nd floor facebook.com/FreshGoods or follow us @freshgoodsinc #HPX2013

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Music and Comedy Showcases

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 Hell ’s Kitchen

2037 GOTTINGEN STREET (DOWNSTAIRS), INCLUDED IN MARQUEE COVER, DOORS AT 8:30, SHOW AT 9:45PM

DYSCONTROL

PINK WINE

FAT STUPIDS

NEGATIVE RAGE

Acerbic, white-knuckled punk rock in the shape of a looming, igneous monolith. No gimmicks. No vinegar or piss. These boys mean business.

Snotty pop-punk made the only way there is to make it: fun. So fun, in fact, that the awesome P.Trash records put out Pink Wine’s most recent LP. Songs about drugs and (possibly not) metaphorical scabs, sung by the endlessly energetic Joel French.

Go ahead and bang it against the wall. Jiggle your brains a little. One, two, three, four. Repeat. Watch out for that loose shoelace. Mind the soda intake. Actually, fuck it. Don’t let the Fat Stupids sweat for nothing. Go ape.

I hope both your eardrums and your nostrils are bleeding all over your worn-out Dead Kennedys t-shirt.

(HALIFAX, NS) dyscontrol.bandcamp.com

(TORONTO, ON) ilikepinkwine.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) fatstupids.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) youtu.be/1JBukoM9fLg

PROUD SUPPORTER OF HPX 2013

Black Mold | Husband/Knife & The Drone | Ought | Jon McKiel | Ghostkeeper

Pigeon Row’s Birthday Party Gus’ Pub | Friday, October 25th | 9:00pm

MOKSHA YOGA HALIFAX

1512 Dresden Row | 902.420.0888

www.mokshayogahalifax.com #HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 St. Matthew’s United Church 1479 BARRINGTON STREET, $30, DOORS AT 7PM, SHOW AT 8PM

HANNAH GEORGAS

LEIF VOLLEBEKK

Georgas is an injection of new energy to the Canadian independent scene. And she’s doing it all the old-fashioned way—with grit and clear self-direction, the kind that took Georgas from open mic nights in empty bars to sold-out shows in popular night clubs. As for what inspires her to be so prolific, Georgas says, “I’m pretty open; songs for me are personal and I have no choice but to share them. Somebody else may be going through the same thing as me and you might be helping somebody.” Georgas has found a growing eager audience for her heartfelt and pithy pop tunes.

(VANCOUVER, BC) hannahgeorgas.com

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

(MONTREAL, QC) leifvollebekk.com

Music and Comedy Showcases

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 The Seahorse Tavern

1665 ARGYLE STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9:30PM, SHOW AT 11PM

THE BIBLIOPHONIC SERIES is a catalogue of the ongoing history of contemporary music. “The Bibliophonic series appeases diehards in a format that even the most casual fan can digest.” –exclaim

NEW WOODEN STARS: INNOCENT GEARS

THE MELLOTONES (HALIFAX, NS) facebook.com/mellotones

The big band sound doesn’t get much larger than Halifax’s ninepiece soul, funk, and jazz ensemble. More horns than a herd of wild unicorns, more sex appeal than Curtis Mayfield in a sequined disco suit, The Mellotones get down like James Brown on Soul Train.

ALSO AVAILABLE NoMeansNo: Going Nowhere The Dears: Lost in the Plot Deadly Snakes: Real Rock and Roll Tonight

VISIT OUR TABLE AT THE ZINE FAIR READ MORE ABOUT THESE & ALL OUR BOOKS AT INVISIBLEPUBLISHING.COM

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 Reflections Cabaret

5184 SACKVILLE STREET, $20, DOORS AT 7PM, SHOW AT 8PM (PLEASE PROVIDE 2 PIECES OF ID: 1 GOV’T, 1 OTHER) LIXAR PRESENTS

HOLLERADO

POOR YOUNG THINGS

GLORY GLORY

DANCE MOVIE

Hollerado is four friends that grew up on the same street in tiny Manotick, Ontario, Canada. They’ve also become one of the most lovable groups on the planet thanks to insanely catchy and energetic guitar pop, boundless creativity and a relentless DIY approach. Hollerado’s songs combine the melody and energy of ’90s Weezer and Supergrass with the irreverent wit of Stephen Malkmus and their shows that have been described as elementary school recess with beer and piñatas and acid at a house party.

After relocating from Thunder Bay to Toronto, everything exploded for Poor Young Things: a killer record deal with Bumstead Records, a SiriusXM award for Emerging Artist of The Year and an epic debut record, The Heart. The Head. The End. These hardrocking realists sure are sittin’ pretty.

Fine-tuned Haligonian rock and roll. The boys in Glory Glory make stadium-sized pop songs fit for your back pocket. Big, juicy choruses get swallowed up by feedback, which in turn washes away to reveal pillars of heartfelt harmonies. The best of what is leftover from a stronger world.

Since 2009, with four releases, Tara Thorne has been perfecting the contemporary indie-pop love song. Arcs and falls, poetical introspection, upbeat solemnity and the adoration of strong female character closes it all out like a season finale of Friends.

(TORONTO, ON) hollerado.com

(TORONTO, ON) pooryoungthings.com

(HALIFAX, NS) gloryglory.ca

(HALIFAX, NS) dancemovie.bandcamp.com

Reflections Cabaret

5184 SACKVILLE STREET, $7, SHOW AT 12AM (PLEASE PROVIDE 2 PIECES OF ID: 1 GOV’T, 1 OTHER) HOME BASS PRESENTS

TRILLIONAIRES

NMBRS & LTTRS

ZORA THE SULTAN

Trap masters from The New Halifax collective who are probably just a couple of nice fellas that happen to make some top-notch nasty music

A ferocious duo of Halifax rumpshakers KDZ and P-80. Longtime purveyors of bass, footwork and juke jams, these two cut up the dance floor with a surgical precision.

Something of a chameleon, this royal Haligonian drops anything from soul, funk, house, jazz, hip-hop and R&B, with a common denominator of FAT BASS.

(HALIFAX, NS) soundcloud.com/trillionairesmusic

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

(HALIFAX, NS) soundcloud.com/kdz

(HALIFAX, NS) facebook.com/zorathesultan

Help Desk

Five-Day Festival Wristbands And Passes On Sale Now!

GET ONE BEFORE THEY’RE GONE! WHERE TO BUY WRISTBANDS, PASSES AND INDIVIDUAL SHOW TICKETS

Festival wristbands and a limited number of individual show tickets are available for purchase online at ticketpro.ca, by phone at 1-888-311-9090 or in person at any Ticketpro point of sale. HPX and HPX Digital passes can be purchased online at ticketpro.ca, by phone at 1-888-311-9090. Advanced tickets will be made available for shows at The Olympic Community Hall, The Marquee Ballroom, Reflections Cabaret and St. Matthew’s United Church. Service fees and sales tax will be added to the cost of the ticket. Visit halifaxpopexplosion.com for full schedule, show details and to plan your festival or conference experience.

TICKETPRO BOX OFFICE Wristbands and passes must be picked up at the Ticketpro Box Office located in the Atlantica Hotel (1980 Robie Street). Wristbands, passes, tickets and merch can be purchased here for the duration of the festival.

HOURS OF OPERATION OCTOBER 22-OCTOBER 26 9AM-8PM LATE-NIGHT DESK (PICK-UP ONLY): OPEN TO 10PM IN THE ATLANTICA HOTEL LOBBY

Grab a Wristband and you won’t have to pay to get into any HPX venue, score a Priority Pass and you’ll get to skip the line-up and breeze right in, scoop a VIP Pass and you’ll be guaranteed entry into all shows even if they are sold out, download an HPX Digital Pass and gain access to the full HPX Digital conference and all festival performances. If you plan on seeing more than one show the best bang for your buck is a festival wristband as it gives you access to all venues over the five days. Joel Plaskett with Symphony Nova Scotia tickets are available through the Dalhousie Arts Centre box office: artscentre.dal.ca or 1-800-874-1669

FESTIVAL WRISTBAND Early Bird / Advance / Walk-up

$65/$75/$85

PRIORITY PASS

VIP PASS

HPX DIGITAL PASS

HPX DIGITAL FLEX PASS

$129/$169/$199

$249/$299/$349

$249/$349/$425

$349/$449/$525

FEATURES 5-Day Access to All HPX Venues

POP!EXPO

POP!TALKS

Bike Concierge Service

x x x

Festival Bus

Guaranteed Access

x x

Joel Plaskett w/ Symphony NS

HPX Poster

HPX Digital Conference

Skip the Lineup

Transferable Pass Swag Bag

#HPX2013

Help Desk

SCHEDULE TUES OCT 22 OLYMPIC COMMUNITY HALL

WED OCT 23

MOLSON CANADIAN PRESENTS $35 WAVVES 11:00 OBITS 10:00 COLD WARPS 9:00 OUTTACONTROLLER 8:00

THE MARQUEE BALLROOM

THURS OCT 24 VICE PRESENTS $35

ACTION BRONSON 11:15 KILLER MIKE 10:00 BADBADNOTGOOD 9:00 QUAKE MATTHEWS 8:15 WEIRDO CLICK 7:30

LIXAR PRESENTS $35 MOLSON CANADIAN PRESENTS $35

THE WALKMEN 11:00 DUSTED 10:00 SUUNS 9:00 NAP EYES 8:00

ARTS & CRAFTS PRESENTS $20

ZEUS 12:30 THE DARCYS 11:30 STILL LIFE STILL 10:30 NORTH LAKES 9:30

JAZZEAST PRESENTS $20

BADBADNOTGOOD 12:30 KAYO 11:30 THE WAYO 10:30 HEMITOFTHEWOODS 9:30

BRIAN POSEHN JON MICK KYLE HICKEY MEG MACKAY BRIAN ALYWARD

8:00 7:30 7:15 7:00 HOST

BRIAN POSEHN CHERYL HANN CRAIG MARTELL STRUAN SUTHERLAND PAUL WARFORD

8:00 7:30 7:15 7:00 HOST

DYSCONTROL 12:00 PINK WINE 11:15 FAT STUPIDS 10:30 NEGATIVE RAGE 9:45

HOLLERADO 11:00 POOR YOUNG THINGS 10:00 GLORY GLORY 9:00 DANCE MOVIE 8:00

BESNARD LAKES 12:30 NO JOY 11:30 HIGHEST ORDER 10:30 MOONSOCKET 9:30

THE BICYCLES 12:00 RENNY WILSON 11:15 KETAMINES 10:30 THE ALMIGHTY RHOMBUS 9:45

FIND THE OTHERS 12:00 SHEEPMAN 11:15 ISBN 10:30 JON SAMUEL 9:45

JAGERMEISTER PRESENTS $20

HOME BASS PRESENTS $7

TRILLIONAIRES 2:30 NMBRS & LTTRS 1:00 ZORA THE SULTAN 12:00

METZ 11:00 SECRET GUEST 10:00 KUATO 9:00 SOLIDS 8:00

HANNAH GEORGAS 9:00 LEIF VOLLEBEKK 8:00

THE BEARDS 1:00 COYOTE 12:00 TAKE PART 11:00 THE BAD LADS 10:00

GROENLAND 1:00 RAIN OVER ST. AMBROSE 12:00 THE MEDS 11:00 LE TROUBLE 10:00

THE MELLOTONES 11:00

INNOVACORP FLIP THE SCRIPT OPENING PARTY PASS

DJ JAMES REID 6:00

SLED ISLAND PRESENTS $15

OBIT 1:00 QUIVERS 12:00 TOUGH AGE 11:00 THE REFERENCE DARK 10:00

$15

B.A JOHNSTON 1:00 JAY ARNER 12:00 CHAIRS 11:00 MOON 10:00

NICK BIKE 2:30 GRANDTHEFT 1:00 MATTYBOH 12:00

THE ZOLAS 1:00 THE EVERYWHERES 12:00 WALRUS 11:00 LIGHTMARES 10:00

BRAIDS 9:00 BROKEN DEER 8:00

DIRTY BEACHES 11:00 CROSSS 10:00 MONOMYTH 9:00 SAFFRONS 8:00 THE NEW HFX PRESENTS $15

DEAD HORSE BEATS 2:30 LUNICE 1:00 GWEN WEST 12:00

PORTER AIRLINES PRESENTS $30 G REAT LAKE SWIMMERS(SOLO) 9:00 PAPER BEAT SCISSORS 8:00

ROYAL CANOE 1:00 ENGLISH WORDS 12:00 KASHKA 11:00 THIS SHIP 10:00

COMEDY

$20

TODD BARRY 8:00 BRYANT THOMSON 7:30 DAVID HETI 7:15 SANDI RANKADUWA 7:00 BOB KERR HOST

GHOSTKEEPER 1:00 JON MCKIEL 12:00 OUGHT 11:00 HUSBAND/KNIFE & THE DRONE 10:15 BLACK MOLD 9:30 MINT RECORDS PRESENTS FREE JAY ARNER 6.OO RENNY WILSON 5:15 TOUGH AGE 4:30 PICK A PIPER 3:45 KETAMINES 3:00

CIMA PRESENTS CANADIAN BLAST $15 SUUNS 1:00 LOUISE BURNS 12:00 JOSEPH & THE MERCURIALS 11:00 PANOS 10:00

COMEDY

PIGEON ROW PRESENTS $15

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

EXCLAIM! PRESENTS $30

$15

OSHEAGA PRESENTS $20

JAGERMEISTER PRESENTS $15

ADVANCED SCREEN PRINTING $15 $15 JAC PRESENTS $15 PRESENTS $15

THE COAST PRESENTS $25

ST. MATTHEW’S UNITED CHURCH $30

GUS’ PUB

JAPANDROIDS 11:00 METZ 10:00 THE MOTORLEAGUE 9:00 LIKE A MOTORCYCLE 8:00

YOUNG GALAXY 12:30 DIANA 11:30 AQUA ALTA 10:30 TOPS 9:30

LIXAR PRESENTS $20

STRANGE ADVENTURES COMEDY STRANGE ADVENTURES COMEDY PRESENTS $20 PRESENTS $20

THE SEAHORSE TAVERN

REFLECTIONS CABARET

SAT OCT 26

SONIC CONCERTS PRESENTS $25 SIRIUS XM CANADA PRESENTS $25 FUCKED UP 12:30 COUSINS 11:30 THE MOUTHBREATHERS 10:30 PUP 9:30

HELL’S KITCHEN

FRI OCT 25

$15

LAUGH SABBATH 7:00 EVERARDO RAMIREZ FEAT.

$15

WE ARE WOLVES 1:00 WE’RE DOOMED 12:00 CURSED ARROWS 11:00 MACHINEGUN SUZIE 10:00

Help Desk TUES OCT 22 THE COMPANY HOUSE

THE CARLETON

KRH 98.5 & FECANE PRESENTS FRANCOPOP $15 LES HOTESSES D’HILAIRE 11:00 SAHARA DRAGON 10:00 JONAHMELTWAVE 9:00 MARY BETH DE SCENE 8:00

THURS OCT 24

$15

FRI OCT 25

IDOW PRESENTS $15

GABRIEL MINNIKIN 11:00 GREY KINGDOM 10:00 ELGIN-SKYE 9:00 SEA GLASSES 8:00

WOODPIGEON 11:00 KIM HARRIS 10:00 BANDED STILTS 9:00 ALANA YORKE 8:00

SAT OCT 26

$15

POP MONTREAL PRESENTS $15

AMBITION 12:00 MILES JONES 11:00 HUA LI 10:00 PSYCTHAPRICE 9:00 NICOLE ARIANA 8:00

TOPS 12:00 SEOUL 11:00 PICK A PIPER 10:00 A.A. WALLACE 9:00 SLIGHT 8:00

$15 $15 JOURNEY MAN FILM PRESENTS $15 $15 $15

LADIES OF THE CANYON 11:30 N ICK FERRIO & HIS FEELINGS 10:30 DANA BEELER 9:30

THE PAVILION

WED OCT 23

LEIF VOLLEBEKK 11:30 DARK FOR DARK 10:30 QUIET PARADE 9:30

THE DEVIN CUDDY BAND 11:30 JANE’S PARTY 10:30 AL TUCK 9:30

THUS:OWLS 11:30 PAT LEPOIDEVIN 10:30 CHIEF THUNDERCLOUD 9:30

LINDY 11:30 MEGAN BONNELL 10:30 RACOON BANDIT 9:30

$15

$10

FUCKED UP 8:30 COLD WARPS 7:30 SAM COFFEY & IRON LUNGS 6:45 JERK DAMAGED 6:00

KEN MODE FULL OF HELL NEW FLESH TBD-BATTLE WINTER

WEIRD CANADA GOOD TIMES PARTY JAM

$5 DONATION

HEAVEN FOR REAL DIRTY BEACHES & MOON OLD & WEIRD THE NEW BLONDE

$15 THE PLAN 1:00 CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN 12:00 FORCE FIELDS 11:00 OLD MAN 10:00

THE BUS STOP THEATRE

$15

DUSTED 1:00 RAH RAH 12:00 HEAVY MEADOWS 11:00 THE SPACE AGE 10:00

FREE WILLIE STRATTON & THE BOARDING PARTY 6:15 THE EVERYWHERES 5:30

GRAND PARADE

NXNE PRESENTS $15

FREE

LOUISE BURNS 6:15 BILLIE DRE & THE POOR BOYS 5:30

BY DIVINE RIGHT 12:00 JULIE FADER 11:00 DOOMSQUAD 10:00 HSY 9:00

D5R PRESENTS $15

KEN MODE 1:00 FULL OF HELL 12:00 ORCHID’S CURSE 11:00 WEED THIEF 10:00 AUDIO BLOOD & PLEDGEMUSIC PRESENT $15

NORTH LAKES 12:00 WILLIE STRATTON & THE BOARDING PARTY 11:00 JESS REIMER 10:00 NUELA CHARLES 9:00

FREE

CASINO NS

NO JOY 1:00 BILLIE DRE & THE POOR BOYS 12:00 GROUNDERS 11:00 NIGHT SURF 10:00

ROCKING HORSE ROAD HAND DRAWN DRACULA PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS $15 PRESENTS $15 REPARTEE 10:00 HEATHER GREEN 9:00 THE TRUE LOVE RULES 8:00 EXPRESS & COMPANY 7:00

CKDU LOBBY

4:15 3:30 2:45 2:00

SYMPHONY NS SYMPHONY NS PRESENTS $30-$57 PRESENTS $30-$57 JOEL PLASKETT JOEL PLASKETT & MO KENNEY 7:30 & MO KENNEY 7:30

REBECCA COHN AUDITORIUM

MICHAEL’S BAR & GRILL

9:00 8:00 7:15 6:30

WEIRDO CLICK 6:15 NICOLE ARIANA 5:30

EASTLINK PRESENTS FREE

FREE

THE ZOLAS 5:00 WE ARE WOLVES 6:00 SECRET GUEST 7:00 SHAD 8:00

ISLANDS 8:00 DIANA 7:00 GOLDEN DOGS 6:00 GRAND ANALOG 5:00 THE TOWN HEROES 4:00 A.A. WALLACE 3:00

MUSIC NOVA SCOTIA PRESENTS NEW MUSIC FRIDAYS FREE THE CARAVAN 12:00 JESSIES BROWN 11:00 THIS SOUND WILL SAVE YOU 10:00 BLOODY DIAMONDS 9:00

PARENTHESES GALLERY

SCOTT TAPPEN RETROSPECTIVE SCOTT TAPPEN RETROSPECTIVE SCOTT TAPPEN RETROSPECTIVE PRESENTS FREE PRESENTS FREE PRESENTS FREE MOONSOCKET 5:45 CHIEF THUNDERCLOUD 5:00

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

E VENINGS AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE PRESENTS TICKET LOTTERY

ANDY MCDANIEL WITH CHARLES AUSTIN 5:45 DARK FOR DARK 5:00

AL TUCK 5:45 MARK GRUNDY 5:00

MO KENNEY 7:30

#HPX2013

Help Desk

VENUES & SITE ATLANTICA HOTEL ALL AGES 1980 ROBIE STREET 902.423.1161

THE BUS STOP THEATRE ALL AGES 2203 GOTTINGEN STREET 1.888.639.1169

THE CARLETON MUSIC BAR & GRILL 19+ 1685 ARGYLE STREET 902.422.6335

THE COMPANY HOUSE 19+ 2202 GOTTINGEN STREET 902.404.3050

CKDU LOBBY

ALL AGES 6136 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, ROOM 420 902.494.6479

DART GALLERY

MICHAEL’S BAR & GRILL

ALL AGES 127A PORTLAND STREET, DARTMOUTH

THE REBECCA COHN AUDITORIUM

19+ 6100 YOUNG STREET 902.454.6600

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

ALL AGES 6101 UNIVERSITY AVENUE 902.494.3820

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY CARBON ARC CINEMA

ALL AGES 1451 BARRINGTON STREET

REFLECTIONS CABARET 19+ 5184 SACKVILLE STREET 902.422.2957

ALL AGES 1747 SUMMER STREET 902.424.6452

GUS’ PUB

19+ 2605 AGRICOLA STREET 902.423.7786

GRAND PARADE

OLYMPIC COMMUNITY HALL

HELL’S KITCHEN

PARENTHESES GALLERY

THE MARQUEE BALLROOM

THE PAVILION

ST. MATTHEW’S UNITED CHURCH ALL AGES 1479 BARRINGTON STREET 902.423.9209

19+ 2304 HUNTER STREET 902.422.7373

ALL AGES BARRINGTON AT ARGYLE STREET

THE SEAHORSE TAVERN 19+ 1665 ARGYLE STREET 902.423.7200

ALL AGES 2168 GOTTINGEN STREET 902.403-3932

19+ 2037 GOTTINGEN STREET (DOWNSTAIRS)

WORLD TRADE AND CONVENTION CENTRE

ALL AGES 5816 COGSWELL STREET

19+ 2037 GOTTINGEN STREET

ALL AGES 1800 ARGYLE STREET 902.421.8686 DART GALLERY

MICHAEL’S BAR & GRILL

GUS’ PUB PARENTHESES GALLERY

THE BUS STOP THEATRE

THE COMPANY HOUSE

HELL’S KITCHEN THE MARQUEE BALLROOM

OLYMPIC COMMUNITY HALL

WORLD TRADE AND CONVENTION CENTRE THE PAVILION MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY CARBON ARC CINEMA

ATLANTICA HOTEL

GRAND PARADE

THE CARLETON MUSIC BAR & GRILL THE SEAHORSE TAVERN

REFLECTIONS CABARET ST. MATTHEW’S UNITED CHURCH GOVERNMENT HOUSE

CKDU LOBBY

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

THE REBECCA COHN AUDITORIUM

Music and Comedy Showcases

CIMA presents

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 Gus’ Pub

2605 AGRICOLA STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW 10PM

ion 2013 At Halifax Pop ExplTos OBER 26 SATURDAY, OC The Seahorse Tavern

THE ZOLAS

THE EVERYWHERES

After debuting with Tic Toc Tic in 2009, The Zolas scaled the precipice of cult status across Canada, thanks to a loyal fan base carried over from Zach Gray (vocals, guitar) and Tom Dobrzanski’s (piano) lengthy songwriting and producing experience. With the sophomore album Ancient Mars, The Zolas have continued their legacy of postmodern pop. Armed with poetic lyrics, Ancient Mars trades in the cabaret glitz of Tic Toc Tic for reverbed pianos and hard, minimalist beats.

Halifax. Pop. Slang for “sugar.” Geetar fuzz and jangly bits. They must have been snoozing when you rang the bell. It was Sunday, after all, and the light was pooling nicely on the chesterfield.

(VANCOUVER, BC) thezolasmusic.com

(HALIFAX, NS) theeverywheres.bandcamp.com

11:00 PM

LIGHTMARES

WALRUS

Despite popular misinterpretations, Walrus is not the walrus. They are, however, a bunch of shaggyhaired bohemes that call their “label” Poncho Records and work exclusively in the fluorescent or dayglo colour palette.

10:00 PM

JOSEPH & THE MERCURIALS

(SUDBURY, ON) lightmares.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) walrustheband.bandcamp.com

PANOS

Long-hairs from Sudbury just bangin’ away, clutching at the last straws of garage rock. Somewhere in the world, it’s Millard time. And that means you deserve a cheap drink, a pat on the back and Lightmares, to remind you that nothing matters much.

LOUISE BURNS

12:00 AM

SUUNS

1:00 AM

se Study: Ben Caplan

Ca Don’t miss the Music Export A, Music Nova Scotia, & SOCAN presented in partnership with CIM

0 PM Saturday, October 26an, 3:0 tica Hotel Commons Room, Atl

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 The Carleton Music Bar & Grill

1685 ARGYLE STREET, $15, DOORS AT 8:30PM, SHOW AT 9:30 JOURNEYMAN FILM COMPANY PRESENTS

THE DEVIN CUDDY BAND

JANE’S PARTY

AL TUCK

Devin Cuddy’s music has a style its own, one that shouldn’t work, but somehow does. His unique blend of New Orleans Blues and Country effortlessly marries the two musical ideals with a distinctive element of Canadiana so eloquent, that it leaves one pondering why no one has done this before. In Toronto’s growing pseudo-country scene Devin’s new take on the genre pushes the limits of what people think they want to dance to on a Saturday night.

Jane and Finch. Jane’s Addiction. Jane of the Jungle. Jane’s Party? Jane’s Party? Jane’s Party.

Al of Green Gables. PEI denizen crosses the Confederation Bridge to sing his folk-rock almost twenty years running now. Who doesn’t love Al Tuck? He’s a great guy with a voice rich and deep like red sands.

(TORONTO, ON) devincuddy.com

(TORONTO, ON) janesparty.com

Michael ’s Bar & Grill

(HUNTER RIVER, PEI) altuck.com

6100 YOUNG STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW AT 10PM

DUSTED

RAH RAH

HEAVY MEADOWS

THE SPACE AGE

After six years of constant Holy Fuck touring, Brian Borcherdt emerged from the tangled cables and broken drum machines with a slew of new songs. Looking to explore a different sound, Borcherdt teamed with producer Leon Taheny (Final Fantasy, Rituals, Bruce Peninsula) and together the pair recorded in a converted garage under the name Dusted.

The members of Rah Rah share a collective mentality, taking turns taking the lead, both in songwriting and while on stage. The melodic male/female vocals and shared instrumentation traded off seamlessly (Erin Passmore and Jeff Romanyk both play drums, keyboards and guitar, while Kristina Hedlund plays violin, keyboards and accordion), plus a true level of fun throughout ensures that a Rah Rah show will not disappoint.

Heavy Meadows are one hell of a well-named band: the music evokes the hard feeling that comes from looking out onto a beautiful vista while holding something heavy in your chest. Since 1999, these Halifax vets have moved slowly from deft folk explorations to poignant, soaring rock of magnetic quality.

Former El Torpedos and Heavy Blinkers take a new turn, going heavier and deeper into an alt-rock galaxy with heights that reach the Milky Way. Make sure to bring a packet of Tang.

(TORONTO, ON) totallydusted.com

(REGINA, SK) rahrahband.com

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

(HALIFAX, NS) heavymeadows.ca

(HALIFAX, NS) thespaceage.bandcamp.com

Music and Comedy Showcases

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 The Pavilion

5816 COGSWELL STREET, $10, DOORS AT 5:30PM, SHOW AT 6PM

FUCKED UP

(TORONTO, ON) lookingforgold.blogspot.com Fucked Up has the most perfect name for any band in rock history. In two words it bluntly states the truth that lies at the heart of the white noise maelstrom—things are different from what you expect. Right from the start this Toronto band has been pushing musical and conceptual boundaries. Forming ostensibly as a punk band, Fucked Up swiftly took on hardcore and twisted it into its own version, with a psychedelic edge, unexpected instrumentation like flute and keyboards, and songs stretched to perverse lengths.

COLD WARPS

(HALIFAX, NS) coldwarps.bandcamp.com Lousy buncha soda-suckin’ jerks. No-good three-chord punks from a one-horse town.

The Bus Stop Theatre

SAM COFFEY AND THE IRON LUNGS

(TORONTO, ON) samcoffeyandtheironlungs.bandcamp.com Citing Meat Loaf as an influence, do they mean “I Would Do Anything for Love” Meat Loaf, or “Bat Out of Hell” Meat Loaf, or Spice World-cameo Meat Loaf? I’ll take all three. Great frigging pop-punk jams from Toronto.

JERK DAMAGED

(TRURO, NS) jerkdamaged.bandcamp.com Scrappy, confessional punk rock from Truro, Nova Scotia. Songs about assholes in BNL shirts, fuelled by the discomforts of being a young twenty-something in a terrible, terrible world.

2203 GOTTINGEN STREET, $15, DOORS AT 6:30PM, SHOW AT 7PM ROCKING HORSE ROAD PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

REPARTEE

HEATHER GREEN

THE TRUE LOVE RULES

EXPRESS AND COMPANY

Newfoundland dance-pop keyboard-wielding four-piece. Throw your cods in the air like you just don’t care.

Sultry and smoking like the flaming memories of old lovers, Heather Green’s ECMAnominated songs are scorching. Working with Jenn Grant, Ria Mae and Gordie Sampson, she’s already an old pro at this.

Edgy pop with pop edges. Hedge your bets and bet your hedges. True love rules.

The Weird Al video for “Amish Paradise” set the standard for Pennsylvania Dutch apparel, until Peterborough’s Dylan Ireland put together Express and Company with barn-burning, organic oldtime folk.

(ST. JOHN’S, NL) reparteemusic.ca

(HALIFAX, NS) heathergreen.ca

(HALIFAX, NS) davemarsh.ca

(PETERBOROUGH, ON) facebook.com/expressandcompany

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 Rebecca Cohn Auditorium

6101 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, $30-$57, 7:30PM SYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIA PRESENTS

JOEL PLASKETT

(DARTMOUTH, NS) joelplaskett.com Joel Plaskett is often referred to as a national treasure. He has won a multitude of awards and has eight records to his credit. As a solo artist, Plaskett delivers compelling pop/folk music while his Emergency projects are a full-on rock experience. Plaskett’s hectic touring schedule over the past ten years has included stops in Canada, the US, Ireland/ UK, Europe and Australia. In addition to touring and recording, he is currently building his producer’s credits and has recorded with the likes of Sarah Slean, David Myles and Steve Poltz.

MO KENNEY (HALIFAX, NS) mokenney.com

Sometimes Mo writes songs by the lake, facing out into a wilderness so wild only a pure heart could tame it. Sweet folk songs lap at the shoreline, concealing the darkness just under the wave.

The Company House

2202 GOTTINGEN STREET, $15, DOORS AT 7:30PM, SHOW AT 8PM IN THE DEAD OF WINTER PRESENTS

WOODPIGEON

KIM HARRIS

BANDED STILTS

ALANA YORKE

The namesake of one Mark Hamilton, who makes robust, well-crafted orchestral pop. His fifth album, Thumbtacks And Glue, released this past February, is a testament to Hamilton’s continuing growth and refinement as a folk-auteur.

Pop-folk with weighty undertones. Kim Harris’ cogent vocals tackle the range of human emotion with a reaffirming evenhandedness. This young Haligonian delivers timeless tales in which tender hearts can live and breathe as one.

A gaggle of east coasters whose songs pretend at nothing. Adorned with banjo, mandolin and harmonica, and steadied by guitar, bass and drums, the music leaves plenty of room for singer Steve Haley’s robust voice to catch a gust of wind and soar. It’s all about human/nature.

In a climate of heavy processing and electronic trickery, Alana Yorke’s stripped- down piano/ vocal approach feels brave and refreshing. Her words are earnest and her playing is well-tempered and bittersweet. She is Halifax’s emotional wellspring.

(CALGARY, AB) woodpigeon-songbook.com

(HALIFAX, NS) kimharris.bandcamp.com

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

(HALIFAX, NS) bandedstilts.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) alanayorke.com

Music and Comedy Showcases

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 Parentheses Gallery

CKDU Lobby

2168 GOTTINGEN STREET, FREE, 5PM SCOTT TAPPEN RETROSPECTIVE

6136 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, ROOM 420, FREE, 5:30PM

LOUISE BURNS (VANCOUVER, BC) louiseburnsmusic.com

Pianos have a way of draping around melodies like heavy blackvelvet curtains. There are roses in the garden.

BILLIE DRE AND THE POOR BOYS

AL TUCK

(HALIFAX, NS) billiedre.bandcamp.com

Billie Dre and The Poor Boys have exhumed southern rock to dress the blues in the jeweled suit Lynyrd Skynryd was buried in. A triple-patty Ace burger, these rockers hit up every Hooters on Route 66.

MARK GRUNDY

(HUNTER RIVER, PEI) altuck.com

(HALIFAX, NS) quakerparents.bandcamp.com

Mark Grundy (Quaker Parents, Heaven For Real) has a new haircut.

We ARE the . .. . . .

MUSIC

U.S. Work Permits Instrument and Liability Insurance Gig Booking Services Contracts to protect your live and recorded work Musicians’ Royalties Pension Plan www.cfmusicians.org #HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY

OCTOBER 25 The Marquee Ballroom

YOUNG GALAXY

2037 GOTTINGEN STREET, $25, DOORS AT 8:30PM, SHOW AT 9:30PM SIRIUS XM CANADA PRESENTS

(VANCOUVER, BC) younggalaxy.com

(TORONTO, ON) dianatheband.com

DIANA

AQUA ALTA

(HALIFAX, NS) aquaaltamusica.com

(MONTREAL,QC) tops.bandcamp.com

Ultramarine is the name and colour of Young Galaxy’s fourth LP, the first album the band has made away from Montreal, across the sea, all together. Like 2011’s Shapeshifting, Ultramarine was made with electronic producer Dan Lissvik (Studio), but this time it was made in Gothenburg, Sweden, at Lissvik’s studio; this time five musicians stood in a room with Lissvik, playing their instruments; this time every song was sung by co-founder Catherine McCandless, with eyes on a blue horizon.

”Now’s the time for believing..” begins the chorus of “Born Again”, the first single from DIANA. On a surface level, the song floats by on a cloud, the bass keeping you buoyed while the synths elevate you into an opiated trance. Digging deeper into the lyrics however, we find a story of struggle in a small town, small minded animosity, and the joy of triumph over adversity. With lush sounds and strong melodies, these songs entice the listener into a world that is deeper than its surface lets on.

A new, not-so-secret-anymore side project of Nova Scotia pride and joy songstress Jenn Grant. Along with a couple of seminal Halifax audio wizards, Charles Austin and Graeme Campbell, Aqua Alta displays a more exploratory side of Grant’s music, while retaining all the pristine charm.

Impossibly schmoooove. Montreal’s TOPS ain’t just interested in ordering a pizza and dry humping. They’re the sophisticated type. A little candlelight goes a long way. Flickering shadows converge on the bedroom walls.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

TOPS

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 Hell ’s Kitchen

2037 GOTTINGEN STREET (DOWNSTAIRS), INCLUDED IN MARQUEE COVER, DOORS AT 8:30PM, SHOW AT 9:45PM

THE BICYCLES

RENNY WILSON

KETAMINES

THE ALMIGHTY RHOMBUS

What was once a pretty entertaining, high-energy twee band has evolved (over seven years) into one of Toronto’s most refined and sophisticated pop acts. Retaining playfulness through Nilsson-style melody and song craft, The Bicycles have aged gracefully and sound so damn effortless, à la Bill Murray.

Baby, why don’t you let me come back inside? It’s starting to rain and I’m still in my roller skates. Mint Records recording artist Renny Wilson, purveyor of whiteboy funk and delayed disco, never locks the door.

With beds in Toronto and hearts/ heads in Lethbridge, these savvy roustabouts have been churning out golden garage-pop nuggets for the better part of a decade. The Ketamines erupt with hot rocks, fizzling over bright orange, vital rock ‘n’ roll magma.

A little shimmer-shimmer. A coupla whoop-whoops. Is that it? No way! The Almighty Rhombus is a well-oiled, high-energy pop machine from bubbly Sudbury. Five dudes whose pieces click together to create a friendly giant of adorable proportions.

(TORONTO, ON) thebicycles.bandcamp.com

(EDMONTON, AB) rennywilson.com

St. Matthew’s United Church

(TORONTO, ON) ketamines.com

(SUDBURY, ON) thealmightyrhombus.tumblr.com

1479 BARRINGTON STREET, $30, DOORS AT 7PM, SHOW AT 8PM EXCLAIM! PRESENTS

BRAIDS

BROKEN DEER

Braids, the Canadian experimental pop group who released Native Speaker in 2011, have reinvented themselves in the making of their second full-length. After 18 months of touring in support of the debut along with the departure of a band member, the group secluded itself in its Montreal studio for a year of writing and recording. While Native Speaker was written in an organic and live environment, the group sought to explore a more introspective and electronic approach to songwriting. Sonically, the songs from these sessions are delicate and tight, yet thoughtfully open up to the rich lushness reminiscent of their older material. Lyrically they are honest and vulnerable, demonstrating the group’s emotional growth and maturity since its last record.

Imagine digging through a snowdrift. Down further, into the crusted clay and earth. For what? Imagine diving deep into a dark blue wellspring. Deeper, until your heart and head feel swelled. For what? See the ruby glowing red down there. Listen to the empty space around it.

(CALGARY, AB) braidsmusic.com

(HALIFAX, NS) brokendeer.tumblr.com

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 Reflections Cabaret

Reflections Cabaret

5184 SACKVILLE STREET, $20, DOORS AT 7PM, SHOW AT 8PM (PLEASE PROVIDE 2 PIECES OF ID: 1 GOV’T, 1 OTHER) JAGERMEISTER PRESENTS

5184 SACKVILLE STREET, $15, SHOW AT 12AM (PLEASE PROVIDE 2 PIECES OF ID: 1 GOV’T, 1 OTHER) JAGERMEISTER PRESENTS

METZ

KUATO

GRANDTHEFT

There are always a few naturally resourceful people who refuse to be intimidated or excluded from making their own wild racket in public. As METZ, Alex Edkins, Hayden Menzies and Chris Slorach play like one brutally heavy instrument with three heads, slashing heavy-gauge strings, bending guitar and bass necks in weird unison, along with what is probably the loudest drumming ever heard. It’s a return to everything that’s good about loud, ecstatic live music, while still carving out some heavy new business. Over the last three-anda-half years, METZ have slayed in basements, skate shops, clubs and festivals.

After years of wordless, sweatdrenched service, Halifax’s emotive post-rock soldiers have earned a reputation as one of Atlantic Canada’s most inspired live acts. The gushing soundscapes of pounding rhythm and searing guitar leads will have you mesmerized.

Establishing a eclectic, custom club sound by playing largely his own originals, remixes and video edits, Grandtheft has slayed clubs worldwide and is respected as one of the best live DJs Canada has to offer. The music he produces is varied beyond categorization, except to say, it seems to move people.

(TORONTO, ON) metzztem.com

(HALIFAX, NS) kuatoband.com

NICK BIKE SOLIDS

(TORONTO, ON) solids.bandcamp.com The Generic Dogs EP by these socket-frying Montreal altgrungers features German shepherd album art. The Littlest Hobo would be so into this band if he ever settled down.

SECRET GUEST (???)

(TORONTO, ON) facebook.com/grandtheftmuisc

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

(VANCOUVER, BC) djnickbike.com Nick Bike has a wonderful sense of playfulness. He has DJed all over this fine country, sending funk, disco, house, pop and boogie vibes into the heart of feet everywhere. Representing the Schitz Popinov collective from Vancouver, BC, Nick Bike is hard not to like.

MATTYBOH

(DARTMOUTH, NS) soundcloud.com/matty-boh Big-time low-end party uppers. MattyBoh has been peaking and tweaking in the Hali club scene for days and days and days. Don’t even try to act like you didn’t know.

#HPX2013

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

SOCAN_HPXad2013_3.45X9.5_pressready.pdf

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 Olympic Community Hall

2304 HUNTER STREET, $35, DOORS AT 7PM, SHOW AT 8PM LIXAR PRESENTS

THE WALKMEN

DUSTED

The Walkmen is the great New York band of its generation, and in Heaven, they’ve delivered their third killer album in a row. Although Hamilton Leithauser argues that “our biggest accomplishment is just being here,” The Walkmen are making the best music of their career and filling their largest venues yet. Their spot at the top of the bill at May’s Crossing Brooklyn Ferry festival, curated by The National, demonstrates the respect in which they are held by the current wave of bands making music in the city.

(NEW YORK, NY) thewalkmen.com

8/28/13

1:17 PM

Hey, Songwriter! Get paid when your music is played.

(TORONTO, ON) totallydusted.com

SUUNS

NAP EYES

Montreal’s Suuns possess a rare trait in rock music: restraint. The band uses it like an instrument, which makes its debut full-length Zeroes QC as unsettling as it is wonderfully exasperating.

Finally, a band with a meaning. I mean, a band who’s been meaning to tell you: meaning is relative. Which means, every thing has many meanings. Including this band, who means to say: we love you when you wake up. We say it with our eyes.

(MONTREAL, QC) suunsband.tumblr.com

(HALIFAX, NS) napeyes.bandcamp.com

SOCAN members get paid royalties when their music is performed on the radio, on TV, at concerts, in films, bars, internationally, and much more. Visit socan.ca/getpaid or call 1.866.307.6226 to learn more about becoming a SOCAN member so youcan start getting paid!

@SOCANmusic /SOCANmusic

socan.ca #HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 The Seahorse Tavern 1665 ARGYLE STREET, $20, DOORS AT 6:30PM, SHOW AT 7PM

COMEDY

TODD BARRY

(NEW YORK, NY) toddbarry.com New York City-based comedian and actor Todd Barry is widely recognized for his roles as the bongo-playing “Third Conchord” on HBO’s Flight of the Conchords and Mickey Rourke’s deli boss in 2009 Oscar winner The Wrestler. Drawing audience members in with his deadpan self-deprecation and ability to pile punchline upon punchline, his decidedly low-key stage persona belies a deeply intelligent, often biting, occasionally absurdist worldview, one lauded by discerning fans who seek a fresh yet honest update to traditional observation and social commentary.

BOB KERR (HOST)

BRYANT THOMSON

(TORONTO, ON) twitter.com/mrbobkerr

(HALIFAX, NS)

Award-winning This Hour Has 22 Minutes writer, actor, and sketch comic, Bob Kerr has a brief cameo in Rob Ford’s elusive crack-smoking video. He plays a sweat-stain.

From rural NS, Bryant Thomson spent time in Toronto, returning to Halifax with more game than The Raptors. Is that a compliment? Whatever. Sharp, fast, and high on life (I mean, weed), Bryant is the Steve Nash we never had. His foul shots save every show.

DAVID HETI

SANDI RANKADUWA

There’s something Woody Allenesque about David Heti. Must be his neurosis and his Korean daughter-wife.

Sandi is a tiger. Like Tony the Tiger without the creepy pedo nuances, and is Captain Crunch a Hell’s Angel?

(TORONTO, ON) davidheti.com

Stewart McKelvey is pleased to support HPX Digital 2013 CHARLOTTETOWN

FREDERICTON

HALIFAX

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

MONCTON

SAINT JOHN

ST. JOHN’S

STEWARTMCKELVEY.COM

(HALIFAX, NS) twitter.com/sandamini

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 The Seahorse Tavern

1665 ARGYLE STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9:30PM, SHOW AT 10PM JAC PRESENTS

ROYAL CANOE

ENGLISH WORDS

(WINNIPEG, MB) royalcanoe.com

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI) englishwordsband.com

A six-piece ensemble from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Royal Canoe gives you everything, but on its own maniacally hybrid terms. It’s one thing to reference a particular style, or even a range of styles. It’s another thing entirely to grab huge handfuls of sounds from pretty much anywhere, throw them all together and come up with something both cohesive and totally distinctive—something that also happens to ripple and crack with energy. This is what Royal Canoe does best.

New potion, new wave, new order. “English” as in Factory Records. “English” as in bloody brilliant pop music. “Words” as in universal symbols for objects that may or may not exist. A mist of synthesizers cloak the truth, but you know it’s out there (in Charlottetown, duh).

MOLSON CANADIAN

S&S

NSMW.CA SONGS & STORIES HOSTED BY GORDIE SAMPSON

CAMPBELL, DYLAN GUTHRO, MIKE RYAN TICKETS: HEATHER CHRISTINE GREEN, JENNAH BARRY, PAPER BEAT SCISSORS FEATURING

NOVEMBER 9TH $29.99 SATURDAY BOARDMORE PLAYHOUSE, CBU CAMPUS + CONVENIENCE FEE

GALA

THE NSLC GALA AWARDS SHOW FEATURING

TICKETS:

GORDIE SAMPSON, JENN GRANT

MARY JANE LAMOND AND WENDY MACISAAC, MO KENNEY RHAPSODY QUINTET, THE TOM FUN ORCHESTRA + MORE

NOVEMBER 10TH $39.99 SUNDAY J OAN HARRISS CRUISE PAVILION + CONVENIENCE FEE

BUY KASHKA

THIS SHIP

(TORONTO, ON) kashkamusic.com

(HALIFAX, NS) thisship.bandcamp.com

Former Forest City Lover and continuous Torontonian Kat Burns has made a side-step into bubbly Europop as KASHKA. With the help of audio engineer and Ohbijou drummer James Bunton, Burns’ songs range from stark to celebratory and always find a way to strike.

Halifax’s This Ship sails in four cardinal directions on a calm, glassy sea, tossing you into such peace that you don’t see the rocky shoreline until it’s too late. You’re gonna need a bigger boat.

$29.99

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SYDNEY-WATERFRONT

The right colors / Les couleurs permisent CMYK: 100, 60, 0, 0 Pantone 2935C

R:0 G:102 B:179 = #0066B3

White and black / Blanc et noir

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 Gus’ Pub

2605 AGRICOLA STREET, FREE, SHOW AT 3PM MINT RECORDS PRESENTS

JAY ARNER

(VANCOUVER, BC) jayarner.bandcamp.com Arner and co. make high order powder-pop with shimmering synth tones and whip-smart lyrics. The brain child and namesake of veteran west coast producer Jay Arner, this group displays a palatable and generous kind of sophistication. Ear candy with a hint of arsenic.

RENNY WILSON

TOUGH AGE

PICK A PIPER

KETAMINES

Drummer extraordinaire Brian Weber (of Caribou) and friends making organic, polyrhythmic dance music with an emphasis on sound design and versatility. Limitless art that whips up a frenzy by running circles around itself.

With beds in Toronto and hearts/ heads in Lethbridge, these savvy roustabouts have been churning out golden garage-pop nuggets for the better part of a decade. Ketamines erupt with hot rocks, fizzling over bright orange, vital rock ‘n’ roll magma.

(EDMONTON, AB) rennywilson.com

(VANCOUVER, BC) tough-age.bandcamp.com

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

(TORONTO, ON) pickapiper.bandcamp.com

(TORONTO, ON) ketamines.com

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 Gus’ Pub

2605 AGRICOLA STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW AT 9:30PM PIGEON ROW PRESENTS

GHOSTKEEPER

(CALGARY, AB) ghostkeepermusic.bandcamp.com Crinkled, nimble-fingered Calgary rockers Ghostkeeper made a big splash in 2010 with their Flemish Eye debut. Three years later, they have returned triumphantly (and a little more difficult to classify) with Horse Chief! War Thief! to remind everyone that free spirits never rest. Nu-blues, I guess?

JON MCKIEL

OUGHT

Captain of the S.S. Everyday and trained kelpie-whisperer Jon McKiel has been taking his smoke breaks in Sackville, New Brunswick lately. He fights the good fight, generally, and has a real way with words. A tender soul knee-deep in the muck of it all.

Red-blooded Montreal post-punk with plenty of grit and poetry-ofthe-moment. Led by instinct and driven by a frenzied restlessness, Ought’s most defining feature is their filterless, infectious energy.

(SACKVILLE, NB) jonmckiel.ca

(MONTREAL, QC) ought.bandcamp.com

HUSBAND/KNIFE & THE DRONE

(HALIFAX, NS) husbandknife.bandcamp.com Mystical ex-punk KC Spidle, the voice and mind behind Husband & Knife, always seems as though he’s being incredibly straightforward. Yet somehow, all of his projects (Bad Vibrations, Air/Fire, etc.) have a kind of art-damaged caginess to them. A confessional songwriter looking slightly askance.

BLACK MOLD

(CALGARY, AB) flemisheye.com/black-mold Extreme symptoms of exposure can include nausea, vomiting and bleeding in the lungs and nose.

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 The Carleton Music Bar & Grill

1685 ARGYLE STREET, $15, DOORS AT 8:30PM, SHOW AT 9:30PM

THUS:OWLS

PAT LEPOIDEVIN

CHIEF THUNDERCLOUD

(MONTREAL, QC) thusowls.com

(WOLFVILLE, NS) patlepoidevin.com

(HALIFAX, NS) chiefthundercloud.bandcamp.com

Roots that run under the ocean must be plenty strong. Thus:Owls connect ’neath the deep sea underground, connecting Sweden and Canada. Featuring members of Loney, Dear and Patrick Watson, this art-folk group make bounteous, rollicking pieces of emotionally charged music.

Arresting songs from a model citizen with a clean record. Exquisite chamber-folk from a quizzical young man. Nominated for the first annual So Cripplingly Beautiful It Induces Music Journalism Writers’ Block award.

Grand Parade

1841 ARGYLE STREET, FREE, SHOW AT 5PM EASTLINK PRESENTS

SHAD

(LONDON, ON) shadk.com

SECRET GUEST (???)

Shad is a critically acclaimed MC, regarded for his humour, honesty and intelligence. His third album, TSOL, continued his thoughtful approach which traverses soulful arrangements with sharp, progressive lyrics. Since its release on Black Box/ Decon in 2010, TSOL was named a shortlist nominee for the Polaris Music Prize—Shad’s second consecutive nomination— and won the 2011 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

WE ARE WOLVES

THE ZOLAS

(MONTREAL,QC) wearewolves.net

(VANCOUVER, BC) thezolasmusic.com

Around 2000, Alexander Ortiz and Vincent Levesque, both from the visual art world along with fellow Antonin Marquis formed a band with synths, bass, vocals and drums. The band likes to qualify its sound as “a post-punk landscape with analogue trees. Like rock after the postmodern explosion.” Nameless until 2002, it’s when Alexander showed up at the jam space with an homemade shirt with a skull spiting a synth with the inscription « We Are Wolves » on it that the Wolves were born.

After debuting with Tic Toc Tic in 2009, The Zolas scaled the precipice of cult status across Canada, thanks to a loyal fan base carried over from Zach Gray (vocals, guitar) and Tom Dobrzanski’s (piano) lengthy songwriting and producing experience. With the second album Ancient Mars, The Zolas have continued their legacy of postmodern pop. Armed with poetic lyrics, Ancient Mars trades in the cabaret glitz of Tic Toc Tic for reverbed pianos and hard, minimalist beats.

We connect

to Cool Smartphones and Great Plans

For more information, go to or visit one of our Retail Stores #HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 Michael ’s Bar & Grill

6100 YOUNG STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW AT 10PM NXNE PRESENTS

PRESENTS:

NO JOY

(MONTREAL, QC) nojoymusic.com Wait To Pleasure may not provide you with any new answers about No Joy, but what it does offer is a batch of incredible new songs, the product of the Montreal noise-pop band’s first foray in a fully-furnished studio environment. Here the band has flourished, delivering their finest set to date, rooted heavily in shoegaze ripcurls and devastating melody, finishing sentences whispered long ago with depth, variance and force. Jasamine WhiteGluz, Laura Lloyd and Garland Hastings knock down the fence between nostalgia and modernity, chaos and control, in a perfectly realized work.

BILLIE DRE AND THE POOR BOYS (HALIFAX, NS) billiedre.bandcamp.com

Billie Dre and The Poor Boys have exhumed southern rock to dress the Blues in the jeweled suit Lynyrd Skynryd was buried in. A triple-patty Ace burger, these rockers hit up every Hooters on Route 66.

BRAIDS and BROKEN DEER

NIGHT SURF

(HALIFAX, NS) facebook.com/nightsurfhfx

GROUNDERS

Halifax band Night Surf is too busy looking at its sneakers to give a crap what you think. Then again, they probably do give a crap because they’re nice boys and this is instrumental-space-pop for the ages.

(TORONTO, ON) groundersmusic.com Come from Toronto. Have a good time. Make bright, avant-pop music. Sparkle at dusk. Notice that you got a new haircut. Sometimes imagine living in a warmer climate. Don’t mind the clutter.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

HALIFAX POP EXPLOSION ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH

FRIDAY

OCTOBER 25

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 The Rebecca Cohn Auditorium 6101 UNIVERSITY AVE, $30-$57, 7:30PM SYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIA PRESENTS

.ca JOEL PLASKETT

LIGHTS. SOUNDS. THE NEW HOTNESS.

Megan LesLie

mp Halifax MO KENNEY (HALIFAX, NS) mokenney.com

Sometimes Mo writes songs by the lake, facing out into a wilderness so wild only a pure heart could tame it. Sweet folk songs lap at the shoreline, concealing the darkness just under the wave.

1-2207 Gottingen St Halifax, NS B3K 3B5

megan.leslie@parl.gc.ca 902-426-8691

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 The Company House

2202 GOTTINGEN STREET, $15, DOORS AT 8:30, SHOW AT 9PM

AMBITION

(HALIFAX, NS) kream.bandcamp.com Homeboy is F.R.E.S.H and K.L.E.A.N. and rising like a phoenix. Deep thoughts and a matching voice combine to make some seriously true east coast jams. Ambition has an irresistibly smooth stage presence and vocal delivery that’ll remind you how good “being good” can be.

MILES JONES

(TORONTO, ON) runawayjones.com For almost a decade, Miles Jones has been running scenes in downtown Toronto, running Mojo Records, running slick beats. He’s got props coast to coast, north to south. Only a matter of time till he runs the world.

HUA LI

PSYCTHAPRINCE

(MONTREAL, QC) huali.bandcamp.com

(DARTMOUTH, NS) youtube.com/PsycThaPrince

Hua Li is the totally badass hiphop project of Montreal-based multi-disciplinary artist Peggy Hogan. With a background in jazz studies, poetry and theatre, Hogan brings a kaleidoscope of influences to this brazen and bratty persona.

A figurehead of the burgeoning Dartmouth hip-hop scene, PsycThaPrince is a captivating MC with an arsenal of top-notch jams. With a mic, he’s totally magnetic. Psyc infuses everything he touches with his natural integrity and charisma.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

NICOLE ARIANA

(HALIFAX, NS) sheisnicole.bandcamp.com This city could use many more female hip-hop and R&B recording artists, but until then, Nicole Ariana can hold it down: a sultry voice and some sick style. You’re fired, Rick Ross, we got a new boss.

FIND US @HFXJAZZFEST @HALIFAXPOPX EVERY THURS TO SAT NORTH END HFX AVAILABLE FOR CATERING:SPECIAL/ CORPORATE EVENTS WEDDINGS ETC WWW.THEFOODWOLF.COM

TRACK US DOWN @THEFOODWOLF WWW.THEFOODWOLF.COM

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 The Bus Stop Theatre

2203 GOTTINGEN STREET, $15, DOORS AT 7:30PM, SHOW AT 8PM HAND DRAWN DRACULA PRESENTS

BY DIVINE RIGHT

JULIE FADER (Toronto, ON) juliefader.com

(TORONTO, ON) doomsquad.bandcamp.com

(TORONTO, ON) hussywhore.bandcamp.com

With beautiful and gentle experimental flourishes, By Divine Right’s most recent incarnation embodies a bit of everything the band has become known for: juicy pop, freaky twinkles, heavy melody and luscious expressionism. In Canada and loving since 1989.

Potluck at Julie’s! Chad VanGaalen’s bringing crust-free sandwiches! Ontario singer/ songwriter with a voice of honey stirred into Sarah Harmer’s homemade iced coffees. Acclaim across the board for Julie’s butter tarts.

What begins as a new-age incense cult ritual turns into a selfsacrifice at the altar of an electroforest acid dream. This Toronto trio’s world sound and celestial vocals are a hypnotic and erotic Kool-Aid.

Another frighteningly ferocious garage band care of Toronto’s Buzz Records. Impossibly deep downers. Everything in the red. Splattering snare hits. Exploded vocal takes. No reason.

(TORONTO, ON) bydivineright.bandcamp.com

P E RF O R M IN G A T T H E HALIFAX POP EXPLOSION! OCT 22 - The Carleton Music Bar & Grill

“This Montreal four-piece has created a shimmering homage to mid- 70s Southern California pop in general and Rumours … the Ladies now sound more like Fleetwood Mac than Fleetwood Mac does” - The Toronto Star LADIESOFTHECANYON.COM

Available at your favourite record store and iTunes. 69

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

DOOMSQUAD

HSY

We want to get into your head.

For more information go to

yourstudiohere.com

EVAN RADISIC Trade Development Nova Scotia Business Inc. 902.722.1201

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 Casino Nova Scotia

THE CARAVAN (HALIFAX, NS) thecaravanmusic.com

At this stage in the game, it’s safe to say that The Caravan is Halifax’s premiere live hip-hop act. With a viral video, two LPs and years worth of street party and festival appearances around Atlantic Canada under their belts, these guys are also quite likely Canada’s chillest political agitators.

1983 UPPER WATER STREET, FREE, 9PM MUSIC NOVA SCOTIA PRESENTS: NEW MUSIC FRIDAYS

JESSIE BROWN (HALIFAX, NS) jessiebrownband.com

Hey sister, soul sister. Classic rock and blues is embodied by Jessie Brown and her all-star rock band.

THIS SOUND WILL SAVE YOU

BLOODY DIAMONDS (HALIFAX, NS) bloodydiamonds.com

(HALIFAX, NS) thissoundwillsaveyou.com

A true 21st century group, This Sound Will Save You believe deeply in the profundity of electro-pop. Singer Chloe Jones and producer/multi-instrumentalist Matthew Fudge create crystal clear pop anthems and perform them with stunning conviction.

Bloody Diamonds is a hard rock band from Halifax with dirty, heavy riffs and seductively powerful vocals. Their intense, sweaty live performances and raw sound are the result of guitarist Jake Seaward and vocalist Sara Elizabeth, combining Sara’s dark, eeire melodies with Jake’s crunchy blues riffs.

clean.ns.ca/driveless

Why drive when you could board stroll

bus bike

ferry

Skip the parking frenzy; leave your car at home. Find your way to HPX sustainably.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26

Olympic Community Hall 2304 HUNTER STREET, $35, DOORS AT 7PM, SHOW AT 8PM MOLSON CANADIAN PRESENTS

JAPANDROIDS

METZ

Japandroids is a two-piece band from Vancouver, BC. This “band” started in 2006 and consists of Brian King and David Prowse. Originally intending to be a trio, the boys decided to forego the logistical nightmare of having a “lead singer” and do it themselves. As a consequence, Japandroids are one guitar, one set of drums, and two vocalizers. Japandroids are maximal—a twopiece band trying to sound like it’s a five-piece band. Its “songs” run the gauntlet of rock and roll subgenres, with the boys ripping off too many different bands to sound like any other duo making music right now.

There are always a few naturally resourceful people who refuse to be intimidated or excluded from making their own wild racket in public. As METZ, Alex Edkins, Hayden Menzies and Chris Slorach play like one brutally heavy instrument with three heads, slashing heavy-gauge strings, bending guitar and bass necks in weird unison, along with what is probably the loudest drumming ever heard. It’s a return to everything that’s good about loud, ecstatic live music, while still carving out some heavy new business. Over the last three-anda-half years, METZ has slayed in basements, skate shops, clubs and festivals.

(VANCOUVER, BC) japandriods.com

THE MOTORLEAGUE (MONCTON, NB) themotorleague.ca

With a spine of strong, SouthCali skate punk and fists of hardened rock, Moncton’s The Motorleague make slick-riffed rock and roll. Featuring members of the much-adored and now-defunct Monoxides and Ditchpigs, this foursome makes honest music that has earned the band ECMAs and one Music New Brunswick Award.

(TORONTO, ON) metzztem.com

LIKE A MOTORCYCLE (HALIFAX, NS) likeamotorcycle.bandcamp.com

This power trio makes high octane rock and roll. Like A Motorcycle blend dizzying disco beats, scorching guitar leads and verse-chorus-verse stories about how tough love can lead to rough edges.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF CANADIAN HERITAGE (CANADA MUSIC FUND) AND OF CANADA'S PRIVATE RADIO BROADCASTERS.

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 The Marquee Ballroom

2037 GOTTINGEN STREET, EXCLUSIVELY FOR EARLY BIRD PASS BUYERS, DOORS AT 2:30PM, SHOW AT 3PM DEEZER PRESENTS

CHAD VANGAALEN

WET DENIM

(CALGARY, AB) chadvangaalen.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) wetdenim.bandcamp.com

A notorious homebody, Chad VanGaalen is well known for rarely leaving his rickety house in Calgary, endlessly drawing, recording and making art. With Diaper Island, VanGaalen distills his approach, producing his most sonically cohesive album to date, and the closest thing he has done to a rock album.

A pop song exhibition curated by a special collection of Halifax artists and musicians. Wet Denim puts the gal in gallery and the heart in art. A sincere display, don’t touch, no yelling.

The Marquee Ballroom

THE BESNARD LAKES

2037 GOTTINGEN STREET, $25, DOORS AT 8:30PM, SHOW AT 9:30PM THE COAST PRESENTS

(MONTREAL, QC) thebesnardlakes.com

(MONTREAL, QC) nojoymusic.com

NO JOY

THE HIGHEST ORDER (TORONTO, ON) highest-order.com

(HALIFAX, NS) moonsocket.bandcamp.com

MOONSOCKET

The Besnard Lakes’ Until in Excess, Imperceptible UFO had its humble beginnings in mid2011 and was completed over the course of a year. Ever mindful and attentive to the most subtle and nuanced details, founding band members Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas produced, recorded and mixed at the stalwart Breakglass Studios in Montreal. Eventually mastered by the renowned Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, this fourth album by The Besnard Lakes features heavyweight additions by Moonface’s Spencer Krug and Mike Bigelow, The Barr Brothers’ Sarah Page, the alwaysenchanting Monica Guenter and the return of Fifth String Liberation Singers’ Choir.

Wait To Pleasure may not provide you with any new answers about No Joy, but what it does offer is a batch of incredible new songs, the product of the Montreal noise-pop band’s first foray in a fully-furnished studio environment. Here the band has flourished, delivering their finest set to date, rooted heavily in shoegaze ripcurls and devastating melody, finishing sentences whispered long ago with depth, variance and force. Jasamine WhiteGluz, Laura Lloyd and Garland Hastings knock down the fence between nostalgia and modernity, chaos and control, in a perfectly realized work.

What the? What year is it? They still make ’em like this? Well I’ll be. Hand-stitched and everything. Psychedelic country-rock with a smoky female lead and the steadiest of eddies billowing out from York County, Ontario.

It’s tempting to call Moonsocket a kook, but that implies a little too much happiness. Moncton’s Chris Thompson did a whole lotta everything in Eric’s Trip and with Moonsocket turns little nothings into big, scrappy somethings.

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 Hell ’s Kitchen

2037 GOTTINGEN STREET (DOWNSTAIRS), INCLUDED IN MARQUEE COVER, DOORS AT 8:30PM, SHOW AT 9:45PM

FIND THE OTHERS (TORONTO, ON) findtheothers.com

(HALIFAX, NS) sheepman.bandcamp.com

SHEEPMAN

(HALIFAX, NS) isbn.bandcamp.com

ISBN

JON SAMUEL

Focused and enthralling, Find The Others takes chamber-pop arrangements, delicate vocals, found sound and other quelling quirks and turns it all into one of Canada’s most spellbinding live shows. This Toronto duo isn’t afraid to get sophisticated, but refuse to forget its listening audience.

Harley Alexander and crew describe themselves as “post-bro” (definition: flip-cup circle jerks + trust-fund keg-stands) and “bobbynew-wave” (definition: English street cops + DEVO) but they leave out “nu-post-wave-pre-bro” (definition: lie drunk on the floor in your undies + groove out).

I’d take you for a ride in my flivver, Miss Ocean, honest, if I could.

Wintersleep’s softie Jon Samuel makes charitable music adorned in the gossamer of old and ghostly feelings. Earnest delivery and compassionate lyrics turn his mild-mannered melodies into irresistible charms.

(HALIFAX, NS) jonsamuel.ca

CKDU at HPX what's left on the dial since 1985 Tune in to 88.1FM or CKDU.CA to get the latest on your Halifax Pop Explosion experience plus

ON-AIR GIVEAWAYS ARTIST INTERVIEWS ALL-AGES LOBBY SHOWS CKDU RADIO BOOTH AT THE KHYBER CKDU DJ's AT THE 'ZINE FAIR LIVE BAND VIDEO SESSIONS www.ckdu.ca | twitter @ckdu881fm | facebook.com/ckdu881fm 75

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 St. Matthew’s United Church

1479 BARRINGTON STREET, $30, DOORS AT 7PM, SHOW AT 8PM PORTER AIRLINES PRESENTS

GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS (SOLO)

PAPER BEAT SCISSORS

(TORONTO, ON) greatlakeswimmers.com

(HALIFAX, NS) paperbeatscissors.bandcamp.com

Great Lake Swimmers sing pastoral songs about seeking spirituality in the natural world; quiet tales of our accelerated culture and the creative process; songs about heartbreak and loss which are tempered with a sense of hope and perseverance. Songwriter Tony Dekker has spent the last decade entrancing listeners with his unforgettable voice and compelling songwriting. This special solo performance at HPX 2013 will showcase the intimate side of this catalogue.

ROCKING HORSE ROAD PRODUCTIONS EST.2012

Halifax Pop Explosion Showcase! October 24th 7pm-11pm Bus Stop Theatre (2203 Gottingen st.)

Featuring:

Repartee Heather Green The True Love Rules Express and Company

Pitching. Placements. East Coast Pride. www.rockinghorseroad.ca #HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 Reflections Cabaret

5184 SACKVILLE STREET, $20, DOORS AT 7PM, SHOW AT 8PM (PLEASE PROVIDE 2 PIECES OF ID: 1 GOV’T, 1 OTHER) OSHEAGA PRESENTS

DIRTY BEACHES

(MONTREAL, QC) dirtybeaches.bandcamp.com Alex Zhang Hungtai, aka Dirty Beaches, started off as a one-man band in 2005 in Montreal. A trans-Pacific nomad and genre-hopping soundsmith, his past releases include drone instrumentals, film scores and a fascination with dissecting popular American music like blues, rockabilly, soul, R&B and hip-hop, often rendering genres to the point they’re no longer recognizable. His latest release, Drifters/Love Is The Devil, is a double LP that chronicles the musician’s life on the road over the past two years, as we follow him down the rabbit hole through the labyrinths of Berlin, Belgrade, and Paris.

(HALIFAX, NS) crosss.bandcamp.com

MONOMYTH

SAFFRONS

(HALIFAX, NS) mmyth.bandcamp.com

(DARTMOUTH, NS) saffrons.bandcamp.com

Sometimes its better getting lost in the enshrouding veil rather than lifting it. God knows what you might reveal. Even as you grow curiouser and curiouser, Crosss pound out the billowing blackness. Thick as a sea swelling, deep down evil.

If “monomyth” = cowboys in space, and “space” = heat, then you’ve got a good idea of what these spaghetti-Westerncowpunchers are peddling: a quick swig of tangy cactus juice in the sweltering badlands of janglewood. Heat the beat with shades on.

For a short while in the ’90s, Halifax was known as The New Seattle. Saffrons bring that back with pedal-heavy, disjointed and dreamy psych-grunge reminiscent of days gone by while cutting some new edges. Remember the Lollapalooza episode of The Simpsons? Yeah, it’s like that.

CROSSS

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 Reflections Cabaret

5184 SACKVILLE STREET, $15, SHOW AT 12AM (PLEASE PROVIDE 2 PIECES OF ID: 1 GOV’T, 1 OTHER) THE NEW HFX PRESENTS

DEAD HORSE BEATS

(MONTREAL, QC) deadhorsebeats.bandcamp.com A multi-faceted, Montreal-based producer whose releases revolve around specific times and places in North American music and evolve into shit-hot beats. Current fixation: turning chain-gang music into bangin’ hip-hop.

LUNICE

(MONTREAL, QC) facebook.com/lunicefp Twenty-two-year-old producer and DJ Lunice isn’t interested in making the kind of hip-hop music you’re accustomed to. In fact, when we asked him to describe what the overall vision for his upcoming album Three Sixty, he put it very bluntly: “bridge mainstream music with the more experimental underground sound.” To also put it bluntly, Lunice IS the next big thing to happen in hip-hop production. With upcoming collaborations with rappers A$AP Rocky, Theophilus London, Azealia Banks and producer AraabMuzik, Lunice is well on his way towards establishing himself in both the dance music and hip-hop realms.

GWEN WEST

(Halifax, NS) Halifax heroine. She make the body work. Make the floor go bang. Hot, deep dish biznazz.

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 The Seahorse Tavern

1665 ARGYLE STREET, $15, DOORS AT 6:30PM, SHOW AT 7PM

COMEDY

LAUGH SABBATH

EVERARDO RAMIREZ

Laugh Sabbath is a weekly comedy series put together by a collective of like-minded comedians (with many special guests every week) who wanted a home (with a stage) to present their comedy-shaped ideas. Their Halifax show will feature appearances by Tim Gilbert, Bob Kerr, Nick Flanagan, James Hartnett, Adam Christie, Sarah Hennessy, and Tom Henry

Host of Film Fanatic Fan Attic (filmed in his attic), co-star of sketch series Ghost with a Boner, this guy will drive 20 minutes for an Arbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s melt. He loves Junior Chicken meals because he also loves a great bargain.

(TORONTO, ON) laughsabbath.com

(HALIFAX, NS) twitter.com/EverardoRamirez

How Darren got the show on the road He stayed home to go big. Discover how he did it at innovacorp.ca.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 The Seahorse Tavern

1665 ARGYLE STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9:30PM, SHOW AT 10PM CIMA PRESENTS CANADIAN BLAST

SUUNS

(MONTREAL, QC) suunsband.tumblr.com Montreal’s Suuns possesses a rare trait in rock music: restraint. The band uses it like an instrument, which makes its debut full-length Zeroes QC as unsettling as it is wonderfully exasperating.

LOUISE BURNS

JOSEPH AND THE MERCURIALS

PANOS

(VANCOUVER, BC) louiseburnsmusic.com

(TORONTO, ON) josephandthemercurials.com

(HALIFAX, NS) panosband.bandcamp.com

Pianos have a way of draping around melodies like heavy blackvelvet curtains. There are roses in the garden.

Just who or what Joseph and The Mercurials are remains to be seen. Their online presence consists of heavily-stylized black and whiteness, and a series of illusive transmissions straight from the heart. And the heart, after all, wants what it wants. Melodrama: a wicked game.

Leading a melodious miniorchestra of horns and strings, PANOS uses the fullness of ’60s and ’70s pop-rock to gently whisper sweet jazzy nothings into an avant-garde soundscape of atonality and odd time.

#HPX2013

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 Gus’ Pub

2605 AGRICOLA STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW AT 10PM

(MONTREAL,QC) wearewolves.net

WE ARE WOLVES

(TORONTO, ON) weredoomed.bandcamp.com

WE’RE DOOMED

CURSED ARROWS

MACHINEGUN SUZIE

After a huge surge of popularity, this Halifax trio made the move to the Big Smoke, bringing its particular brand of proggy, tentacle rock with them. The debut LP How To Destroy Something Beautiful is a multi-faceted display of the group’s technical prowess and emotional dedication.

Husband and wife duo Jack E. and Ryan Stanley are coming up on a decade of making high quality, Canadian blues-infused rock and roll. Their most recent album, Sonic Union, pushes their tried-and-true craft into even darker recesses, reeling in reverb and pulsing with deep rhythms.

Sweltering, face-melting grunge soaring proudly from the eerie depths of the Quebec City punk rock scene. Falling somewhere between Josh Homme and Kathleen Hanna, MachineGun Suzie hangs-ten on whatever wave of feminism we’re at now.

The Carleton Music Bar & Grill

(BRANTFORD, ON) cursedarrows.com

(QUÉBEC, QC) machinegunsuzie.com

1685 ARGYLE STREET, $15, DOORS AT 8:30PM, SHOW AT 9:30PM

LINDY

MEGAN BONNELL

(TORONTO, ON) lindymusic.com

(TORONTO, ON) meganbonnell.bandcamp.com

Lindy writes refreshing pop-rock with a cunning edge. In 2007, as a member of Major Maker, he penned “Rollercoaster” along with his creative partner Todor Kobakov, which became a Billboard Top 100 hit, launching a well-earned and long-deserved ride in the spotlight. This past year saw the release of his fifth solo album, the Kobakov-produced Young Waverer.

Megan Bonnell’s graceful melodies weave between the here, now and elsewhere. As the piano keys are pressed, the songs are dressed up in ornate costumes. With a sultry voice and a knack for surreal images, this young Torontonian builds pop songs as strong as the old masters.

RACOON BANDIT

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI) racoonbandit.com Raccoons aren’t native to PEI, so if you ever see one taking the ferry over, tell him to scram. This band of bandits has a bindle full of Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and canned beans for long nights by the fire.

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 The Pavilion

5816 COGSWELL STREET, $5 DONATION, DOORS AT 1:30PM, SHOW AT 2PM WEIRD CANADA GOOD TIMES PARTY JAM

HEAVEN FOR REAL

(HALIFAX, NS) heavenforreal.bandcamp.com J. Scott Grundy calls Heaven for Real “baby jazz.” His twin, Mark Grundy, calls it a punk band for his non-punk songs. Both say that drummer Nathan Doucet is “probably” ticklish.

A COLLABORATIVE PERFORMANCE FEATURING DIRTY BEACHES & MOON (CANADA)

A dirty beach made of little yellow teeth and bits of moon rock, bordering a heavenly loch. Crumbling landscape in your fried out mind. Repent, young ones, repent.

OLD & WEIRD

THE NEW BLONDE

A cloud in trousers making tiny cups of liquid song. Halifax’s answer to “but where did the rama-lama-ding-dong come from in the first place?”

Halfway to wound-up, driving pop with jazz tones and a one track mind. Hop aboard, it’s a direct line to Jam City, care of these Haligonians.

(HALIFAX, NS) oldandweird.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) soundcloud.com/the-new-blonde

Book one of our British Double Deckers for your next event! Call Tara or Sean at 902.423.6242 83

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 The Pavilion

5816 COGSWELL STREET, $10, DOORS AT 6PM, SHOW AT 6:30PM

KEN MODE

(WINNIPEG, MB) ken-mode.com Known for effortlessly blending noise rock reminiscent of oldschool Amphetamine Reptile bands with the raw and aggressive nature of modern hardcore, KEN mode has become one of the most devastating bands in the underground. Formed in September of 1999, this crushing Canadian trio has released four full-length records and is no stranger to the road—since 2002 the group has undergone endless touring spanning Canada, the United States and Europe with the likes of Pelican, Kylesa, Deafheaven, the Atlas Moth, Fuck the Facts, Buried Inside, Mastodon, Burnt By The Sun, Baroness, and 3 Inches of Blood.

FULL OF HELL

(OCEAN CITY, MD) fullofhell.com Relentless young chaps from Ocean City, Maryland (of all places). Vicious grinding of death into the palms, holding on until the bitter end and sweating out small rivulets of blood. Dark energy exploding each and every night. Numb your mind.

TBA NEW FLESH

(ST. JOHN’S, NL) newflesh.bandcamp.com

TBA

(TBA)

You know that joke about Newfies? Well, it got back to them. And they are really, really angry. Powerfully so.

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 Michael ’s Bar & Grill

6100 YOUNG STREET, $15, DOORS AT 9PM, SHOW AT 10PM D5R PRESENTS

FULL OF HELL

KEN MODE

(WINNIPEG, MB) ken-mode.com Known for effortlessly blending noise rock reminiscent of old-school Amphetamine Reptile bands with the raw and aggressive nature of modern hardcore, KEN mode has become one of the most devastating bands in the underground. Formed in September of 1999, this crushing Canadian trio has released four full-length records and is no stranger to the road—since 2002 the group has undergone endless touring spanning Canada, the United States and Europe with the likes of Pelican, Kylesa, Deafheaven, the Atlas Moth, Fuck the Facts, Buried Inside, Mastodon, Burnt By The Sun, Baroness, and 3 Inches of Blood.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

ORCHID’S CURSE

WEED THIEF

Dartmouth’s Orchid’s Curse produce some of the most progressive, melodic bass lines in Canadian metal today, layered with overtones of religious skepticism searing vocals; a medieval torture chamber soaked in sweat and whiskey.

Little snippets of vicious, sludgy torment. Weed Thief’s claustrophobic mini-mantras feel fully formed despite the fact that most of them clock in shy of two minutes. Crumbs of evil.

(DARTMOUTH, NS) orchidscurse.bandcamp.com

(HALIFAX, NS) weedthief.bandcamp.com

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 Grand Parade

1841 ARGYLE STREET, FREE, SHOW AT 3PM

ISLANDS

DIANA

(MONTREAL, QC) islandsareforever.com

(TORONTO, ON) dianatheband.com

On the first track from Islands’ new album—the winsome, tropicaliainflected “Wave Forms”—front man Nick Thorburn opens the record by singing, “I won’t ride another wave and I won’t write another word after today.” In light of the rest of the album, the statement is both an admonition and a kind of warning. Ski Mask, the band’s fifth album, is equal parts beauty and venom—an album that percolates with the kind of polymorphous pop and hooky, left-of-center rock songs that have long been the band’s stock and trade. This time around, however, the artful indie-pop comes with a decidedly melancholy punch.

TBA THE GOLDEN DOGS

GRAND ANALOG

THE TOWN HEROES

Andrew Scott from Sloan loves this band. Cheerful indie rock hooks and fun melodies from Toronto since 2001. Known for a wild live show, The Golden Dogs will leave you howling at the moon.

Grand Analog is a raw collective created in 2006. It’s members are seasoned record collectors, musicians and self described beat junkies from around the way. You can easily find each of these characters honing the role of DJ at various local pubs and clubs in Toronto or Winnipeg. Band leader and creator, Odario Williams, describes the Grand Analog sound as a beautiful mess of rap’n’roll, dub and soul.

Voted Best Local Band in 2012 and Best New Band in 2011 by readers of The Coast, I saw this rock duo eating breakfast once. Catchy upbeat pop-rock, The Town Heroes write good songs, wear toques.

(TORONTO, ON) thegoldendogs.com

(TORONTO, ON/WINNIPEG, MB) grandanalog.com

(HALIFAX, NS) thetownheroes.com

TBA

(TBA)

#HPX2013

Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 The Bus Stop Theatre

NORTH LAKES

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI) northlakes.ca Five beautiful rockers from Gnarlottetown, the North Lakes write seamless songs with big melodies and plenty of swagger. With a Music PEI win for Best Alternative Album in 2011, these cats are at the top of the everexpanding heap of high quality rock and roll from the island.

WILLIE STRATTON & THE BOARDING PARTY (HALIFAX, NS) williestratton.com

The Company House

2203 GOTTINGEN STREET, $15, DOORS AT 8:30PM, SHOW AT 9PM AUDIO BLOOD & PLEDGEMUSIC PRESENTS

JESS REIMER

NUELA CHARLES

(LA RIVIERE, MB) facebook.com/jess.reimer

(EDMONTON, AB) nuelacharles.com

A rootsy songstress from the wilds of Manitoba, Jess Reimer has spent the last year collaborating closely with Bob Wiseman (Blue Rodeo) to create her sophomore record, which features contributions from Ron Sexsmith and Keri Latimer. A real-deal country rose about to blossom right under your nose.

Edmonton’s Nuela Charles has been dubbed “the future queen of Canadian soul” and while it is a much-deserved accolade, it sells short her musical versatility. Her songs range from quiet ballads to orchestral pop to brooding elecronica to full on neo-soul anthems.

2202 GOTTINGEN STREET, FREE, 2PM NEVADO RECORDS PRESENTS

ROYAL CANOE

GROUNDERS

MEGAN BONNELL

(WINNIPEG, MB) royalcanoe.com

(TORONTO, ON) groundersmusic.com

(TORONTO, ON) meganbonnell.bandcamp.com

Come from Toronto. Have a good time. Make bright, avant-pop music. Sparkle at dusk. Notice that you got a new haircut. Sometimes imagine living in a warmer climate. Don’t mind the clutter.

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

Share your creations with #HPXrobots or email HPXrobots@jac.co and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll share our favourites.

CREATE SOMETHING

AMAZING

www.jac.co

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Music and Comedy Showcases

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 The Company House

2202 GOTTINGEN STREET, $15, DOORS AT 7:30PM, SHOW AT 8PM POP MONTREAL PRESENTS

TOPS

(MONTREAL,QC) tops.bandcamp.com Impossibly schmoooove. Montreal’s TOPS ain’t just interested in ordering a pizza and dry humping. They’re the sophisticated type. A little candlelight goes a long way. Flickering shadows converge on the bedroom walls.

SEOUL

PICK A PIPER

A.A. WALLACE

SLIGHT

When I went to the Seoul Facebook page and they used the word “aggregate” instead of “band” or “group” or “crew,” I suspected that they were much smarter than me. Listening to their particular brand of lulling electropop only served to affirm this suspicion. Brains are sexy.

A.A. Wallace’s recent Lil Wayne’s World mixtape mashes the best of Weezy and the genius of Mike Myers, serving as the perfect example of A.A.’s boundless electronic creativity and attention to detail. This local DJ re-creates and re-invents until he gets the money, then he doubles it.

Do you remember when Caribou’s Dan Snaith took that hard left turn towards dance music circa 2010? Well, had he gone right instead, he would’ve run right into Montreal’s Slight lazing about in a paisley orchard. Psychedelic, ornate and a little bit mystifying.

(MONTREAL, QC) soundcloud.com/seoulmtl

(TORONTO, ON) soundcloud.com/pickapiper

(HALIFAX, NS) aawallace.bandcamp.com

(MONTREAL, QC) slightsound.bandcamp.com

#HPX2013

INDEX A Collaborative Performance Featuring Dirty Beaches & Moon A.A. Wallace Action Bronson Adam Christie Al Tuck

Gabriel Minnikin 83 86, 90 37 79 49, 52

Alana Yorke

Ambition 67 Andy McDaniel & Charles Austin 35 Aqua Alta

BA Johnston

BADBADNOTGOOD Banded Stilts Billie Dre & The Poor Boys

31, 37 51 52, 65

Black Mold

Bloody Diamonds

Bob Kerr

BRAIDS 54 Brian Aylward

Brian Posehn

23, 30

Broken Deer

Bryant Thomson

By Divine Right

Castle Wolfenstein

Chad VanGaalen

Chairs 33 Cheryl Hann

Chief Thundercloud

27. 63

Cold Warps

29, 50

Cousins 38 Coyote 24 Craig Martell

Crosss 77 Cursed Arrows

Dana Beeler

Dance Movie

Dark for Dark

33, 35

David Heti Dead Horse Beats

59 78

DIANA

53, 86

Dirty Beaches

77, 83

DJ James Reid

Doomsquad 69 DUSTED

49, 58

Dyscontrol 40 Elgin-Skye 34 English Words

Everardo Ramirez

Express & Company

Fat Stupids

Find The Others

Force Fields

Fucked Up

38, 50

Full of Hell

84, 85

Mark Grundy

Shad 63

Ghostkeeper 62

Mary Beth de Scène

Sheepman 75

Glory Glory

MattyBoh 55

Slight 90

Grand Analog

Meg MacKay

Solids 55

Grandtheft 55

Megan Bonnell

82, 87

Still Life Still

Great Lake Swimmers (solo)

METZ

55, 73

Struan Sutherland

Grey Kingdom

Miles Jones

Groenland 32

Mo Kenney

27, 51, 66

Take Part

GROUNDERS

Monomyth 77

The Almighty Rhombus

65, 87

Suuns

24 30 58, 80

Gwen West

Moon

33, 83

The Bad Lads

Hannah Georgas

Moonsocket

27, 74

The Beards

Heather Green

Nap Eyes

The Besnard Lakes

Heaven For Real

Negative Rage

The Bicycles

Heavy Meadows

New Flesh

The Caravan

Hermitofthewoods 31

Nick Bike

The Darcys

Hollerado 43

Nick Ferrio & His Feelings

The Devin Cuddy Band

HSY 69

Nicole Ariana

The Everywheres

Hua Li

Night Surf

The Golden Dogs

Husband/Knife & The Drone

NMBRS & LTTRS

The Highest Order

49 35, 48

ISBN 75

No Joy

65, 74

The Meds

Islands 86

North Lakes

24, 87

The Mellotones

James Hartnett

Nuela Charles

The Motorleague

Jane’s Party

Obits

The Mouthbreathers

87 25, 29

Japandroids 73

Old and Weird

The New Blonde

Jay Arner

OLD MAN

The Plan

The Reference Desk

33, 61

Jerk Damaged

Orchid’s Curse

Jess Reimer

Ought 62

The Space Age

Jessie Brown

OUTTACONTROLLER 29

The Town Heroes

51, 66

PANOS 80

The True Love Rules

50 58

Joel Plaskett Jon Mckiel

Paper Beat Scissors

The Walkmen

Jon Mick

Pat LePoidevin

the WAYO

Jon Samuel

Paul Warford

The Zolas

48, 63

61, 90

JonahMeltWave 26

Pick a Piper

This Ship

Joseph & The Mercurials

Pink Wine

This Sound Will Save You

Julie Fader

Poor Young Things

Thus:Owls 63

KASHKA 60

PsycThaPrince 67

Tim Gilbert

Kayo 31

PUP 38

Todd Barry

KEN mode

84, 85

Quake Matthews

Tom Henry

Ketamines

54, 61

Quiet Parade

TOPS

53, 90

Killer Mike

Quivers 25

Tough Age

25, 61

Kim Harris

Racoon Bandit

Trillionaires 43

Kuato 55

Rah Rah

walrus 48

Kyle Hickey

Rain Over St. Ambrose

Wavves 29

Ladies of the Canyon

Renny Wilson

54, 61

We Are Wolves

63, 82

Laugh Sabbath

Repartee 50

We’re Doomed

Le Trouble

Royal Canoe

Weed Thief

Saffrons 77

Weirdo Click

Sahara Dragon

Wet Denim

Lightmares 48

Sam Coffey and the Iron Lungs

Like A Motorcycle

Sandi Rankaduwa

Willie Stratton & the Boarding Party

Lindy 82

Sara Hennessey

Louise Burns

52, 80

Sea Glasses

Lunice 78

Secret Guest

55, 63

Machinegun Suzie

Seoul 90

Leif Vollebekk Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire

HALIFAXPOPEXPLOSION.COM

33, 41 26 73

60, 87

35, 87

Woodpigeon 51 Young Galaxy

Zeus 24 Zora the Sultan

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Proud supporter of Canadian artists, whatever their style.

Because music is our passion, SiriusXM is extremely proud to be a partner of the Halifax POP Explosion 2013. It’s our way of saying thank you to the artists who work so hard, bringing us some of the best music in the world.

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