Riffs through the Wilderness
Brenda Berezan was an aspiring songwriter when she moved to the Yukon wilderness. Having taken a break from music to run a business and raise […]
Riffs through the Wilderness Read More »
Homegrown Hip Hop
Jonathan Steel, known by his nom-de-rap MC TurMoiL, has released his first CD, Black and Green. He’s also released a video for the album’s hit
Blues under the influence of pneumonia
Blues band Black Iron Blossom came out of nowhere. I hadn’t even heard of them before the normally quiet Sam Gallagher stopped me in Mac’s
Blues under the influence of pneumonia Read More »
Patrick Jacobson releases Patrick Jacobson
A recent arrival in Whitehorse, Patrick Jacobson is already making waves. Having moved from Vancouver just a couple of months ago, Jacobson has released his
Patrick Jacobson releases Patrick Jacobson Read More »
Pirate Rock
Paris Seymour, better known by her stage name Paris Vagabond Gypsy, is one of a kind. In the year-and-ahalf since the pirate-costumed, bass-playing, ukulele-strumming, singer-songwriter
A Biker at 30
Amelia Merher, also known as the ukulele-slinging songwriter Big Mama Lele, has ambitious plans for her 30th birthday. “I’m putting a new spin on fatbiking,”
Grand Canyon
Whitehorse-based, Swedish-Canadian songwriter Sarah MacDougall has a new album, Grand Canyon, with some dark, intense lyrics, mixed against pop-inspired folk music. It’s not a departure
Puppet Dreams Coming True
Nicole Edwards was raised on the Muppet Show, and she dreamed of duetting with Kermit since she was a kid. As an adult, she decided
Puppet Dreams Coming True Read More »
Getting Real and Local with Christmas
It’s that time of year again. The season that we all go a bit funny in the head and start manifesting an unusual disregard for
Getting Real and Local with Christmas Read More »
The Midnight Sons Band: Working Hard and Going Far
The Midnight Sons Band is making a mark on the Whitehorse music scene and is now looking to build a national fan base.
The Midnight Sons Band: Working Hard and Going Far Read More »
Honest, Aggressive Rock n’ Roll
The best album I heard last summer, and probably all year, came out of Dawson City. Hope, the debut album by The Naysayers, totally rocks.
Honest, Aggressive Rock n’ Roll Read More »
Mushing Around the Vastness of the World
Listening to Kate Weekes’ new solo folk album, Frost on Black Fur, is like mushing around the vastness of the world at great speed as
Mushing Around the Vastness of the World Read More »
School’s out for the Summer
Amelia Merhar, better known in the Yukon music scene as Big Mama Lele, ended her Graduation Tour on May 10 in Fairbanks. The occasion? She’s
School’s out for the Summer Read More »
Blue Hibou collaboration spans the country
With Kim Barlow’s recent departure from the Yukon, the local music scene appeared to have lost its most well-known singer-songwriter. However, Blue Hibou, Barlow’s collaboration
Blue Hibou collaboration spans the country Read More »
Heading to the Belly of the Blues
Brandon Issak releasing a new album and travelling to Memphis, Tennessee to participate in the largest blues gathering in the world.
Heading to the Belly of the Blues Read More »
Son Rise: The Midnight Sons get ready to rock Western Canada
They got together in February, and now The Midnight Sons are heading out of the territory to spread their style of minimalist, rootsy folk-rock across
Son Rise: The Midnight Sons get ready to rock Western Canada Read More »
Sizzling: Meat the Vegans’ debut album is a blue rare combo of punk, heavy rock and reggae
Vegetarians beware. Whitehorse’s groove-rocking quartet Meat the Vegans has just released their first album, 100% Fat. With a raw punk-inspired sound and graphic artwork to
The Inside Scoop on Speed Control
Speed Control is developing a reputation as the hardest working band in Whitehorse. After spending much of the winter performing multiple shows per day, the
The Inside Scoop on Speed Control Read More »
Yukoner Produces CD-less CD
It is becoming the way of it. Downloading music from the Internet is rapidly taking over how people listen to music. The new reality is
Yukoner Produces CD-less CD Read More »
Let Automat6n Take You for a Loud Ride
If there were a word to describe Automat6n, it would be “luxuriant”. If you have a taste for simple production, this may not be the
Let Automat6n Take You for a Loud Ride Read More »
Elvis Sightings Wherever CDs are Sold
He’s big, he’s bad and he’s back with a new CD. Love him or leave him, you cannot ignore him: Elvis is in the building.
Elvis Sightings Wherever CDs are Sold Read More »
Hungry Hill Shares a Love of Bluegrass
Like the music of the delta that moved against the flow of the Mississippi and arrived in places like Chicago and Kansas City with blues
Hungry Hill Shares a Love of Bluegrass Read More »
Activist Yukoners Behind a Musical Movement
I’m calling you out. A great theme and a great refrain from a jam-packed CD from the National Microphone Association, an experiment in collective activism
Activist Yukoners Behind a Musical Movement Read More »
Yukoner Roxx Hunter Lived by his Guitar in China
Rob Hunter, also known as Roxx Hunter, has been abroad a few times, traveling to Finland, Mali and Oman. Most recently, the globetrotting guitarist spent
Yukoner Roxx Hunter Lived by his Guitar in China Read More »
Bliss and Melancholy
Ummagma is a strange combination — a Yukon-Ukrainian collaboration of uplifting ethereal pop vocal mixed with rock guitar. Their music crosses genres between electronic dance
Bliss and Melancholy Read More »
A Born Singer
I should know better than to schedule these interviews for Thursday afternoons, but luckily Seki, a Whitewater Wednesday Jam Night regular, understands. We reinvigorate ourselves
Kyle Cashen’s Immediacy Of Music
Kyle Cashen, part of the Whitehorse power trio Friend Called Five, has released a long-awaited, full-length CD of original songs under the banner of Crash
Kyle Cashen’s Immediacy Of Music Read More »
The Beat Bombshell
Do you have a good résumé? Now before you send me an e-mail looking for a job, hear me out. In this day and age
The Beat Bombshell Read More »
???
It’s been a long time since I was in public school. As I remember, we had a music program … we sang and entered choir
Expatriate Cellos and the Way of the Party
As I start this article, I should reveal to you that this CD is not for the weak. There is much reference to making merry,
Expatriate Cellos and the Way of the Party Read More »
George McConkey Breathes Life Into the Harmonica
Discover the magic of George McConkey’s album, inspired by Robert W. Service, featuring powerful songs and lyrics.
George McConkey Breathes Life Into the Harmonica Read More »
Playing Strings by Heart, Not by Ear
Watching Ivan Zenovitch play is as exciting as listening to him. His fingers dance across the neck and strings of his guitar in amazingly complex
Playing Strings by Heart, Not by Ear Read More »
Twisting With the Blues
As you may know, the poetry of the blues is full of metaphors that allude to acts involving one’s naughty bits. Often lyrics will allude
Twisting With the Blues Read More »
Worshipping at the Altar of Black & Silver
It has been many years since the music I worshipped was at the altar of black and silver. In those days, I had really big
Worshipping at the Altar of Black & Silver Read More »
‘Metal Love’
Adam Cripps is a “leet” bass player. Best known as the bass player and the “C” of CHS, Cripps can lay down a furious heavy-metal
Attitude Without Platitude
Rap and hip hop has been repudiated by some for being overtly violent and misogynistic. While some of this reputation may be deserved, I think
Attitude Without Platitude Read More »
Gordie Tentrees Takes the Road to the Studio
Gordie Tentrees has released his third studio album and is planning to celebrate with a tour of northern communities. More of that later, for now
Gordie Tentrees Takes the Road to the Studio Read More »
Sarah MacDougall
Sarah MacDougall, who was born and raised in Malmö, Sweden, began her first band at 11. “My friend Sarah and I had a duo called
A Creative Exploration of Vocal Jazz
Fawn Fritzen‘s first album, Bedroom Voice, demonstrates what can happen when a talented artist meets an engaging producer. It’s what happened with The Beatles and
A Creative Exploration of Vocal Jazz Read More »
Song Rise Filled with Diversity and Talent
Yukon Women in Music (YWIM) have released their fourth album, which is as musically diverse as their membership. Founded in 1998, the YWIM collective brings
Song Rise Filled with Diversity and Talent Read More »
Funksoul That’s Breakin’ the Mould
The album gave me a flashback, if these things are possible. The way a smell might trigger a powerful feeling of nostalgia, the sound brought
Funksoul That’s Breakin’ the Mould Read More »
Toe-Tappin’ Tunes from One Generation to Another
If you were to draw broad strokes, you could say that the music contained on this CD is classic old-time mountain music. The “primer coat”
Toe-Tappin’ Tunes from One Generation to Another Read More »
Riding a vinyl renaissance
It’s a strange time to start a music label. With the challenges of Internet piracy, online sales on sites like iTunes, and artists offering their
Riding a vinyl renaissance Read More »
Brenda Lee takes on the classics in Five O’clock Bells
Whitehorse jazz guitarist and vocalist Brenda Lee recently released her first album, a collection of jazz standards, called Five O’ Clock Bells. Originally from Northern
Brenda Lee takes on the classics in Five O’clock Bells Read More »
A One-Man Rock ‘Sonic Novella’
The decade of production work on this CD, JJS3, says to me that Jonas J. Smith III is very committed and passionate about his work.
A One-Man Rock ‘Sonic Novella’ Read More »
A Joy-Filled Listen
It’s fitting that my first assignment as a CD reviewer for What’s Up Yukon is by the Done Gone Stringband. It is called Joy and
A Joy-Filled Listen Read More »
Music that Captures the Soul of the North
The Moonshine Brigade is just as the title describes: it is a collection of poetry, political commentary and a depiction of one’s intoxication with our
Music that Captures the Soul of the North Read More »
A Rock Star Who’s the Real Thing
Home-schooled in an outfitters camp, in Swift River, raised in a fundamentalist family and painfully shy, Trevor Dolhan may seem like an unlikely rock star.
A Rock Star Who’s the Real Thing Read More »
Northern Opry Project takes the Yukon back In time
Lovers of old-style country music will gather together this month to recreate the golden age of country radio. Singer-songwriter Kim Beggs and music fest organizer
Northern Opry Project takes the Yukon back In time Read More »
See Hank Karr’s Yukon
Hank Karr‘s music is a part of the Yukon landscape. It’s only natural that he would present his music on a DVD, where it can
See Hank Karr’s Yukon Read More »
Diyet’s Poetic Lyrics are Heartfelt and True
With these lyrics from Home, the opening track of Diyet‘s debut album, The Breaking Point, the singer/songwriter from Burwash Landing sets the mood for this
Diyet’s Poetic Lyrics are Heartfelt and True Read More »
Outside Influences for Kim Beggs
Kim Beggs returned to the Yukon between touring, with a bunch of new songs and a new CD, Blue Bones. In January, Beggs went to
Outside Influences for Kim Beggs Read More »
Susie Ross is Laughing Again
Singer-songwriter Susie Ross knows about weird dates, so much that she wrote a song about them, First Date, a fan favourite at Whitewater Wednesday Jam
Susie Ross is Laughing Again Read More »
The Queen of Whitewater Wednesdays
New venues, new jammers. Since Whitewater Wednesday moved to the Gold Pan Saloon in the Gold Rush Inn, we’ve been impressed by both the veteran
The Queen of Whitewater Wednesdays Read More »
Ben Mahony Settles Down to Business
Ben Mahony’s long-awaited full-length CD, Yukon Love Ghosts, is here. A follow up to his Action/Reaction EP, which was recorded with his band The Big-Eyed
Ben Mahony Settles Down to Business Read More »
Dancing to Graeme Peters’ Pain
Someone must have hurt Graeme Peters really badly because he’s gone completely emo on us. Emo, for those of you unfamiliar with punk subgenres, is
Dancing to Graeme Peters’ Pain Read More »
Sasquatch Prom Date CD Keeps the Party Going
Sasquatch Prom Date is the great dance party band in Whitehorse. It’s a must for any festival looking for a high-energy closer, and (full disclosure)
Sasquatch Prom Date CD Keeps the Party Going Read More »
On the Verge of Creating Something New
As Bryan Adams said, “Everywhere I go, the kids want to rock.”Solid Fuel’s first recording is proof of that. Solid Fuel is a band of
On the Verge of Creating Something New Read More »
Sad to the Bone
I’ve had the pleasure of watching Kim Beggs develop as an artist from the beginning. From her first performances supporting Kim Barlow and Anne-Louise Genest,
It’s About the Words / It’s About the Bass and Drums
I first heard Andrea Burgoyne at the Whitewater Wednesday Jam about two and a half years ago. Since that time, I’ve had the privilege of
It’s About the Words / It’s About the Bass and Drums Read More »
A Kinder, Gentler Daddy
I don’t normally like country music, but I do make a few exceptions. Kevin Barr is definitely one. Best known as the lead singer of
A Kinder, Gentler Daddy Read More »
Carols and Moonsongs
Who’s in for soaking up an afternoon of heartfelt acoustic and strong songwriting in a peaceful environment, while the snow outside drifts ever deeper? Copper
Carols and Moonsongs Read More »
From Nashville, In Overdrive
Speed Control is all about the performance. The Whitehorse pop-punk trio – guitarist Graeme Peters, his brother and bass player Jody Peters and drummer Spencer
From Nashville, In Overdrive Read More »
Celebrating the Positive Things in Life
To those of us who know her, Nicole Edwards is an amazing person. She has a beautiful smile, a happy demeanour, a warm personality, and
Celebrating the Positive Things in Life Read More »
Colour Blind
Les Walker is back with a new band, Common Knowledge. The former lead vocalist for Fullers Earth progressed to a more radio-friendly alternative rock sound
Defending His Home
Remy Rodden is best known as a children’s performer and environmentalist, having previously released Think About the Planet, a children’s album. With his new CD,
Defending His Home Read More »
Taking On the World?
Recently at Whitewater Wednesday Jam Night at Foxy’s Cabaret, there was an extra excitement in the air. People crowded inside in eager anticipation, all of
Taking On the World? Read More »
Lofty Romance at Street Level
Jude Waldman may be a relative newcomer to the Yukon music scene, but as a singer-songwriter he’s already a veteran, playing his folk blues at
Lofty Romance at Street Level Read More »
Winter Warmth from Bahamas
In the cold of February, Whitehorse is due for some well-deserved warmth from Bahamas. Not from a misdirected trade wind, but from the musical act
Winter Warmth from Bahamas Read More »
One-upping the Past
There’s a small rebellion brewing at this week’s Battle of the Bands, sponsored by Bringing Youth Towards Equality (BYTE) in partnership with the Frostbite Music
One-upping the Past Read More »
Country Punk Comes to Call
Luther Wright is coming North next week to hang out with “real” people. This is Wright’s second Yukon visit as frontman for the legendary Canadian
Country Punk Comes to Call Read More »
Too Good to Be a One-shot
One of the characteristics of the Whitehorse music scene that I love is the amount of collaboration that goes on. Almost all artists have worked
Too Good to Be a One-shot Read More »
Lessons from the Road
Gordie Tentrees doesn’t stand still for long. Hot on the end of his Scandinavian tour (captured live on Naked in Scandinavia), Tentrees is heading on
Lessons from the Road Read More »
Tunes for Food
Foxy’s All Star Musical Food Drive includes a line-up established and up-and-coming bands of diverse musical styles.
Barlow Times Two
Have you ever had a relationship so intense that you have to live on opposite sides of the country? If you have, you’ll understand why
On His Own; Almost
With the release of his new album, Rich in Every Way, Daniel Halen shows just how much a musician can accomplish on his or her
On His Own; Almost Read More »
Hard-rocking Bluesman Goes Solo
Brandon Isaak is known as a hard-working, hard-rocking blues showman. Whether he’s playing with his Vancouver-based jump band The Twisters or at the Gold Pan
Hard-rocking Bluesman Goes Solo Read More »
Beautiful Lyrics, Honest Delivery
I don’t know Sarah MacDougall well. Somehow our paths haven’t crossed. But after listening to her new CD, The Greatest Ones Alive, that will have
Beautiful Lyrics, Honest Delivery Read More »
Journey Across Land & Time
It seems like an unlikely pairing: Grant Simpson (jazz musician, vaudevillian and musical director of the Frantic Follies for over 30 years), and Kate Weekes
Journey Across Land & Time Read More »
Pure, Uncut Metal
I should start this off with a declaration of my prejudice: I don’t get heavy metal music. For me, bluegrass is faster, punk angrier, indie
Music to Get Lost In
There’s a new sound on the Whitehorse folk recording scene: the august arrival. Formed in 2009, the band band consists of Sarah MacDonald on vocals,
Music to Get Lost In Read More »
Bringing it Home
On his new CD, Down Home, Ryan McNally really is back home. After rocking out with his rockabilly band, Sasquatch Prom Date, and fusing folk
Kate Weekes, Building on Northern Tradition
Home Sweet Home is a new band with an old sound. Made up of three very talented Yukon musicians, Boyd Benjamin, Keitha Clark and Kate Weekes.
Kate Weekes, Building on Northern Tradition Read More »
Stripped Down & Intimate
Gordie Tentrees was one of the first Whitewater Wednesday jammers I ever saw. Back in 2000, shortly after I moved to Whitehorse, Tentrees was still
Stripped Down & Intimate Read More »
Warming it Up
As the temperature drops, Yukoners have to fight off the urge to either hibernate or escape to warmer climes. That’s why it’s good that Willie
Slick, Smooth, Versatile
Royal Wood looks cool—hair slicked back, dressed in vest, tie, white shirt. He has a voice to match, a slick, smooth voice that’s soft, yet
Slick, Smooth, Versatile Read More »
Big Mama’s Demo Debut
Amelia Merhar plays different kinds of metal. Last year she fronted an all-female heavy metal band, Carnal Romance. Now, in her persona of Big Mama
Big Mama’s Demo Debut Read More »
Peeking Around the Curtain
Kevin Quain is one Mad Bastard. That is, he’s the singer of the Toronto-based blues-jazz cabaret band The Mad Bastards, the resident band at that
Peeking Around the Curtain Read More »
The Tabor Collection
Buddy Tabor, from Juneau, Alaska, is a great friend of the Yukon music scene. He’s performed at countless festivals, collaborated with local musicians and his
The Tabor Collection Read More »
Miller’s Disc M.W.O.G.I.
After years of playing on street corners and in cafés and honky-tonks, Mikel Miller drifted into Whitehorse in the 1980s. With music inspired by Phil
Miller’s Disc M.W.O.G.I. Read More »
Rootsier than Roots Music
The Kim Beggs and Natalie Edelson duo, The Blue Warblers, has landed the two singer-songwriters a West Coast Music Award nomination in an unlikely category:
Rootsier than Roots Music Read More »
Out on His Own
There used to be a band in Whitehorse called Scotch. It was a party band, centred around brothers Ryan and Declan O’Donovan. But in the
From Rendezvous to Recording
There are three ways to get a CD made. The traditional way is to pay your dues, playing live and building up your experience and renown,
From Rendezvous to Recording Read More »
Dennis Victor Allen’s Country: Powerful, Pure And Simple
Dennis Victor Allen is a busy guy. He is a film producer with his own company and screened his first film at The Sundance Film
Dennis Victor Allen’s Country: Powerful, Pure And Simple Read More »
Fiddlin’ up That Homespun Feelin’
We Yukoners have a great capacity for understatement. When the thermometer hits -20°, we claim it’s nice out; only by –35° does the weather become
Fiddlin’ up That Homespun Feelin’ Read More »
Around the World on Six Strings
Nicholas Mah plays guitar with a grace that seems effortless. Although it might seem out of place that Mah is playing classical and Spanish guitar
Around the World on Six Strings Read More »
Lost In Thyme Found On EBay
It started as a strange whisper and a true passing reference. A lost Yukon rock group? Four guys, six records, a suitably psychedelic name and
Lost In Thyme Found On EBay Read More »