Author Archives: Anoop Uppal

Music w/ Friends by The Funk Hunters

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After writing about an electronic duo I thought why not write about another electronic duo that is also from Vancouver. Nick Middleton and Duncan Smith are the men behind the duo The Funk Hunters. This duo has been making music for a very long time now focusing a lot on remixes and also releasing some of their own stuff as well. The Funk Hunters are exactly that , a duo who want to make groovy music for the people. The duo have performed all around the world and even at Coachella which if you didn’t know is a pretty big deal. 

 

The Funk Hunters latest album “Music w/ Friends” is just another big party. On the album they have a lot of other artists collaborating with them, and they have a lot of remixes at the end of the project. Some of the songs that really stand out on this massive 17 song project are “Eleanor Rigby”, and “Get up and go”. These tracks show you why they performed at big festivals like Coachella. These tracks have a very festival heavy feel and as a person who likes to party and be in a big crowd you really cannot complain about these tracks as they really do hype you up. All the songs on this project aren’t just about festival feel though. The Funk Hunters got a range as tracks like “Tonight’ and “Warn ya”, show the more calmer side of the music. 

 

Production wise The Funk Hunters are in a league of their own. The production is brilliant, but it is a lot different from their electronic counterpart Bob Moses. The Funk Hunters use a little bit more loud and in-your-face production compared to Bob Moses who are a little bit more on the chill and vocal side of the music. 

 

At the core of this album it is a very good album, and it is also very good for how many collabs it has. This album really promotes team work which you really do not see anymore in music. Many people say that music is a competitive sport, but sometimes it is a team sport and you need a team effort to get the job done, and that’s what The Funk Hunters did.

Blink by Bob Moses

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From the name I know Bob Moses sounds like 1 guy, but you would be wrong it is 2 guys. This duo composed of Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance have been making music for over a decade now. This duo was actually formed in Brooklyn, New York, but the duo are based in Vancouver. Bob Moses has become some of the best dance music while also being something you can listen to on a late night drive. 

 

From the Opening song on “Blink”, you are immediately transported by a funky beat and beautiful vocals. The production and the lyrics just feels like something Bob Moses has perfected over the years and “Time of Your Life” is a great start to this album. Another great thing about this album is that it is short, see now u could see that as a negative, but the type of Music Bob Moses make i think this is the perfect length for this album. It is only 38 minutes long which makes it easier for people who have never listened to Bob Moses to get into their music. The first couple of songs on this project really make you realize how good Bob Moses is on production. “Keep Love Waiting”, is easily one of the best songs on the album, the perfect mix of lyricism and production. It is a timeless song.

 

What makes this album so great is the ability for Bob Moses to experiment, but also keep it simple. Each track just has a great part about it and in the album there really is no fall off. Most of the songs are just up beat and really you just enjoy it. The story telling aspect is what really makes Bob Moses different from other electronic bands or duos. Sometimes people forget the story telling aspect when listening to Bob Moses because their production is so good. 

 

Bob Moses songs have a sense of purpose. It delivers the type of groove that characterizes their live performances while carrying emotional weight. It’s the kind of song that makes you realize how fleeting and lovely life can be, and it encourages you to cling on for a little while longer before it passes. Bob Moses demonstrates once more in Blink why Canada is so proud to have this elite Electronic duo.

 

Mother Mother “Nostalgia”, good or bad?

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Mother Mother is a band that has been around for a long time now, and the Vancouver based band have just come out with their 10th studio album the question is though is this good or bad? And does this live up to the standards that we all have for this great band. 

The things that work this album being the bands 20th anniversary goes back to their roots. Ryan Guldemond’s goal with this album was just to get creative with it. There is no bad ideas kind of mentality. The album goes over very familiar themes for Mother Mother fans, themes such as being alone, and self love. People who have been looking forward to this project have praised Mother Mother on their ability to have such a compact album delivery with the album only being 12 songs long. A lot of Mother Mother fans have also expressed how happy they are that the band kind of brought back their old sound. That can not come as a surprise though as the album is titled “Nostaligia”.

We have gone over what makes the album good so far but what about the bad? With older fans being happy that Mother Mother had returned to their old sound a bit some fans were not pleased as they wanted something new and fresh. Most reviews of the album have it decently good https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/1250438-mother-mother-nostalgi As this website has the album at a score of 67 out of 100. A good score, but not a masterpiece not a classic just kind of an Album has some bright spots.

So what’s the verdict? In my opinion listening to this album is……… good i think its good. Not great, let me make that very clear, just good. You have to listen to this album with an open mind. Some songs that were bright spots on this album were “Namaste’, and “ to regret”. These songs are a little bit different from what the band is as they lean into a more quieter emotional approach.  

Michael Bublé the king of Burnaby

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Only a couple names stand out more than Michael Bublé when it comes to Canadian sweet hearts. The singer and songwriter, who was born in Burnaby, has created a career that combines the best of jazz with pop , making it seem both timeless and new. One of Canada’s most adored musical personalities, Bublé is a true entertainer in every way, whether he’s making music or making jokes on stage. 

 

Bublé’s tale started with big time goals and a passion for music. He grew up admiring icons like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. But it became evident that he wasn’t merely a copy cat act when he rose to fame in the early 2000s with his debut album, rather, he was redefining the sound for a new generation. He gained millions of fans worldwide thanks to songs like “Feeling Good,” “Haven’t Met You Yet,” and “Home,” which combined nostalgia and personality .

 

Bublé’s personality, not just his smooth voice, is what makes him different. He is proudly Canadian, funny, and modest. Also he is a huge Canucks fan and me being a big Canucks fan makes me like him just a little bit more. He frequently makes jokes about his fame and doesn’t take himself too seriously, which is uncommon in people who become famous. However underlying the humor is just a regular guy. Bublé put his family before fame by removing himself from the spotlight when his young son became seriously ill. He had become even more soft and heartfelt by the time he came back to music.

 

Additionally, Bublé’s yearly Christmas specials have become a staple of popular culture. Songs like “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” have become classics thanks to his warm voice and upbeat vibe. Many fans find that until Michael Bublé’s voice fills the room, the holidays simply don’t feel like them. You simply cannot escape Bublé in the winter time.

 

Bublé’s career is evidence that skill and being a good person are timeless in a world where things change quickly and fashions change even more quickly. He crosses generations with each note, inspiring younger fans to discover jazz and providing older fans with a hint of nostalgia. In addition to being one of Canada’s main staples, Michael Bublé serves as a reminder that great music never goes out of style.

 

Grimes redefining pop

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Grimes (Clair Boucher) isn’t your average artist, she is a visionary who is changing pop music with her sound and style. This is one of my favorite Grimes quotes. “AI pop star for the Martian Ministry of Aesthetics”, do you even understand what that means? This quote EXACTLY captures who Grimes is, a futuristic style of music and just a fascinating person. Grimes is from Vancouver and she went through the indie music scene early in her career. She is known for her electronic but ethereal vocals. 

 

Grimes early work is what really put her into the public eye. “Visions”, and “Art Angles” really raised her stardom. “Visions”, was entirely created off Garageband yea like the app you have pre installed on your Iphone, genuinely insane. Grimes has become a big inspiration to other underground Indie producers and other female artists. It’s not just her music but her style which inspires others. Her futuristic looks created buzz on the internet and her Met Gala look from 2021 is still talked about till this day.  

 

In 2015 Grimes dropped “Art Angels” she used a very aggressive style of guitars and a lot of high pop hooks. Grimes isn’t focused primarily on one genre of music though she is always playing around doing something different. “Flesh without blood”, and “Kill v. Maim” are perfect examples of her switching genres.

 

Grimes isn’t just about making music though she is very interested in AI as people are nowadays. Grimes has talked about using AI as an advantage. Most artists do not have the same thinking though as AI is getting very scary as people are profiting off of others without their consent. Grimes on the other hand has actually created a software to mimic her voice so that people can use it as they wish. Also did i mention that she was once married to Elon Musk the richest man in the world and has 3 kids with him. Just some more Grimes lore if u did not know. 

 

Grimes keeps erasing distinctions between chaos and art, celebrity and anonymity, and human and machine. Though odd, her outlook on the future is never boring. Grimes continues to be a surprising force in a time when pop music frequently seems formulaic, redefining what it means to be an artist in the digital era.

 

Looking at Lauren Spencer Smith’s hit album “Mirror”

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Lauren Spencer Smith is just an average girl from BC except she is a superstar now. First getting into the spotlight on American Idol in 2020 things were looking good for a young Smith. As fate would have it Smith’s American Idol run would sadly be cut short, but that did not stop her. Smith soon signed to a label and got working on a debut album just all at the age of 20 years old. 

 

The pressure was on to deliver on this project even though it was only her first album, and boy did she deliver. Mirror was a smash hit. Her album theme was focusing on a recent break up and how to handle things like a toxic relationship and manipulation. Her songs on this album that talk about her tough break up include “ Best friend breakup”, and “Narcissist”. I think from the titles alone you can get at what kind of songs those would be. Not all of her songs on the album were like that though, as songs like “Fantasy”, and “Bigger Person” talk about her growing as a person and her self worth. Lauren Spencer Smith’s storytelling on this project is so good every lyric is just punctuated; it’s like you can feel her pain. This does not feel fake, it feels real, it feels like listening to someone who has actually been through this stuff. 

 

Relatability is a huge plus for this project. Most of Smith’s fans can relate to what she is going through. She doesn’t shy away from telling the listener how she is feeling. One of her songs on this project is called “That Part”, in this song Smith talks about a more optimistic future filled with what she does not have yet love. 

 

In an era where everything has to be squeaky clean and be fitted to be played on the radio Smith embraces her imperfections on this project.

 

Smith has recently released her newest album “THE ART OF BEING A MESS”, it will be hard to replicate the success of her first work but only time will tell how this album does. Smith is currently on tour in Australia and New Zealand, and is scheduled for one show in Vancouver in late March. Smith is one of Canada’s most youngest and bright stars, look for her to keep rising through the ranks.

 

Looking back at Sarah McLachlan’s Career

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There have only been a handful of Canadian artists to leave an impact on generations, and Sarah McLachlan is one of them. One of Canada’s earliest superstars Sarah shot through the ranks in the early 1990s. Her angelic voice, poetic lyricism, and emotional depth has made her into what she is the OG of the singing game. 

 

Born in Nova Scotia (She now resides in BC) her musical gift journey began in the early 1980s where McLachlan became trained in classical piano and guitar.  McLachlan then signed to a record label in the late 1980s, she put out her debut album “Touch”, in 1989. The Album was a good introduction into her music that same soft sound with her angelic voice with great production. Her follow up album in 1991 was where fans really started to take notice of her musical talent. One of the songs on the album “Into the fire”really put the people on notice. 

 

In 1993 is where McLachlan would drop her most popular album “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy”. McLachlan now had become a household name. Songs that really stood out on this album were “possesion”, and “Hold on”. Her success wouldn’t stop there though McLachlan after a 3 year hiatus would go on to drop “Rarites, B-Side & other stuff”. 

 

This album is where her most popular song “I will remember You” comes from. More known as a meme song now, but back then it was a highly emotional song. In 1997 When Surfacing showed up in, McLachlan was already well-known throughout the world. She became one of Canada’s greatest musical exports after winning two Grammy Awards and numerous Juno Awards for that album, which included classic songs like “Building a Mystery,” “Adia,” and “Angel.” 

 

In addition to being a successful performer, McLachlan has inspired others by using her platform. She started the “Lilith Fair tour” in 1997, an all-female music festival that honored women in a field that is frequently dominated by men. The festival, which raised millions for women’s charities and featured artists like Sheryl Crow, Tracy Chapman, and Jewel, became a cultural landmark. She really is a pioneer. 

 

Sarah McLachlan left behind a legacy of kindness and inventiveness through her heartfelt ballads and charitable endeavors. She is still regarded as a genuine Canadian icon, a performer whose work inspired new generations while also defining one.

“Even After”, a Canadian Cult Classic

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It’s been almost 15 years since the Marianas Trench dropped “Even After”, you may be thinking to yourself who are the Marianas Trench who is that or what is that, they are a Canadian pop band if you have even listened to any radio in the past 15 years i can guarantee you have at least heard one of their songs. 

 

Lead singer Josh Ramsey created this album and he made a story out of this album. A story about a man who is trapped in this crazy world the album goes over themes like control, escape and identity. Every song on this album just flows so smoothly to the next the interest never ends and Marianas Trenches storytelling ability is very much on display throughout this album.  

 

Musically, “Ever After” is bold and dynamic. Ramsay’s talent for creating grand pop anthems with intricate harmonies and very dramatic flair is evident in songs like “Haven’t Had Enough” and “Desperate Measures.” Meanwhile, songs like “By Now” and “Stutter” ( some of their most popular till this day) demonstrate the band’s ability to combine traditional theatricality with pop. Ramsay’s production, which is  creative, and emotionally happy , lends the album a timeless feel that is still relevant in 2025.

 

Its emotional depth is what really makes Ever After a Canadian cult classic. A profoundly human tale of love, loss, and self-discovery is hidden beneath the fairytale setting. The honesty and vulnerability made into its shiny, upbeat sound resonated with fans. The album has endured for years in concert set lists, playlists, and listeners’ hearts because of this harmony between spectacle and sincerity.

 

Ever After is a testament to what happens when a band dares to dream bigger in a world where many pop records fade as trends change. Not only is it Marianas Trench’s best-selling album, but it also marks a turning point in Canadian pop-rock history. Many bands starting out nowadays often attribute the Marianas trench as their inspiration for starting up a band. The Marianas Trench band still makes music and their latest album came out in 2024 coinciding with their latest tour in 2024. As of now the band has taken a little break from making music but we are sure it wont last long. 

Nelly Furtado the Goat of BC?

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Few names have the same familiarity when discussing the musical greats of British Columbia or even Canada as Nelly Furtado. The singer, songwriter, and producer from Victoria has redefined what it means to be a Canadian artist on the international scene in addition to defining a period of pop and R&B music. Furtado has established herself as the genuine GOAT of  the BC music scene with a career spanning more than 20 years, unreal accolades, and a constantly evolving sound. 

 

Furtado made her debut in 2000 with “Whoa, Nelly!”, a catchy blend of pop, Latin music, and beautiful vocals that immediately made her known in the mainstream pop audience. She won a Grammy and became well-known throughout the world thanks to songs like “I’m Like a Bird” and “Turn Off the Light,” which demonstrated her special fusion of vulnerability and confidence. Furtado’s genuineness and genre-bending approach were refreshing in an era when  auto tuned sounds made music.

 

However, Nelly Furtado’s ability to reinvent herself without losing her artistic essence is what really makes her stand out as one of BC’s greatest. One of the most recognizable pop albums of the 2000s is her Timbaland produced album Loose from 2006. Not only did songs like “Promiscuous,” “Maneater,” and “Say It Right” top the charts, but they also altered the sound of popular music. Long before genre-crossing became commonplace, Furtado boldly embraced experimentation by fusing global influences with urban beats. These classic songs are still listened to today as even “Promiscuous”, went viral on TikTok a few years ago seeing a resurgence in the charts. 

 

Furtado’s legacy is based on representation, authenticity, and artistic risk-taking, which go beyond the numbers and hits. She paved the way for diverse voices in Canadian music as a Portuguese-Canadian woman from Vancouver Island. She has also maintained her groundedness, frequently traveling back to British Columbia to play at local gatherings, coach up-and-coming musicians, and promote multiculturalism via her charitable work and music. Furtado’s influence is still felt in the thriving music scene of British Columbia, from Whoa, Nelly! to Loose and beyond. She not only represented the province but also made it visible on the map. Nelly Furtado is more than just a legend, to put it simply. She is B.C. music’s greatest of all time.

The Disaster that was Breakout Fest 2022

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Let me transport you back to a simpler time, a time when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, a Top Gun sequel had just come out and ChatGpt was just creeping its way into schools. The year is 2022 and right now a little me is going to go attend his first and so far last music festival. Let’s look back at the disaster that was the Breakout fest.

 

Breakout fest was making its long awaited return from the pandemic and they had a STACKED lineup from top 2 bottom. 15 year old me was excited to say the least some of my favorite rappers in a 2 day festival surrounded by all my friends seems like an unbelievable time. Day 1 comes and everything is so far so good this festival seemed like it was off to a cool and calm start. All the artists performed and everything went well. Sheck Wes even performed and when he played “Mo Bamba”, it felt like the crowd at the PNE forum was causing a mini earthquake. For day 1 the headliner was Lil Uzi Vert who at the time was my favorite rapper and man was i excited, but sadly he pulled out of the event last minute he was replaced by Trippe Red which was ok, but the cracks were starting to show in this event. 

 

Day 2 starts and it seems like everything again is off to a decent start, but early on we get news that Polo G has pulled out as the 2nd last performance of the night. This was a huge blow it sucked, but hey at least Lil Baby was gonna perform right? 

 

The time has come for the final performance. The crowd is anxiously waiting for Lil Baby to come out. It has been almost 45 minutes and the DJ keeps assuring us that Lil Baby wants us to be louder and he will be out very soon. The pressure is building another 15 minutes after no Lil Baby yet and then the DJ comes back and says “ Lil Baby has fallen ill and he did not make it off the plane he will not be performing tonight”. The crowd is disappointed and everyone is leaving the festival but then it starts, fighting people looting its chaos and as a 15 year old kid you would think I would be scared, but I WAS LOVING IT. It was INSANE the riot made up for the concert in my opinion. Event organisers should have known people from Vancouver have a history with this kinda stuff. It’s a shame Breakout doesn’t happen anymore, man that was a fun time.