I only know a bit about Dub FX, then Dub FX tells me a lot about Dub FX.

I didn't know much about Dub FX other than some friends telling me to check him out. When he announced as a headliner for this year's Victoria Ska Fest (One of the major highlights on the Victoria music calendar)  I took the opportunity to check him out. After hearing "Made" I was hooked. I jumped in the rabbit hole and quickly decided I needed to track him down as part of my Ska Fest run-up for a little chat before his return to Victoria. Intelligent and warm, we had a great chat about his musical roots, the terrible music we both listened to in the past, Snoop Lion and the joys of playing music with the woman he loves. It's a bit of a long one this time, folks, but it's a good one. Much respect to Dub FX.

 

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I continue to be fascinated by Hawksley Workman. (Part 2)

Here is the second part of my interview with Hawksley Workman that was originally for Feedback magazine but after the disappearance of my editor the article went to the my familiar stomping grounds, the Martlet. We talk about his new project, Mounties, oppression and manipulation through media, and the changing social landscape of Canada. One more thanks to Hawksley for being so open and thoughtful during our exceedingly long chat.

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I am fascinated with Hawksley Workman again. (Part 1)

​This was the second time I talked to Hawksley Workman and the second time I got along exceedingly well with Hawksley Workman. Workman is an artist I respect immensely, someone who's work can be at once sprawling and artistic while being wholly accessible, if sometimes frustrating. This interview was done in February of this year and was supposed to be for FEEDBACK magazine here in Victoria, but my editor there seems to have disappeared so it sat on the shelf for a bit, finally finding its way to the Martlet.  This was a really long conversation, in fact this is Part 1, so now, for your reading pleasure...Hawksley Workman.

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I talk to Vandana Shiva, real-life Superhero.

Music is what I write about because it's what I love. It is a powerful communicator and a vital part of any thriving culture. But, at the end of the ​day, it's just music. There are people out there doing important, compassionate, world-changing things that improve the lives of everyone and everything they come into contact with. Eco-feminist and human love-beam Dr. Vandana Shiva is one of those people. When I found out that she'd be speaking here in Victoria at UVic on the eve of her receiving an honourary doctorate from the university I jumped at the chance to interview this vitally inspiring person. I had originally planned on doing a phone interview before she arrived as a preview piece, but instead was given the privilege of sitting face-to-face with her and conversing like humans. I consider myself a relatively intelligent person but I the nerves I felt going into conversation with this intellectual titan where nearly overwhelming. I asked some things that I may have already known, but that I wanted articulated to be by one of the most important and inspiring people working today. As we sat across from each other I was quickly calmed by her calm demeanour and warm smile.

When the night did come for her to receive her honour from the University of Victoria, I was amazed not at the turn out of people, but at the passion that she inspired in everyone in that room. Dr. Vandana Shiva is a beacon of light and hope in a world that is seemingly more enveloped in darkness and chaos by the day. Seemingly is the operative word there...

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Homeboy Sandman is the hero Hip-Hop needs.

For two years now I've used my Music Rags column at the Martlet to further the cause of good, honest music and because I love it so much, I have placed a heavy emphasis on Hip-Hop music. A great Hip-Hop MC can, in their best moments, shed light on the truths of both self and the surrounding world, by opening up forgotten lingual chambers of the brain. Like all things, Hip-Hop is constantly changing, finding new guiding lights and few of those new leaders shine like New York's Homeboy Sandman. I tracked him down for a chat at the end of 2012 and I must say I felt (And still feel) incredibly blessed to get the chance to talk to and pick the brain of one of Hip-Hop's most important spokesmen.

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