http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/r_williams Most recent (7 days) columns en-gb Wed, 22 May 2013 14:21:40 CDT Slim Cessna doesn't suffer from religious guilt -- it's more like religious confusion. "I was raised religious and I may or may not still be. Some days I am and some days I'm not," Cessna says over the phone from Fairplay, Colo. The issue of religion comes up because for the past 20 years... Thu, 26 Jul 2012 03:18:32 CDT There is a lot of freedom in Beirut these days. The New York-based group has evolved from Zach Condon's one-man project into a full-fledged band where he remains the main songwriter, but isn't averse to seeking input from other members. That's why the group's third full-length, The Rip Tide, Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:18:47 CDT THE Black Keys are one of the biggest bands in North America today, but things are still low-key for Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, according to the former. "It's essentially the same," the vocalist-guitarist says over the phone from St. Louis. "It's the two of us in the studio, kind of just Thu, 10 May 2012 14:04:07 CDT OTTAWA -- There were plenty of surprises at this year's Juno Awards, and the fact it was April Fool's Day had nothing to do with it. Consider this: a Christmas album was named the best album released in 2011, Saskatoon rockers the Sheepdogs took home three awards and Nickelback got shut Mon, 2 Apr 2012 03:18:38 CDT Red Moon Road started with a splash. The idea to form the local roots band was hatched when Daniel Jordan and Daniel Peloquin-Hopfner ended up in the drink after a boat overturned in Lake of the Woods. They were friends before, but truly bonded after breaking into a stranger's cabin to stay warm. Fri, 16 Mar 2012 03:17:08 CDT Frank Stallone's career is far from over. After spending most of the past 30 years working as an actor, the 61-year-old is focusing on getting back to his first love: music. "I've got to say I'm regretful in a sense. I put my music on hold for a bit and started doing a lot of movies then people Thu, 1 Mar 2012 09:40:52 CST The members of Simple Plan have always been into collaborating, but they went overboard for their latest album. The Montreal pop-rock quintet was writing a song about the power of music when it decided to seek input from its fans about how Simple Plan's music made them feel. The band received Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:17:52 CST <p>Pat Skene has never shied away from telling it like it is.</p> <p>The rapper known as Pip Skid has always been up front about his life and views, whether he is talking about personal issues or focusing on broader social topics. There is no subject he won't examine, whether it's the state of his own life or politics. To Skene, who can be honest to a fault, it's all fair game.</p> Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:28:38 CST IT was another banner year for Winnipeg concert-goers, as local stages hosted some of the biggest and most popular artists in the world. And we had the privilege of seeing many smaller, hard-working bands who might go on to become arena-worthy in the years to come. Our local music scene Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:55:47 CST The Magnificent 7s are fighting the good fight. Much like the gunslingers in the 1960 film the band is named after, the local old-time roots/bluegrass group is working on behalf of the underdog, sharing stories from the streets and travelling the continent in their trusty van, Winnifred. "I Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:07:34 CST