What Manitoba Sounded Like in 2022 According to some of our favourite artists
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/12/2022 (1305 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
To figure out what Manitoba sounded like in 2022, we asked the musicians on our list to make picks of their own in an attempt to highlight more local artists and music for your listening pleasure.
Here are their choices, and their blurbs, in no particular order.
Cut Fence (Let God Sort Em Out)
by Richard Inman
This is my favourite local song this year, lyrically speaking. Kills me every time I listen. I was once walking in the West End of Winnipeg and Richard pulled up across the street in some kind of 1970s Caddy. Him and some fellas that piled out of the classic car had cowboy hats, sideburns and denim head to toe, with the boots of course. Some real cowpunchers, I thought. Inman’s the real deal.
— Amos the Kid
Designated Driver
by Taylor Janzen
She expertly weaves catchy melodies and hooks with heartbreaking, vulnerable lyrics while testing the edges of her supposed genre. Makes me excited to hear her full length, coming in 2023.
— Nic Dyson
Stay Wild Child
by Jade Turner
This song has such an emotional impact, singing about her little boy and her desire for him to unapologetically be himself as he grows up. Jade is one of the hardest-working artists I know and incredibly talented, too. I love this song, I love this artist, and I know you will too.
— Ila Barker
Bon Bon Bon
by French Class
Bon bon bon bon bon bon bon bon bon bon bon bon bon bon bon.
— Booter
G2LG
by Mooki
I just like the vibe of what Mooki’s been doing and think he could get more shine around here. The low-key, laid-back, introspective, healing vibes. You can tell he’s working a lot out through his music. Also it’s been cool to see him make the transition to an MC from a b-boy, but still keep that b-boy element alive in his shows. Definitely keep an eye on this man.
— Brendan Kinley of Super Duty Tough Work
I’m an Alchemist
by Francis Rae
Francis Rae is an amazing musician and producer. He made this song and all his other singles basically by himself in a bedroom studio. The lyricism is intricate and heartbreaking. I have his music constantly on repeat and I want everyone to listen to it.
— Cassidy Mann
Star Stuff
by Slow Spirit
This song sounds somehow outer and inner at the same time, which is a bit of a thread through Slow Spirit’s music. It’s the production, but the lyrics, the feel, the easy way all the pieces breathe together. Ethereal, but so very felt in the body.
— Matt Foster
The Slowest Race
by Christine Fellows
Stuff We All Get is one of those albums you can keep coming back to and every time unearth a new corner of a song you didn’t realize was there before. This song in particular is a beautiful punch to the gut. Christine Fellows is a masterful poet, producer, and artist. We’re lucky to have her!
— Jacob Brodovsky
You Showed Up
by Central Heat Exchange
I really love the production of this song, how it fades in with a drum machine followed by the guitar and then after the first verse, the drums softly come in and carry throughout the song. Also features one of my favourite lyrics: “Can a homie tell a homie what it’s really like. Are you doing fine?” Simple, but sounds like it means a lot.
— Isiah Schellenberg of Meadows
Lydlmlmg
by the Secret Beach
It’s the latest from Micah Erenberg. I like his songs, and I always love the way his recordings sound. He takes the time to use old cassette tape machines and various techniques so the recordings always have a real warmth and homemade feel.
— Scott Nolan
Manitoba musicians captured the many moods of 2022
Posted:
As every year comes to an end, we think about the things that carried us from January to December. For us, more often than not, they’re songs.
Worst of Ways
by Field Guide
Aw, man. I think I’d have to pick this song by Field Guide. It’s just a sweet song and it randomly gets stuck in my head nonstop. It’s a good one.
— JayWood
Friends on the Internet
by Kris Ulrich
Kris has had a hand in pretty much every Field Guide release to date. This is the lead single from his phenomenal upcoming record, dropping in early 2023.
— Dylan MacDonald, a.k.a. Field Guide
We’ll Never Have Sex
by Leith Ross
The fact that such a devastatingly honest and pure song like this has almost 32 million plays in less than a year makes me think we might just be all right after all. Leith is a rare artist who sings every word they write with an unaffected truth and clarity.
— Matt Peters, deadmen
So much amazing music came out this year that it’s an impossible feat to pick one track, but if I HAVE TO, I’m going with one by songsmith extraordinaire and brand new Winnipeger, Leith Ross. Joey (Landreth) produced We’ll Never Have Sex, which is one minute and 39 seconds of awesome.”
— Dave Landreth, The Bros. Landreth
First Strike
by Super Duty Tough Work
Super Duty is one of the most exciting and deep outfits out of Manitoba and I’m on the edge of my seat to hear what else they have in store for us in 2023. Everything they touch is gold in my opinion!”
— Alexa Dirks aka Begonia
SDTW is far and away my favourite band from this city. I’ve been waiting for new music from them for years and this song is an incredible re-entry into the Winnipeg music atmosphere.
— Roman Clarke
Quebec
by Jamboree
One of my favourite songs to come out of the city this year. So simple but so disarming, janky in all the right ways. They’ve got wit and poeticism and an absurd knack for hooks, and it just adds up to something really special.
— Adam Fuhr of Yes We Mystic
Pray, Move On
by JayWood
That boy JayWood got some bangers for sure. Heard this joint. It’s short and sweet but a playlist-keep, most definitely.
— Dillin Morgan, aka Dill the Giant
With-in/Out
by Rainy Day Ritual
This song has really creative and impressive production while blending so many awesome sounds and ideas. We are so happy they were able to open for us and Braids at the WECC in January. Can’t wait for more music from Rainy Day Ritual.
— Living Hour
Reaper Be Gone
by Nate Jacobucci
With wild chord shifts, horn arrangements worthy of a Stax classic, and a melody that’s both heavenly and profane, this self-produced rock ‘n’ roll nightmare delivers on all fronts.
— Micah Braun, of VVonder, on his bandmate’s solo effort
Love Your Rock n’ Roll
by the Sorels
— Selected by Onna Lou
Leaf Song
by Julien Silver
— Selected by Sam Singer
Natalie 4 Mynarski
by the Famous Sandhogs and Natalie Smith
— Selected by Micah Erenberg of the Secret Beach
Rich People
by Tommy Douglas Keenan
— Selected by Son of Dave
En Plein Coeur Mai
by Andrina Turenne
— Selected by Fontine
Ben Waldman is a National Newspaper Award-nominated reporter on the Arts & Life desk at the Free Press. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Ben completed three internships with the Free Press while earning his degree at Ryerson University’s (now Toronto Metropolitan University’s) School of Journalism before joining the newsroom full-time in 2019. Read more about Ben.
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