December 31, 2008
As you've probably noticed, the site has been a little dead lately so I figured I'd best address why that is. To preface the explanation, when I started this site all I wanted to do was keep writing. I didn't have an easy time finding another good writing gig after Extra so I figured, if no other good publication will let me write for them, I'll just write for myself and since April, that's just what I've been doing but recently, I have found other options leading me to put The Alternative Star on the backburner a bit.
The first is AbsolutePunk.net, my favourite site for the type of music I love. Since November, they have given me my own weekly feature to do the Candian Music Round-Up and that has been taking up a decent chunk of time. As well, I have been sent music from them since July and I plan on making my user reviews more of a priority in 2009. I also want to make more use of my blog on that site too. I refuse to join FaceBook, MySpace and Twitter however I think it is time I caved in and got a blog. I'll mostly write about music but probably some other stuff will be covered as well.
Secondly, the University of Winnipeg has an independent music magazine called Stylus and I just recently asked about contributing and was accepted. Its a print publication published bi monthly and I plan on starting to write for them as well now. They have already given me two CDs to review and you should see my stuff in their magazine soon.
Does this mean my site is going to be shut down? No, its very unlikely at this point. I'd still like to do interviews and show reviews if at all possible. As long as bands will support my writing, I will continue to do it here as well. It reminds me of when I was flipping through Alternative Press and they interviewed Alex from Atreyu. He said the band and everything that has happened was surreal to him. He felt like he was tricking someone and that is the way I feel in some ways. I'm no one special, just an 18 year old girl fresh out of high school but I've been able to break stories featuring bands like Chiodos, Cute Is What We Aim For and Anti-Flag just to name a few. Its crazy and I am so grateful that the guys in those bands were awesome enough to talk to me and that their management was awesome enough to fit me into their schedule. Seeing as how those articles ended up all over the Internet, at the very least I proved that when you work with me, I'm going to do my best to come up with great questions and get an interview that everyone wants to read. Hopefully in 2009 that can continue and if that does, then The Alternative Star isn't going anywhere. Plus no other publication in this city really bothers to interview them or do show reviews either so if no one else will do it, might as well be me.
That said, I will be getting rid of the CD review section. Links to the reviews can be found in this archive but I just don't see the point of having this section any longer.
If everything goes according to plan, I will be covering Anberlin, Gob, Taste of Chaos and the Weakerthans so if you care about any of those shows and want the in depth coverage you've some to expect, check back here or sign up for the mailing list. I hope I'll be able to do the majority of those shows and I will do everything in my power to make it a reality.
Oh, and I plan on updating this site with all of my articles ftom the other publications, in an attempt to turn it into more of a portfolio so in the unlikely event that you care about me, they will all be here for your convenience. Also I do plan on posting my Best of 2008 article here soon too.
Thanks for your support!
-Deborah
December 11, 2008
It certainly has been awhile since the last update but I have some excuses for the few people that read this. First of all, I have been busy with exams. Secondly, AbsolutePunk.net have given me the chance to set up a weekly Canadian Band Round-Up which is posted on their site every Saturday! I'm really excited about the opportunity and that does mean that The Alternative Star may be put on the backburner sometimes. However this doesn't mean that it will be shut down, I still want to do show reviews and interviews if possible because no other publication in this city bothers for alternative/pop punk/hardcore bands.
As for updates, I have an interview with DJ Rossstar here! If you care at all about the inner workings of the music industry, it should be of interest to you.
Also a long overdue review of the new Escape the Fate is here.
And lastly, I did a First Impressions style review for the new FOB CD.
November 27, 2008
More reviews! Check out one of the latest from La Dispute here and I really recommend you check the band out by the way! You won't be disappointed.
Also a review of Bring Me The Horizon's Suicide Season can be read here.
November 20, 2008
Check out an exclusive interview with Amanda from Library Voices here!
November 17, 2008
Carpenter was in town last night and I was there, check out a show review here!
November 10, 2008
Yep, even more reviews. The first is a review of an EP from a band called Library Voices, the band will be in Winnipeg on November 20! Check out a review here.
Also a review of the Tigers Jaw self titled full length here. I really, really like this one by the way.
November 4, 2008
Check out a review of the latest from I Am Ghost here. Winnipeg is having one of it's show droughts now so we'll just have to make do. Carpenter will be coming on November 16 though, they'll be at The Cavern so if you can, you really should head out and see them!
October 30, 2008
It's been awhile but I'm not dead just really busy with school. I do have a review of Sylvie's Trees and Shade Are Our Only Fences here though.
October 23, 2008
In celebration of their debut being released on October 28, The Alternative Star caught up with Arkells front man Max Kerman to clear up why they signed with Dine Alone, their video and of course, the debut itself here.
Also, there is a review of The Bigger Lights EP Fiction Fever here! It was released October 7.
October 20, 2008
Check out a review of the latest from The Sound of Animals Fighting here!
October 16, 2008
Six months ago today Chiodos were in Winnipeg with Protest the Hero so that also means today is also the site’s 6 month anniversary. As someone who made this thing thinking that it would never get off the ground, it’s pretty insane. When the Winnipeg Free Press shut down Extra, I thought my writing gig was pretty much over for awhile. Publications here just weren’t interested in extensive pop punk/hardcore/alternative coverage but I have to admit that I didn’t want to let go. I’ve been a pop punk kid since I was 9 and heard Enema of the State and by the time I was 13, I knew I wanted to do something related to this music scene for a career. It sounds cheesy but it’s my passion, pop punk means a lot to me and it has for the past nine years of my existence. Extra gave me that chance to show just how much I love this music when I was 16 and trust me, once you get used to living out your dream, it isn’t easy going back. Plus, when I scored my first big interview with All Time Low, literally hanging out on their bus with Alex (sorry to sound like a fangirl!) and having the finished product considered as news by Absolute Punk.net, it made me realize just how lucky I was and how far I had gotten, giving me the motivation not to give up.
8 show reviews, 43 CD reviews and interviews with everyone from all different backgrounds, underrated Canadian bands like Living With Lions, classic pop punk groups like MxPx and Alternative Press cover stars like Chiodos all in just 6 months! It really has been a lot of work but it’s been so worth it. Even though I wish Winnipeggers were more responsive towards what I’m doing, it’s been a great opportunity and I want to thank everyone for making my dream a reality; this whole experience has been sort of like the movie Almost Famous and nothing short of awesome. I mean, even Alternative Press wrote a news story on their site about my Cute Is What We Aim For interview; I have to admit I was pretty stoked when I found out! Plus DJ Rossstar gave a shout out to the Alternative Star on Buzznet so that was pretty sweet too!
As for the next 6 months, hopefully I can do even more interviews with even more great bands, continue doing CD reviews both here and for AP.net and still go to a bunch of shows. Basically, keep the momentum up until I can find a real job that will pay me for doing what I do right now. Thanks to everyone who reads anything I’ve done, all the bands/publicists who have worked with the site and all the labels who have sent me their latest releases! I realize I probably could have just written that and spared you the novel but I want people to realize just how much it really means to me and trust me, it means a lot!
I don’t have some really cool 6 month anniversary article, just a review of Koufax’s Strugglers. I’ve been meaning to review it for ages and I finally got around to it, Strugglers was released September 23 on Doghouse Records by the way.
October 11, 2008
Even more CD reviews, got to get through the pile I received in September when I was busy with all the interviews. Check out why I think of the latest releases from Civet and Arkells, don't forget the Arkells will be here on Wednesday!
October 8, 2008
More CD reviews, this time there is an advance review of Grave Maker's Bury Me At Sea here. It hits shelves on Tuesday and the same day the band will be playing a show here with Bane, Comeback Kid, Misery Signals, Shai Halud and Outbreak!
As well, a review of Sing It Loud's Come Around is here, the band just released it on September 23 via Epitaph!
October 3, 2008
Check out a pre show interview with Patricia Day from HorrorPops here!
September 28, 2008
Back to the CD reviews! Check out the lowdown on Makeout Party's Lengths and Limits and HorrorPop's Kiss Kiss Kill Kill. Don't forget the HorrorPops will be playing at the Albert on October 9!
September 25, 2008
As promised, here is the interview with JR from Less Than Jake! Roger and Buddy randmly contributed a bit as well and their new record, side endeavors and touring is what dominated our discussion.
September 24, 2008
Since I have to go to class soon, I figured I'd get the Less Than Jake show review up right away. Read it here!
Also, I had a chance to to do an interview with JR so expect that up on Thursday.
September 17, 2008
Due to all the show reviews and interviews The Alternative Star has been doing this month, the CDs to be reviewed have started to pile up so might as well get one out of the way. Check out a review of the debut EP Four Songs by Stay Sharp here!
September 12, 2008
As promised, Jostlen's interview with Tom Gabel from Against Me! is now up! Read it here.
*EDIT: My name has been taken down from the massive AP.net post. I just wanted to make sure that everyone realizes that I did not bring attention to that quote. I just hate shit talking and that post really is just a prime example of that. What Shaant said was cocky yes but it's not news. By bringing light to that quote, the purpose wasn't to inform people what was up with the departure of Tom, it was just to start drama and I want to assure you I'm not that type of writer.
I don't really know Shaant, I met him for a bit mostly to do an interview and that's it. He was nice to me but I know there are bands that are only nice to writers because they don't want us to trash them in our articles, it sucks and I'd like to think that never happens but it does. That said regardless, Shaant seemed like a sincere guy, he may not be overly modest but is that always a bad thing? Is it better to hate yourself and think everything you do sucks? He just said it rather bluntly and in the future, he might want to try to watch what he says. My job is to write exactly what he said and I did, I knew some people would take it as being cocky even though he said he didn't mean it to be but I can't misquote him to try and make him look better. Plus at the end of the day, what he said is true. He's succesful and Cute Is What We Aim For are doing well regardless of all the people who hate on them. Also, he said plenty of things that proved that he knows he is very lucky to have what he has right now, it's a shame no one cared about those quotes...
Anyway, now I'm just rambling. To anyone who accuses me of sucking up to the band, just read my review of Rotation. I just hate negativity and if nothing else, I hope this event will just prove that The Alternative Star is honest and strives to be respectable towards all of the bands it works with.
September 11, 2008
So Against Me! were in town last night the show review is on the site. Check it out here. An interview with Tom Gabel should be on the site shortly...
This also marks the first set of articles on this entire site that aren't written by me! I asked Jostlen McLean if she'd write a review and do an interview with the band for the site and she agreed. This last week has been very busy, every interview and show review took place which is awesome, I was expecting at least one of them not to work out so I have to admit I'm very pleased. I just don't have time to do it all, I just started my first year of university last week and I've been very busy. Plus, not that I have anything against Against Me! but along with The Offspring, Thrice and Bayside, they are one of the few bands in this scene that I just haven't been able to get into. I've listened to the CDs, even gone to the shows in some cases but I still remain unimpressed. Jostlen is a huge fan of Against Me! so I figured instead of stressing myself out further, I'd give her the assignment and I have to say, she did a good job! Perhaps you'll see more of her on the site in the future...
Also, thanks to everyone who has supported The Alternative Star in any way, shape or form since the start of September! Your support is appreciated, it's why all those interviews and show reviews all worked out in the first place!
September 10, 2008
How crazy is this? Yet another interview is posted! I had the chance to chat with Shaant and Dave from Cute Is What We Aim For yesterday when the band was in town in support of Simple Plan and I'd like to think the interview turned out quite well. Be sure to read it here.
September 7, 2008
Got an another interview for you, this time I caught up with Justin Sane from Anti-Flag to discuss their new record, crazy rumours, the election, his solo record, touring with Rage Against the Machine and more! Head here to read it! Again, I got a chance to review the show. Anti-Flag finally headlined and they brought a diverse group of bands with them, the best by far being The AKA's. Head here to read it. September 2, 2008 It's been awhile but this time The Alternative Star has quite a treat for you! Last night, I was given the amazing opportunity to talk to MxPx's guitarist Tom. Say what you will but MxPx are one of the essential pop punk bands and the interview was certainly a pleasure to conduct. We mainly discuss the band's touring schedule and their 16th anniversary and there's even a bit of details on a followup to their 1995 covers disc On The Cover. Check it out here! I got a chance to review the show too. Obviously it was awesome but feel free to read it anyway. August 27, 2008 More reviews! This week's include the latest from Scream Hello and Jumpercable so be sure to check those out! August 21, 2008 So, I'm finally back and I have three more CD reviews for you! This update includes the latest review of releases from The Virgins, Simple Plan and Mondo Primo so check those out. August 7, 2008 First, I want to announce that the site will be put on hold for exactly two weeks today because I'm going to San Francisco! Yay! I'm very excited, mostly because I've always wanted to go to California so I have high expectations. I want to spend all my time there sightseeing and doing amazingly cool stuff so that means the Internet is out. Don't miss The Alternative Star too much! I leave you with more CD reviews, to be more specific reviews of the latest releases from Damiera and Paramore (I know it's old but oh well, I was still sent it in the mail) so check them out. July 31, 2008 Back to the CD reviews! This time, there is a review of the latest from Panic At The Disco. I know it's older but I also know it was one of the year's more anticipated discs. There is also a review of the latest from Cute Is What We Aim For. Both are in the CD reviews section. July 26, 2008 Living With Lions were in Winnipeg last night and the Alternative Star was lucky enough to sit down with their guitarist Chase and their drummer Loren to discuss their new record, what inspired them to pick up their instruments and DMX among other things. Expect some pretty crazy stories too. Check out the interview here. July 22, 2008 So, finally something that isn't a CD review! Motion City Soundtrack were in town last night with Sing It Loud and The Spill Canvas and The Alternative Star was there to review the show. Check out the review here. July 19, 2008 More reviews, this time I decided to switch up the format a bit so feel free to let me know what you think. The first one of the latest from Cheap Girls. It was released back in April so it's older but earlier this week, the band released it digitally on Quote Unquote Records, a label based entirely off of donations. Check out the review in the CD reviews section and it is available for download with an optional donation here. July 14, 2008 Guess what? Even more CD reviews! Street Dog's latest State of Grace, which hit shelves last week is reviewed as well as Millencolin's Machine 15, which is a little older but oh well. Better late than never. July 7, 2008 Even more CD reviews have been added! The first one is of Motion City Soundtrack's Even If It Kills Me. That release is a little old but it' still fitting because the band will be here on July 21 and if you don't have tickets, you should get some! A review of the latest from Story of the Year is up now too. July 2, 2008 So, a review of We Are The Air - Josephine Collective is up now. June 25, 2008 So as promised, the Carpenter interview is up! Also, I decided to just do a combined show review/interview this time, like I did with Comeback Kid and Silverstein so if you'd like to read a bit about the show with Strike Anywhere at the Royal Albert Arms last night, check out the Carpenter interview as well. June 20, 2008 So, I know it's been awhile since the last update but I haven't forgotten about this site! It's just that I have been very busy with school, as of Tuesday I wrote the last high school exam I'll ever have to write and I spent the week prior to that studying gene control in eukaryotes and how DNA replicates probably a little too much. Doghouse released two new EPs this last Tuesday: Cruiserweight - Rocks the Moon and Mansions - Mansions so check the reviews out! Also, The Alternative Star will be hitting up the Strike Anywhere show this Tuesday so if you are from Winnipeg, consider attending! An interview will also be conducted with Carpenter, one of the opening bands so if you have any questions for the band, feel free to drop me an email. June 11, 2008 So, Underground Operations have recently released some brand new EPs courtesy of Kathleen Turner Overdrive and Aspirations so check them out! June 4, 2008 We have even more CD reviews for you. Find out the lowdown on discs by Portman and Waiting For Sirens right now! May 28, 2008 Coheed and Cambria were in town last night and The Alternative Star was there! For a review of the show, head here. May 26, 2008 So, a review of the debut EP from Paige is up! Trust me, it's really good and if you love pop punk, you'll think it's totally amazing. May 22, 2008 Another CD review! Check out the lowdown on Means' To Keep Me From Sinking. Obviously, the layout has changed. I didn't like the last one as much and I think this one is a lot better. Sadly, this layout wouldn't let me keep the comments so they are gone. Eventually I'll probably add them back, when I figure out a better way to format them. Either way, to those of you who did comment, thank you! And if you still want to do so, you can always email me at nonemorered@hotmail.com or head to the MySpace page I made awhile back and should use more but don't. May 17, 2008 Read a review of Kill Your Ex's debut From Words to Motion here. May 12, 2008 Even more CD reviews have been added! Scope out reviews of the latest discs by This Is Hell and Crash Romeo. May 7, 2008 Reviews of the latest releases by Sleepercar, The Color Fred and Alive in Wild Paint are up now! May 2, 2008 So, the CD reviews section is up! The first review the site has is of Fire the Cannons - Jet Lag Gemini. See it here. Also, check back next week because there will be a few more CD reviews added! That or sign up to our mailing list to get the updates straight to your inbox! April 30, 2008 Yet another interview. As for who is featured? Broadway Calls! Check out the article here now. April 24, 2008 Time for an update! I figure I'd start by drawing attention to the mailing list. To be honest, I think everyone who is into what we do here should join. The benefits on the mailing list include getting updates sent straight to your inbox and the opportunity to submit questions for bands I interview to answer just to name a few so hopefully that is enough to convince you. Also, I’ve been working on getting some labels interested in working with the site and I’ve been slightly successful so we should be able to add a CD review section to The Alternative Star very shortly. Lastly, thank you for checking out the site! For a little site like this, the first week was actually quite successful so thank you for your support! I truly do appreciate it! April 17, 2008 As I promised, the Chiodos interview is up and ready to read today! A big thank you goes out to Derrick for talking to me and hopefully the bums wandering around Winnipeg's downtown didn't freak him out too much. Anyway, click on the picture below to read it! And the show review will be up tomorrow, I promise. Just check the Show Reviews section for it. April 15, 2008 Welcome to the first official update of the Alternative Star! The good news is Chiodos will be the first band to do an interview with the site and in my opinion, you couldn’t ask for anyone better! It will be conducted at the show tomorrow so check back for it the next day. If you aren’t planning on going, you better get a ticket anyway! It will be an amazing show and check back here for a review of the show too. Obviously, the site isn’t totally empty. I’ve posted all of my old interviews and show reviews, which should be new for a lot of you unless you have read Extra in the past. However, there is also a show review/interview with Silverstein which finally has a proper home. Anyway, keep this page book marked! I plan on adding a ton more here in the next few weeks and hopefully this won’t be the last time this site will be updated.
