Be a tourist in your own city.
Let’s go! This year I celebrated the 10th Anniversary of I Heart Hamilton. What a ride! Music has been such an incredible part of the journey. If you missed it – give the 10th Anniversary Playlist a spin to commemorate the milestone. I had a really nostalgic time putting it together. So many memories are … Read more
The Emsee – “Pity Party” [Listen]See inside my brainI disguise the painMaking excuses like the climate’s changedAfter a lengthy hiatus, Hamilton rapper The Emsee returns with a brand new single. The Emsee, a.k.a. Mathew Barber, first got started in 2006 when he turned one of his poems into his first song. The artist took off … Read more
The Dirty Nil – “Blunt Force Concussion” [Listen]Trust meIf I’m feeling blueTrust meI’m thinking about youDespite the pandemic, The Dirty Nil had a pretty killer year in 2020, dishing out tons of content to keep fans satiated until we can get back to live shows. They embarked on a super fun virtual tour, released great new … Read more
Here we go! I’m wrapping up the 10th year of I Heart Hamilton (we’ll celebrate the official 10th anniversary in May 2021). 2020 was a painful year for so many, and also a much needed time to pause and reflect. I know this year made me really stop in my tracks, re-evaluate everything, and remember … Read more
The Dirty Nil – “Doom Boy” [Listen]Let me be your doom boyWe could hold handsListen to SlayerIn the back of my Dodge CaravanThe boys are back with another song to crank out of our windows this summer! Along with fun-loving new single “Doom Boy” comes the announcement of a new album from this Hamilton trio. … Read more
By Kristin Archer As the great Joni Mitchell said, “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.” When I started this blog in 2011, I didn’t think about how long I would be chronicling my hometown adventures, and also how much Hamilton would change over time. With change … Read more
The Dirty Nil – “Done With Drugs” [Listen]They’ve been good, they’ve been sweetBut now it’s time to get cleanWhile this period of physical distancing must be proving difficult for many musicians, The Dirty Nil have a leg up in that they live together. As a result, the Nil have been able to finish up their … Read more
Calcedon – “To The Light” [Listen]Name three thingsUse five sensesI Heart Hamilton was happy to premiere the brand new single from Calcedon, the musical project of electronic art pop artist (and violinist!) Brielle Melle. The Hamilton-based artist describes her new song, with its delicate vocals, driving bass, and rhythmic kicks as “a will to fight, … Read more
Gareth Inkster – “Lost” [Listen]I feel you right before I sleepRight before the floor below sinks deepThis month marks a year since Hamilton singer-songwriter Gareth Inkster’s debut album Last Year, one of my favourite local releases of 2018. Since then we have been treated to more singles and great live shows from Gareth and his … Read more
By Kristin Archer Time to wrap up another year! It’s a pleasure to support Hamilton’s music scene and I’m continually inspired by it. If I can leave you with one resolution in 2019: go to more shows! To continue from last year, I’m charting EPs and albums, but I’ll give honourable mentions to these singles … Read more