Be a tourist in your own city.
Updated: December 2025 [Originally posted December 7, 2021] Listen & Follow on Spotify I had always wanted to make an all-local, holiday season Playlist! âď¸đ I Heart Hamilton turned 10 in 2021, and by then, I had come across enough local holiday tunes to round out a festive mix (so far including Hamilton and Burlington … Read more
Listen & Follow on Spotify Springtime is in full swing! We just celebrated the 14th year of I Heart Hamilton, and I’m so grateful for all of the local music I’ve enjoyed over the years. This city is brimming with talent. Time for the next installment of my quarterly curated roundup, rolling through various genres … Read more
Listen & Follow on Spotify Arkells & Cold War Kids – “Past Life” [Listen]Iâm sick of running from a past lifeI donât care about the next oneAm I running from the moment?Or the city where I come from? First off, huge congrats to Arkells – the band just took home the JUNO Award for Group Of … Read more
Listen & Follow on Spotify Allegories – “It’s A Parade” [Listen]A minute that will plague you for an hourOr a week or a forgotten year The return of experimental electronic pop duo Allegories was a favourite local music moment last year. When the pair dropped dynamic new single, “Pray,” a couple of months ago, it … Read more
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 – âPity Partyâ [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
Collective Arts Brewing 207 Burlington Street East By Kristin Archer Photos by Ramucy Photog Sofar Sounds began in 2009 in London, England from a simple and relatable scenario. A couple of guys were at a show, and were annoyed by audience members talking and not paying attention to the performances. From there, the idea to host “secret gigs … Read more
Harvest Picnic Christie Lake Conservation Area 1000 Highway 5 West, Dundas By Kristin Archer Photos by Lisa Vuyk Summer festival Harvest Picnic celebrated its 6th year this August and I was pleased to be back for a second year. I learned last year what a unique and special festival it is. Christie Lake in Dundas is … Read more
By Kristin Archer Tokyo Police Club â âNot My Girlâ [Listen] Time doesn’t mean much to me If you’re not my girl It’s always a treat to see Tokyo Police Club. One of my favourite things I’ve ever done so far with I Heart Hamilton is getting to meet and interview lead singer Dave Monks back in … Read more