Articles by Leslie Ken Chu

Vancouver's Big Rig Steer Hurt into Heartfelt Reflection on Self-Titled EP

PUBLISHED Jun 22, 2022

The Courtneys' universe expands with the birth of singer-drummer Jen Twynn Payne's new project, Big Rig. Their self-titled debut doesn't ve...

Sparks Finally Got the Vancouver Celebration They Deserved

Vogue Theatre, March 15

PUBLISHED Mar 16, 2022

It took Sparks decades to make it to Vancouver, but their career-spanning show at the Vogue Theatre on Tuesday night was worth the wait for...

Vancouver Underground Heroes Apollo Ghosts Go Widescreen on 'Pink Tiger'

PUBLISHED Mar 8, 2022

Apollo Ghosts have long been the beating heart of independent music in Vancouver. Since forming in 2008, they've become renowned for their...

Scott Hardware Upgrades His Compositional Mind with 'Ballad of a Tryhard'

PUBLISHED Mar 3, 2022

Scott Hardware's third full-length, Ballad of a Tryhard, is the Toronto artist's most sprawling, beautiful album yet. On 2016's Mutate Repe...

Sad China's 'ilyimy' Captures the Power of Community

PUBLISHED Oct 21, 2021

Nanjing-born Vancouver artist Sunny Chen, a.k.a. Sad China, turns darkness into light on their debut full-length, ilyimy ("I Love You I Mis...

Gong Gong Gong 工工工 Filter Their Psych Odysseys Through China's Ravenous Electronic Scene on 'Phantom Rhythm Remixed 幽靈節奏'

PUBLISHED Jun 21, 2021

Montréal-Beijing duo Gong Gong Gong 工工工 transcend geographical and musical borders with psychedelic rock odysseys through West African dese...

Devours' 'Escape from Planet Devours' Is an Electropop Quest to Rebuild Confidence

PUBLISHED May 11, 2021

Escape from Planet Devours was born from a nervous breakdown. Jeff Cancade, a.k.a. Vancouver electropop gaylien Devours, spent the pandemic...

Century Egg Dance Down an Existential Spiral on 'Little Piece of Hair' EP

PUBLISHED May 6, 2021

Century Egg's Little Piece of Hair is a joyful rebellion for those trapped in their minds. With most people confined to their homes, too, t...