By Glenn Alderson
The U.S. Girls and Stars songwriters talk tape, intuition, and the unexpected magic of slowing down ahead of their respective new releases.
Pique, Ottawa’s forward-thinking music and arts festival, returns on March 7 to 8, 2025, with its biggest spring edition yet. Taking over Arts Court for two days, the festival continues its tradition of curatorial eclecticism, blending club futurism, jazz-hop, leftfield pop, experimental drag, and large-scale installations.
This year’s edition coincides with International Women’s Day, emphasizing women and gender-nonconforming artists who are pushing creative boundaries. The lineup includes international and Canadian acts such as modular synth innovator Arushi Jain, genre-melding DJ BAMBII, jazz-meets-hip-hop artist Witch Prophet, and alt-pop savant Sarah Feldman. Local talent, including FIAMMA and experimental rap duo jules filmhouse and Infatuation, will also take the stage.
Beyond performances, Pique fosters dialogue through its Topique Forum, a space for artist talks and workshops focused on equitable music futures. With a pay-what-you-can model and all-ages access, Pique remains a vital incubator for artistic experimentation and community engagement.
By Glenn Alderson
The U.S. Girls and Stars songwriters talk tape, intuition, and the unexpected magic of slowing down ahead of their respective new releases.
By Khagan Aslanov
The Swans “impresario” speaks about seeking understanding, the unsure future, and his collective’s last obelisk.
By RANGE
The Montreal quartet’s latest track transforms decision paralysis into pure punk momentum.