Tradition is immanence anticipated. It resists melancholia, decline, failure. The antidote for simulation is reality, if even reality relived.
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Soldiering On: notes on nostalgia versus tradition
NicheMTL's first Massive Lecture of 2025 examines Christmas tradition vs. nostalgia via Handel's Messiah, The Nutcracker, and Stanley Kubrick's The Shining.
nichemtl.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Tradition is immanence anticipated. It resists melancholia, decline, failure. The antidote for simulation is reality, if even reality relived.
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When does the present turn into the past? At what point does the future become ‘now?’ And how long does ‘now’ last?
Can ‘now’ change history?
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Can ‘now’ change history?
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The Immediate Data of Consciousness
NicheMTL's signature Play Recent column for December features Yuki Isami, Pascale Jean, Quatuor Molinari, plus new music from Solitary Dancer & Corporation.
nichemtl.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:05 PM
When does the present turn into the past? At what point does the future become ‘now?’ And how long does ‘now’ last?
Can ‘now’ change history?
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Can ‘now’ change history?
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“I need to create because it helps me to go through all I see.”
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Tool For Love: in conversation with Alain Lefèvre
The Montreal-based pianist Alain Lefèvre speaks with NicheMTL about the city's municipal politics, seeing the big picture, and his new album, "Consolation."
nichemtl.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:03 PM
“I need to create because it helps me to go through all I see.”
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Capital is not so much undead as it is never-having-lived and therefor can never be killed.
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Galaxy Brain
NicheMTL's Play Recent column for November features Hannah Claus, the OSM performing 2001, SMCQ at UdeM, Pulse Mag's 2nd issue launch, plus M for Mothland.
nichemtl.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Capital is not so much undead as it is never-having-lived and therefor can never be killed.
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Time thickens when we are forced to throttle our maximum velocity.
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Dead Cities
NicheMTL's Play Recent for November features David Altmejd, Quatuor Molinari, Angela Grauerholz, Joseph Tawadros with the OSM, plus Poolgirl at Bâtiment 7.
nichemtl.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Time thickens when we are forced to throttle our maximum velocity.
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“One of my favourite things about the organ is this kind of acousmatic listening experience.”
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Vapours & Spectre: notes on Les Vespérales de l’orgue du Sacré-Cœur
NicheMTL contributor Jesse Eckerlin speaks with Adrian Foster, founder of Les Vespérales, the ambient concert series that blurs the secular and the sacred.
nichemtl.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:55 PM
“One of my favourite things about the organ is this kind of acousmatic listening experience.”
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“Great things are going to happen, and terrible things are going to happen. But at the end of the day, your life is valuable.”
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Last City Standing: in conversation with Natalia Yanchak
The Dears' Natalia Yanchak speaks to NicheMTL about nostalgia, and the band's ninth studio album, "Life is Beautiful! Life is Beautiful! Life is Beautiful!"
nichemtl.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:25 PM
“Great things are going to happen, and terrible things are going to happen. But at the end of the day, your life is valuable.”
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All of life fits some pattern; there is no such thing as a random event. Zoom out far enough and you will see that what we perceive as chaos or chance is in fact divine design.
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Amethyst Deceivers
Play Recent, NicheMTL's signature column features Esse Ran, Irene F. Whittome, Daniel Lanois, James Ehnes with the OSM, plus Autechre in the dark at SAT.
nichemtl.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:06 PM
All of life fits some pattern; there is no such thing as a random event. Zoom out far enough and you will see that what we perceive as chaos or chance is in fact divine design.
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It is counterintuitive for the underground press — a publication like NicheMTL — to attempt to shed light on underground artists as well as itself via these technical means while remaining underground.
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The Underground City
The inaugural NicheMTL Massive Lecture looks at The Underground as an historically revolutionary site and what the role of the underground press is in 2025.
nichemtl.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:19 AM
It is counterintuitive for the underground press — a publication like NicheMTL — to attempt to shed light on underground artists as well as itself via these technical means while remaining underground.
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“Having transformative experiences along with people who are working towards making change is a real thing. It’s not just entertainment.”
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This Continuous Spectrum: in conversation with Jessica Moss
The Montreal violinist Jessica Moss sits down for an interview with NicheMTL to unpack her collage-type recording process, and her latest album, Unfolding.
nichemtl.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:37 AM
“Having transformative experiences along with people who are working towards making change is a real thing. It’s not just entertainment.”
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The necessity of violence is the definitive subject at the heart of every revolution.
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Monkey Warfare
Play Recent, NicheMTL's signature column, features No Hay Banda's 10th season opener, Don Giovanni, Do Make Say Think, Ensemble Urbain, plus Africa Fashion.
nichemtl.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:17 AM
The necessity of violence is the definitive subject at the heart of every revolution.
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“When you don’t have money, everything is money.”
To understand how location shapes creative practice and artistic possibility, our newest contributor Anya Leibovitch spoke with working artists in New York and Montreal, two of North America’s most culturally vibrant cities.
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To understand how location shapes creative practice and artistic possibility, our newest contributor Anya Leibovitch spoke with working artists in New York and Montreal, two of North America’s most culturally vibrant cities.
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Dirty Boulevard: Montreal vs. New York City
Anya Leibovitch speaks with artists Markus Floats, Alex Wolfe, Willow Loveday-Little and Gavin Sewell about the dynamics between New York City and Montreal.
nichemtl.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:46 PM
“When you don’t have money, everything is money.”
To understand how location shapes creative practice and artistic possibility, our newest contributor Anya Leibovitch spoke with working artists in New York and Montreal, two of North America’s most culturally vibrant cities.
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To understand how location shapes creative practice and artistic possibility, our newest contributor Anya Leibovitch spoke with working artists in New York and Montreal, two of North America’s most culturally vibrant cities.
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The experiences in life that teach us the most are those we would have never chosen for ourselves.
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Gratitude
Autumn's first Play Recent features Suzy Lake at Bradley Ertaskiran, the OSM's season premiere, Josèfa Ntjam at Centre PHI, plus Marion Wagschal at Pangée.
nichemtl.com
September 22, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The experiences in life that teach us the most are those we would have never chosen for ourselves.
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“I feel like it’s a city that is open to the world. And I think that reflects in the Orchestra.”
Read the NicheMTL interview with Marianne Perron who speaks with us about the OSM’s 2025-‘26 season, which launches with “The Damnation of Faust” tonight at Maison Symphonique.
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Read the NicheMTL interview with Marianne Perron who speaks with us about the OSM’s 2025-‘26 season, which launches with “The Damnation of Faust” tonight at Maison Symphonique.
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Forever Young: in conversation with Marianne Perron
The Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal's Marianne Perron speaks with NicheMTL about her background in music and management and highlights of the next season.
nichemtl.com
September 17, 2025 at 1:17 PM
“I feel like it’s a city that is open to the world. And I think that reflects in the Orchestra.”
Read the NicheMTL interview with Marianne Perron who speaks with us about the OSM’s 2025-‘26 season, which launches with “The Damnation of Faust” tonight at Maison Symphonique.
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Read the NicheMTL interview with Marianne Perron who speaks with us about the OSM’s 2025-‘26 season, which launches with “The Damnation of Faust” tonight at Maison Symphonique.
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Not only do we never step in the same river twice; each time, the river fails to recognize our feet.
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Joy & Pain
Play Recent for September features Alicia Clara, Beth Taylor, Shunk at Casa del Popolo, ~Ondes~ at White Wall Studio, plus the summer's final organ recital.
nichemtl.com
September 9, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Not only do we never step in the same river twice; each time, the river fails to recognize our feet.
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“We’re pretty lucky in Montreal to be able to bond over something that at its core is done from an authentic place.”
Read the NicheMTL interview with Susil Sharma of Karma Glider, whose latest album, “From the Haze of a Revved Up Youth” launches this Friday at Casa del popolo.
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Read the NicheMTL interview with Susil Sharma of Karma Glider, whose latest album, “From the Haze of a Revved Up Youth” launches this Friday at Casa del popolo.
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Cause & Effect: in conversation with Susil Sharma
Karma Glider's Susil Sharma speaks with NicheMTL about his influences, what attracted him to Montreal, and his new LP, "From the Haze of a Revved Up Youth."
nichemtl.com
September 4, 2025 at 2:22 PM
“We’re pretty lucky in Montreal to be able to bond over something that at its core is done from an authentic place.”
Read the NicheMTL interview with Susil Sharma of Karma Glider, whose latest album, “From the Haze of a Revved Up Youth” launches this Friday at Casa del popolo.
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Read the NicheMTL interview with Susil Sharma of Karma Glider, whose latest album, “From the Haze of a Revved Up Youth” launches this Friday at Casa del popolo.
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“There is no moment when I am not doing art.”
Read the NicheMTL interview with Tomas Dessureault who speaks with us about the criteria for good art, being inspired by musicians more than painters, and preparing for his upcoming solo show at Galerie POPOP.
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Read the NicheMTL interview with Tomas Dessureault who speaks with us about the criteria for good art, being inspired by musicians more than painters, and preparing for his upcoming solo show at Galerie POPOP.
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The Atrocity Exhibition: in conversation with Tomas Dessureault
The artist Tomas Dessureault speaks with NicheMTL about demon possession, the characteristics that make good art, and his upcoming exhibition, Peace Please.
nichemtl.com
August 29, 2025 at 9:59 AM
“There is no moment when I am not doing art.”
Read the NicheMTL interview with Tomas Dessureault who speaks with us about the criteria for good art, being inspired by musicians more than painters, and preparing for his upcoming solo show at Galerie POPOP.
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Read the NicheMTL interview with Tomas Dessureault who speaks with us about the criteria for good art, being inspired by musicians more than painters, and preparing for his upcoming solo show at Galerie POPOP.
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If we are to read any era by its music, then surely conflict and chaos must characterize the present one.
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Big Shiny Tunes
Play Recent for mid-August features the Orchestre Metropolitain, the OSM's Virée Classique, Christian Richer, Cecilia at the SAT, and Sloan in Penticton BC.
nichemtl.com
August 18, 2025 at 3:51 PM
If we are to read any era by its music, then surely conflict and chaos must characterize the present one.
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“I don’t tend to look to art for escape.”
Read the NicheMTL interview with @markmolnar.bsky.social whose most recent album, EXO, combines chamber music with shades of drone, holy minimalism, doom, ambient, and musique concrete that ultimately transcends these genre prescriptions.
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Read the NicheMTL interview with @markmolnar.bsky.social whose most recent album, EXO, combines chamber music with shades of drone, holy minimalism, doom, ambient, and musique concrete that ultimately transcends these genre prescriptions.
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Black Bough, Green Shoots: in conversation with Mark Molnar
Although he is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, Mark Molnar has spent most of his life outside the institutional norms of neo-classical music.
nichemtl.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:12 AM
“I don’t tend to look to art for escape.”
Read the NicheMTL interview with @markmolnar.bsky.social whose most recent album, EXO, combines chamber music with shades of drone, holy minimalism, doom, ambient, and musique concrete that ultimately transcends these genre prescriptions.
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Read the NicheMTL interview with @markmolnar.bsky.social whose most recent album, EXO, combines chamber music with shades of drone, holy minimalism, doom, ambient, and musique concrete that ultimately transcends these genre prescriptions.
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“Montreal diners are the best and most educated diners in the world.”
Read the NicheMTL interview with the crew at Nora Gray, who speak with us about the changing Montreal dining scene and what it takes to operate one of Canada’s best restaurants.
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Read the NicheMTL interview with the crew at Nora Gray, who speak with us about the changing Montreal dining scene and what it takes to operate one of Canada’s best restaurants.
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Scenes From an Italian Restaurant: at the table with Nora Gray
NicheMTL speaks with Nora Gray's Ryan Gray, Dmetro Sinclair, Shelby Skaberna, and Lexi Becker about the joys of running one of Montreal's best restaurants.
nichemtl.com
August 5, 2025 at 11:37 AM
“Montreal diners are the best and most educated diners in the world.”
Read the NicheMTL interview with the crew at Nora Gray, who speak with us about the changing Montreal dining scene and what it takes to operate one of Canada’s best restaurants.
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Read the NicheMTL interview with the crew at Nora Gray, who speak with us about the changing Montreal dining scene and what it takes to operate one of Canada’s best restaurants.
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There has always been a sense that products of Canadian culture were only praiseworthy if an international audience approved of them.
Read the most recent Play Recent, featuring a response to the Globe & Mail’s 101 essential Canadian albums list, and ten comparitively niche additions.
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Read the most recent Play Recent, featuring a response to the Globe & Mail’s 101 essential Canadian albums list, and ten comparitively niche additions.
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Hang a Larry: notes on The Globe & Mail’s 101 Canadian Albums list
NicheMTL proposes ten additions to The Globe & Mail's list of 101 essential Canadian albums, a selection of enormously popular but comparatively niche cuts.
nichemtl.com
July 27, 2025 at 5:59 PM
There has always been a sense that products of Canadian culture were only praiseworthy if an international audience approved of them.
Read the most recent Play Recent, featuring a response to the Globe & Mail’s 101 essential Canadian albums list, and ten comparitively niche additions.
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Read the most recent Play Recent, featuring a response to the Globe & Mail’s 101 essential Canadian albums list, and ten comparitively niche additions.
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Wisdom like fruit seems to arrive frustratingly in abundance or not at all.
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Meet Every Situation Head On
Play Recent features public performance art at Fonderie Darling, exhibitions at Bradley Ertaskiran and Centre Sanaaq, and new music from Toninato & Lecours.
nichemtl.com
July 22, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Wisdom like fruit seems to arrive frustratingly in abundance or not at all.
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“The initial idea was to involve different people for every record, for it to be like this orchestra thing. And then Covid happened, and it became the two of us.”
Read the NicheMTL interview with Orchestroll, who speak with us about the making of their latest magum opus, Corossiv.
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Read the NicheMTL interview with Orchestroll, who speak with us about the making of their latest magum opus, Corossiv.
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Joker Moment: in conversation with Orchestroll
Orchestroll sit with NicheMTL for a freewheeling interview on the duo's triumphant magnum opus, Corrosiv, plus the future of Montreal's DIY cultural scenes.
nichemtl.com
July 13, 2025 at 1:40 PM
“The initial idea was to involve different people for every record, for it to be like this orchestra thing. And then Covid happened, and it became the two of us.”
Read the NicheMTL interview with Orchestroll, who speak with us about the making of their latest magum opus, Corossiv.
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Read the NicheMTL interview with Orchestroll, who speak with us about the making of their latest magum opus, Corossiv.
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Time waits for no one. There is no escape within time or without it.
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The Part You Throw Away
NicheMTL's Play Recent for July features Alicia Clara, T. Gowdy and Kara-Lis Coverdale at Suoni, Renée Condo's latest exhibition, and no cosmos at Jazzfest.
nichemtl.com
July 9, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Time waits for no one. There is no escape within time or without it.
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Burning a stack of money might indeed be the highest art.
And writing might be the lowest. Not to denigrate my own kind. But unlike playing a musical instrument, or making a film, almost everyone can write. Doing writing artfully is the trick.
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And writing might be the lowest. Not to denigrate my own kind. But unlike playing a musical instrument, or making a film, almost everyone can write. Doing writing artfully is the trick.
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Are You Reading Me?
After Orwell, NicheMTL's publisher Ryan Alexander Diduck meditates on why artists create, and what compels him to pursue the unlucrative career of writing.
nichemtl.com
June 30, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Burning a stack of money might indeed be the highest art.
And writing might be the lowest. Not to denigrate my own kind. But unlike playing a musical instrument, or making a film, almost everyone can write. Doing writing artfully is the trick.
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And writing might be the lowest. Not to denigrate my own kind. But unlike playing a musical instrument, or making a film, almost everyone can write. Doing writing artfully is the trick.
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