The Vanity of Reason is a new album out today from Ottawa-based musician Estan Beedell. The album features ten tracks which range from mellow, jazzy musings in  “Clouds,” to fun, lively rock in “Caricature.” Throughout the different songs, various ensembles of instruments including violins, trumpets, and even a church organ, provide a neat, classic touch […]

It’s an exciting time right now for Ottawa band Saint Clare. Their brand new EP Moving On will be released on Tuesday, June 2, and they’re going to be playing at Ottawa Bluesfest this summer – an opportunity which lead singer Matthew Saint Clare calls “a dream come true.” The band let Apartment613 listen to […]

Ottawa’s renowned fantasy author Charles de Lint will be at the Wakefield-La Pêche Writers Festival today (Saturday) as part of a brunch panel with fellow authors Madeleine Lefebvre and Alan Cumyn.  He will also host a writers workshop this afternoon with his wife MaryAnn Harris.  While the brunch is sold out, tickets for the workshop are […]

The fourth annual Friends With Benefits fundraising auction, which supports mental health care and research in Ottawa, will be taking place Friday, May 8 at Lago Bar & Grill. The event will include a silent auction, cocktails, appetizers, and a dance party with a DJ. The event raises money directly for the Jennie James Depression Research […]

In his debut album, Dented Little Scars, Ottawa’s Pocket Writer takes listeners on a whimsical trip through his insights about life around him, mixing folk melodies, storytelling lyrics, and mellow instrumentals. The album is hosted online for anyone to stream. Pocket Writer is a pseudonym used by Jakub Ra?ek, who was born in Slovakia and […]

The Ottawa International Writers Festival is taking place from April 22-28.  Apartment613 is previewing some of the participating authors in a series of special posts. Nina Berkhout’s debut novel is a poignant examination of family and the fractures that can split it apart.  The Gallery of Lost Species is narrated by Edith Walker, who grows up in the […]

“Poetry is meant to be read out loud,” says John Akpata, a spoken word poet who was chosen for VERSeFest’s Hall of Honours this year, along with Anthony Bansfield, the founder of Ottawa’s Golden Star Lounge spoken word poetry series. Both are set to be honoured this Sunday, March 29, at 7 pm in a special […]

Ottawa will be welcoming back some of its own talent as Snowday brings their new music to Mugshots this Saturday. The electronic act is made up of Cam Sloan and Chad Skinner. The duo’s debut album, As We Travel, is a collection of meditative, instrumental tracks that was released today (November 25). Their chilled out […]