Through the musical lens of dr.rift, time warps and liquid colours blend like a memory or fever dream. Equal parts life-affirming and existentially anxious. All angles of dr.rift, from psychedelic funk rock to proggy folk-laden alternative, breathe to the expanse of the sky and yearn to the golden hour glow of sunset.
Founded by award-winning Winnipeg artist Kyle Halldorson, dr.rift is an emotional blend of Psychedelic / Progressive Rock that shimmers with the ghosts of Halldorson’s Anishinaabe / Celtic roots.
After uprooting and soul-searching at the end of a long-term relationship, Halldorson’s father and musical guiding light passed away before recording the debut album. Dr.rift became a complex/cathartic/catchy bloodletting of grief and anxiety; honouring the dead, the living, and self.
Album mixed by Cory Hanson (Wand). “Each song turns like a multi-sided die. From Zappa, to Michael Jackson-esque sugary pop – to Angel’s Egg era Gong”.
Dr.rift live is a well-dressed and diverse display of explosive, kaleidoscopic rock, where Halldorson sports a signature bolo tie pressed with his father’s ashes.
The previous original album of Halldorson’s was ‘Wanderlost’ by heavy prog-rock outfit Dizzy Mystics (Breakout West / Western Canadian Music Award winners in 2020).
Name:
dr.rift
Genre:
Psychedelic / Progressive Rock
Founded:
2020 in idea, 2023 publicly / live debut.
# of Albums:
1
Latest Album:
Self-titled “dr.rift”
Latest Single:
No Death
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
Can’t pick one, nor many individual people, but Deftones, Jagori Tanna (guitarist of I Mother Earth), Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Cedric Bixler Zavala.
Favourite musician now:
Nick DiSalvo (Elder)
Guilty pleasure song:
Not guilty of anything I like now, and will proudly share it all. But when I was a late teen, I kept my enjoyment of ‘Underoath – A Boy Brushed Red’ to myself.
Live show ritual:
Try to have the whole day off to relax and take it slow. Lots of water, stretching / deep breathing / small vocal warm up right before.
Favourite local musician:
Again, I’m more a bands guy, but Bron, At Last Detective!, Kandekt, Laughing Court currently.
EP or LP?
LP for sure
Early bird or night owl?
Night owl, as much as I enjoy an early start when it rarely happens (with a good sleep prior).
Road or studio?
Both, but maybe an edge to studio.
Any shows or albums coming up?
August 28th in Saskatoon at Black Cat Tavern, and Edmonton August 29th at Dive Bar.
Where can we follow you?
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Baraka Bakery, Sabai Thai, Clementine. (sorry there’s too many good ones)
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Maybe Sherbrook Street in the Wolseley area for The Handsome Daughter (venue), Thom Bargen coffee, Good Neighbour Brewery, Charisma of India (restaurant).
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
Likely Assiniboine Park for that bridge over the river. Peak Winnipeg view.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
Can’t choose one, but Handsome Daughter, Park Theatre, Sidestage.
What is your favourite music store in your city?
I’m equally happy browsing Frenchies, Winnipeg Record & Tape Co, and Into the Music.
