Something happened in Montreal this week. The long-awaited Something Fest occurred with its day passes completely sold out and the promise of 9 acts spread over 3 venues and 10 hours. The planning of the thing was something I was lucky enough to witness from the sidelines, and it cannot be understated what a triumph of community organizing Something Fest turned out to be. Arriving at the first venue and seeing the giant Something Fest banner hung behind the little DIY stage opened a new angle of appreciation for this city within me, and I strapped myself in for a whole day of music.

    The Fantasia Film Festival, the premiere international genre film festival that takes over Montreal’s Concordia Hall and surrounding area every summer, is back this year for the 29th edition, happening from July 17th to August 7th 2025.

North America's premiere genre film festival has returned to the downtown campus of Concordia University! From July 16 to August 3, the Fantasia International Film festival brings the most face-melting, eye-popping and awe-inspiring films to one of the most raucous filmgoing experiences around. CJLO's very own DJs are spinning music before each film in the Hall theatre, so make sure not to miss Andrew from Grade A Explosives, Angelica from BVST, Delia from The New Consonance, Donald from Eastern Promises, Jared from Ear2Ear, Jasn from Rigged Sessions and Zoe from Something for the Mood.

Pavements (Currently in repertoire cinemas check you local listings, streaming on Mubi July 11th 2025) 

Dir Alex Ross Perry (Her Smell, Listen Up Philip) 

Staring: Joe Keery, Jason Schwartzman, Tim Heidecker, Kathryn Gallagher, Michael Esper, and Zoe Lister-Jones, and as themselves: Stephen Malkmus, Scott 'Spiral Stairs' Kannberg, Mark Ibold, Steve West, and Bob Nastanovich

Eastern Promises' Donald Roberge sat down with East Coast musician, songwriter and producer Mike Trask upon the release of his latest EP Beet. They discussed his affinity for analog, how gardening inspired the recording, and what makes Atlantic Canada such a hotbed for musical talent.

EP: Mike Trask, how are you?