Hardship Post

Formed in 1992 in St. John's, Newfoundland, Hardship Post began simply as friends playing music together. Led by vocalist and guitarist Sebastian Lippa, with Matt Clarke on drums and Mike Kean on bass, the group quickly gained a reputation for blending jangly indie rock melodies with grunge-tinged intensity. Their early live shows around Newfoundland and Halifax caught the attention of the burgeoning East Coast music scene.

In 1993, they relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, during the height of the “Halifax Pop Explosion.” That same year, Hardship Post's rising profile was cemented when they won Best Alternative Band at the 1993 East Coast Music Awards, a major early highlight for the young group.

Their initial recordings — including the EPs Mood Ring and Hack — were released on Murderecords, the independent label run by Sloan. After Mike Pick replaced Kean on bass, the band’s sound became sharper and more focused, setting the stage for broader exposure.

By late 1994, Hardship Post had caught the attention of Sub Pop Records, the influential Seattle label famous for launching Nirvana and Soundgarden. Signing with Sub Pop, they released their only full-length album, Somebody Spoke, in 1995. Recorded by Al Sutton at White Room Studios in Detroit, the album captured the band’s knack for catchy, emotionally charged songwriting. Somebody Spoke earned Hardship Post a Juno Award nomination for Best Alternative Album in 1996, marking another major milestone.

Following drummer Matt Clarke's departure, the band recruited Alyson MacLeod (formerly of Jale) on bass, reshaping their rhythm section for a final phase sometimes referred to as "The New Hardship Post." This lineup released the single No Time / Turn It Up in 1996 and contributed to compilations such as Pet-kout-koy-ek: Songs for a River. Though they recorded material for a second album, it was ultimately shelved, and Hardship Post disbanded quietly by 1997.
-Robert Williston

Sebastian Lippa: guitar, vocals
Mike Pick: bass (1993–1995), later drums (1996)
Matt Clarke: drums (1992–1995)
Mike Kean: bass (1992–1993)
Alyson MacLeod: bass (1996–1997)

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