Bohemia saved, Artery still in limbo
A beloved Edmonton musical hole in the wall has been saved – but that means the fate of another is still up in the air. After the sad announcement of the imminent closure of the aptly-named downtown bar Bohemia, and regulars mourning the loss of yet another cool indie music venue, the current managers have […]
A Christian band in a secular world
White Lightning can’t hide the fact they’re a Christian band – though there are no explicit references to Jesus in their music. You can just hear it: Zippy, poppy, catchy numbers brimming with life-affirming positivity. Also, just look at them. The Edmonton groove-rock trio releases its new four song EP, 1979, with a show at […]
Viet Cong attacks Artery with dark magic
This was the last time you’ll be able to see Viet Cong on such a small stage in Edmonton. Given the buzz that this Calgary band has been generating, their history, and the tremendous response to their self-titled debut album barely a month old, this band is headed somewhere big. But for a sold-out crowd […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Season of the Indie
The fall touring season continues as both Canadian and American acts try to get in the last few gigs before the cold sets in. Notable touring acts this weekend include a performance by indie folk-rockers The Strumbellas on Thursday night, followed up by Paper Lions on Friday night, who are performing on an extraordinary bill […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: The B’s of Brainy Beats
The reason there are so many weird rappers in Edmonton is because Edmonton has no rap scene! Just kidding. There are a number of gifted hip hop artists working in town, if not exactly making a living at it. The scene is so small and isolated that people elsewhere would laugh at the prospect we’re […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Up + Downtown = Festival Time
After the highly acclaimed Ryan Adams (not Bryan Adams) plays the Winspear Centre on Thursday, the biggest gigs of the weekend are part of the city’s final music festival of the year, the Up + Downtown Festival which – you guessed it – includes a vast raft of venues in Edmonton’s downtown area. Arguably the […]
Sound of Edmonton like one hand clapping
The problem with calling your music documentary Sound of Edmonton is that there isn’t one. No one sticks around long enough. Is there hope in the next generation? Most of the subjects in Evan van Ramshorst’s low budget short film are in their 20s: The oldest is probably Wunderbar owner Craig Martellica, and he’s over […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Big Mac Attack!
In a great weekend for mid-tier acts, the feature show may just be Mac DeMarco, who performs at the Starlite Room on Friday night. His album from earlier this year, “Salad Days”, has been the talk of the continent since its release, culminating in its inclusion on the Polaris Music Prize long list. Don’t be […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: More new records than ever!
Do people even get excited about CD release events anymore? No, they do not. Seems like there’s at least two a week around these parts. Apparently now anyone can make a CD on those fancy home contraptions. What a world. You know, back in the day – said the old man yelling at the kids […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Use the force, Luke Bryan
Luke Bryan is one of country’s biggest stars right now, so it’s no surprise that he’s almost sold out two shows this weekend here in Edmonton, with gigs both Saturday night and Monday night. Originally getting his start writing songs for such country notables as Travis Tritt and Billy Currington, Bryan’s first solo album in […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Destroyer will destroy ya
Sometimes the seemingly random nature of tour itineraries result in the statistical improbability of a one night having choices too numerous to fathom. Four, at least. Such is the case when Swollen Members, Zerbin, the Devonian Gardens, and Destroyer all play different Edmonton clubs on Thursday night. Destroyer originally began as a solo project by […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: All that glitters is Goulding
There are few female artists in the dance-pop world as hot as Ellie Goulding is right now – and even this early in her career her catalog is vast enough that some fans will undoubtedly leave disappointed she didn’t perform their favourite song during her show Sunday night at the Shaw Conference Centre. Unlikely, but […]
