MUSIC PREVIEW: Local aces play Graceland tribute
The Going To Graceland show at the Royal Alberta Museum Theatre on Saturday night will be one of the last gigs played at the venue, and it’s celebrating what many believe to be one of the best albums of the 1980s, if not the entire Century.
A nine piece ensemble – featuring locals aces like Chris Budnarchuk, Jason Kodie, Thom Golub and Lindsey Walker – will perform Paul Simon’s 1986 album in its entirety, along with Paul Simon solo tracks and even some Simon & Garfunkel material.
What began as a one-off New Year’s show at the Haven a number of years back has turned into a vocation, as the group has played and sold out venues throughout Alberta over the last while, including Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Vermilion, and Drayton Valley.
Even back at that Haven show, the group was already tight, expertly plowing through the dense material of the album, a difficult feat given the sheer number, and immense talent, of those who contributed to the original. For anyone that’s even a hint of a Paul Simon fan, or a fan of world music, or a fan of music from that era, this is one show you won’t want to miss. Show at 7 pm, tickets $35, BUY
Thursday 6
Mickey Green – Start with one of the most powerful and emotive voices in the local music scene, add in a haunting, raw guitar to accompany it – and the result is slow-tempo folk that not just tugs at your heart, but attempts to wrest it from your tortured soul. She counts amongst her influences The 1975, Bon Iver, and Cigarettes After Sex, but the sound is also definitely reminiscent of Mazzy Star. With Chace Moore, Rareflower, and Sparky. Mercury Room, 6 pm, $10, BUY
Friday 7
Kimberley MacGregor – Apparently it’s the weekend for powerful female vocalists, as this R&B artist and “reformed bank manager” also headlines a show – this one at the Almanac. Complete with Lucas Chiasson as a late insertion instead of Ryland Moranz, other artists performing include Matt Patershuk and Mike Stack. 7 pm, $15. BUY
Electric 6 – This Michigan sextet formed back in 1996, but it wasn’t until 2003 they finally achieved a modicum of success, with the release of singles Danger! High Voltage and Gay Bar, both of which hit the top ten charts in the United Kingdom. The band has since released another 11 albums, three of which ended up charting on the US Dance charts. The band’s sound is quite diffuse, with frequent labels including dance-punk, funk rock, and comedy rock. With Residual Kid and Unfortunates. Starlite Room, 8 pm, $20. BUY
Whitney – This Chicago indie-rock band currently signed to Secretly Canadian, one of the greatest indie labels currently around, formed after the breakup of Max Kakacek’s Smith Westerns in late 2014. The other founder of the band, Julien Ehrlich, played drums for another well-known band, Unknown Mortal Orchestra. The band is touring to support their debut full-length, Light Upon the Lake, which was released last June. With Helena Deland. Needle Vinyl Tavern, 8 pm, SOLD OUT.
Saturday 8
Snakehips – This British electronic duo consisting of Oliver Lee and James Carter originally became known for their remixes of acts such as Banks and The Weeknd. Their best known single, All My Friends, charted in the top ten across much of Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and includes vocals from famed American hip hop artist Chance the Rapper. Union Hall, 9 pm, $25 and up. BUY
Katatonia – This Stockholm metal band formed in 1991, and have 10 full-length albums to their credit, the most recent of which is last May’s The Fall of Hearts. The band’s sound has evolved throughout its journey, starting in the death metal sub-genre, and working its way through progressive rock and dark rock as well. With Caspian and The Uncured. Starlite Room, 7 pm, $30.99. BUY
