MUSIC PREVIEW: A Sures thing
Ben Sures has made a lot of waves in Edmonton since he moved here from Winnipeg more than 20 years ago.
Now ensconced as one of the leading lights of the local music scene, Sures never seems to do the same thing twice. He’s worked with a wide variety of musicians in a wide variety of styles, yet remains a distinctive artist. He’s put out eight very different albums so far – and he’s a painter. He’s also the curator for the Works Art & Design Festival’s outdoor stage June 21-July 3; it has become a more eclectic and interesting venue since he took over.
Sures’ latest record Poema Poematis is another surprising adventure: Quirky, witty songs rendered with a six-piece horn section for a pungent New Orleans-meets-Berlin cabaret effect, with arrangements by local trombonist Audrey Ochoa. They’re playing the album release show with the full band Sunday afternoon at the Beaumont Roots and Blues Festival. Also on the bill for the three-day outdoor fest are Serena Ryder, the Sam Roberts Band and a slate of notable Alberta acts.
This album project has a sad backstory. Ochoa’s father died a few days before the live recording of Poema Poematis at the Yardbird Suite in March – but she went ahead and did the show anyway, to honour his memory. Then Sures’ father died on May 12. What will probably be the only performance with this line-up takes place on Father’s Day.
“When we began the project we both had our fathers and now neither of us do,” Sures says, adding how it gives him shivers that the show happens to fall on Father’s Day. He goes on, “Every time Audrey plays she honors her father, because she always plays with talent and soul. This city is blessed to have her as an entertainer and as an educator. My dad is a constant presence for me and always has been. I am still raw from losing him. Sunday will be special and no doubt we will think of our fathers, but we are also just going to have a great time playing Audrey’s awesome arrangements with a fantastic group of Edmonton musicians.”
Thursday 14
Mother Mother – The band so nice they named it twice is back in Edmonton again – this time for a three night “residency” at the Starlite Room. Led by guitarist-singer Ryan Guldemond, along with Molly Guldemond and Jasmin Parkin, both on keyboards and vocals, for a B-52s effect, these guys have great songs: Dark, sexy, mysterious, many of them exploring the animal nature of humankind through flinty rock riffs and edgy lyrics. Their first hit Hayloft depicted a murderous farmer’s daughter scenario. The current tour marks the 10th anniversary of their breakthrough album O My Heart. Don’t you have to wait 20 years to do this sort of thing? No complaints from fans, apparently. The run through Saturday is SOLD OUT.
Friday 15
Social Distortion – More of a raucous rebellious rootsy rocksy sort of band than true “punk” – though true punks know punk is much more than just musical style – Social-D is always welcome in our town. Mike Ness and his boys have been giddily banging away against the status quo since 1978, releasing about one album every three or four years, and touring like maniacs. Their latest record is Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes. Tonight is their second show Union Hall (Wednesday’s sold out). 7 pm. Advance tickets $50.
Wolfheart – Melodic black metal from Finland … and you had me at melodic. This is one of those cold, dark, hard, tangled, mysterious, boreal forest sort of extreme metal bands the Scandinavian people seem to be particularly good at forming – kind of like Northern Albertans. Opening the show will be Edmonton’s own Arctos. Bohemia, 8 pm, $12 advance
Saturday 16
Killer Dwarfs – Now here’s a name we never thought we’d see again. This Canadian band whose members all adopted the surname “Dwarf” – you know, like the Ramones – was cut from the same stretchy polyester cloth as Poison, and RATT, and so on. The Dwarfs enjoyed a medium-sized heyday in the ‘80s with hits on the radio and MuchMusic, but then, sadly, like many hair bands of the era, were punted from public consciousness with the Coming of Nirvana. The Dwarfs took a long hiatus – until around 2013 when their sort of thing became cool again. Or at least nostalgic. Century Casino, 7 pm, $40 advance
Sunday 17
Girls of Salzburg – Ashleigh Brown is the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist behind this provocative Edmonton project, whose two Bandcamp tracks so far – the spacey Only Child, and a rather more strident tune called The Rape Song – are expected to be included on their debut album. Release show this night at the Aviary. Also on the bill are Local Singles and Lovelet. 6:30 pm, $10 advance
