MUSIC PREVIEW: Lutra Lutra so nice they named it twice
Like their namesake – the Eurasian otter – Lutra Lutra is cute, but is just as likely to crack you open and eat you. If you happen to be a mussel. Or perhaps a poor koi in a Vancouver koi pond.
No, the culprit there was a common Canadian river otter, also known as Lontra Canadensis. Not as good a band name.
Here we must sadly abandon the otter metaphor to plug this developing Edmonton band’s album release show Saturday night at Polar Park Brewing (10416 80 Avenue). Off the beaten mainstream path just enough to be called “prog,” with funky tendencies, Lutra Lutra’s debut full-length album title speaks volumes of their internal dichotomy. It’s called Psychopath and the Philosopher, and like their (former) Edmontonian brethren July Talk, relies on the duality of male-female vocals – in this case Garreth Burrows and his sister Katrina, who also plays the synthesizers that are such a prominent part of L-L’s sound. They’re not adverse to jamming, either, on the title track – best song so far – riffing in a dark minor chord in the manner of the art-rocking jam bands of yore, as they discuss the difference between psychopaths and philosophers. Other topics on the new album are said to include cats, devils (small difference), and general emotional turmoil. More weirdness would be welcome with this band.
Fun fact: The Burrowses grew up in Red Deer, where they shared their spread with five donkeys, four dogs, two horses and 23 cats; Katrina also wound up working at a zoo, where otters probably lived. The band name isn’t so strange after all!
Also on the bill at this show are HighKicks and Posh. 8 pm. Advance tickets $12
Friday 14
Boney M – It’s an odd claim to fame for this otherwise unassuming Euro-reggae-dance group from West Germany: They made one of the most popular Christmas albums of all time in 1981 – and more importantly, one that didn’t suck. That alone is a tremendous achievement. Boney M has other music, obviously – including the global hits Rivers of Babylon and Rasputin in 1978 – but it’s their successful simply-titled Christmas Album that should pique the interest of area fans. In fact it has: The show at River Cree Casino is SOLD OUT.
The Provincial Archive – One of the favourite of many Edmonton bands named for area buildings, streets or landmarks begs comparisons to the great folk-pop songwriters of the 1960s: Paul Simon, CSN&Y, Cat Stevens and so on – in an alternate universe where those guys played garage rock, that is – while adding their own modern touch. Great vocals make this beloved indie trio a force to reckon with. Latest music is a single called Imaginary Friends. Opening the show at the Rec Room South will be Nature Of and Bloom Circle. 8:30 pm, $10 advance
Lusitania Lights – More worthy winsome folk-pop-rock from Edmonton, these four guys have been at it since 2013, writing focused, beautiful songs, honing their chops and releasing an EP called Still Stranded in 2016. They’ve mainly been releasing stray singles online since then – the way to go these days, maybe – the latest of which is called Try. Not to be confused with the Blue Rodeo song, yet almost as good. History POP QUIZ: What is the band name a reference to? Good Nature, Rebecca Lappa, and Retrofile open at the Station on Jasper. 8 pm, $12 advance
Saturday 15
Ben Sures – This free afternoon gig at the Cask & Barrel (10041 104 Street) is expected to be a treat – from the beloved musical wit and multi-talented Edmonton singer-songwriter who recently made his debut as a children’s author. His first book is The Boy Who Walked Backwards, along the lines of the late Gord Downie’s Secret Path, except less tragic, and about an aboriginal kid who was forced to attend a residential school. Sures has released nine albums of original music over the years, and can do just about anything, blues, folk, rock, metal wouldn’t surprise us, and is a distinctive, important voice in the Edmonton music scene. 3 pm, NO COVER
