MUSIC PREVIEW: Enchanting Basia Bulat
This Sunday, sensational folk songstress Basia Bulat will play at Festival Place in Sherwood Park.
With her mom teaching piano and guitar, the Ontario native has been surrounded by music since the youngest of ages, so it’s no surprise that the bug hit her whilst at college, and Bulat released her first EP by 2005. Her first full-length, Oh My Darling in 2007, garnered critical praise across the country, and was her first of three times she has been shortlisted for the renowned Polaris Music Prize. Within a heart’s breath she was on the folk festival tour, and has remained on its core roster since. She’s now released a total of four albums, the latest of which – Good Advice, which also made the Polaris list – was produced by My Morning Jacket’s frontman Jim James.
All of Bulat’s records capture her trademark sincerity and voice that at once feels like a warm blanket while telling you the truth you need to hear. Her soulful style is so welcoming that, even though you’ll see her in a concert hall, if you close your eyes you may think you’re at a camp fire.
Tickets to the 7:30 pm show are $38 (BUY).
Friday 22
Great White – Perhaps best known for their metal-tinged rocker Once Bitten Twice Shy, this California band has been through a lot over the years, including a tragic 2003 fire that killed their guitarist at the time, along with 99 others. They’ve now split into two bands from their original core, Great White, and Jack Russell’s Great White. Regardless, the former band has continued to put out new material over the years, including a pair of albums – Elation and Full Circle – this decade. Century Casino, 8 pm, $70. BUY
Ben Spencer’s Funeral – This alt-folk artist is hosting a release party for his newest effort, Bungalows. Its 10 tracks surround Spencer’s thoughts on a suburban childhood in the West, and features some names that many will recognize from the local scene, including Alex Vissia and Chloe Albert. Ariane Mahryke Lemire also performs at the show. The Almanac, 8 pm, $15.
READ INTERVIEW: Ben Spencer stumbles into being a children’s entertainer (December 2015)
Saturday 23
Cold Cave – Wesley Eisold’s project fits into an intriguing space. Alternatively, or sometimes even simultaneously, described as noise, synthpop, and darkwave, the Virginia artist released an EP titled You & Me & Infinity last year that spawned three singles (of just four tracks), chock full of dark and dreamy synthesizers, and punctuated by heavy guitars. Alternatively dance and chill, Eisold is able to wrench emotions from out of your soul that you may not have even realized you had. ADULT, VOWWS open. Starlite Room, 6:30 pm, $12.50 and up. BUY
Experimental Music for Experimental People – This new series of shows is meant to showcase the “blossoming experimental arts community across Canada”. Included this evening are Calgary’s Dri Hiev (think industrial crossed with groove); Lethbridge’s Touching God from the noise punk camp; Tommy Grimes and Rhythm of Cruelty, known for cranking their reverb and delay up to max and just seeing what happens (it’s always good), and the electronic persuasions of A Conduit/A Crown Of Teeth. Aviary, 8 pm, $12 advance
Laundry Week – This fresh new project blends alternative, post-punk, and art rock with a heavy emphasis on melodies. The show will also feature the lo-fi drone-folk stylings of Girl/Vices, who always put on a great show. Rilowalk also performs. Coral Plaza (6768 99 Street), 10 pm, $10 advance.
Sunday 24
Little Big Town – This popular country band out of Alabama takes center stage at Rogers Place. With the same four members since its start in 1998, they’re continuing to tour in support of their eighth full-length, 2017’s The Breaker. They have a total of eight American Country Music Awards, including winning best vocal group of the year twice. Midland and Ashley McBryde open the show. 7:30 pm, $65 and up. BUY
Monday 25
Conan – This doom-stoner metal trio out of Liverpool (yes, that Liverpool) is renowned for their out-of-this-world distortion usage. Yes, even in their genre. Founded in 2006, the band already has four full-lengths to their credit, including last year’s Existential Void Guardian on famed Napalm Records. Temple at Starlite Room, 8 pm, $18. BUY
