WEEKEND MUSIC: Storm before the storm
This weekend, the city finds itself in the relatively calm eye of a musical summer hurricane – after being buffeted with both the esteemed Interstellar Rodeo and the rampaging frenzy of Chaos AB last weekend. Then of course the world-renowned Folk Music Festival is coming up, then the Fringe.
Before the eye wall hits us again, we find an intriguing mix of local and touring acts, from an incredible folk songstress on Thursday in Ellen Froese, to a local doom metal band the same night, all the way through to electronic music star Cain 1 on Saturday. There’s a little something for everyone this long weekend – so make sure to check out some of our diverse music scene!
Thursday August 1
Ellen Froese & Her Fill-In Folk Band – This Saskatoon folk artist continues a jaunt across Alberta and Saskatchewan in support of her fourth album, her first with a full band. Froese was nominated for the Saskatchewan Music Awards folk-roots artist of the year in 2018, with a sound that will remind many of the formidable power and voice of Brandi Carlile. Campbell Woods and Luke Thomson also perform. Sewing Machine Factory, 8:30 pm, $12 at the door.
Everythingyoueverloved – More commonly abbreviated as EYEL, this drone-droom metal act is everything you could love about the genre, from spiraling twists to lilting melodies to screaming catharses. They’re one of the most underrated bands in Edmonton right now. They’re headlining an event called “Skate Night,” which will also feature giveaways, as well as Krooked’s Bobby Worrell, plus Calgary’s Trench, Boise Idaho’s Rejection Pact, and local project Stalagmites. Buckingham, 7 pm, $10 at the door.
Friday 2
Upsidedowntown – This Edmonton alternative-Canadiana project (top picture) featuring Aaron Formaniuk and Jackson Vasicek formed in 2012 after the latter returned from a year-long stint in Australia. Since then, the pair has released a pair of EPs, and appeared on a number of festival stages, and in countless gigs of their own. Desperado Pilots open. Station On Jasper, 7 pm, $10. BUY
Copsickle – This Calgary punk act headlines a night that also features High River act Shark Weak, who released their second EP, Free Meal, earlier this month. It features the track Ian Ziering Death Scene, which is back on the small screen this year as part of the 90210 reboot; namesake singer Ian Ziering is perhaps more famous for his role of Fin Shepard in the five-film Sharknado anthology. Hazardous Punks and The Sketchbagz also perform. Sewing Machine Factory, 9p m, $10 at the door.
Saturday 3
Cain 1 – This Canadian jungle-reggae producer released his first single back in 2009; he signed to the Serial Killaz label in 2016, and has been a Shambhala Music Festival regular for years. Edmonton bass wizards Nick Degree, Phatcat, Ten-O, and others join him for this official Shambhala pre-party (the event runs Aug. 9-11 at the Salmo River Ranch in BC). Station On Jasper, 9p m, $20. BUY
Hersilia – This local quintet sits somewhere in the indie-alt-emo spectrum of auditory delight, and promises to captivate patrons of the Aviary once again this weekend. Led by Dana Clementine on vocals and guitar, the band’s introductory EP, Concrete Flora, includes such tracks as Frogface, and If You Crossbreed A Praying Mantis And A Black Widow It Would Be Me. Living Suitcase and Ashlynn Harley also perform. 8 pm, $10. BUY
