The Fronts radio friendly ‘by accident’
Saved from a lifetime of playing other people’s music, it’s a brave leap to the original for any professional musician. Professional merely means making a living at it, no day job. In most places on Earth, you can’t do that without playing in a cover band. Only the very elite of original artists get to […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Death by Robot a good way to go
This weekend has its usual share of album release parties, but one of the most anticipated of the year may be Death By Robot at the Pawn Shop on Friday. One of the bands to watch on the local music scene for the last year or so – and confirmed by their selection as last […]
EMO-BRO: Dierks Bentley brings feelings to Edmonton
Seriously, there’s another bro-country bro coming to town?! Which one of these bros is which, anyway? And which one of these articles about bro-country is which, for that matter? Like their subjects, they’re all the same. But let us not be so hasty as we examine the evidence in the case of one Dierks Bentley, […]
Beware the Invasion of The Voice judges!
What band at what festival recently had a song along the lines of “There is not any rest for the wicked?” We honestly can’t remember, because it’s onto the next thing already. Concert announcements are dropping like flies. This just in, the Invasion of The Voice Judges continues (Maroon 5 with Adam Levine just announced): […]
Maroon 5 returns to Rexall in early 2015
Recent news of the Maroon 5 world tour was met with great rejoicing amongst enthusiasts of finely-crafted pop music – because as anyone with an ear for music knows, for every 10 one-hit flavours of the radio this week, there is only one Maroon 5. Tickets go ON SALE Saturday, Sept. 13 for the band’s […]
REVIEW: The smalls go big at Sonic Boom
Fears that the smalls were going to be out of place – and out of their league – for their reunion show at Sonic Boom 2014 were banished soon enough. Greatness shines through. Performing a suppertime set at Northlands on Sunday, the smalls are different, no doubt about it. Next to a weekend sparkling with […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Sonic Boom blows up real good
The last of the city’s big music festivals takes over Edmonton this weekend, with the ever-expanding Sonic Boom spanning Friday to Sunday at Northlands. Friday the music gets underway at 5 pm with the Mounties (you may remember them from the hit Headphones in 2013). The beloved New Pornographers, who have a new album ready […]
Sound of Edmonton like one hand clapping
The problem with calling your music documentary Sound of Edmonton is that there isn’t one. No one sticks around long enough. Is there hope in the next generation? Most of the subjects in Evan van Ramshorst’s low budget short film are in their 20s: The oldest is probably Wunderbar owner Craig Martellica, and he’s over […]
FRINGE: Revenge of the Reviewed!
Fringe artists have had a tempestuous relationship with their critics since there was Fringe. It’s symbiotic. Artists need critics. Critics need things to criticize. As local theatre guru Kenneth Brown says, “Intelligent criticism is a vital part of theatrical culture.” Artists court the media’s favour to drum up ticket sales. They depend on favourable reviews […]
