Local folkies aim for Kansas City
It is an old folk proverb: When in need of funds, have a musical pot luck. On Sunday, Jan. 25, The Last Call Garage Bar will host a gaggle of folkies who are hoping to raise some funds. The event is presented by The Bow Valley Music Club in hopes to get YEG musicians to […]
Nashville, Times, Gates and terrible nicknames
And then they take Nashville The Dungarees are heading down to Nashville to network and write with some of Country music’s finest. According to James ‘Howling Happy’ Murdoch, this is an excellent opportunity for the crew from Edmonton. “We’ve also been approached by a few producers interested in working with us,” Murdoch said. “Ray Kennedy, […]
Music Preview: Death & Mayhem bookends
The Canadian music scene, and beyond, has been buzzing with frenzied delight ever since it was announced that not only was Death From Above 1979 reuniting, but they would be putting out a new album. That album came out last September, and now the band has set about touring North America, with an Edmonton stop […]
Weird Al brings Mandatory Fun to River Cree
That “Weird Al” Yankovic has a No. 1 album in Mandatory Fun – his first No. 1, and the first comedy album in half a century to hit No. 1 on Billboard – is either a testament to the pop parodist’s continued greatness, or a sign of a flabby record industry. Maybe it’s a little […]
Music Preview – Heroes, old and new
It’s a strangely quiet time of year right now in the music scene, allowing everyone to catch their breath before the frenzy that is spring release time. Heck, even the Starlite Room has zero events going on the entire weekend. Zero. A lot of musicians are probably holed up writing songs for their next […]
Theatre community devastated after Roxy fire
People mourn the sudden loss of a beloved building as much as the passing of an old friend – and although no one was injured in the fire that destroyed the historic Roxy Theatre Tuesday morning, the Edmonton theatre community is in a state of shock. Words like “heartbroken” and “devastated” are prevalent in the […]
BAND PHOTOS: Who dares say cheese?
In these dark times, would it kill you to smile? Yes, we’re talking to you: Gangsta rappers, heavy metal dudes and other serious musicians whose artistic expression is so important that only scowls can possibly do it justice. As for you, Bono, wipe that smirk off your face! You can’t win. Taking your band photo […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Life is a highway sign
Welcome to a special weekend music preview edition of WHO NAMED THE BAND. Have you ever noticed how many Alberta indie bands have names that might be found on road signs? Check it out: Whitemud Drive, Whitemud, Whitehorse (not from Whitehorse), Rural Alberta Advantage, Scenic Route to Alaska, Exit 303 (disbanded), Exits, Next Exit, Connors […]
Ryan Jespersen jumps to CHED
We’re going to be seeing a lot less of Ryan Jespersen in the future – but we’ll be hearing a lot more of him. The 37-year-old broadcaster’s jump from City’s Breakfast Television to host of The Ryan Jespersen Show on 630 CHED is the biggest seismic media shift of 2015 so far. After a week […]
The Cat Empire plays Edmonton in April
Here’s a question music fans have been asking themselves for years: Is there an Australian Arcade Fire? There sure is. Arguably something of an improvement, actually, is the combo known as The Cat Empire, which blends jazz, hip hop, ska, pure pop sensibility and exotic Afro-Latin rhythms into an intoxicating sound that’s won fans all […]
NYE GIGS: Should Auld Lang Syne be forgot?
Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? It’s a complicated question from such a sappy song we only hear once a year. Christmas carols you hear a few dozen times for a month, Happy Birthday as many times as you have family members and friends, or acquaintances, but Auld Lang Syne you […]
