A new radio station!
Edmonton’s got a new radio station, its 1,298th on the FM dial.
Well, it only feels like that many. Though we have added a half-dozen stations in the last couple of years. (Sonic, Bounce, Hot 107, Magic, Now, and iNews880 flipped from Cool880. And there’s at least one more pending launch, that I can think of.)
And Now is going to play (from the sound of their introduction) pop and chart hits…like EZ Rock, the Bounce, Hot 107…and a few slightly older and rockier hits, like Joe or maybe a Sonic or Bear-lite. Because people love having options.
And Sally’s Juggalo News Network wasn’t approved?! What is up with that CRTC?
Anyway, turn off your iPod and check it out.
Now.
And yes, those “When?” and “Soon.” billboards were all about the new Rawlco radio station in Edmonton. They now say “Now.”
But just like the Aug 5 signs, some crafty Edmontonians figured it out. You guys are like Sherlock Holmes or something.
Sloooaaan…Sloooaan…
What could be more Canadian than seeing Sloan on the coldest weekend ever?
Nothing.
Lucky for me, the music was warm enough to beat back the winter chill.
…All Hail…Hale Hale!
Hale Hale (Cody McLauchlin, Evan Tardif, Scott Steele & Trevor Neary)
Okay, you guys, I know there’s a seventeen foot wall of snow outside right now, and all anybody’s thinking about is how the hell they’re going to get home from work without getting stuck in some nightmare bottleneck of traffic. But let’s set aside the Winter Wonderland for a minute. I would like to challenge the conventional “go home and hide under your bed in a bathing suit pretending it’s still summer” mentality, and suggest that you put on your dancing Sorels and hit the town tonight. Because it’s going to be a very, very good night over at New City.
Local band Hale Hale is launching their spanky new EP this evening, and they are definitely worth braving walls of snow to see. I first heard of them about a few months ago, when a couple of the members turned up at a friend’s house to play some music. I only met them once or twice, but even just messing around, they were so good, and such nice guys to boot, that I had no choice but to go home, dig a hole in my front yard, put my guitar in it, and light it on fire. Now let us never speak of this again.
Anyway, I talked to the Hale Hale crew about their new record via the ‘lectronic mail yesterday.
SALLY: How did you guys get together?
HALE HALE: We’re not really sure how everything fell together. Everything just kind of did. A mish mash of previous projects and jam friends who eventually started playing together and it stuck.
SALLY: Who would be your guys’ top 5 influences?
HALE HALE: All four members influences vary greatly. That’s one thing that keeps the music interesting. It was never “I love this band” , “I love that band too, let’s play together!”. Cody originally comes from indie roots, Trevor is a post-grunge 90’s kid, Scott grew up with NOFX, the misfits and a skateboard, and Evan, from classic rock, grindcore and black metal to dance music.
SALLY: How has your reception been in the Edmonton music community? What’s your experience been like playing here?
HALE HALE: We’ve been received well, we think. We’ve been told we have a fresh sound. As for playing in Edmonton, it is hard to get anywhere with the lack of venues, but we’re making do with what we got and staying positive for sure. Playing is playing, regardless of where it is, as long as we are getting our music out and growing together as a band.
SALLY: Can you give me a brief description of the EP? What do you hope people take away from it ?
HALE HALE: We just want people to put it on, have a good time, and shake their ass to it. F*ck we are deep.
And finally, if you dig Hale Hale but can’t make it out tonight, you can get a copy of the EP by emailing halehalemusic@gmail.com.
The Jerrold Dubyk Quartet, or, Sally discovers the Yardbird Suite
Do you guys remember Jerrold Dubyk, the local jazz saxophonist who so graciously gave us a quick Coles Notes(TM) on how to tell good jazz from bad jazz?
I checked out his band’s CD release this weekend. It was my first trip the Yardbird Suite, and oh. my. god. If you haven’t been there, you need to check it out. It’s amazing. I wanted to take pictures to share it with you, but it was too g.d. dark for me to get any that don’t make you feel like you have cataracts. Case in point:
Anyway, take my word for it, it’s great. And so was the Jerrold Dubyk Quartet!
Lookit us, #yeg, expanding our collective horizons. Although, in fairness, Jeff was already on the jazz train. He’s loved Duke Silver for as long as I can remember.
Jazz 101 with Jerrold Dubyk
Edmonton Jazz Saxophonist Jerrold Dubyk
When I get Edmonton jazz saxophonist Jerrold Dubyk on the phone, the first thing he tells me is I’ve caught him recovering from a weekend camping trip with buddies, fraught with, amongst other things “poker and meat”.
“I’m just done,” he laughs. “Done with meat until Christmas”
This surprises me. When I think of jazz musicians, I think of dudes with pompadours and cravats, smoking pipes, wearing velour jackets…y’know, “Yazz Flute” kind of guys. Not guys who camp in the Alberta wilderness and consume vast amounts of steak. But this is precisely why I’m so psyched to talk to Jerrold: I need somebody like this to dumb down jazz for me. (more…)
Chris Isaak and his Magical Mirror Shirt
Paul writes: “The brilliant figure at centre stage is Chris Isaak singing “Blue Hotel” during his encore. He was wearing a suit made of mirrors (awesome) and that’s why he basically looks like a washed out ball of light.”
Let's start calling Chris Isaak "Mirrorball." (Photo: Paul Poulsen)
Chris Isaak: Resplendent
My thought process when evaluating a concert consists of one question: Did the headliner bring it? After attending the Chris Isaak show at the Jubilee Auditorium last night, the answer to my question is a resounding “Oh, it was brought.” I was completely entertained on all levels. (more…)
The Secretaries
Hey, Edmonton, you like to rock out, right?
If that’s the case (and I think we both know it is) were you at The Secretaries show (and CD release) Saturday night, at the Pawnshop?
We sure were. The ladies brought the party (though, a horn section will always help) and lots of friends (including The Get Down).
If you’re not familiar with the non-office type of secretary, Vue can fill you in.
Enchanted, I’m sure
The headline is supposed to allude to the word “enchante” which will in turn allude to our latest festival. I’ll keep future headlines clear and direct. (Or at least funny and punny.)
It’s time once again for francophone music stars to shine. Edmonton Chante kicks off its 6th year Thursday.
There are plenty of Alberta artists in the mix. Check the schedule to find out when and where everyone is playing.
Checking out french and French-Canadian music is a central affair, as the venues are on Whyte Avenue, near Whyte and downtown.
I’m going to stop you before you tell me that you don’t speak French and this wouldn’t be your kind of thing. Music (like food and love) is a universal language, thus eliminating excuses not to embrace Edmonton, and Alberta’s french heritage.
Who wants to see Green Go at the Hydeaway?
I occasionally get e-mails from record labels/PR folks letting me know that one of their bands are in town and may be of interest you guys. Most recently, it’s Guelph, Ontario’s Green Go, who are playing here tomorrow, twice – first, during the day over at Grant Mac’s back to school festivities, and then again tomorrow night at the Hydeaway, alongside Warrior Music, The Rivals and Protocol.
Now believe me, I need to fill a page as much as the next guy – but when it comes to music, I try to be as discerning as possible. Hats off to all you musicians out there, but some of you are terrible. (I can say that because I am also a musician, and sometimes, I am terrible. But let’s not make this about me). And if I go sending you guys to terrible stuff all the time, you’ll never believe me when I say anything.
My point here is that you should believe me when I say that Green Go is great. They sound kind of like a cross between the Go Team! and Electric Six. They have a song called Danger Bay, you guys. They’ve also been remixing a bunch of songs by other Canadian artists, including my favorite favorite favorites the Rural Alberta Advantage.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY – they are so pumped about their first tour out west that they’re giving us a pair of tickets for tomorrow night’s show at the Hydeaway AND and a song for you guys to download and check out.
So here’s an mp3 of Brains for Breakfast. Don’t say we never get you guys anything.
And if you would like to win the pair of tickets to tomorrow’s show, send an e-mail info@theedmontonian.com and tell us; Who the Mayor of Guelph is!
Podcast: The Omega Theory
The first thing that should be said about the Omega Theory is that they’re a pretty good time. And that’s just sitting around, taking up space at Route 99 – you can imagine what that becomes when they actually get up on a stage.
The Omega Theory is a four piece rock outfit from here in Edmonton, made up of Matt Misenas (guitar/vocals), Ryon Hommy (guitar/vocals), Jon Butler (bass) and Shaun Lorienz(drums), and if you haven’t heard of them, you may want to get on board now. Their funk influenced, intricately arranged songs are epic and intimate all at the same time – and their self-titled debut cd is not to be missed.
DOWNLOAD (14:00, 12.8 MB)
(Music credit:
“All These Words”/The Omega Theory
“Count Crapula”/The Omega Theory)
August 28: Lex Justice at the Urban Lounge
So our buddy Jason was over at Urban Lounge on Friday night checking out Lex Justice and Raspect and sent us these sweet photos from the show. Thanks Jason!
Um, remind me why we’re not all hanging out at Brixx…?
I know what you guys are thinking. “Sally, what’s the deal with you and the Starlite Room? Lately it’s all you ever talk about. Do you secretly love the Starlite Room?”
And I’m all evasive about it. I’m like “Nah, whatever. They’re just cool is all. I think they’ve got a lot going on.” And you guys are all “Whatever. The Starlite Room is totally your boyfriend.”
So fine, let’s just put that on the table. The Starlite Room’s totally my boyfriend. Happy? Good. Your happiness is my business.
Anyway, the latest news from the Starlite is actually technically from Brixx Bar and Grill (10030 – 102 Street).
On Tuesday nights, starting at 9 p.m.. they host an acoustic music showcase. Basically, you can just head downstairs, get yourself some tacos (that’s right, gang – pint & taco Tuesdays) and enjoy some acoustic jamz.
Also worth mentioning (because I had no idea until talking to talent buyer Art Szabo) is that Brixx, which was only rebranded a few months ago, has a pretty impressive menu. The restaurant itself actually opens at 4:30 p.m. for Happy Hour, Tuesday through Friday.
So the next time you crazy kids are looking for some place to have dinner and/or drinks and/or tacos after work, you know where to go.
Podcast: Ben Disaster
I recently met up with 23-year-old Edmonton punk Ben Disaster to talk about lots of things; his forthcoming solo record and his recent solo tour; his main project, local punks Let’s Dance!, their upcoming show as part of this weekend’s Unrest Fest at New City Suburbs, and Ben’s winking admission that if you wanted to get into the semantics of it, you could say that Chumbawamba actually opened for Let’s Dance! at last weekend’s Punx Picnic, and not the other way around.
Enjoy! And if you’re looking for something to do tonight, check out Ben and the rest of the Let’s Dance! crew at New City. They’re pretty badass.
DOWNLOAD (11:58, 10.9 MB)
(Music credits:
Opening music: “Shipley’s Liver”/The Horribly Awfuls/Le Perve Calamity
“Last Night”/Ben Disaster
“Perfect Resume”/Ben Disaster)
Great Bloomers at the Hydeaway: One of many things that happened after my bedtime.
Landon R. Coleman at the Hydeaway
First things first: I never made it to see Toronto’s the Great Bloomers. Even though I really wanted to, because if you give them a listen, you will see that they are pretty great.
But, because I am 79 years old, and because I have important things to do, like get up at 4:45 to watch Canada AM (I so love Seamus), I could not sit through a 4 band set on a Tuesday night – even if that set featured the Great Bloomers as headliners. Plus, my ego was bruised from my first trip to the Hydeaway. All these attractive young people in their skinny jeans and irreverent t-shirts. It just made me want to hop on my hoveround and go home.
But I will tell you this; I did see the first performer on the quadruple bill – a young fellow named Landon R. Coleman. Landon is a singer/songwriter from Nova Scotia, and goddamn, folks, this will probably be the only time the kid plays to an audience this small. Seriously, Landon R. Coleman is Landon R. Awesome. He performed a four or five song solo acoustic set and it was so, so good. His voice is a kind of cross between Nathan Willett of the Cold War Kids and Jeff Buckley, and his songs are clever, sweet and haunting. He said he’s going to be back in town later this year, so look for him; I certainly will.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go meet my pinochle team over at the Legion.
*rides hoveround away*
Discussion: Sonic Bunyon…? Arg.
By Derjis Sprongfeld
Sorry about the title; that was weak even by my traditionally low standards…
It’s early Tuesday morning, and I’m feeling under the weather. My hips are still hurting from all the rain we had last week, and my kidneys haven’t been the same since Jan Reimer was forced out of office…
AAAaaaanyway, I’m just curious what kind of music the kids are listening to these days. My ‘Moody Blues’ 8-tracks are starting to wear out, and have been thinking about taking the plunge and moving onto cassettes (technology marches on!). Is there anything good I should be listening to? I haven’t really heard anything that’s grabbed me since the new Joel Plaskett, Mos Def and F***ed Up albums (in my day, they would have been called ‘Holy Jumpin’ed Up’). I’ve been making my way through the Mercury Prize nominees, but have been a little disappointed. The Horrors are ok, and Glasvegas & Friendly Fires are soooOOOooo last year.
But what about locally? Why do I never hear anything about you kids and your Edmonton music bands? Which local acts have you been putting on your cassette mixtapes?
Our Lady Peace at Capital Ex Last Night
What are we becoming, youtubevideosofrecentedmontonconcerts.com? Well, whatever. It’s our website. If you don’t like it, get your own.
…wait, no, don’t do that. I didn’t mean it, Edmonton. Come back; I’ll do better.
I liked this one because 4 a.m. is probably my favorite OLP song, and it makes me happy that a band that I often forget about – :( sorry, Raine Maida – can still get this many people singing along.
Did anyone go to this last night? How was it?
I Promise We’ll Have Some Real Content Today…
…But this was just too rad not to share. A 1993 interview with Bon Jovi, via ITV livecam. ITV livecam, people! (Remember when it was ITV?)
Ah, 1993. I was 13 at the time and I thought “Keep the Faith” was basically the greatest musical opus ever created. I think my older brother actually went to this concert…
Stop Rubbing it in, #yeg…
I know, I know – Greenday was awesome. It was all any of you jerks could talk about on twitter last night – especially painful because I always wind up defending Greenday to all the haters who lament how good they were back in the day. I’ve got news for you, folks: even in their heyday, old time-y punk Greenday wasn’t particularly punk. But that’s a discussion for another day. I’ll just say that I like 21 Guns, I stand by liking 21 Guns, and leave it at that.
So for everyone who, like me, couldn’t go, go search youtube. It’s the next best thing to being there, right? Well, maybe not, but it’s what you’re going to get.
Hey, question to all you youtube posters, how did you manage such surprisingly good video from amidst a heaving throng of people? I’ve worked in TV for ten years and never shot video this steady.
THE DAGGERS/OLD WIVES/GRAVE MISTAKES
Oh snap! One of my favorite local bands is playing tomorrow night at DV8 Tavern, on 99 St. and 83 Ave. The Old Wives (featured above in a video that we pilfered from Vue
Weekly’s youtube channel, which I didn’t know existed, which is a topic for a later post) are hitting the stage, alongside Calgary’s The Daggers and Jasper’s Grave Mistakes. If you go, take pictures and cell phone videos and send them to me. Please. I’m really mad that I can’t be there.
Ooh, also, my internet sleuthing for details on the show took me to the Old Wives’ myspace, which lists a start time of 8 p.m., and a cover of 8$. That’s a lot of rock for one low price, people! And it’s all in time for July 4th.
If you love America, you’ll be there.
Let Us Put Our Love into You, Edmonton.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN….I GIVE YOU….SHOCKERRRRRRRRRR…………………..
Have a good weekend, folks. (more…)
Starting Your Weekend with the Worm Since 2009.
This is great. It’s from the Coldplay show at Rexall last night; one of the stagehands busts out some sweet breakin’ moves, electric boogaloo style. Aw, lookit me, bein’ all relevant.
Have a good weekend, folks.
Gab’n Vinyl Release Party Tonight
Tonight at New City
A little plug for a buddy of mine from high school. Because I’m lazy, I just pilfered this from the facebook event posting:
Come out to the New City Likwid Lounge on Thursday June 18ff to come check out Gab’n with Willie Dieminzzz and Snarf (of Shout Out Out Out Out and 99 a 100). Gab’n is releasing his first vinyl single of the hit song, Thinglish Thanguage. The Vinyl comes complete with remixes by Nik 7 aka the Poronomasiac and Willie Dieminzzz. Also performing on Thursday will be the Legendary Burro. He will be a one man rock show that will freak you out. Also DJing and representing that house unt techno sound will be none other than Nik 7.
Come get down to a weird mix of slammn’ beats, quick intelligent raps, screeches and howls and danceable grooves.
The show is 5 bucks and starts around 9pm.
New City Likwid Lounge (Jasper Ave and 102st)
WHOOOOOOOOP!
