Booming Tree
What is Taiko, you may wonder? It is the Japanese word for drum and this form of art is a passion for two local artists.
It was Open Mic Night at the Pour House on Sunday, post-Super Bowl, on a cold -15 Edmonton night. Booming Tree, a Japanese drumming group founded by Gregory Shimizu and Twilla MacLeod. The atmosphere inside was charged and electric as the drumming began. Greg, a co-owner of this establishment, has some hefty plans for his relatively new venture and if tonight’s entertainment was any indication, this will be a happening place for artists, musicians, and literati to congregate and blossom. (more…)
Sister Gray Giveaway
You are in luck, dear Edmonton.
I know you were eyeing up tonight’s Brasstronaut/Sister Gray/Aidan Knight show at The Haven Social Club. Because we know that, we’ll offer you a pair of free tickets. Heck, we’ll throw in a Sister Gray EP too. Because we know what you like.
Vancouver’s Brasstronaut brings their funky-pop groove to Edmonton tonight. They’ve brought along Victoria songwriter Aidan Knight. When they thought about playing Edmonton they probably thought “We should add a local act to our bill.”
Enter Sister Gray.
Millet’s Graling sisters, who now call Edmonton home, lead the pop-rock band. Jenesse and Brittany are both grads of MacEwan’s music program too.
Sister Gray’s debut EP Close the Night was released last year, and it’s the material you’ll hear them touring on right now. Tonight’s a good night to hear them.
Drop your name into the comments if you want two free tickets to the show, and a copy of Close the Night. We’ll draw a winner at 2pm.
If you don’t win our free tickets, you can snag some with money by hitting up YEG Live. The show’s at Haven Social Club at 7:30.
Deviating at DV8
By Amanda Bennett
Merriam Webster says that to deviate is to “depart from usual or accepted standards.” Well at DV8 tavern this past Friday that was certainly the case for this reporter.
Three bands were on stage for a night of live metal-ness: Netherward, Lysergik Funeral, and Deimoz. There was also another band who didn’t perform but came to support the bands – it was Jordan Augier from 6°. Two bands came from Edmonton with the other fom Calgary. It was an electric night with a diverse crowd. The last time I heard these hard-pounding anthems was at my home, emanating from the basement studio. (more…)
Floating for Five Years
Five years ago, when you and I were just young whippersnappers staring at the big, bright world, Joe Gurba was throwing down award-winning rhymes and becoming a name in the local hip-hop scene. The name he was putting out there was The Joe, and we still know it today. He not only continues to rap, he runs the Old Ugly Recording Co. label here in Edmonton.
Gurba began working on an album called Float or Flail in 2006 and we’re finally getting to hear it. Between then and now we’ve heard another album (Ut Oh) and mixtapes (like the fantastic Playfight) but not that earlier album.
“The significance of the title Float or Flail hinges on my inability to swim,” Gurba writes in an e-mail. But the title also relates to what he felt his circumstances were in 2006.
“It came to me that my life had been a desperate dichotomy between flailing and floating,” he says “Float or Flail became this phrase that invaded my thoughts very often, particularly when I was seeing myself as if from outside myself, schmoozing and remembering names, and wanting respect for something or other…All the while the true desire of my heart was to be alone with God and pursue deeper more elusive truths.”
The struggle to reconcile these parts of his personality left Joe depressed.
“I was at a major turning point… I was wondering if I was going to continue rapping at all,” he explains. (more…)
The Provincial Archive: An overdue album review, show preview, and giveaway
The Provincial Archive is playing at Teddy’s this Friday. So this is the perfect time to talk about their summer album.
Craig Schram’s voice will make you think of John K. Samson of The Weakerthans. And it only gets better from there. The group also evokes The Decemberists (it’s the accordion, and banjo, that does it for me). The Provincial Archive’s got a heartfelt rootsy-folk sensibility. I’m sorry it’s taken us so long to finally talk about the band in a larger way.
Gregg’s been talking about them before this year’s album, Maybe We Could Be Holy, even came out. That was the first clue they were a big deal. Then, they packed their show at SOS Fest. You’d think we’d have figured it out by then.
Maybe We Could Be Holy is the kind of album you listen to while the snow quietly falls or when it’s a rainy day to curl up on the couch. Maybe I’m thinking that because weather is in songs like A Smouldering Epilogue: “It’s just the weather that’s blowing through/it’s stirring up the dust” and songs with titles like Guided By Sundogs. (The band, by the way, is Schram, and Ryan Podlubny, Nathan Burge, Dave Meagher, Bramwell Park.)
The album would be fantastic as you’re driving across the prairies, winding your way around the Great Lakes, or hiking to a cabin in the woods. It’s emotional, it’s lyrical, it’s great Canadian storytelling.
You’re going to think about your past, your friends, relationships, and mistakes, as you listen to Maybe We Could Be Holy. It tells stories while getting into your head. And the lyrics are clear enough to play out a movie before your mind’s eye.
Needless to say, you’re going to want to catch the band this weekend at Teddy’s with Mass Choir. (more…)
Welcome to the Beat Laboratory: A.O.K.’s Q Without U
[If you missed this caveat last time, the difference between this format and other music items we run is that you cannot solicit your way into the Beat Laboratory. I just pick things I think are great and tell you guys about them. Also - some of the people I mention here are friends of mine, or at the very least acquaintances. But I show no favouritism.]
In an age where the advent of digital technology is basically ruining everything that was pure and good about the world (you’re welcome, news!), it’s sometimes easy to overlook the fact that putting the means of digital production into the hands of basically anyone can create some innovative and remarkable projects.
This has a lot to do with how Edmonton rapper, authour and journalist Omar Mouallem (aka Assault of Knowledge, or A.O.K.) went about the unexpected task of releasing what he describes as an “art project“: more specifically, a children’s book (well, a sort-of children’s book) and new digital record on the same day. The combo went on sale last weekend at the Royal Bison Arts and Craft Fair, and Omar has, so far, done one release show, last week at Leva Cappuccino bar. The next one is tonight at 7 p.m., at Sherwood Park’s Cafe Haven. And it’s free – I know how you kids love the free.
I talked to Omar about his new project via email. (more…)
Not Lyve anymore
This is Edmonton's One Way State rocking Lyve on Whyte back in October.
The first indication I had that something was up at Lyve on Whyte was when The Joe (Joe Gurba) was talking about moving his album release. It was going to be at Lyve on Whyte in January. Now it’s at the Haven Social Club.
Then, last night I saw the sign outside of Lyve say it was “closed for business.” Yup, Lyve on Whyte is no more.
Today we hear the owners pulled the plug because they just weren’t packing in the people needed to keep things afloat. Has Jasper Avenue siphoned off too much of the drinking and partying business? (If you’re keeping score, that’s two of the larger bars in Old Strathcona to close in a week.)
I hope this doesn’t kill the live music vibe Whyte Avenue has quietly been building on since SOS Fest. Edmonton needs live music venues!
July 2010 - November 2010
Update: I totally forgot that Savoy closed at the start of the month too.
Is today some kind of music festival?
I am not kidding around, Edmonton. There are so many great shows tonight, your ears are going to be hungover tomorrow. (You may also be hungover, depending on how you party.)
Churchill Square is going to be hopping all weekend, since it’s Huddle Town for the Grey Cup. You can catch Helix right about now, George Canyon will be there later! Thankfully, it’s not even freezing cold anymore.
If you miss Helix downtown, they’re in Sherwood Park later tonight.
Oh, Jeff, that’s not all that much music, you say.
Well, feast your ears on this, Mr. Mayor:
Wil and Leeroy Stagger at the Haven Social Club (they do it again, in the same place, tomorrow night)
Boogie Patrol at Rusty Reed’s House of Blues (they’re at Blues on Whyte next week)
Basshunter at the Edmonton Event Centre
Delhi 2 Dublin is at The Starlite Room
Manuela plays at Accent European Lounge
Lee Harvey Osmond and Manraygun are over at Lyve on Whyte (Lee Harvey is Tom Wilson’s new band)
Lisa Nicole Grace is at Axis Cafe
and (AND)
Paul Revere & The Raiders at Century Casino.
If I had to choose just a couple, I’d go for Manuela and Lee Harvey Osmond (but follow that up with Wil tomorrow night). Edmonton is such a great live music city!
Caity Fisher At the Artery
A few months ago, I was at Wunderbar (which has rapidly become my favorite haunt; how can you not respect the audacity of a venue that dares to bring in live entertainment seven nights a week?) with Jeff and our buddy Gregg Beever. We were just there to hang out but, as we sat there, a lovely young lady with an acoustic guitar and a haunting voice played a remarkable set. Before I left, I asked her to give me a call next time she was playing, and we’d try to mention it on the edmontonian.
Unbeknownst to me, the girl with the guitar was Caity Fisher, from the Old Ugly Recording Company‘s roster of artists (and if you read the edmontonian with an regularity, you know that we are big, big fans of the crew at Old Ugly).
I figured this out about a week ago, when Caity emailed me to let me know about her upcoming CD release.
So basically, I’m a straight genius.
But enough about my inability to draw simple connections between logical events. Let’s talk about Caity Fisher. (more…)
Give to CJSR all your monies
Mmm...radio cake...
First off, I do feel bad for forgetting about the CKUA Fall Fundraiser, so give to them some of all of your money too.
But today is the first of ten days of the 2010 CJSR FunDrive!
CJSR is a campus and community radio station located in the subterranean levels of the University of Alberta.
It’s Edmonton’s volunteer-run radio station, boasting a line-up of shows so eclectic it will literally blow your mind. (That’s why you can only listen for up to seven hours at a time.)
CJSR isn’t rock, it isn’t country, it’s not pop or hip-hop…CJSR is ALL of that, and world beats, alternative news, roots, blues, metal, and 17 genres of music you haven’t even heard of yet.
If you need two more reasons to donate some money to CJSR here they are:
1: You get swag like hoodies, belt buckles, and compilation albums.
2: Check the video of Makin’ Whoopee hosts Chad and Colin (above), as they detail month after month of the 2010 Conservative Party of Canada calendar. I’ve selected one of my favourites, the Grandma Party month, as an example. Those guys deserve your monetary love.
They will not be undersold
Ah, Teddy's. It's like it's still 30 years ago.
I have an apology for you, Edmonton.
Falklands is so much better than my shrimp boat-filled story lead you to believe.
I knew they were good. I’ve been listening to their album non-stop since Mark Budd handed it over.
But after seeing them live at Teddy’s on the weekend…wow.
I undersold this great Edmonton band, and for that I am sorry. That was a show, Saturday!
After the jump…some images of the evening. (more…)
The Sweet Sweet Sounds of Celebrating Democracy
Being really, really goodlooking people of discerning taste, you clearly enjoyed the music in this evening’s broadcast.
For anyone who hasn’t heard me talking about it insufferably (because that’s a thing I do), I am a member of a local band, and thus, have the good fortune of spending a lot of my time in clubs, seeing people perform. Having lived in a couple of other Canadian cities, I can honestly say that the music in Edmonton is outstanding to a degree that is not sufficiently recognized by people both in and outside of the city. Any night of the week, you can walk into any number of places and see some amazing talent that would rival anything you’ll find anywhere else in Canada.
Below, you’ll find a list of links to the artists who very graciously helped us out by supplying songs for the show. If you aren’t particularly plugged-in to live music in Edmonton, I suggest you give these folks a listen. You may find yourself suddenly very, very interested.
“My Car Sucks/I Hate the Bus” – Van Gohst
Dionysus – Matt Machete & the Fury
Falklands
I knew it was going to be a good idea to interview Falklands about their new album and Canadian tour when I saw where they were finishing it. The Edmonton band closes out their month-long tour back here in the city…at Teddy’s.
I first discovered Falklands when putting together some weekend events in mid-August. They were playing at Wunderbar, which has become one of our favourite haunts – but you’re probably going to know Falklands if you listen to a lot of CJSR. The band is really pushing, and really proud, of its college radio play.
“College radio, independent radio,” says Falklands guitarist Mark Budd, “is the supporter of independent music. It’s the way independent music thrives. It’s important to support local stations like CJSR, like CKUA. You’ll hear stuff that will blow your mind, expand your horizons. It’s incredibly important to support local music and local stations like that.”
Not that Falklands are hoping college radio will carry them to sold-out shows on their pending tour. The band reaches out to fans in all kinds of ways, including their website, MySpace, a Facebook page, a Bandcamp site, and they’re also on CBC Radio 3.
Before we talk about the tour, and the new album, I should bring you up to speed.
The Provinicial Archive CD Release
If you thought the best reason to love Edmonton’s The Provincial Archive was either their bittersweet melodies, frontman Craig Schram’s uncanny ability to channel Tori Spelling, or monsieur Gregg Beever’s ringing endorsement, you would be WRONG.
It turns out, the best reason to love The Provincial Archive is because those boys know how to throw a party. They’ll be hitting the stage at the Roxy Theatre – very fancy, gentlemen – on Saturday night for a release party for their latest record, “Maybe We Could Be Holy.”
“We think that taking the stage at the Roxy Theatre for this homecoming, and record release, is a classy way to do it! Soft seats: Big beats,” said Craig, via email.
“After one of the busiest summers in our own personal history of summertime, we’re … thrilled to be performing in the comfort of our very own home[town]. See you this Saturday, Edmonton!”
If you’re down for The Provincial Archive’s party, you can still grab your advance tickets at Blackbyrd Myoozik, Listen Records, or from the band’s website. But if you MUST leave everything until the very last moment (honestly, what is WRONG with you?!), you can also get tickets at the door for $20.
And if you cannot make it to the big event, I highly recommend you pick up their album, available on their website or from the iTubes.
Symphony Under the Sky
As we mentioned Friday, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) kicked off its 2010-2011 season with the annual “Symphony Under the Sky,” at Hawrelak Park over the long weekend.
It’s a great way to put your feelers out for the ESO, since it’s in such a relaxed environment. (Check our Friday preview of the season for other “relaxed” options for the new symphony-goer.)
We were happy to be invited back to the Symphony Under the Sky to blog about it. Here’s some of what we saw: (more…)
Beautiful Music
Thanks to The Choir Girl I found this video with conductor Bob Bernhardt.
As we head into the Labour Day long weekend, we recognize the end of festival season here in Edmonton.
There are still festivals to be had through the fall and winter, it’s just not the same as our end-to-end festivals of the summer. This weekend, however, we get one more summer festival. It’s the Symphony Under the Sky (SUTS).
The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) kicks off its 2010-2011 season with SUTS tonight. There are performances all weekend in Hawrelak Park (which is pretty much the summer festival park), including two with fantastic violinist Karen Gomyo, and everything culminates Monday with artillery fire (and the 1812 Overture).
I figured this would be a good time to talk about the entire ESO season, so I dropped an e-mail to Philip Paschke, the ESO New Media Specialist.
There’s plenty of choice in the new season. So I asked what would be of note. First, for those of us that aren’t necessarily regular symphony-goers. (more…)
Welcome to the Beat Laboratory: touchitandyouwillsayow
[If you missed this caveat last time, the difference between this format and other music items we run is that you cannot solicit your way into the Beat Laboratory. I just pick things I think are great and tell you guys about them.
Also - some of the people I mention here are friends of mine, or at the very least acquaintances (my own band recently played a show alongside the guys of touchitandyouwillsayow). But I show no favouritism.]
The first I learned of touchitandyouwillsayow was when I met band guitarist and vocalist Kelso Sorenson. At the time, he was sporting a smashingly-giant Gogol Bordello-style moustache, smoking a pipe and discussing science fiction. The whole scene was sort of bizzare-o cool – which is pretty much how I would describe the band. I knew I had to sit down with these guys for an interview. (more…)
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em
We might as well rock out to some smoke-related tunes when we’re not outside in the haze.
Our smoky playlist includes:
This Fire – Franz Ferdinand
Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple (live)
Smoke baby – Hawksley Workman
Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix
Dust in the Wind – Kansas
Smokin’ – Boston
Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
Smoke gets in your eyes – The Platters
Marijuana – Reverend Horton Heat (Hey, there are a lot of “smoke” and 420 jokes flying.)
Cinder and Smoke – Iron & Wine (via hi54lofi)
B.C. is on Fire – The Pack A.D. (So obvious I didn’t think of it for hours.)
Burning down the house – Talking Heads (though I didn’t link to their version)
We didn’t start the fire – Billy Joel (Clearly we’re blaming B.C for this one.)
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em – Fun Lovin’ Criminals
The Motor City is Burnin’ – John Lee Hooker (I linked to MC5′s version.)
I Smell Smoke – Johnny Winter
I went all bluesy at the end there.
More today:
Disco Inferno – The Trammps (Burn, baby, burn)
That made me think of The Roof is on Fire by The Bloodhound Gang (NSFW)
Paris is Burning – Ladyhawke, Peaches remix (There’s also the St. Vincent song called Paris is Burning.)
Ashes to Ashes – David Bowie
Smoke Rings – Django Reinhardt
—–
Here’s one way to track the smoke: It’s a smoke radar.
And on the health side of things, you can always keep track of air quality through Alberta Health Services.
Welcome to the Beat Laboratory: N.N.
[If you missed this caveat last time, the difference between this format and other music items we run is that you cannot solicit your way into the Beat Laboratory. I just pick things I think are great and tell you guys about them. In fact, new rule: anyone who tries to solicit their way in gets barred for life! I'm stern. Stern but fair.
Also worth mentioning - some of the people I mention here are friends of mine, or at the very least acquaintances - the guys in N.N. are my upstairs neighbours at the space my own band rehearses in - but rest assured, I show no favoritism. If I wouldn't throw down 15 bucks for their CD - because I live in 1999, where people still buy CDs - I won't mention it here.]
What you need to know about N.N. before we get started – they play a brand of hard rock and punk that sounds like sort of a cross between Iggy and the Stooges and the Beastie Boys. They’ve had the same lineup for four years, even though during that time there’s been some shuffling (in the early days, Antonio Ponce – now the drummer – started as the lead vocalist). They’re about to release their first EP and are heading to Tokyo for Japan Music Week this fall. And they have very graciously hooked us up with a few songs for you guys to enjoy – but I am having a hell of a time getting them uploaded. I promise I’ll add them as soon as our Internet woes get sorted out.
Update: All fixed!
BUT! I DIGRESS! Another tale worth telling – I didn’t really know the N.N. guys very well before I dropped in to interview them this past Monday. While we were in their rehearsal space, a giant thunderstorm raged outside (you can see the lightning flashing in the window behind them during the video). Once we wrapped up, we discovered the lower level of the building (where my band rehearses) was flooding. And all five of them got soaking wet (alongside some of our other neighbours) helping move everybody’s gear to higher ground.
Studio City Be Floodin'!
So if you would like to HONOUR the HEROES of N.N. and Van Gohst, I suggest you do so by purchasing a ticket to their Friday show at the Starlite Room.
You can pick up a copy of N.N.’s new EP (FYI, every ticket and EP sold helps fund their trip to Japan!) through their MySpace, or message them on Facebook.
You stay jazzy, Edmonton
It’s that time of the year, Edmonton. Get your jazz hands ready.
Ready?
Show me…jazz hands!
I really, sincerely hope one of you is vigorously shaking your hands right now. That would totally make my day.
But it is in fact time for the Edmonton International Jazz Festival. See, I was going somewhere with all of this.
OK, so the festival officially begins tomorrow but they’ve got one of those pre-festival concerts, just like Folk Fest, with Chick Corea tonight. That’s this evening at The Winspear.
Other Jazz highlights include Nikki Yanofsky (she of the Olympic “I Believe” song), Jazz in the Park (which is free, and at Louise McKinney Park), and lots of performances at the Yardbird Suite and MacLab Theatre. Hey, you can even pick up a $99 pass to get in to any show at the Yardbird and MacLab (subject to some seat availability at the performance). And there are a lot of people playing between now and July 4. Even Kid Koala is playing.
Wait? Kid Koala?
And I thought Sally was teaching me everything I needed to know about jazz. Sally, you never told me Kid Koala could play turntables at a jazz festival!
So, anyway…the jazz fest is on. Enjoy.
Welcome to the Beat Laboratory: Old Ugly Recording Company
[Remember a few weeks ago, when I told you guys about local band plainclothes? Well, I have some more excellent Edmonton music to tell you about. Samsonow and I have decided that any time I want to try to convince you guys to love something as much as I do, we're going to call it "Welcome to the Beat Laboratory." Thanks for the idea, B-rad!)
If you missed this caveat last time, the difference between this format and other music items we run is that you cannot solicit your way into the Beat Laboratory. I just pick things I think are really cool and tell you about them. As if I know what's cool. IDIOT! So stupid! Who the hell do I think I am anyway?!]
Old Ugly Recording Co.'s The Joe (Photo by Rico Moran)
So, you guys know that we know The Joe. Because we talk about him all the time.
He is, as you have likely gathered by now, a very nice fellow who has helped us out repeatedly over the first half of 2010; first, by tearing up the Artery as the headliner at the League of Extraordinary Media’s #YEG Swap in March, and then later on, by penning several great items about Edmonton’s music scene for us to run on these here INTERNETS.
But! Did you guys know that The Joe (known in his day-to-day life as 23 year old Joe Gurba) is a bit of a mogul? He’s the man behind Edmonton’s Old Ugly Recording Company – home to many of the best musical acts in the city.
The mild-mannered Gurba explains that the concept for Old Ugly was based in part on Olympia, Washington record label K Records.
“They don’t play the game,” he explains. “They just put out really good music. And then people find it.”
“Old Ugly is just me giving form to something that was already there. Old Ugly was already all of our friends who hung out all the time, who weren’t signed.”
And boy oh boy, you guys. Does Old Ugly ever have some great artists. Give these a listen:
The Idols They Will Make: The Joe from Joe’s upcoming release Playfight)
O Death: Caity Fisher from Caity’s upcoming release Only the Wind)
On and on: Mitchmatic from Mitchmatic’s upcoming release Two Weeks Off)
The modest little label, now freshly minted as one year old, is home to 19 musical acts, comprised of about 13 people (Joe’s estimate). Pretty impressive, and something Joe attributes to his interest in community.
“I wanted to combine all these people. Most of the people on the label are people I’ve lived with at some point, too… people that get together and have campfires and house parties and are just really good friends.”
“I know my friends are better musicians than I am, and they deserve more attention,” Joe laughs. “I just know how to get attention!”
If you dig what you hear, then, I HIGHLY suggest you head to the Hydeaway this Saturday for an Old Ugly release party, celebrating new tapes from Mitchmatic and The Joe, and featuring Mikey Maybe and Thesis Sahib.
OR! Visit the Old Ugly store to get your mitts on more of their music.
Not so plain
Dear Friendmonton, you may have noticed that I do a lot of music stories.
That’s because – FACT - Edmonton has lots of music in it. (You just got LEARN’T!)
But with lots of music stories comes an unavoidable side effect: some of the stories we do about local artists become white noise. And that’s a drag, because it means that you’re going to miss out on some really neat stuff.
To combat this, Samsonow has asked me to write a music column. (Editor’s note: Awesome column name TBD.)
Essentially this just means that when I have a something really really good that I want to tell you about, I’m not even going to attempt to couch it as a “story.” I’m just going to argue you into submission about why an artist is awesome, who they are, and where you can see them.
Which brings us to plainclothes.
plainclothes is this fantastic band I saw at Wunderbar a few months ago. By the end of their set, my hair was basically standing on end. With their sophisticated sound, complex arrangements and jangly guitars, they’re the kind of indie rock band you’d expect to be from a bigger city, like Toronto or Montreal. But they’re not, folks! They’re ours!
plainclothes is comprised of four members, all in their late 20s and early30s; Bailey (bass), Bernie J (vocals & guitar), Levi (guitar & vocals), and Nate (drums).
I met 3 of the 4 band members (everyone except drummer Nate) for coffee at Naked on Jasper and found plainclothes to be a hilarious, deadpan bunch. Our “interview” turned into a lot of absurdist humour, pithy back-and-forth comments and vaguely self-deprecating jokes.
“The songs Bernard writes are really complicated and intricate and cool,” saysLevi.
He doesn’t miss a beat to joke about his own writing. “The songs I write have one note solos.”
I tell plainclothes that discovering them was extra surprising given that Edmonton has SO MANY METAL BANDS. I ask them whether Edmonton’s predominance of hardcore bands has affected plainclothes’ sound.
Bernie J laughs. “By necessity it creates this counter culture. If there’s a bunch of metalheads, for sure there’s going to be shoegazers.”
“The metalheads need someone to beat up,” adds Levi.
The band cites a long list of influences, including some unexpected ones like Brian Eno (Bailey) and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (Bernie J). Their five-year plan is essentially to “Huck [them]selves at everything,” including recording and starting to play more shows outside of the city.
Those aren’t cheap plans. It costs money to go into a studio.
It’s expensive to tour, even around Alberta. You have to travel, eat, find a place to stay; and it’s not like bands show up in Red Deer to find a pile of cash.
So I ask plainclothes about the financial details of their five-year plan and they say that they take that side of things in stride.
They all joke over one another.
“There’s a lot of money to be made in iPhone apps.”
“Or we can become a cult. We can definitely make money that way.”
So, throw them a few bucks. Your next chance to do so, and continue to produce quality Edmonton bands and artists, is when plainclothes plays this Saturday at Bohemia, 10575 – 114 St.
[Editor's update: We removed the song from this post at the request of Bernie J, who is no longer with the band.]
