Archive for the ‘Indie Music’ Category
ALLEN & ALEXANDER DO DIRTY LAUNDRY
Dirty Laundry Dual CD Release Tour Going “Clean Across Canada”
“Honey and wheat harmonies . . . these women have earned their stripes and they know it. Their songs strike a deep chord.” – Cowichan Valley News
8:30 SEPT 29 / LETHBRIDGE / Tongue & Groove
8:30 SEPT 30 / MEDICINE HAT / From Scratch
8:30 OCT 1 / TWIN BUTTE / General Store
9:00 OCT 2 / CANMORE / The Drake
8:00 OCT 6 / RED DEER / The Hideout
7:00 OCT 7 / CALGARY / Rocky Mountain Folk Club
4:00 OCT 8 / EDMONTON / The Black Dog Freehouse
8:00 OCT 14 / HIGH RIVER / Gitters
The songwriters first joined forces when they found themselves onstage singing with Jane Siberry on her famous encore “Calling All Angels.” After heading clean across Canada on the first leg of their Dirty Laundry Dual CD Release Tour 2011, duo partners Jenny Allen and Leslie Alexander are returning to BC with their new solo CDs, each produced by BCCMA/BCMIA Producer of the Year John Ellis (Be Good Tanyas, Jane Siberry, Barney Bentall).
“The music here is exceptional,” said Rootsmusiccanada.com about Jenny’s disc Blanket, while Earshot called Leslie Alexander’s “Nobody’s Baby” a “genre-bending, intelligently written, well-performed album.” With each artist a strong voice in her own right, together Allen & Alexander deliver the razor-sharp songwriting and powerhouse performances fans have come to expect from their solo shows – and more. Now sharing seamless vocals, multiple instruments, and much in common, Allen & Alexander agree that their set list – exchanged like a salty heart-to-heart over a load of laundry – contains their most personal songs yet. THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »
The Social Threat - Protest Songs Cover Art
The Social Threat is a 3-piece local punk band… er… possible the ONLY local punk band (now that One Shot Left is in hiatus mode). I admit that it is hard for me to get excited about punk music nowadays as my musical preference swings quite the opposite way, as of late. But I can still take the time to enjoy the memories and appreciate the musical aesthetic that The Social Threat is striving for. That’s kind of what listening to “Protest Songs” reminds me of; memories of my youth, going to some cool punk shows in Regina, back when punk was just getting huge again.
Musically, they are quite similar to bands like MXPX, Good Riddance, Dogwood and other punk rock bands from the 90’s and 00’s with fast drumming and harmonization. Lyrically, it’s heavy on politics and social change – like many of the bands of the time as well. It’s quite anachronistic when listening to it with this notion, yet nostalgic at the same time. That leads me to believe most of the appeal of The Social Threat is knowing punk rock from a decade ago. That’s not to say people new to the genre can’t enjoy their music, but I definitely think it would be harder for the layperson.
The Social Threat
There is some good production value on this sophomore album; however, it still feels of DYI in many ways, which I think lends itself to the music quite well. In interview with the band, it was discussed how if they had the choice (budget wise) that they there would be more production value on the recording, so the intention of a DYI aesthetic wasn’t focused on necessarily, but merely due to financials. I was lucky enough to get a physical copy of the album and was glad I did. The whole package was designed by Kyle Hodgman (Drums/BGV), which features a very nice composition focusing on symbolism, poetry-esque messages (on inside cover/insert/poster). It all feels cohesive and put together well (both design and packaging wise).
I feel thematically that the lyrics are good and range nicely from song to song; however, they are very straightforward, rather than relying on metaphor. It’s clear that they want you to hear the message and understand their music on that level. This also becomes transparent as each song has a different theme and clear-cut message of focus. Is that a bad/good thing? The songwriting and instruments are all top notch.
Normally this is where people give a rating out of 5 stars or 10 dinosaurs or something else that doesn’t mean anything. I’ll skip that, and let you decide if this is something you would be interested in. If you listened to punk music during the 90’s and 00’s I would definitely recommend this album (and I don’t mean that in an elitist, hipster kind of way). It’s also a local band, so you should support them! Duh!
Links:
Their full album is $9.99 and can be purchased digitally on CD Baby or iTunes. Alternatively, you can snag a cool physical copy by emailing them, or grabbing one at a show. THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »
I wanted to let everybody know about a relatively new Facebook Group, entitled, Medicine Hat Live Indy Music. For a while now, the number of musical venues in the city have been dwindled to a very meager selection, especially for independent, local, and smaller artists. This has triggered in less shows, but also more misinformation about those shows that do happen.
Medicine Hat Live Indy Music aims to solve this problem by offering a place for all local and incoming indie bands to advertise their shows, but also to help them get information on venues and gigs within the city… a problem that Medicine Hat Media also tries to solve once and awhile when a band requests it.
Medicine Hat Live Indy Music Facebook Group
Which also reminds me, as posted in the group, there’s a show going on tonight at the The Legion Hall Games Room at 7PM featuring The Afterbeat w/ The Social Threat, The Weekend Kids, and Old Wives. View the Facebook Event for that here.
Something to Say
Something to Say is more than just an album title for Emma Cloney. It’s a statement about surviving a painful period of her life. Emma overcame the challenges of a difficult upbringing in foster care – creating a life for herself filled with love, friendship and opportunity. On her first ever western Canadian tour, Emma will share the songs that have helped her find her voice and indeed give her something to say. An honest and talented songwriter, Emma captures the essence of her experiences in music and she’s ready to share it with anyone who is genuinely willing to listen:
Where: Medicine Hat, AB – Private House Concert (contact me at signy@soundstrategymusic.ca)
When: Friday June 3, 2011
Time: 7:00 PM
Special Guests: Dan Frechette
Emma will be joined on her Uphill Both Ways tour by the venerable Dan Frechette – a well-respected Winnipeg folk musician who has graced the stages of some the most prominent folk festivals in North America. Dan, with his innate ability to engross his listeners with stories and melodies, has long been a mentor to Emma.
As true folk raconteurs, both Emma and Dan will offer their audiences a variety of introspective, original songs interwoven with timeless folk classics. From Something to Say, Emma will perform a number of songs, including “Tiny Soldiers” – an ode to her siblings’ ordeal, “The Anthem” – a heartwarming tribute to a friend battling cancer, and “Mustang Dreamer” – a lullaby about watching her daughter grow up too fast.
Emma Cloney has something to say with her new album, and no doubt the new fans she’ll be making on her western Canadian tour will be eager to hear more.
Visit Emma Cloney online: www.emmacloney.com
Visit Dan Frechette online: www.danfrechette.com
Monday, March 28th - Whiskey Creek Pub
Punk or punk-ish shows in the city are far and few between, but that’s not really the cities fault, but more indicative of the genre’s popularity as of late. Tough Guys and Girls Cry, all the way from Tofino, British Columbia are ready to rock Medicine Hat with local punk band, The Social Threat. I haven’t listened to The Social Threat before tonight, but wow, they remind me of the good ol’ days of punk music and kind of sound like early Dag Nasty, Pulley or something I can’t quite put my finger on. Tough Guys and Girls Cry are a bit more indie-rockish-punkish that kind of remind me of some of the post punk and progressive stuff that punk bands were doing during the 80’s (Bad Religion, Into the Unknown style).
The Social Threat on MySpace
Tough Guys and Girls Cry on Myspace
Danny Michel
Eclectic singer-songwriter Danny Michel, with local opener Danny Dyck, are in concert this Friday, March 4th, 8PM at the Medalta as part of the Tongue on the Post concert series presentation.
Tickets are $25 at www.tixx.ca or at the door. Look for more info at mhfolkmusic.com.
Preview of Danny Michel’s Music
More information on Danny Dyck
Looking for the Spectrum 2011 post?
I have already posted about All the Colours of the Spectrum, but what about the main event? This year it taking place over the following dates:
- Friday 4-10PM (June 4th)
- Saturday 11AM-10PM (June 5th)
- Sunday 11AM-4PM (June 6th)
The main Spectrum event contains a huge amount of art, sports, dance, music, food, festivities and other performances (including the magic of Trevor Moore). In fact, I think this post has been tagged with the most categories a single post has ever received. The following is a list of stage performers (which are free, by the way):
Friday, June 4th
4:00 – 4:45 – German Harmony Band
5:00 – 5:45 – Amy Nelson
5:45 – 6:30 – The Magic of Trevor Moore
6:30 – 8:00 – Scott Ward – Hypnotist
8:15 – 9:15 – Kool Ray and the Hip Kats
Saturday, June 5th
11:30 – Amy Nelson
12:00 – Walk a Mile in her Shoes
12:30 – Amy Nelson
1:00 – Medicine Hat’s Got Talent
2:00 – Dance Connection
3:00 – Master’s Extreme Makeover
4:30 – 5:30 – The Straight Jackets
5:30 – 6:30 – Blacksmith Jones
6:45 – 7:45 – The Magic of Trevor Moore
8:00 – 10:00 – Jazz – Lyle Rebbeck
Sunday, June 6th
12:00 – Gas Town Riot
1:00 – Medicine Hat’s Got Talent
2:00 – Dance Connection
3:00 – Quintet
Besides performances, there’s also a ton of other activities and events to keep you busy: THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »
The Manvils *NEW* Album
The Manvils will be at The Ottoman Lounge Friday, May 28th.
http://www.themanvils.com/
http://www.myspace.com/themanvils
Mikey Manville – Vocals & Guitar
Greg Buhr – Vocals & Bass
Jay Koenderman – Drums & Vocals ( Originally from Medicine Hat and played with Shortround)
Influences: The Clash, The Who, Kings of Leon, The Byrds, Motorhead, Thin Lizzy
In 2008, after starring in a national Budweiser advertising campaign that aired during the Super Bowl and the 2008 Beijing Olympics, The Manvils contributed eight songs to the Space Network thriller Never Cry Werewolf and provided the musical score for the CBC Humanity award-winning documentary Moscow Freestyle. Amidst all of this, the band set out on a major North American tour that brought them to New York, L.A. and Toronto three times in a mere six months.
2009 saw the hot streak continue for The Manvils. After being handpicked by Bif Naked to support her national tour, they graced the cover of Vancouver’s #1 entertainment magazine, The Georgia Straight, and rocked the 2009 Virgin Festival main stage crowd, supporting Sonic Youth, Jarvis Cocker, Metric and Ben Harper.
$10 Cover
Happy Hour 4PM-8PM
$6 Appetizers Until 8PM
Special Guests: Jay Bowcott and Derek Hintz.
The Perms will be back at The Ottoman Lounge Thursday, May 27th (tomorrow night). See our last post about them here.
http://www.myspace.com/theperms
Sounds Like:
Weezer, Sloan, Elvis Costello, XTC, Ok Go, Phanton Planet, Chicago, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, and Joe Jackson.
Happy Hour will be from 4PM-8PM, the band starts at 9PM and there will be the normal $5 cover
Erin Ross will be playing the Ottoman Lounge Saturday, April 24th live at 9PM. $5 cover at the door. Her music can be described as Blues and Acoustic (with a little bit of Country on the side). She has been quite busy lately in support of her recordings – she plays on average over one hundred shows per year!
http://www.myspace.com/erinross
http://www.erinross.ca/
Erin Ross is an accomplished recording artist and performer. Having spent many years honing her skills and refining her craft, Erin delivers something that is energetic, dynamic and fresh.
In 2008 Erin released a vinyl single “Sweet Thing.” It charted on CJSW for 6 weeks, peaking at #10 overall. It also won attention from CKUA Alberta Public Radio, CiTR in Vancouver, CJSR in Edmonton and CKXU in Lethbridge. Erin’s music has also been featured regularly on the CBC in Calgary and has found its way onto Mountain Radio in Blairmore and CIDO in the Creston Valley.
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