Mad hatters mar their music
There is no good reason for a musician to wear a hat on stage – unless they’re sensitive about being bald, or protecting their head from the elements, or keeping their hair out of their eyes, or if it’s part of a costume or uniform. Other than that, BEWARE: it’s a sure sign they’re going […]
Ripoff artists who should be sued
The $7.4 million judgement against Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke for allegedly plagiarizing the late Marvin Gaye in the song Blurred Lines is very encouraging for fans of originality. And with Sam Smith rolling over and crying uncle after Tom Petty’s publisher pointed out that Stay With Me contains a similar chord progression and even […]
Sister Gray: Tell me what I’m supposed to be
Welcome to another music interview where promising new artists are told what famous bands they sound like, and then asked to respond. Edmonton’s own Sister Gray can be compared to Blondie or Joan Jett or the Bangles, almost any female rock band of yore, most especially Heart, because Sister Gray is fronted by two sisters, […]
Colleen Brown: The Joni Mitchell of Edmonton
Colleen Brown has been compared to Joni Mitchell so many times that she isn’t even bugged by it anymore. Colleen, not Joni. It doesn’t help that the Edmonton singer-songwriter sings Joni Mitchell songs rather well, and even was part of a tribute show in Toronto in March. Brown recalls she was a little nervous after […]
Edmonton musicians in tune with beer
Beer. The word itself is a musical note. It has helped write more songs than GarageBand and puberty combined. If it were a mountain, it would be named Mount St. Inspirational Liquid. Edmonton bands are no stranger to this Mesopotamian concoction. Loved by both the refined and the rowdy, beer has a special place in […]
Lip syncing thrives in concert karaoke
The Quixotic quest to get warning labels on concert tickets appears to be a non-starter. Imagine: “PARENTAL ADVISORY: Portions of tonight’s ‘live’ concert will contain pre-recorded backing tracks” … only in your dreams. “There are no plans to require concert promoters to print warnings on tickets regarding pre-recorded material,” says the Alberta government. “I’ve never […]
Border hassles can’t stop young bluesman
The way our border cops treat Taylor Scott and his band, it’s a marvel he keeps coming back to play Edmonton. “It was our worst experience yet,” says the 21-year-old frontman of the latest crossing ordeal. “They literally tore our van apart,” adds keyboardist Jon Wirtz. They’re talking after a set at Blues on Whyte […]
Anderson to preview short ahead of Sundance premiere
Trevor Anderson’s return to the Sundance Film Festival will bring festival goers face to face with his short film The Little Deputy. The nine minute documentary/Western film focuses on Anderson’s quest to have his photo taken with his father. The photo, which hung in his family’s home as he grew up, was something that he […]
Top 10 Edmonton records of 2014
The last year saw an interesting rotation in live music clubs – from the closing of the Avenue Theatre to the opening of the Mercury Room – while the music made by Edmonton bands continued to happily diverge from the mainstream. The 10 albums below demonstrate the best of what local acts have to say […]
Top 14 nostalgia shows of 2014
Excluding Bro Country for Young Men – Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Dirk Gently – and Trix for Little Girls – P!nk, Gaga, Lady Perry – which will always be with us, an astounding trend emerges from the 2014 concert season: People sure love nostalgia. Stop whatever has replaced presses! Septuagenarians had a field day. […]
Mike McDonald shows character in new music
Anyone who still doubts the close connection between punk rock and folk music need only listen to Mike McDonald’s first solo album, Live at the Blue Chair Cafe. Just don’t call it “Jr. Gone Mild.” While suitable for fireside with acoustic guitar and vocals only, it’s a vivid, sometimes disturbing self-portrait of the famously ornery […]
Motley Crue ‘not worthy’ to open for Alice Cooper
If Motley Crue truly plans to retire for good at the end of their 2014 tour, they sure went out with a flash-bang during their nearly two hour set Tuesday night at Rexall Place. The excess of your average ’80s hair metal show was exceeded with such ease – MORE dry ice, MORE pyrotechnics, MORE […]
