Beirut, the band, comes to Edmonton, the city, on July 25

Indie rockers Beirut, having just been confirmed to be performing at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival last week, has just announced a Canadian set of dates, which has the critically acclaimed band landing in Edmonton on July 25 at the Starlite Room. Calling them indie rockers is probably a little unfair; the band’s influences […]

MUSIC: The Crooked Brothers play it straight

House shows aren’t typically thought of as glamorous affairs. But when Winnipeg trio The Crooked Brothers signed up for a Home Routes tour, which pairs touring independent folk acts with volunteering homeowners on a cross-country tour circuit, the band got more than it bargained for. On their first stop, the guys found themselves playing at […]

OBITUARY: Colin Lay a man of many gifts

As Edmonton’s music community remembers the great work of sound engineer Colin Lay, who died at home Monday at the age of 59 after a long battle with ALS, some of his “hidden” talents are coming to light. Musicians who knew him only as the unassuming recording arts instructor at Grant MacEwan University might have […]

WHO NAMED THE DANCERS: La La La Human Steps more structure than meaning

You think a name like La La La Human Steps would’ve come to its creator in a dream or mystic vision – but no, master choreographer Édouard Lock planned it out as carefully as one of his acclaimed dance routines. Fans can see new work this Wednesday at the Jubilee Auditorium in a piece entitled, […]

WEEKEND MUSIC PREVIEW: Herald the new season of CD releases!

You know the live music calendar is back in season when the CD release parties start happening again – that, plus legendary names in the Canadian musical world start travelling through the city, like Ian Tyson and Jim Cuddy. Friday Melanie Doane – With an 18 year career that includes six albums, one Juno award, […]

Performance art troupe Pocket Universe a door through which anything goes

When submitting a request to a performance art troupe, be careful what you wish for. Pocket Universe, which will be performing at Art’s Birthday, the big bohemian performance art “happening” taking place Saturday night at the Ortona Armory (9733 102 Street), once performed at a function put on by a kink organization in Victoria, B.C. […]

Jim Cuddy strikes the perfect balance between solo and Blue Rodeo

Jim Cuddy sure has a nice career going here. It figures, since he has such a reputation as “a nice guy,” never mind that time he got into an alleged hockey fight with Dave Bidini. That sort of thing just makes him more adorably Canadian. Cuddy can play theatres as a solo artist – as […]

Nickelback returns to rock us another time at Rexall Place May 15

The band we hate to love and love to hate is returning to the scene of the crime. In other words, Nickelback is coming back to Edmonton. The band, whose early gigs and rise to fame were based in Edmonton, or hereabouts, will perform on Tuesday, May 15 at Rexall Place with Bush, Seether and […]

HIP HOP: Nova Rockafeller is sexy and she knows it

“Yeah, I’m cute,” Nova Rockafeller says, swivelling on a computer chair. The fast-talking local emcee is not one to mince words. “Last year I didn’t know I was cute. I was like a dirtbag, f—up degenerate kid. This year I’m adorable.” Hey, a rapper never got far with modesty. On tour with underground hip-hop legends […]

EDMONTON RADIO: Who broke the radio star?

The Buggles were wrong. Video did not kill the radio star. The radio star is very much alive, thanks to, well, radio. Commercial FM radio remains the best way to spread new music to the masses. Believe it or not. Oh, sure, MTV (and MuchMusic) created quite a number of video stars back in the […]

Great Lake Swimmers to play Edmonton May 6

Lost in the big news of the Black Keys concert this morning was another tour announcement by an extraordinary live band out of Toronto – Great Lake Swimmers. The folk rock quintet is set to perform at a popular local venue of late, the McDougall United Church, on May 6 as part of a cross-Canada […]

Alberta country singer Gord Bamford scores a big deal

Some good news on the Albertan country music front, for a change: Lacombe, Alberta’s own Gord Bamford has finally earned the big country deal – a record contract with Sony Music Entertainment Canada. His Sony debut album, Is It Friday Yet?, comes out March 6. Well played, Alberta boy. But what does all this mean? […]