We can always live off Rice and Potatoes....

Date: 06 May 2011

Venue: The Blue Chair

Guests: Scott, Steph and Bryan

Tickets: $20

Opening Band: Ladies of the Canyon

The ladies were a good opener. I hadn't heard of them before, but they had a warm stage presence and harmonized well with each other. Personally, it's not my kind of music, but it was an enjoyable set none-the-less.

Old Man Luedecke:

Fiery hands down, my favorite banjo playing Canadian Folk musician. But really, he has a shy but very sweet stage presence. He seemed to have come out of his shell a little more than the last time Steph and I saw him a the Blue Chair over a year earlier. He even played a cover song from a favorite move of Scott and mine: Not in Nottingham from Disney's Robin Hood. It was epic. I was so so happy with the show and I can't wait to see him again next year. Be Mine became a new song for Scott and I:  since he skipped it once and a couple had traveled from Australia to hear it, as it was their wedding song. Now he plays it every show as penance.

Setlist:

Missing you

Matchu pichu
My way
Be mine
Yodel
Forest
Undone
Suffering
Woe betide the Doer of the Deed
Quit my Job
Not in Nottingham
Hard rain
This world
Foreign
My Hands on Fire
Caney River
Joy of Cooking

The venue is good, but not great. It is super close to out house, about a 5 minute walk. It's quaint, but you a great view of the stage from many seats with the set up they have. There was a loud table that was disrespectful to the quiet appreciation of my Old Man, who I think were here for the Ladies of the Canyon, and just stuck around for the main show to socialize. The food there is pretty good, although I wish they wouldn't put a caveat that all patrons must spend money on food. Most people would happily do so any way, it just cheapens the show to make it seem like just a way to move more food through the kitchen.

A Good Enough Day

Date: 12 October 2010

Venue: Myer Horowitz

Guests: Scott

Tickets: $12

Hannah Georgas:

Hannah Georgas is a wonderful pop-roots artist from Vancouver. I first saw her open for Said the Whale in 2009, and since then, she's done quite well for herself. This show was just before the release of the 2010 song quest Road Songs album, which had her single "Drive". Her first full length album "This Is Good" lives up to it's title. A few of my favorite tracks of hers are: "The Beat Stuff", "The Deep End" and "Lover's Breakdown"

Setlist: 
This is Good
Chit Chat
Thick Skin
Shorty
Lovesick
The Beat Stuff
Ode
Dancefloor
Bang Bang You're Dead
All I Need
Waiting

Royal Wood:

First off, Royal is one handsome and talented individual. Looks this good paired with talent is one dangerous combination. This Peterborough native is also half of a Canadian music super couple, married to Sarah Slean, although he mentions being married, (breaking the hearts of half the audience) I only knew to look from what was heard on CBC... no coat tails needed. He brings class to the Canadian Singer/Songwriter music scene in his pressed suit paired with the suave look. His lyrics are thoughtful paired with gentle melodies, you can definitely see why this Canadian was names 2010 Songwriter of the Year on iTunes. I thought of my sister Lindsay hand her husband often during this set: I'm so glad was their first dance song. The video for the track "Juliet" really made Scott and I fall in love with Royal (his real name) after Dean and Kate added it to their wedding compilation mix.

Setlist:

Aged
On Top of Your Love
Weigh Me Down
I'm So Glad
Juliet
Do You Recall
You Can't Go
Waiting
Birds On Sunday
Found
Tonight I'll Be Your Guide
Mirror
Acting Crazy
Lady in White
Don't Fall Apart
Suzanne
Silently

The set was great. There was a good balance of slower melancholy tunes and more up-beat songs. His style puts a thoughtful tone to any song, as you can see with his thoughtful cover of Pumped Up Kicks, (a great song in it's original form too). I never really understood the course until hearing Royal's cover. I like the song much more now, though it's quite a bit darker than it's original would suggest.

We stuck around after the show and were able to have a chat with Royal, and the Bassist Steve (who looks like Derek Zoolander) about his electric Bass, which I haven't seen before, but had a sound that I really loved in a easier to manage size. Scott and I got a vinyl, and we were invited back on stage after the show to meet with the rest of the band and have a little chat. The band was so nice and friendly; a great way to finish a wonderful show.  

PS: Royal is coming back to Edmonton 28 September 2011 at the ARTery!

Sweet Things

Date: 03 March 2011

Venue: Myer Horowitz Theater

Guests: Scott

Tickets: $20

Danny Michel is a wonderful break from the bleak winter duldrums. He had a lot of energy on stage and the steady rhythm of the tropics as undertones in many of his songs. A few of my favorites he played were "White Lightning", "Feather, Fur and Fin", "Sweet Things" and "If God's on Your Side". 

He played the show as a one man band, with a simple guitar and a harmonica he pulled out for a few of the songs. A singer/songwriter from Kitchener/Waterloo, he recorded his last album, "Sunset Sea" in Belize and Costa Rica, with a Central American vibe that peaks through in a few of his tracks. (Who's gonna Miss you", Wish Willy", Maybe You Can Find It In Your Heart") He also played around with a little guitar interlude of the Spiderman theme song, which makes him even more endearing than he already is.

 

His lyrics and musical style is pretty diverse, allowing stories of sleazy motels and heart-breaking women, theological debates or the oppression of living in a concrete jungle put to a upbeat tempo with just a dash of  tongue in cheek. 

 

He played David Suzuki's 75th Birthday party in Toronto just after the show in Edmonton. He seems to be always on the road, touring around the country frequently in the past 8 years. He plays in Edmonton again in the Fall at the Full Moon Folk Club, hopefully I'll see you there.    

Bahama Mamas

Date: 03 December 2010

Venue: Artery

Guests:Mum and Lindsay

Tickets: $12

Doug Paisley:

I had not heard of Doug until this concert. I really liked his lyrics, which paired well with the gentle melody of his songs. This Torontonian has been featured on Q, Rolling Stone, the New Yorker and  NPR. Mr. Paisley's indie folk tunes did a great job at warming up the small stage at the Artery on a cold December night.

Setlist:

Always Say Goodbye
Broken in Two
Two Like Us*
Sad Sinner
Wide Open Plain
No One But You
City Lights*
Digging in the Ground
End of the Day

Bahamas: 

Pink Strat is one of my favorite Canadian albums in late 2009 early 2010. Nominated for a Polaris prize in 2009, Afie Jurvanen set off the headline his own tour after touring with a few other sweethearts of Canadian folk rock (Zeus, Feist, Wilco, Jason Collett, Great Lake Swimmers...) in the past few years. The show was great, Afie's stage presence was endearing and he had quirky intros and set-ups to keep the flow from song to song. Jason Tait from Weakerthans played drums to assist.  Low tempo tunes with thoughtful lyrics and a beat that makes you want to sway with the gentle guitar were perfect for this simple venue.

Setlist:
Lonely Loves
Leave Me Be
Already Yours
Go Through It All Again
It's My Fault
Ok Alright I'm Alive
Someone Forever
Sunshine Blues
Southern Drawl
Hockey Teeth
What's Worse
Snowplow

Sober in Love
Any Other Way
You're There
Wisdom
Whole Wide World

The venue was great: The acoustic were very good for such an intimate space. There were tables around and plenty of room to people to sit or stand. They served hot drinks in flower pots with handles and had a variety of interesting alcoholic options. Here's Linds enjoying a Crabbie Ginger Beer! I will definitely be visiting the ARTery again in the future, and I encourage anyone who likes mellow folk music to check out Bahamas when they come though a town near you. We had a nice visit with him after the show, and Lindsay saw him a few days later at a show on the Island.

Everything is Alright

Date: 31October2010

Venue: House of Blues

Guests: Carmen

Tickets: $35

I stumbled across Motion City Soundtrack when searching for a Jem song from the show Wonderfalls six years ago. I felt in love with the "Commit This to Memory" Album the summer of 2005. The band is from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Scott and I caught a show in Seattle in February 2006 when we were dating, and then again when they came to Edmonton in 2008. I jumped at the chance to see them again when in Chicago for their Halloween show. They played with Say Anything, Saves the Day and Valencia on this tour. I found another Muppet at this show also.

Set List:

Everything is Alright

Broken Heart

Her Words Destroyed My Planet

My Favorite Accident

Antonia

Last Night

Hysteria

The Red Dress

A Lifeless Ordinary

Stand Too Close

The Weakends

The Future Freaks Me Out

Pulp Fiction

Make Out Kids

This is For Real

LG FUAD

Hold Me Down

Disappear

The Hallowieners took the stage after roadies dressed as condiments set the stage. The band stayed in costume the entire set and during a brief meet and greet afterwards.   The show was great! They had great energy on stage, and the crowd was into the show and generally having a great time. I would have liked to have heard my favorite song off of "Even if it Kills Me", Calling All Cops, but they were promoting their new "My Dinosaur Life" Album, and there is only so much time to get to old favorites and new material in an 18 song setlist. I suppose it's a good thing, to be kept wanting more. The band also played the night before. the setlist included "When you're around", "Better Open the Door" and "Don't Call it a Comeback", all of which I wanted to hear also, but in comparing the two set lists, I'm glad I heard the show that I did. 

Venue:

I was incredibly disappointed in the House of Blues venue in Chicago. Initially entering the venue, the bouncers were abrasive and a little rough with the pat down. They had three floors of viewing space, but all along the sides of the second and third floors were private rooms that you could rent for a couple hundred dollars on top of ticket prices. The rooms were mostly empty, with 6 or 7 people in each on average, but took up a ton of floor space. It's an interesting concept, but it felt like a bit of a money grab. The only seats available were wooden stools around the main floor which were available to rent for $30 for the night. The merch booth was set up late and difficult to get to, so I was planning on picking up a vinyl after the show. The booth was closed down by the house of blues staff before the show was finished, so unfortunately, no vinyl for me. The bouncers were very pushy getting the place cleared out immediately after the show, and even kicking out the Hallowieners who were mingling with the crowd. I understand that the venue is large and there are a lot of people to move, but I've never felt less respect at a venue than I did at House of Blues.

All in all, I was happy with the show and thought the band did a great job. The venue left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth after the evening was complete, but the set up was unique with the three tiered viewing area and decor. The band was friendly as always, and met up outside to chat with fans after being evicted from the venue.

Gotta Have You

Date: 29 October 2010

Venue: Space

Guests: Carmen

Tickets: $20

I was first introduced to The Weepies in the spring of 2010, after my friend Meg mentioned they seemed up my alley. I was immediately hooked once "Gotta Have You" found its way onto our iPod during a trip to Vancouver. Wikipedia says it best, describing this California-based band as "subtly intoxicating folk pop". They recently started a family, and cut their touring dates down drastically to fit this new lifestyle. When I found out they were playing in Chicago when I would be there for a course for work, I wouldn't let a sold out show stand in my way. After  an added adventure of getting horrendously lost in the rental car on the way (Chicago Ave stops and starts all OVER Chicago... I ended up paying 30$ in roaming so my phone could get us back on course). Thankfully, there were two shows, and we were an hour early for the late show. Once there, through patience and some mild eyelash batting, my good sported coworker Carmen and I sneaked in to the small back room where the show was playing just in time.

The Weepies:

Fantastic set. The band started off dressed up as "The Creepies", although slowly, one by one, in a last man standing type challenge, costumes were shed to reveal the band. (I would like to say that quite a few audience members really were in the Halloween mood! I love how enthusiastic Chicagoans are!)

 

Set List:

Please Speak Well of Me

Hideaway

Can't Go Back Now

I Was Made for Sunny Days

Orbiting

Riga Girls

Gotta Have You

Painting by Chagall

Hard to Please

Nobody Knows Me at All

Be My Thrill

Citywide Rodeo

Hope Tomorrow

Antarctica

World Spins Madly On

Just Blue

Not a Lullaby

When You Go Away

Love Doesn't Last

I really love the variety of the music as the songs switch between Deb and Steve on lead vocals. They are so sweet and complementarity to each other, vocally and on stage.  They prefaced the songs with cute stories (how "When You Go Away" was written for their son, how upset he gets when playing peek-a-boo, or how "Riga Girls" was inspired by email spam). If you ever have a chance, these two put on a wonderfully balanced set. Fun fact: Can't Go Back Now was used by Obama during his 2008 Presidential run. I guess the Chicago connection comes full circle.

Edmonton Folk Fest

Date: 04 to 08 August 2010

Venue: Gallagher Park

Who: Niki & Scott

Co Starring Shelley

With Guest Appearances by  Ute, Kathy, Jill, Shannon & Tiago

This was our first year as volunteers for the Folk Fest. It was a lot of fun, but it was also exhausting and a lot of work. Scott and I were on Liason Security duty, which involved walking around helping people, searching for lost parents and children, patrolling off limits areas for fire codes, and waking up passed out patrons when it's time to go home. One of the perks, apart from catching lots of awesome music and being a part of the festival, was the food they serve. Delicious!I didn't have a chance to attend any of the after parties, but maybe next year. I also got to play with large metal tent poles in a thunderstorm to take down after the festival :)

Here are a few highlights:
Basia Bulat:
An amazing artist from London Ontario, I first saw her in March at the Starlite room. Very mellow and folksy, with a very distinctive voice. She is very down to earth and sweet, and definitely someone to keep an eye on in the years to come.She plays the piano, guitar, hammered dulcimer, ukelele, and the Autoharp, which matches her distinctive vocal sound. Her brother Bobby plays drums and Alice supports on the violin, which really make the sound rich.

A few of my favorite songs of hers are:
In the Night
Gold Rush
If Only You
Run
Snakes and Ladders
FUN FACT! Before I Knew was in a Subaru Outback commercial last year.

Patrick Watson:
From Hudson, Quebec, I'd actually heard of Patrick Watson from two different sources: My sister and Kyle Lanyon... but it took me until now to realize they were one in the same. I fell in love with the song: "To Build a Home" by the Cinematic Orchestra about a year ago, but didn't clue in that it was Patrick Watson singing until Scott pointed it out.... I just thought that he did an awesome cover. He also sings  "The Great Escape", which has been featured in Grey's Anatomy and One Week, as well as that tropicana commercial...
He was the lead on a couple workshops we attended, I think because he's used to many collaborations. He didn't play any bicycles or spoons, but they did some interesting collaborative improvisational songs.

Brandi Carlile:
Definitely the surprise favorite moment of the festival. I had never heard of this Washington singer until the festival, and she rocked the main stage. Her original stuff was pretty good, but when she played Mad World and Folsom Prison, the hill just rocked. It was amazing. 

Colin Hay:
Mr. Hay comes from a land Down Under... and he put on a great show. His new material was great, but when he played his Men at Work... really fun. From his new stuff, I love I Just Don't Think I'll Get Over You from Garden State, and Beautiful World, from when he was on Scrubs as the troubadour (although, Overkill was a Men at Work song... I prefer the acoustic version... in the supply closet).

 

Other notable Concerts:
Ben Harper: He put on a great show! I was on security at the time, so I was a little preoccupied with keeping the rowdiness under control,  but it was a great concert none the less. Favorite songs: Diamonds on the Inside and Steal my Kisses.




Dala: A band that Shelberta recommended, they were very sweet and I really liked the way the harmonize their vocals. They won best new vocal group for the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Their song, “Lennon and McCartney", was my favorite, because of the sweet story behind it. Apparently, Sheila once dressed as John Lennon at a Halloween party as a teenager. The boys were a little turned off, inexplicably.


Colleen Brown: To add to Dala's Story about Halloween, apparently Colleen Brown dressed as Elton John for Halloween. Not just once, but a could years in a row. If you though John Lennon wasn't popular with the gents... try Elton John... Wonderful stage presence, Edmonton local, Love You Baby was all over CBC 2 last year, and Boyfriend is also a good'er.

 Sarah Harmer: I'm really liking the Oh Little Fire Album. Captive and Late Bloomer are my two favorite tracks. She was an integral part of my favorite workshops.


Corb Lund: He wasn't slated to play, be we caught a set he snuck on with Ian Tyson. Maybe this Alberta thing is sinking in, but this is the kind of country music I can stand behind, it's fun, with the train rhythm like Johnny Cash than twangy pop. Listen to Hair in my Eyes like a Highland Steer or The West Just Fades Away.

Tanya Tagaq and Celina Kalluk: Inuit throat singing was amazing, and kinda hot. It was amazing the sounds they can make. We just heard a couple songs, but it was a great experience!