The thing is, compared to Winnipeg which is almost half the size of Calgary, we barely have any national acts to speak of. That is, acts with a major record deal who tour North America and the World.
Winnepeg has a very strong scene for its location and population. I've heard people describe this as a result of two things:
1) proximity to the major urban centers in the east (compared to Cal / Van)
2) very low cost of living
#2 is important because we indie musicians make absolutely nuthin' unless we have another job. In Calgary you have to work 40 hours a week to make rent and eat for a month. In the 'Peg rent is 1/2 to 1/3 of the cost here and you can work accordingly. When you're not working you have that much more time to spend making music.
The joke #3 reason is cuz there ain't fatain anything else to do there but write music.
It's well known in the scene here that to ever make anything of yourself you gotta leave this town. Look at the Summerlad. Really well done indie rock that never went anywhere because Calgary is a black hole of publicity.
It's well known in the scene here that to ever make anything of yourself you gotta leave this town. Look at the Summerlad. Really well done indie rock that never went anywhere because Calgary is a black hole of publicity.
It's going to stay that way until something bigger than the Stampeders (the band) actually manage to make it coming out of Calgary.
The band's name originates from the nickel in change that band member Mike Kroeger often had to give customers in his previous job at Starbucks, and would frequently say "Here's your nickel back".
I realize I already knew that, but it still infuriates me every time I hear/read about it.
The joke #3 reason is cuz there ain't fatain anything else to do there (Winnipeg) but write music.
Actually, that's not necessarily a joke. Liverpool in the sixties, Detroit in the seventies, Manchester in the eighties, Seattle in the nineties... all reported to be severely boring cities before each had an explosive musical scene. And all are propably pretty boring now
Bands are started to get the chicks, but you don't need to play well to get the chicks. But if you're constantly bored, you can always practise some more.
Actually, that's not necessarily a joke. Liverpool in the sixties, Detroit in the seventies, Manchester in the eighties, Seattle in the nineties... all reported to be severely boring cities before each had an explosive musical scene. And all are propably pretty boring now
Bands are started to get the chicks, but you don't need to play well to get the chicks. But if you're constantly bored, you can always practise some more.
Kind of like Joni Mitchell coming out of Fort Macleod and then later Saskatoon.
Kara Keith was front person for synth-pop band Falconhawk, until a 2005 bus accident tore the band apart while they were on tour. Since that time Keith has been voraciously writing and performing, both solo and with various artists such as beat-miester Diego Medina. She is currently an artist in residence at The Banff Centre for the arts where she is writing and arranging original pop music for her and her band, Your Dignity.
Keith has completed an EP and will be releasing it in the New Year under The Saved By Radio record label. The five song recording features songs describing the Calgary landscape and the feeling of discontent she experiences as an outspoken woman in a money-loving, conservative climate.
Also heard, Jane Vain & The Dark Matter, C'mon Baby Say Bang Bang:
From somewhere beneath the swelling strings and synths, the angular guitars and pulsating beats, cleaves the voice of Jamie Fooks of Jane Vain & the Dark Matter. In early 2003, Fooks started writing songs by her self in her basement apartment, to deal with the remaining demons of a reckless adolescence. Somewhat deterred by an open mic night that ended in tears, Fooks was encouraged to continue performing by the support of friends, and the interest of current guitar player Dillon Whitfield (of Raccoon). With the addition of Whitfield's haphazard guitar playing, the foundation of Jane Vain & the Dark Matter was laid.
