Are you ready to say goodbye to the year that was 2011? Well...you don't really have a choice. I wish I could have held on just a little longer; it was the year of the most concerts, shows, events for me thus far. But all good things must end. Now I'm just hoping that 2012 will be able to compare...
Maybe I should've posted the following just before last year (weird to say that isn't it?) was over, but I decided to postpone, so that I could also put up a portion of Sonic's annual year-in-review songlist created by Rick Lee.
We'll start with mine:
Showing posts with label The ARTery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The ARTery. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Michael Rault says goodbye to Edmonton
Yes, it's been said before, doesn't make the news any better though: Michael Rault will be leaving Edmonton for the French pastures of Montreal, along with his sister, this coming January. His last show will be at the ARTery this Saturday (a New Year's plan for those late planners and procrastinators). Sandra Sperounes wrote this article in the Edmonton Journal just minutes ago, and maybe Rault is right: "Maybe you have to go away for awhile to build up the mystique about you.” Only time will tell.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Farewell 2011 & Michael Rault
So you've been patiently awaiting to hear this announcement...since a few minutes ago. Well here goes the big news that you may or may not already know: Michael Rault will be moving away from Edmonton, and setting up camp out east in Montreal. It's bittersweet to see such a great artist move away from their hometown, much like Christian Hansen & the Autistics a few months ago. It's amazing to see bands and musicians grow and develop over the years, but still a bit sad that I won't get to see them every other week, or see them walking down the street. I'm so glad that MR will be able to hopefully get his sound out to more and more people and am already excited for his first time back playing in Edmonton.
But WAIT. THERE'S MORE. Before moving away, Michael Rault will be having one last hurrah, playing along with another favourite of mine, Scenic Route to Alaska, on New Year's Eve at the ARTery. Tickets are on sale now through YEGlive, and if you're interested, which...well...let's not play around here, I know you are, I would get them ASAP. The ARTery is a very small venue, and I can see these bands being crazy fun to ring in the new year with! (I'm not so bad either).
But WAIT. THERE'S MORE. Before moving away, Michael Rault will be having one last hurrah, playing along with another favourite of mine, Scenic Route to Alaska, on New Year's Eve at the ARTery. Tickets are on sale now through YEGlive, and if you're interested, which...well...let's not play around here, I know you are, I would get them ASAP. The ARTery is a very small venue, and I can see these bands being crazy fun to ring in the new year with! (I'm not so bad either).
Monday, October 17, 2011
Break in the Road
Look what I just found on Facebook and since I couldn't figure out how to "Share" to this blog...I just decided to ...share...on this blog!
As far as I can tell it'll be a mix of different artists showcasing some skills. Skills which I'm not completely 100% on...However I can gurarantee "Michael Rault DJ" will be there! As should you!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Featuring: Said the Whale, Pearl Jam, and the Wet Secrets
First and foremost, I just want you to know that the title of this post is NOT one show (but wouldn't that have been cool...and yet...the strangest thing ever?).
Wednesday night was supposed to be my only concert this week, part of the trying-to-cut-back plan. You'll find out in a minute how that plan went spiraling out of control over the following few days.
Anyway, Wednesday night came, and with it the early show featuring Said the Whale and guests, Sarah Lowe and Rah Rah. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to see Sarah Lowe at all, but was able to catch the last few Rah Rah songs. This band out of Regina (seems like a great surge of talent coming out of this Saskatchewan city lately) were great, considering I had no idea what I should have been expected. They were more danceable than StW, and came with their own inflatable silver balloons that circulated throughout the outstretched hands of the crowd. There were quite a few of them on stage, and hopefully they'll one day make their way back through the city, so I have a proper chance to see their full set.
Wednesday night was supposed to be my only concert this week, part of the trying-to-cut-back plan. You'll find out in a minute how that plan went spiraling out of control over the following few days.
Anyway, Wednesday night came, and with it the early show featuring Said the Whale and guests, Sarah Lowe and Rah Rah. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to see Sarah Lowe at all, but was able to catch the last few Rah Rah songs. This band out of Regina (seems like a great surge of talent coming out of this Saskatchewan city lately) were great, considering I had no idea what I should have been expected. They were more danceable than StW, and came with their own inflatable silver balloons that circulated throughout the outstretched hands of the crowd. There were quite a few of them on stage, and hopefully they'll one day make their way back through the city, so I have a proper chance to see their full set.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Jam packed.
Since Thursday my musical needs have been overflowing, which is not something that gets to happen often in this city.
Starting off on Thursday I "FINALLY" got to see Scenic Route to Alaska. You're probably thinking..."Gurl. You crazy, you saw them last week at Wunderbar!" How right you kinds folks are for remembering! But since these three fellas are so hardworking (yet their 3-track EP isn't enough to satisfy my yearning...) I was able to see them playing at The Works Art Festival in Churchill Square (for free, no less!)(Get it?...No...less...?). It was a great set for the band, that lasted about 45 minutes; they played their EP songs first and continued one with some "fan favourites" such as Homestretch. Homestretch is a great grab-your-significant-other-for-a-slow-dance song. Lead vocalist Trevor Mann uses
Starting off on Thursday I "FINALLY" got to see Scenic Route to Alaska. You're probably thinking..."Gurl. You crazy, you saw them last week at Wunderbar!" How right you kinds folks are for remembering! But since these three fellas are so hardworking (yet their 3-track EP isn't enough to satisfy my yearning...) I was able to see them playing at The Works Art Festival in Churchill Square (for free, no less!)(Get it?...No...less...?). It was a great set for the band, that lasted about 45 minutes; they played their EP songs first and continued one with some "fan favourites" such as Homestretch. Homestretch is a great grab-your-significant-other-for-a-slow-dance song. Lead vocalist Trevor Mann uses
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Things We Do
Opened with artist Mat Savard, who reminded me of a one-man Dirty Heads-esque band. One of the things that made me remember him the most was his forward personality and the facial expressions he made while he sang.
Just before the Collective West made their ..."official" appearance (Erin Faught, lead female vocalist, was working the door, stamping away and taking tix, while the rest of the band was hanging around, mingling, and cheering on the opening acts), the band was able to have another good friend of theirs, Jeff Morris, play a set. Collective West has previously opened for the sweet, slow and intelligent singer-songwriter. The folk singer has crafted his songs and voice to what seems like a "T". I really don't like reading about comparisons of artists, since each artist is unique, by leaps and bounds. However, I'm about to shame myself by comparing Morris' songs to the slower songs by Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (who, if you've read previous blogs, you'll know as one of my true loves). It's not really because their voices sound similar, but more so because they're both fellas (obviously) who know how to make hearts swell with emotion*, and no doubt put the effort into each of their verses, choruses and bridges.
*Even though Morris is more of a heart-achey feeling, and MBF is more of a falling-in-love feeling.
And without much wait up came The Collective West. Now you know how I've been talking (and talking, and talking...) about these people for quite. To be honest, I was more worreid about hearing their new album (since this was their debut album release show). I had only ever heard the band on live recordings on Youtube. But, to jump ahead a bit, once I listened to the first song on the album I knew that I'd definitely struck gold in the West. It was really refreshing to hear a band that needed no extras or fillers in their musics or with honing their "sound".
It was a totally different kind of show than I've ever been to before. Really, it felt more like sitting in on a live impromptu band practice. The crowd seemed like they were mostly friends/family of band members, and every one felt completely comfortable, which made the music sound that much sweeter for some reason; it was a very laid back show, with heaps of banter between the audience and band. It's easy to see that the members are all friends behind-the-scenes too. They connect so well with each other DURING songs, and often commicate with eye contact and glances during their set.
To me, one of the best things about the Collective West is that they don't use completely "traditional instruments" i.e one set of drums, one/two electric guitars, or one acoustic and one bass. Erin Faught, female vocalist, switches between an acoustic guitar, and the nicest looking banjo I've ever seen. Lead male vocalist, Alex Klassen (formerly known as Alexander Chemist) plays electric guitar and tends to tape a tambourine to his foot (yeah, you definitely read that right). And according to the bands Facebook page, the remaining (yet I really don't like to use that word since they contribute so so much to the sound of the band) two members play just as hard on their "Bass/Eggshaker/Fisher Price Xylophone...", which is played by mustachioed Alex Charleton, and the "Guitar/Cajón/Glockenspiel/Dulcimer/.../Kazoo/Bells/Vocals..." played by the EXTREMELY talented and fully-demin-outfitted, Dave Sustrik.
The set included most, if not all (I did lose count due to lost-in-awe brain) songs from their new album, "Things We Do". Not only did they play orginals but they also included three great covers: I Want You Back - The Jackson 5, Gold Digga - Kanye West, and Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins. That last one was voted into place on their Facebook page! It was great to see a band who can do a cover, but do it well. Performing a cover is not only about making the original proud, but also bringing something of your own to the music! And brought it, they sure did. Erin Faught's vocals on Gold Digga (during the Jamie Foxx part), was actually one of the best acapella vocals I've ever heard.
To sum up a great musical night, the band in no possible way dissapointed, and somehow even made themselves better with their excellent, intimate live show!
Interested in some extra reading, boys and girls? Look no further than my views on the ARTery. It's located on Jasper Ave, just east of the Shaw Conference Centre. If it's ever your first time going there, please, do yourself a favour and memorize the GoogleMap of it first. Trust me, I know this city, and I knew the address, yet it still took me at least 15 minutes of driving around the area to find the "hole-in-the-wall" venue. It actually was reaching the point of frustration when it was spotted. However, another problem soon arose: how do we get in the building? The front door was locked, with a cage/grate over the door. No signs were posted anywhere and, wince the ARTery is part of a bigger building, we went next door to a convienitet stoore to invetigate. That wasn't any help since the store clerk had no clue what I was trying to ask. We decided to go on a short adventure (in one of the sketchier areas of the city), and found out way in finally through a door in the back alley. Once getting inside my frustrating and near anger was cured. The ARTery is such a great location for any band or concert-goer wanting an intimate show. It doesn't fit many people, I'd say 100 or less? However it was perfect for the local artists and folk music that we had gone to see. The stage isn't very big, just enough to fit four members of the Collective West, but also extends on the left hand side if it's needed (this time that part was just used as extra seating). There's also quite a few tables, a set of stairs and a couch where the audience can sit (even though a lot of them ended up sitting on the floor close to the stage...like I said, it was like being with a bunch of friends!). I hope that more bands plan on having shows so that many more people are able to discover the magic of the ARTery like I was!
Just before the Collective West made their ..."official" appearance (Erin Faught, lead female vocalist, was working the door, stamping away and taking tix, while the rest of the band was hanging around, mingling, and cheering on the opening acts), the band was able to have another good friend of theirs, Jeff Morris, play a set. Collective West has previously opened for the sweet, slow and intelligent singer-songwriter. The folk singer has crafted his songs and voice to what seems like a "T". I really don't like reading about comparisons of artists, since each artist is unique, by leaps and bounds. However, I'm about to shame myself by comparing Morris' songs to the slower songs by Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (who, if you've read previous blogs, you'll know as one of my true loves). It's not really because their voices sound similar, but more so because they're both fellas (obviously) who know how to make hearts swell with emotion*, and no doubt put the effort into each of their verses, choruses and bridges.
*Even though Morris is more of a heart-achey feeling, and MBF is more of a falling-in-love feeling.
And without much wait up came The Collective West. Now you know how I've been talking (and talking, and talking...) about these people for quite. To be honest, I was more worreid about hearing their new album (since this was their debut album release show). I had only ever heard the band on live recordings on Youtube. But, to jump ahead a bit, once I listened to the first song on the album I knew that I'd definitely struck gold in the West. It was really refreshing to hear a band that needed no extras or fillers in their musics or with honing their "sound".
It was a totally different kind of show than I've ever been to before. Really, it felt more like sitting in on a live impromptu band practice. The crowd seemed like they were mostly friends/family of band members, and every one felt completely comfortable, which made the music sound that much sweeter for some reason; it was a very laid back show, with heaps of banter between the audience and band. It's easy to see that the members are all friends behind-the-scenes too. They connect so well with each other DURING songs, and often commicate with eye contact and glances during their set.
To me, one of the best things about the Collective West is that they don't use completely "traditional instruments" i.e one set of drums, one/two electric guitars, or one acoustic and one bass. Erin Faught, female vocalist, switches between an acoustic guitar, and the nicest looking banjo I've ever seen. Lead male vocalist, Alex Klassen (formerly known as Alexander Chemist) plays electric guitar and tends to tape a tambourine to his foot (yeah, you definitely read that right). And according to the bands Facebook page, the remaining (yet I really don't like to use that word since they contribute so so much to the sound of the band) two members play just as hard on their "Bass/Eggshaker/Fisher Price Xylophone...", which is played by mustachioed Alex Charleton, and the "Guitar/Cajón/Glockenspiel/Dulcimer/.../Kazoo/Bells/Vocals..." played by the EXTREMELY talented and fully-demin-outfitted, Dave Sustrik.
The set included most, if not all (I did lose count due to lost-in-awe brain) songs from their new album, "Things We Do". Not only did they play orginals but they also included three great covers: I Want You Back - The Jackson 5, Gold Digga - Kanye West, and Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins. That last one was voted into place on their Facebook page! It was great to see a band who can do a cover, but do it well. Performing a cover is not only about making the original proud, but also bringing something of your own to the music! And brought it, they sure did. Erin Faught's vocals on Gold Digga (during the Jamie Foxx part), was actually one of the best acapella vocals I've ever heard.
To sum up a great musical night, the band in no possible way dissapointed, and somehow even made themselves better with their excellent, intimate live show!
Interested in some extra reading, boys and girls? Look no further than my views on the ARTery. It's located on Jasper Ave, just east of the Shaw Conference Centre. If it's ever your first time going there, please, do yourself a favour and memorize the GoogleMap of it first. Trust me, I know this city, and I knew the address, yet it still took me at least 15 minutes of driving around the area to find the "hole-in-the-wall" venue. It actually was reaching the point of frustration when it was spotted. However, another problem soon arose: how do we get in the building? The front door was locked, with a cage/grate over the door. No signs were posted anywhere and, wince the ARTery is part of a bigger building, we went next door to a convienitet stoore to invetigate. That wasn't any help since the store clerk had no clue what I was trying to ask. We decided to go on a short adventure (in one of the sketchier areas of the city), and found out way in finally through a door in the back alley. Once getting inside my frustrating and near anger was cured. The ARTery is such a great location for any band or concert-goer wanting an intimate show. It doesn't fit many people, I'd say 100 or less? However it was perfect for the local artists and folk music that we had gone to see. The stage isn't very big, just enough to fit four members of the Collective West, but also extends on the left hand side if it's needed (this time that part was just used as extra seating). There's also quite a few tables, a set of stairs and a couch where the audience can sit (even though a lot of them ended up sitting on the floor close to the stage...like I said, it was like being with a bunch of friends!). I hope that more bands plan on having shows so that many more people are able to discover the magic of the ARTery like I was!
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