In the final episode of the podcast, CKUA's very own Tony King tells the jazzy, Capital City soaked tale of MacEwan musical alumni Paul Richey and his band, the Fusionauts. It's hard to accurately describe their un-paralleled fusion of worldly sounds jazz. That's why we brought in the eloquent Mr. King. Allow him to properly inform you on this group of unique and talented Edmontonians, and take in "Lands of Night" off of their 2013 self-titled album while you're at it.
How do you make music that's both a "tip in the hat" to the rock 'n roll of the sixties, yet still fresh enough to stand out amongst today's clamouring indie throngs? The Velveteins know, it seems, at least according to Alberta Music Executive Director Chris Wynters. Take his word for it.
"XOXY" from the Edmonton psych-rockers' 2014 release Fresh Claws is the title track for this week's Capital City Records podcast.
It was a heavy Alberta snowstorm that first led Steve Derpack to Edmonton indie-pop quartet, Nature Of. Without that storm, and a savvy Mercury Room sound-tech, Derpack might never have booked the band he’s been a fan of ever since. Hear the story in this week’s Capital City Records Podcast.
Steve Derpack is a co-founder of the Edmonton Music Awards, Executive Director with the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta and the owner of JCL Productions.
Michael B. MacDonald, author, ethnomusicologist and assistant professor of music at MacEwan University, has known Tyler Butler for a long time. When asked to describe Tyler's music though, MacDonald still finds himself struggling to find proper words to justify the talent of the local folk musician. Tyler Butler's music gives you a feeling, MacDonald says, that reminds you what's "special about living in Edmonton."
"Anybody that's been away from Alberta and comes back, they know that emotional connection they have to western Canada, to the prairies. Tyler captures that and that's what's so special to me."
The Col du Tourmalet is the highest paved mountain pass in the Pyrénées mountain range. It's challenged Tour de France riders for over 100 years and, not coincidentally, lends its name to a track from local rock outfit Electricity for Everybody's latest album, Local Technique.
David Shepherd, Edmonton Centre MLA and avid cyclist, picked "Tourmalet", the album's title track, as his Song of the Week. The band's "catchy, big pop melodies" help fuel Shepherd's own cycling adventures, so why not join him in saying "farewell to summer" (okay, you might have already done that) and get motivated with "Tourmalet" by Electricity for Everybody.
Ever since the Edmonton electro-indie outfit Shout Out Out Out Out invited Edmonton Ward 6 Councillor Scott McKeen on stage at the Legislature grounds, the fervent local music supporter has kept a soft spot in his ears for the group. He especially likes this track, "Now That I've Given Up Hope, I Feel Much Better", the title of which relates to his main Councillor initiative, mental health. McKeen speaks to that, as well as the loss of the band's creative space in the city's maligned Graphic Arts building in this episode of the Capital City Records podcast.
Way back in July, the CKUA crew met with Corb Lund in his trailer before his Calgary Folk Fest Sunday night show and recorded what was technically the very first Capital City Records podcast pick. The recording was then buried beneath a pile of Folk Fest performance, concert and interview recordings before finally being unearthed to become the tenth Capital City Records Song of the Week. Here it is, Corb Lund on Choir Marching Band's "So Duh Pop Song".
CKUA morning announcer Grant Stovel was feeling worldly when selecting this Song of the Week. Here it is, "A Bellavista" by the Marco Claveria Project, a tune that gets lodged in Grant's head "for weeks at a time."
“Talking, laughing, crashing waves” - find out what it is about the album north of fifty-four by Sirch. that catches Mid-Morning Mojo announcer Baba’s interest.
This week's Capital City Records host - CKUA's very own morning announcer Grant Stovel. Giving Grant a musical database the size of Capital City Records and telling him to pick out just one song is no easy task, but he did it. Here he is presenting "Eliminate the Toxins" from Mark Davis' new album of the same name.
The way CTV Edmonton meteorologist and retired rapper Josh Classen hears it, KazMega & Baggylean's 2014 release Grillios has it all - social commentary, love songs and "straight up battle rap braggadocio". According to Classen, Grillios' fifth track captures a "certain feeling" felt by hip-hop fans in the early nineties, and it's his pick for the Capital City Records Song of the Week. Transport yourself back in time with "Never Outdated".
In this week's edition of the Capital City Records podcast, Michelle Langevin, scheduling manager at YEG Music, presents "Anchor Tattoo" by folk troubadour Rebecca Lappa. According to Langevin, Rebecca Lappa is "the definition of modern folk." Hear it for yourself, right now.
Local piano teacher and social advocate Sarah Chan chose "Bulgogi Pizza" to be her Capital City Records Song of the Week.
It's a legendary Edmonton treat with a special place in the hearts and stomachs of those whose late-night hunger pangs have driven them beyond the bright lights of Whyte Avenue's donair mile. It's Steel Wheels Rock 'n Roll Pizzeria's most famous slice, and it's the namesake inspiration for the fourth track on Doug Hoyer's 2013 LP To Be A River.
Hear Chan's take on the "bubbles", "lasers" and "cheeky-ness" of Hoyer's memorably named track in this edition of the Capital City Records Song of the Week.
Find out, in his own words, why Edmonton Folk Festival Producer Terry Wickham trusts Edmonton Reggae outfit Souljah Fyah to bring down the house at the Folk Fest's famous after-parties. They're a band "so popular they've been voted Canada's best reggae band. Twice."
The 2nd Capital City Records Song of the Week - "The Good Lord's Concrete Weighs" by I Am Machi, as chosen by Kris Harvey, operating partner at The Chvrch of John. Hear it in Kris' words how I Am Machi's sound defies their two-piece makeup and embodies what it means to be an Edmontonian.
This week on the Capital City Records Song of the Week podcast, Edmonton Journal music writer Sandra Sperounes recommends a tune by Edmonton's own Counterfeit Jeans. "For me the best songs leave you wanting more," says Sandra, "and this is definitely one of them".