by Amber Goodwyn
Wondering what the year ahead has in store for local(ish) music? An encouraging development that bodes well for 2014 is Prairie Shag, a new blog started by Library Voices’ Carl Johnson documenting “Regina’s music underbelly”. To kick things off proper, Prairie Shag crafted a cassette tape compilation of local underground music (seasoned with a pinch of Saskatoon) that can be purchased (or digitally downloaded) over at prairieshag.tumblr.com. Keep your eyes peeled for release shows in both cities early in the new year.
WHISPERS, MURMURS & UNFOUNDED RUMOURS
Saskatoon’s excellent stoner/doom/psych band Shooting Guns’ label, Pre-Rock Records, will release a comp in 2014. House of Burners will feature psychedelic music from all across Canada. Saskatoon bands Powder Blue, Lavagoat, Shooting Guns, Rehashed and The Switching Yard will be included along with Regina’s Black Thunder. Hoo-ah!
Lots o’ bands ’round these parts are set to release albums and EPs in the New Year, including Library Voices, Andy Shauf, The Florals, The Royal Red Brigade, These Estates and The Peanut Butter Genocide. In terms of live shows, keep an eye out for new bands and happenings like The Weird Years (synthy strangeness), the Mike Thieven Project and the return of Toboggan Island (possibly under a different name). I might add that yours truly’s secret band will come to light sometime before or after I give birth in June.
I PREDICT THERE WILL BE SHOWS
Three (public, indie music-ish) holiday parties are gonna shake down at the end of the month: on Friday 27, Band Swap III will come to The Exchange, so wear your new Xmas socks to check out performances by seven cover bands composed of five musicians each. Proceeds go to support the Carmichael Outreach Centre.
On Saturday Dec. 28, check out the 13th Ave. Records Rendezvous with a whole schwack of bands including Belle Plaine, Lazy MKs, Lonesome Weekends, Slim City Pickers, the Pile of Bones Brass Band, Brass Buttons, Snake River and more at Artesian, with an after-party at the German Club featuring Piper & the Gates of Dawn.
Elsewhere that night (okay, the Exchange and SCES Club) the Harvest King Records Xmas Party will be causing hangovers with bands Black Thunder, Invasion, Royal Red Brigade, Kleins96, the Jump Off, Failed States, White Women, Bats Out and Birch Hills.
In my ears: Bjork’s Vespertine (so wintery)
Check in: ag@prairiedogmag.com
