| In late October, a swack of new releases from Calgary artists were profiled in Streetsounds. Well, 2003 is right around the corner and so are even more new local releases. This has been an amazing year for our musicians and, by the looks of it, 2003 should be an absolutely stellar year as well.
Dead set on trying to enhance Calgary’s hip-hop scene is the local duo Dragon Fli Empire, who just released their debut album, Conquest (Fas Crew/ Urban Farmers Music). The album is loaded with positive messages – what the duo calls "intelligent rhymes over jazzy, bombastic, head-nod-inspiring instrumentals." Conquest is a promising debut and features collaborations with members of the Hi-Phonics, Endangered Species and Fas. You can listen to DJ Cosm, half of Dragon Fli Empire, every Sunday afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m. on CJSW. Find Dragon Fli Empire on the Web at dfempire.net.
Two compilations due out before the end of this year come from local labels Meter Records and Core-Upt Records. Meter has already released the perfectly titled For You From the Underground (Volume One) to celebrate the label’s four-year history. Priced at or below five clams, label head Dean Rudd says this puppy is designed to find itself in as many hands as possible.
"The idea behind this sampler was for it to be everywhere. For kids to take a chance on some new bands that they may not have heard before with the hope that they will find a new favourite or two."
The comp features The Failure, Jeffrey Caissie (acoustic and at his all-time best), Darryl’s Grocery Bag and more. Note: MuchMusic’s George Stroumboulopoulos actually called Rudd to congratulate him on the compilation because he loved it so much. For more information check meterrecords.com.
After overcoming a couple of technical difficulties, Core-Upt Records’ third ever compilation, Rock N Roll 101, is on record store shelves in time for Christmas. Brace yourself for this all-star lineup: The Everymen, 5 Spot, My Superhero, Second Floor Daycare, The Buzzing Bees, The Luddytes, Joule, Aftrtaste, Angry Agency, Midpoint and Donnybrooke (all with unreleased songs). Also appearing on the comp are The Planet Smashers, Subb, Nicotine, District 7, Mico, The Line and The Neckers. For more information check core-uptrecords.com.
Speaking of punk, FiJ recently released Tales From the SouthEast Side, a pop-slash-melodic-skate-punk effort with bright melodies and energetic fervour sure to win the heart of any music lover. To hear it for yourself, head to their Web site at chaseit.ca/fij.
The much anticipated CD from Midpoint (midpointsucks.com), tentatively titled Shut-up, That’s Why (Second Best Records), is scheduled to be released in early 2003. They sound like they’ll be due for a long, tropical vacation upon the completion of the project.
"We hope it sounds like hard work with lots of emotion because that is what we put into it," says one Midpoint spokesperson. "The guitars had to be re-done twice and the Mesa amp we used has been in more locations for recording than we can count. It is has been a lot of work and a lot of frustration, but it will be worth it."
Also slated for a release in January is Aftrtaste’s debut full-length album, The Long Road Ahead (Tasteless Records). The young band says their new batch of songs reflect the troubles of every young adult who is pressured to grow up. The Long Road Ahead was recorded at Echo Base Studios with Casey Lewis. Check out the band’s Web site at aftrtaste.com.
What does it sound like when reggae meets folk-rock? Parker’s Lime and their debut album Welcome to the FairyTale. Expect acoustic guitar, plenty of djembe, funky sounds and Ibo (of Strugglah) on the album, which will be released in early 2003. According to the group, "If you like girls who play instruments and a drummer boy called Benny, then we’re a good band to watch out for, especially live." In the meantime, check them out at parkerslime.com.
Phasers and light sabres, oh my! One kid to keep your ears and eyes peeled for is 16-year-old Neil Todd, who raps under the pseudonym NerdX (nerdx.tk). This guy is running a frickin’ brilliant show and he’s still in high school. Check out his latest album, Thug Life Diaries Vol 1: A Time For Thugs To Cry, and listen to the very first wave of nerdcore – what Todd calls "an intense, emotional thrill ride through the trials and tribulations of a nerd thug." His follow-up album is expected in 2003.
Whew! And that’s the news from the local front. If you’re a part of a local band that is about to release a new album, tell us about yourself. Send Streetsounds a press kit (c/o Fast Forward) and your name could be here in the upcoming months. |
