Archivists Duncan Kenworthy (with Corey Hart) and Danny Vescarelli (with Tiffany) root for treasure at Melodiya Records
Woodpigeon, The Brenda Vaqueros, The Neighbourhood Council and a cool new post-rock band called Mid Atlantic are all playing on Thursday, February 7 at Broken City’s monthly RAMP event. WP and The BVs share a pianist and a drummer, and at this show they’re collaborating on “film soundtracks.” Should be interesting.
On Monday, February 11, peppy power-pop trio The FunFuns are playing a free show at Broken City. Along with their Pizza Records label-mates Thee Thems, The Ostrich and Hazard Lights, these fine folks are serving the scene some much-needed freshness. Visit myspace.com/pizzarecs for more.
In other free show news, energetic Afro-rock quartet Fox Opera are bringing their teenage kicks to The Marquee Room on Wednesday, February 13. On Friday, February 21, The Consonant C are also popping by The Marquee Room to provide the soundtrack for a silent film.
Secret Broadcast are celebrating two years as a band by offering a free download of their Plastic Fantastic EP at myspace.com/secretbroadcast. The three-piece are then opening for the very Euro-sounding Mumiy Troll on February 15 at MacEwan Hall.
Since 2003, The Lions have been kicking out the jams classic-rock style. After a hiatus, they’re back in action and set to release their new CD, Sounds Familiar, on Friday, February 22. They’ll be playing at The Palomino, supported by Illicit Business, Telly and Frankie McQueen. Visit myspace.com/thelionsrockband.
For the second edition of their Concert Archive Series, Melodiya Records and Secret Sideshow Productions are presenting an all-ages event on Saturday, February 16 at EMMEDIA. This time, the bill is filled by spastic tech-rockers Lint, Edmonton mosh-pit inciters Desiderata, embryonic up-and-comers Prussia and the ever-mysterious Jason Philip Wierzba. Just like their first show last September with The Pants Situation, SIDS, The Draft Dodgers and Bayonets, this month’s event will be filmed, edited and released as a DVD (the first of which is still available at Melodiya). I discussed this and more with Archive Series head honchos Danny Vescarelli and Duncan Kenworthy.
"There are so many bands in Calgary right now, and so many good ones, but it comes down to just finding one band every show that really excites us," explains Vescarelli, Melodiya employee and a member of The Consonant C. "For February, that's Lint. But we base it on people, not just who are in good bands, but also those who support independent record stores."
Besides the diverse lineup, another reason to catch the show is that EMMEDIA will not exist in its current location for much longer. Due to the city’s ever-increasing need for downtown real estate, the beloved building and venue at 351 11 Ave. S.W. is set to be bulldozed by the end of the year.
"Because of the expansion of Calgary, they're selling off a lot of these small buildings that are slightly older and not making enough money," says Kenworthy, co-founder, filmer and editor of Secret Sideshow. "They're searching for another location, though, that can provide them with what they need, and hopefully continue hosting shows."
"The venue is secondary to the show, though, and one of the original plans was to have a different venue every time," adds Vescarelli. "As long as there are enthusiastic people in Calgary's music community and music that we get excited about, this seems like something that we're going to continue to do.
"I'm happy to execute these shows with the elusive Ben Faulkner (owner of Melodiya)," he continues, "but they wouldn't happen without the bands, sound guys, filmers, editors and other people who are willing to help out."
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