Kris Ellestad, seen here performing during June’s Sled Island festival, will be joining Lucid 44 and Mark David Stewart for a night of murder ballads at Broken City on Thursday, July 31
Raise your hand if you went to a music festival in June. Now, imagine good old Dane high-fiving that hand enthusiastically, and take a moment to feel good about yourself. If you were out at Virgin Festival, the Calgary Jazz Festival or Sled Island last month, you saw and supported a bouquet of local talent. For the rest of you, July’s your chance to make up for lost time.
The latest instalment in Kenn Bell’s unpredictable Future Alberta Rock Movement (F.A.R.M.) series features dreamy, complex indie-pop band Axis of Conversation, along with the cottony-light rock of Michael Bernard Fitzgerald and the electrified drama of The Grim Beat. It all goes down on Thursday, July 10 at The Marquee Room. A little short notice, I know, but any F.A.R.M. show is worthwhile, if only just to see what the crowd will look like.
If you’re feeling at all resentful or annoyed at the surge of party-hungry cowboys roaming the city, get all your frustrations out with a healthy fist-pumping at “Fuck the Stampede,” Friday, July 11, at Broken City, with the hooky garage rock of The Pine Tarts. The party will also feature punk rock pals The Hazard Lights, The Sublinguals and The Brenda Vaqueros.
After this party, feel free to break out the hammock, but try not to get too laid back, otherwise the Sad Bastard Tribune on Thursday, July 17 at The Marquee Room might seem too sombre to attend. Given the awesome lineup, that would be mistake. The Collapse, The Heavy Pets, Raccoon, Kris Ellestad and more will play some of their saddest songs for a night that might just be the hangover cure you’re looking for. Proceeds will benefit Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre.
For some equally relaxed (but less depressing) vibes, check out Heather Blush at the Ironwood on Friday, July 18. She’ll be releasing an album of her jazzy, Norah Jones-inspired songs, Vice, at the show. Sure, a CD release is just begging to get rowdy, but given the intimate nature of the Ironwood venue and the sincerity of Blush’s warm vocals, it’ll feel more like a patio party than a kegger.
Rounding out the Steve McQueen of months is the 23rd installment of RAMP at Broken City, a series of performances that run the gamut of experimentation and creativity. This time, it features the grunge and roots amalgam of Lucid 44, our old pal Kris Ellestad, and local mainstay Mark David Stewart performing their best murder ballads. Lucid 44 will be turning up the heat by releasing a CD at this very same show. Considering they’re one of Calgary’s best-kept secrets, this event is not to be missed.
Finally, local indie champions Azeda Booth will release their long-awaited full-length album on July 22, and beads of sweat are dripping from the brows of the young from anticipation. Titled In Flesh Tones, the album is so lush and intricately layered that their only previous release, the Mysterious Body EP from last year, looks like a mere trickle in a now-surging river of clicks and beeps, free-floating vocals and swelling guitar ambience. Watch for a happening release party this month.
