The neon paint on these basement walls reads: “Great Friday” – a banner flown both in celebration and sad farewell to the musical 1636 house in Calgary’s Kensington village. With the winter melt already upon the household’s members and an expiring lease agreement, the ashes were about to burn, drop and scatter bringing to a close a creative and memorable chapter in the city’s new roots surge. It was within the walls of 1636 and in other proximity residences (Gladstone, Haushom) where whimsical projects and performances were taking place on a nightly basis. It was, in essence, the beginning of some big growth and wayward sharing. The sheer multitude of projects formed was probably an unprecedented whammy on our municipality… especially since many were inside a reasonable stones throw.
Among others, sounds like the Haggard Beat, the Psychic Alliance and James Dangerous and the CIA were having memorable stints during the 1636 era. And on this particular evening, in-and-around 100 Easter partiers witnessed a triple header involving Evan Webb & the Poisonous Birds, the Ooei Oohs and Deadhorse. The numerous black lights revealed dental sets down in the dank and the post-war duct work took a percussive thrashing – it didn’t even matter much that we all were inhaling a dusty cloud of grey matter – the show was full throttle and anything was possible. This Deadhorse performance marked the in-between stage of a cross-Canada tour where they would officially partner the release of their vinyl LP with some quality friends and a house show.
It was Saturday and closing in on Christmas in Los Angeles. The streets were what you’d expect: traffic, sunshine and dust; radio interference and bursts of commotion among people rummaging together merchandise for the season. Inside Black Iris Studios sits Rachel Fannan, working to prepare a new composition to spell all of life’s meaningless noise. On this day, like many more ahead, hers is an unmistakable coyote call in the heart of Echo Park.
For Fannan, the past year has seen her add a new dimension to an already acclaimed young music career. Since ending her tenure as front woman in San Franciscan psych band, Sleepy Sun, she has not only developed a touring solo repertoire, but also an excellent all-girl group called Only You.
For the Let Me Sing You Love Songs session, Fannan duos with Brandon Intelligator of Slang Chickens and the West teams up with Michael Harris of Black Iris, located in the Bedrock LA multiplex (aka the Disneyland for musicians).
The Ramblers arrived on the first weekend of the 2011 Calgary Stampede; it was the same weekend Will & Kate lodged in the province and were also slated to appear in the Parade. Many Calgarians eagerly camped out the night before in order to secure their best vantage point or perfect photo op. However, it proved quite the disappointment when the Royal couple hurriedly scooted along the downtown thoroughfare in a covered sedan. Nonetheless, the Moonshine Ramblers would perform a set with the Bitterweed Draw in the heart of town that weekend and hand delivered the first country music performance during Stampede we could get behind since god knows when.
The following afternoon was spent on the banks of the Bearspaw Dam. We could have never made this video without our friends Mark Collins and Angela Wolfe – they did the work of six people by hiking into the brush to meet us with plenty of firewood, refreshments and smokies. At around 3:30 in the video you can see smoke from the fire and hear their baby Hudson saying something or other in the background. This session was, for us, a homecoming of sorts with Alex Hastie (seen on guitar) – it was, after all, one of his songs that became the very first Welcome to the West video. That song is called Heavy Drinkin’ Woman and it also appears on the Moonshiner’s debut, which we staunchly endorse.
It was one helluva greasy year for Deer Tick. They played Bonnaroo, Conan O’Brien and Letterman; they released their fourth album; and they visited Alberta for the first time. We were thrilled til pink-in-the-face to shoot a previously unreleased song during Sled Island and to rendezvous with them for a performance at Edmonton Folk Fest.
Arguably… wait, not even arguably – this was our favourite album for summer 2011. The Moonshine Ramblers cut back and forth through Alberta in and around Stampede time in July. It was probably the first time in quite some time ‘real’ country music stood its ground in Calgary’s core during the Stampede and it won’t be the last.
Technically, this was a 2010 record that really picked up steam when Sub Pop re-released it this year. We did one of our best early sessions with a then independent, the Head and the Heart who, one year later, would wow Calgary Folk Fest goers. The impromptu ‘Naked Session’ has hilariously became our most viewed video.
Sometimes after a long winter, you need a good, swift kick up the arse. It was the strength of Bob Sumner’s video concept that lifted us back into the game last March. The brothers from Vancouver were in town and had sought out our services along with local organ wizard, Brandon Smith. That massive piece of pneumatical mastery in our video is called the Kimball Organ – it can be found at the Cantos Foundation.
Although based in Victoria, BC, the Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra is deep rooted in Calgary and Alberta. They have a staunch following of good timers who have seen the band grow and evolve over the last half-decade. 2011 saw TMO take their biggest leap to date – a year where they snagged the attention of various folk festival brass and fans alike.
The sarcastic British punk trio who we forced between some parked cars and tossed a set of stolen guitars kept some astute company this year. Nursing Home was produced by Steve Albini who has also worked with Nirvana, the Pixies and Cheap Trick and consequently, the album received some solid reviews from Pitchfork, NME and the BBC.
Portland’s folk super group at the moment who is not the Decemberists, is AgesandAges and (with all due respect) we like it that way. They had us into their home a little over a year ago, and have a truly remarkable community of musicians, family, and friends in their ranks. Its no wonder they have seen such a great return from just one album – Alright You Restless and its uplifting harmonies can be found all over the web, including Paste Magazine and Daytrotter.
The Darcys LP has been steady in my daily rotation and after seeing the apocalyptic demise of Toronto in their new video, I do believe its time we Welcome them to the West again.
You can click the Wooden Sky link above an grab up the band’s new EP – we suggest you prepare yourselves, where ever you are, for their upcoming North American tour. They’ll be reloaded and playing everywhere from St. John’s to San Francisco.
The Deadhorse record included some of the most memorable songs from various West parties and house jams over the past couple of years. However, this is only the beginning for the band who are recording again with Jay Crocker in Halifax – there is a redesigned sound in tow for 2012.
No, I am not above (or for that matter, below) comparing the success of a well-deserved and highly improvised business vacation to a sweet, sumptuous desert. That’s whats going down here: Why? Because it just is. There are days during the winter months where I’ll start and finish my work day ingesting these inexpensive, twisty fried pastries with coffee to wash them down. Its not a particularly stable routine, but a livable routine nonetheless.
Because every Canadian terminal is buddied with a micro Tim Horton’s vendor, I felt it was at least of courtesy to offer to buy a couple of Crullers for the West boys prior to boarding our flight to Palm Springs. Although they unanimously declined, a little girl standing ahead of us in line appeared to be interestedly eavesdropping on our conversation. Feeling like he should include the nosey young un – and knowing that I had a handful of Canadian currency left to burn – Chad turned to the kid and said, “Hey! Do you want a Honey Cruller?”… She ran and hid behind the legs of her parents. Smart kid.
Coming from the North and landing in Palm Springs in December will sure throw you for a loop. They have an indoors/outdoors airport that makes for difficulty in deciphering between the natural temperature and an air-conditioned room; they have life-sized posters of middle-aged people enjoying swimming pools and fine dining; there were more dogs than I’ve ever seen in any airport and they were mostly matching Shih Tzu’s and best of all, a rental car costs $70.
With a silver Jetta in tow, we were mobile and headed over to the Ace Hotel where we anticipated some musical discovery. Blackstrap Molasses, the Henry Clay People, and Blac Jesus and the Experimentalists were to make up the triple-threat rock show, so after dinner we grabbed some drinks and swimming togs in preparation for the night ahead.
I had it worked out in advance with Blac Jesus singer, Runson Willis, that we would film a Welcome to the West session upon arriving in Palm Springs, however I had made the error in assuming that we should go the acoustic route. There were plenty of picturesque locations for a shoot, but the band’s sound begged for a full electric session – one that we could all worry about the following day. This night would be one to observe and socialize; one to soak up California’s abundant musical wisdom and have a couple of drinks.
This one girl we held a conversation with thought bunches over Canada’s music – especially Arcade Fire. It wasn’t enough that I conceded my appreciation for the Grammy-slaying Montreal troupe, as someone who had seen them live in concert she must’ve liked them more: “I cried!” she exclaimed. “I saw them… and I cried!”
In addition to Palm Springs, the Ace Hotel has branches in Seattle, Portland and New York. It’s lodgings are meant to appeal to artists, wayward thinkers, and if I was currently retired and/or independently wealthy, I would make it my goal to shack up there a couple of times a year. After a so-so night of rest – due in part to an on going and embarrassing problem with my duvet – we awoke early to prep for a big day of filming.
The first order of business was to hit up IHop and the second was to drive to Los Angeles to meet Rachel Fannan. I had followed her career for a handful of years since her days with San Francisco pysch-rock outfit, Sleepy Sun, and have always held her burgeoning talent in the highest esteem. When she parted ways with the band she co-fronted for three years, it left a lot of fans feeling uneasy to say the least. The West had a chance to work with Sleepy Sun on their first professional video since the split and wanted to offer the same opportunity to Fannan. She not only obliged – she gave us some first-class treatment and a song for the ages at Black Iris Studios.
Surely the rented Jetta made us mobile, but getting from A to B (and in cases like this: C) in LA is a hassle. We were lucky for some freed up studio space in the same complex and were able to schedule Deap Vally and Blac Jesus and the Experimentalists for later that evening.
We had never before conducted three full sessions all in one day. Yet there was just something special about how our cards were dealt to make things turn out the way they did. By the time we were finished in LA the next morning, the icing on the proverbial cake was our invitation back to the desert to meet Mark Olson of the Jayhawks and his wife, Ingunn Ringvold. The musical couple live on the outskirts of Joshua Tree in a little home brimming with character. They performed two sessions with us – one in their living room and the other amidst the cacti. We departed into the blazing red sunset, wanting more of our journey, and knowing that we’ll soon be back for more.
This Saturday night, there will be a uniquely quant show happening in south Calgary surrounding the debut release from Mike Tod & the Buffalo Lake Kid. We encourage people interested to coordinate car pools once they’ve finished a day of Christmas shopping at Market Collective and take in a folk music experience at one of Calgary’s oldest standing structures: St. Paul’s Fish Creek Church.
The church was built in 1885 and was modeled after the original in the parish of Calgary in Scotland. The first permanent minister was Rev. E. Smith, who served the growing congregation until 1888. Last summer, Tod hosted a feature performer night dedicated to the good Reverend and it was definitely a memorable show. Since the church only has the capacity for an audience of 60, you truly receive a level of intimacy like no other. Every floor board creak and performer’s breath can be sensed as patrons practically snuggle shoulder to shoulder – the precise feeling of an olden days evening mass on a cold prairie night.
Joining Tod for the release will be Reuben Bullock, who’s home was used for the recording of the EP. Scott Munro (Chad VanGaalen, Lab Coast) recorded the album using a 4-track tape recorder. It features 6 tracks in total, only 100 copies will be produced, some of which will be available for purchase for 10 dollars.
Since picking up my copy of the Blanche Album nearly one year ago, TMO has been a band high atop our list of artists to work with. And work with them we did. Although, the planning and preparation that went into these film projects was often at the mercy of heavy duty scheduling constraints on both our ends, and I often wonder what it would have been like with time on our side. It also might have been for the best; the frantic and off kilter nature of our TMO coverage is what makes this some of our most candid and energetic footage to date.
The promo video above was one I got to shoot alongside Chad and Jason Tweten at the South Country Fair. What was made apparent by the crowd’s exuberance was their remembrance of this Victoria, BC band from the previous year. I couldn’t help but notice that they came prepared. A stilled body in a crowd of thousands was scarce to spot – I can unapologetically say that on audience response alone, TMO are quite probably Canada’s most captivating live act. With traditionalist sensibilities, international/gypsy roots, alternating leads and instrumentation by way of violin, acoustic guitar, upright bass, accordion as well as multiple unique forms of percussion, TMO are certainly turning over a brand new stone in folk music.
Tomorrow, we cannot wait to share with you (and we hope you will share with others) a very special session we did with the Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra at Calgary’s historic, Uptown Theatre. The band was performing upstairs at the Marquee Room, and we more or less guided them off stage and into the lobby for a spontaneous concert. The Uptown has been instrumental in Calgary’s arts and film communities yet they are going through a dispute right now – it would be a huge loss should anything happen to this space, so lets stay on top of this.
One of our excursions across the Canadian Rockies last summer was ironically with Calgary surf babes, PeAks, who were touring and bound for Vancouver. The project had a glowing abundance of gourmet camp grub, Bowen Island beer and camera equipment, yet it lacked a specific purpose other than to spend some quality time with friends in the great outdoors and make some music. We rented a generator and for the first time, we would attempt to power a full electric rock band in the wilderness. The stakes were higher than they had ever been – especially when West director, Chad Tweten proclaimed at a band meeting: “…well, we’re gonna film something on this trip”.
With a couple of days to spare before hitting the coast, we set up our tents at Lac Le Jeune, which is nearby Kamloops, BC. Because Kamloops is situated in the rain shadow leeward of the Coast Mountains, much of the region’s terrain is desert-like. It wasn’t long before we were enamoured around the prospect of performing the shoot there. So away we went: two trucks, four band members, four crew members, amps, instruments, camera gear, generator and (thankfully) tarps.
The first location we would try was a disaster in disguise – a plot of cactus riddled farmland overlooking the Thompson River valley. After lugging everything for (what seemed to be) a half kilometre through the brush after scaling over a barbed wire fence, we hadn’t so much as plugged in the power bar when a torrential downpour washed over us. With so much tedious work seeming all for not, the eight of us clung onto the tarp, cursing ourselves and praying that the gear would not become water-logged. Now I know how ants must feel when you spray their nest with a garden hose. Luckily we escaped unscathed. In returning back to camp – albeit, tails between our legs – it was time for a new game plan.
After a well-warranted regroup, our second and third session locations would prove to be quite rewarding. Above is some rare, full colour footage of the band rehearsing in a forest meadow we stumbled upon – be ready for our full PeAks session which will be premiering soon on Welcome to the West.
Today is the end of the line for one of the most offensive and creatively deprived marketing ploys to ever grace Calgary billboards. “Upgrade Your Spouse” was a contest put forth by generic rock radio station, CJAY92 where contestants were encouraged to enter by filing their marital grievances on-air with winners receiving payment for their personal deficiencies. Longstanding CJAY morning host, Gerry Forbes rewarded one woman with a breast augmentation and a man with cash to put towards his divorce, among others during the contest’s month-long tenure.
In the height of the ‘Upgrade’ campaign, Calgary visual artist and West collaborator, Daniel J Kirk ventured upon a campaign of his own. He changed the Bridgeland and Kensington signs from ‘Upgrade’ to ‘Abuse’ for one day and then finally subbed out ‘Abuse’ for ‘Love’. Now, it is most imperative to note that Kirk did not vandalize these banners – they were merely altered for the sake of beautification. As a notably respected professional artist in the community, Kirk has found much of his success by way of massive youth group mural projects and the like; therefore, stooping to the level of petty mischief, which was suggested by the station’s PR hack-job, is a farce.
The construction of the signs was a simple process. Kirk carefully painted black and white lettering on vinyl and staples were used to fasten the piece to the billboard. There was no damage to public property. Once the media got wind of the transformation, a flash of coverage ensued that included Global Television (Below) and Gerry Forbes, himself.
Kirk’s telephone rang in the early hours one morning last week – it was Forbes looking to settle the hash on this issue and bring clarity to his radio station’s intent. He informed Kirk of his previous charitable contributions; he stressed that the ‘Upgrade’ campaign was misunderstood; and he was adament about its vision to help Calgarians improve themselves. Now, it is of some merit that CJAY’s advertising demographic is geared toward males and such a presentation might be worth a cheap laugh for the same breed fond of other low-brow mediums like Jerry Springer. But what does this statement say about Calgary as a whole? We are a young and stylish city, culturally on the rise. However, this is the statement made visible on virtually every billboard for us to digest on our work commute. And before this, it was cheap air brushings of some of the world’s greatest rock legends on the stomachs of faceless women. What do you fellas have for us next? By god, Kurt Cobain must be pissed.
Now all that aside for a second; Gerry Forbes and CJAY92 have done some profound charitable work in the past. His tear-jerking segments where the radio station takes care of everything for a family in need are incredibly thoughtful, and is a big reason why CJAY is the juggernaut it is today. Be assured, if it rocks, we’ll get behind it. Those heart-felt segments rocked – the last two campaigns were out of touch and, frankly, sucked. All money aside, these are our neighbourhoods; our children read this, and if you’re going to say something on a billboard, make it count.
This is not a marketing strategy – its just our reality. Lets create a dialogue and get the best for our public space. We would like to sit down for a beer and talk shop for one of your next campaigns, if you’ll have us.
