Weird-pop mastermind headlines the week in Calgary music
By now we’re sure you’ve heard plenty about the Flaming Lips’s upcoming Calgary performance. But while the promise of Wayne Coyne bouncing around in a life-sized plastic bubble has plenty of appeal the night’s best moments might come courtesy of Ariel Pink . Although he’s most frequently associated with all things lo-fi that’s never been a fair tag: Beneath the tape hiss Pink is a rare artist who can weave decade-spanning eras of pop into five-minute slabs of awesome sounding reassuringly familiar yet astoundingly creative in the process. We’re not quite sure how he pulls it off but head to MacEwan Hall on Thursday September 23 for answers.
Next head to the unlikely environs of Dickens Pub on Friday September 24 for the understated alt-country stylings of Oshawa Ont.’s Cuff the Duke . Long the champions of reserved buttoned-down alt-country — and longtime Blue Rodeo favourites with Greg Keelor producing plenty of its material — the band’s latest effort Way Down Here added enough psychedelic and classic rock to keep things interesting. Request “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” if only to piss ’em off (just kidding).
Then if Vancouver laptop-pop songsmith Bradley isn’t enough to get you out to MacEwan Hall (again) on September 25 perhaps Fond of Tigers violinist Jesse Zubot is. (Correction: Bradley plays at the University of Calgary on Friday. He plays at the Palomino on Saturday) Indeed both have collaborated plenty in the past but it’ll be a rare opportunity to catch two of Drip Audio’s most talented artists perform together with each promising an improvisational gong-show. Before heading out the door check ffwdweekly.com for an interview with both musicians.
Or if you’d like to stay up all night head to the Sky Bar to catch the opposite end of the electronic spectrum with Horse Meat Disco also on September 25. One of the cornerstones of London’s underground electronic scene this will be the legendary troupe’s first appearance in Calgary — and the chance to catch it might not come around again soon.
Finally Halifax electro-pop energizer Rich Aucoin brings his near-legendary all-inclusive dance party to the Republik where he’ll be performing with Newfoundland collective Hey Rosetta! and Hot Hot Heat. Aucoin just might steal the spotlight — as he did at NXNE and the Evolve festival earlier this year — as his revamped live show has 3-D elements (he’s providing the blue-and-red-tinted glasses) a huge step up from his since-departed Grinch -themed performances. His most recent EP Public Publication might be one of the year’s most ambitious releases with Aucoin pulling Polyphonic Spree moves collecting 500 musicians across Canada to perform on its four tracks. Oh and his music? He has a song called “Brian Wilson is A.L.I.V.E.” That’s all you need to know.
