TransCanada Music West

This week on the TransCanada Music West podcast, we wrap the second season of the series with a hometown performance by Dave McCann and the Firehearts at The Geomatic Attic in Lethbridge. Dave McCann is originally from Ontario, but has made his home in Lethbridge for more than 10 years. His latest album, Circle of Light, is a gritty roots-rock gem produced by fellow Lethbian Leeroy Stagger. For this show, Dave was backed by Alberta music veterans Tim Leacock on bass, Tim Williams on drums, and Dave Bauer on guitar. Wooden Wings Beautiful Road Shine My Light Fireheart Lend Myself to Love Broken Bugs Unfamiliar Ground Circle of Light Standing in the River Road to Cain Headlights and Halos Can’t Have it All

This week on TransCanada Music West, we feature some of our favourite live performances from the second season of the series. We've taken you to the Calgary Folk Festival with Jr. Gone Wild, Breakout West in Victoria with the likes of Rococode and Fish & Bird, and delivered unforgettable sets from JUNO Award winners Alex Cuba and Jay Malinowski. We'll sample great songs from those performances, along with live tracks from Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra, The Hearts, Rosie and the Riveters and more. Setlist: Jr. Gone Wild - I Don't Know About All That Ben Rogers - Live at Block Heater The Hearts - Magpie Alex Cuba - Half a Chance Rosie and the Riveters - A Million Little Things Rococode - Panic Attack A.M Static - Delilah Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra - Wolfe et Montcalme Fish and Bird - Rivers Faith Healer - Fools Rush In Sarah McDougall - Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Lose Jay Malinowski and the Deadcoast - Donzoko Blues Weird Party - Tahiti

This week on TransCanada Music West, we bring you R&B funk, soul and blues styling of pan-Alberta outfit, Boogie Patrol, live in CKUA's performance space. Boogie Patrol have performed hundreds of gigs since forming nearly a decade ago back in Edmonton. They’ve headlined festivals including the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival, North Country Fair, Pembina River Nights, and the Beaumont Blues Fest to name just a few. These are some very, very intense musicians that love to perform live, and this week you'll get a taste of the chemistry they've been bringing to live shows in this province since 2007. This set features Yuji Ihara on guitar, Nigel Gale on bass, Chad Holtzman on guitar and vocals, Emment VanEtten on drums and vocals, and Rott’n Dan Shinnan on harmonica and vocals. Subscribe to the free TransCanada Music West podcast, below.

This week on TransCanada Music West, we feature some brand-new music from emcee, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Mitch Holtby, AKA Mitchmatic. Mitch has made a name in the Edmonton scene for his distinct blend of jazz and hip hop. The former influence he credits to his dad, who would play jazz records at breakfast on mornings before Mitch would head off to elementary school. With that daily dose of Chet Baker, came a little De La Soul on the side. Mitch names The Jungle Brothers, Jurassic 5, and Slick Rick among some of his early hip hop influences. Mitch’s mom was an elementary school music teacher, so the pianos, guitars, and drums were always at the ready.After picking up the saxophone in grade 6 band class, Mitch would eventually teach himself to become a one-man band, learning several instruments including drums, bass, and guitar. It’s been nearly two years since the release of Mitch’s last full length release, A Night Lost. He plans to release a new record later this year, but on this week’s episode of TransCanada Music West, we’ll have a live preview of a few of those songs captured during a set at CKUA’s performance space. During that performance, Mitch was backed by Ross Nichol on synth, Cameron O’Neill on bass, and Connor Ellinger on drums.

This week, we heat up the CKUA performance space with the Latin sounds of the Marco Claveria Project! This Edmonton-based outfit delivers a fusion of afro-peruvian, Brazilians, Cuban, and Chilean music. The resulting blend will have you swaying to the sound of your radio. Marco has built a career on bringing the sounds of Cuba to his new home of Canada. He first set his hands to the guitar at age 10 learning the basics of Chilean folk. When his family immigrated to Canada in 1982, Marco started performing in a few Edmonton ensembles. In the mid-90s, he made his way back to Cuba, drawn by his passion for the Latin sounds he grew up with in his childhood home. While there, he took the opportunity to work with heavy hitting Cuban musicians like Carlitos Gonzales, Angel Rivero, and Alejandro Maximo Duany. On this episode, Marco brings those beautiful sounds to life in an intimate performance recorded right here at CKUA. Featuring Ryan Timoffee on keys, Dean Faulkner on bass, Audrey Ochoa on trombone, Israel "Toto' Berriel on bongos, maracas, and vocals, Jose Sanchez on drums, and timbales, Mario Allende on congas, and Marco Claveria on guitar and vocals. (Image: courtesy Tracey Kolencuk)

With a collection of brand new songs in tow, this week on TransCanada Music West, we welcome Jesse and the Dandelions to CKUA’s Performance Space. Jesse began his musical career in Lethbridge. It wasn't long before he was at the nexus of that city’s music scene, serving as a producer and engineer in addition to recording his own material. Drawn to Alberta’s capital by the creative force that was Edmonton’s Old / Ugly recording company, Jesse now calls Edmonton home. If you’re a regular listener to CKUA, you’ve likely heard many of the alt-pop gems on Jesse’s 2013 album, A Mutual Understanding. Jesse and the Dandelions new LP, True Blue, is due out this September. But on this episode, Jesse and his crew debut a few of those brand new tracks live in our performance space. Set list: Looking at the Sun Break Me No Fun True Blue Give Up The Gold Brother Ammonite Til The End

North Vancouver folk-rocker Shuyler Jansen is our featuredgueston this week's program. You may know Shuyler as a foundingmemberof Old Reliable, one of the Alberta acts that pioneeredthecow-punk genre in the ’90s. After a decade of making musicwiththat band, Shuyler has gone on to forge a successful solocareer.His fourth solo album The Long Shadow, was releasedlastmonth. It includes collaborations with members of The DeepDarkWoods, Kacy & Clayton, Neko Case, and more. Track list: Blue Rolls the River We Were So Young Old Machine Rivals Fisherman's Daughter Unknowing Heart Totally Anonymous Things Just Don't Add Up Mercury

The Hearts have been a staple of Edmonton's music scene for more than a decade. Jeff Stuart, with his captivating vocals and evocative songwriting, is the centerpiece of this alt-rock outfit. On this week's episode, we hear new songs from the band's 2015 release Equal Love performed live at The Arden Theatre in St. Albert. The Hearts are: Gavin Dunn on guitar and vocals, Dwayne Martineau on keys, guitar and vocals, Christopher Quesnel on bass, Michelle Rempel on violin, percussion and vocals, Brad Tebble on drums, and Jeff Stuart on guitar and vocals. Tracklist: Easy Love Magpie Gold Hope Drug So Little Lonely Morninglight The Weight Hold Out Equal Love Cold Connection Apple Tree

This week, we take you Heritage Posters and Music for a session by Calgary’s The Northwest Passage. The songs you’ll hear will appear on the band’s debut album, A_Wake set for release in summer 2016. The chamber pop band is lead by Paul Van Kampen, known for his work in Calgary bands The Magnetic North, SAvK, and Beija Flor.

This week on the TransCanada Music West podcast, we bring you the songs and southern drawl of outlaw country tunesmith, Ben Rogers. Recently, the Vancouver singer-songwriter performed a show at Calgary’s Block Heater festival in support of his record The Bloodred Yonder. The sophomore album was released this past summer, and features a collection of story songs about murder, love, and tragedy. Rogers admits a certain fascination with the darker side of existence. He describes the record as focusing on “the transition from life to death, good to evil, paradise to perdition, and all the lost souls you meet in between”. The album was produced by Ben’s brother, Matt Rogers (The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer). In fact, you’ll hear the brothers performing together in this concert)/ Captured at Festival Hall in Calgary during Block Heater, featuring Erik Neilsen on bass, John Sponarski on pedal steel, Matt Rogers on guitar, and Leon Powers on Drums, this is Ben Rogers, leading the band on guitar, harmonica and vocals.

This week’s featured act on TransCanada Music West (8pm MT Friday) is Jom Comyn, in concert in CKUA’s Performance Space. If there were a soundtrack to those cold, dark Canadian winters, it would sound something like Jom Comyn’s latest full length record In The Dark on 99, All The Time, All Time Time. That record made our list of the Top 40 most played releases in 2014 on these airwaves. Last year, Jom followed that critically-acclaimed record up with a new EP The Black Pits. Both under his given name of Jim Cuming, and as Jom Comyn. Jim has released a slough of albums ranging from traditional folk to experimental psychedelia. He always has an incredible touch with melody, and a penchant for affecting lyrics. This week’s set features Tom Murray on bass, Andy Mulcair on drums, Jessica Jalbert on guitar, and Jim Cuming, aka Jom Comyn himself on vocals and guitar.

This week on the podcast, we showcase the golden voice of Vancouver’s own Colleen Rennison. Colleen is a performer in many regards. You might know her as the front-woman of blues-rock band No Sinner. You may have heard her debut solo album See The Sky About to Rain. Or maybe you've seen the Gemini award-winning actress on screen. For the young singer-songwriter, music and film have always gone hand in hand. It was actually the movie My Girl (and the titular song) that affirmed her desire to pursue music. Captured live at Festival Hall in Calgary during Block Heater, backed by Tyson McElroy on guitar, enjoy this mini-podcast of some brand-new songs from Colleen Rennison. Set list: Castle of Memories Break-up Drink (Interview) Everybody's Got the Blues

This week, take up shop at Calgary’s Heritage Posters and Music for a live session by 2016 JUNO Award-nominated outfit, AM Static. The group, fronted by Chris Austman and Nils Mikkelsen recently scored a nod for Electronic Album of the Year for their latest release, A Life Well Lived. That record landed at #12 on our list of the Top 100 Most Played Albums of 2015 on CKUA. In this feature session, you’ll get a taste of why our DJs loved that record so much. Plus, you’ll hear four brand-new, unreleased tracks from AM Static, and one really great story about Chris Austman’s work blocking scenes for Leonardo DiCaprio’s character Hugh Glass in The Revenant. Set list: Electrovision Intro Break Out Culture Suite/Oh Delilah Broken Toys Telegraph Rolling Clouds Glaciers Already Gone Start, Select

This week on TransCanada Music West we feature Faith Healer, the musical project of Edmonton singer-songwriter Jessica Jalbert. The debut record by Faith Healer, 'Cosmic Troubles' became the most-played record on CKUA in 2015. Beyond the hallowed halls of CKUA, the release received praise from taste-makers like Rolling Stone, Stereogum, and Pitchfork. This week on the show, Jessica and her band perform tracks from the explosive and introspective new album before a live studio audience in CKUA's performance space. Track list: Infinite Return No Car Again Acid Canonized Fools Rush In Angel Eyes Until the World Cosmic Troubles Universe Paris Green

This week on TransCanada Music West (Friday at 8pm MT), we bring you the live synth-pop sounds of Rococode, recorded live at Rifflandia! The duo is made up of Laura Smith and Andrew Braun, a pair of Vancouver-based musicians who met while attending jazz college. Laura made her start in music backing up some of the biggest indie acts in the Vancouver scene, including Said the Whale, Prairie Cat, Language Arts and Hannah Georgas. Andrew, who hails from Manitoba, was a backing player on Laura’s solo debut ‘Sea of Stars’ in 2008. It wasn’t long before the creative relationship evolved, and the duo collaborate on their 2012 debut Guns, Sex, and Glory, produced by Mother Mother front-man Ryan Guildemond. On this episode of TransCanada Music West, you’ll get a live preview of songs set for release next week on the band’s sophomore LP, Don’t Worry It Will Be Dark Soon. The live concert recording features Jason Cook on drums, Robbie Driscoll on bass, Laura Smith on keys and vocals, and Andrew Braun on guitar, keys and vocals. Set List: Follow You Around Pain Hunter Gather Crystalline Until You're Mine Panic Attack Banks Empire Cut Time

Hey Milkshakes! This week, we're proud to present a hotsy-totsy 4-piece folk outfit, Rosie and the Riveters, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. These self-described “sassy dames” are a ‘40s inspired outfit that specialize in 4-part harmonies and secular gospel songs. Their name is an ode to the feminist war-time icon Rosie the Riveter. Rosie is emblematic of the true to the spirit of the band’s mantra of empowering women to be change makers. Aside from writing and performing musical gems inspired by the likes of Mahalia Jackson and The Andrew Sisters, Rosie and the Riveters have set themselves apart from the pack with their ‘40s flair, mid-show dance moves, and their lighthearted stage presence. Recently, the band passed through Alberta on a tour supporting their latest release, Good Clean Fun! The tour included several sold-out stops, including the show you’ll hear this week, recorded live at Horizon Stage in Spruce Groove. Featuring Allyson Reigh, Alexis Normand, Melissa Nygren, and Farideh Olsen, get ready to discover Rosie and the Riveters!

This week on TransCanada Music West, we welcome the first two-time Grammy nominated artist to ever appear on the program; the immensely talented Smithers, BC-based artist Alex Cuba. Alex Cuba was born to the musical Puentes family in Artemisa, Cuba in 1974. His father, Valentin Puentes is a celebrated Cuban musician and music teacher. His twin brother Adonis is also a JUNO nominated Cuban-Canadian musician. In 1995, Alex fell in love with Canada while touring the country with his father and brother. Soon after, he met his bride-to-be in Vancouver before making his new home in Smithers, BC, where he’s lived for over a decade. Since becoming a Canadian, Alex has been embraced and celebrated in the Canuck music community. He’s collaborated with the likes of Nelly Furtado, Ron Sexsmith, and Alejandra Ribera, and David Myles, and scored 2 JUNO Awards. Alex will head to the Grammy Awards in LA next week, where his fifth record, Healer, is up for Best Latin Pop Album of the Year. This week on the program, you’ll hear Alex perform songs from that record live at the Arden Theatre in St. Albert, supported by Jake Jenne on drums and backing vocals, Ian Olmstead on Bass and backing vocals, and Jose Sanches on percussion and backing vocals.

This week on TransCanada Music West, we’re taking a sonic exploration north of 60 with two emerging acts from Whitehorse: rock n’ roll trio The Midnight Sons Band and the roots outfit The Bennett Sun, recorded at Wood Hall in Victoria during Breakout West 2015. On the heels of their 2015 debut, Traction, The Midnight Sons band are already drawing comparisons to Canadian hit-makers The Sheepdogs. You’ll also hear shades of pop rock influences like Kings of Leon and The Black Keys. The Bennett Sun lead by songwriter Dana Jennejohn, formed a little over 5 years ago. The group has been meeting weekly to share dinners over jam sessions for some time now. The band describes their sounds as “tumbleweed pop and city folk”, and their live set includes original songs and traditional folk numbers.

This week on the podcast, we bring you live music from Calgary’s own Boreal Sons. You don’t often hear bands boast about people falling asleep at their shows, but Boreal Sons are masters as orchestrating dreamy sonic landscapes. We’ll hear songs from their most recent album Threadbare, and some brand new songs from a forthcoming record that is set for release in the fall of 2016. Recorded live at Metro Theatre at the Victoria Conservatory of Music during Breakout West, featuring Regan Mclean on bass and vocals, Zachary Schultz on percussion, and Evan Acheson on lead vocals and keys, enjoy this set of great live songs by a Calgary favourite.

If this week’s show were a party, it’d be one that would keep you dancing til dawn. With a musical resume that includes show busking across Europe, and a stint performing alongside circus acts in Granada, The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra makes folk music with a worldly sound. In this set, you’ll hear Spanish, Celtic, Roma, and African influences on display as the band shares their unique brand of roots music. The performance you’ll hear tonight was recorded on the weekend of the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards. And, as you’ll hear, the crowd was in a mood to celebrate. The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra is Ian Griffiths on vocals, keys and accordion, Kurt Loewen on vocals and guitar, Paul Wolda on percussion, Mack Shields on fiddle, and Keith Rodger on bass and mandolin.