ISSUE 3 - THE SLED ISLAND EDITION

VIGNETTEA Visual Guide to Calgary’s

Creative Culture

Hello, dear readers. I cannot even begin to communicate how amazing it feels that you have come back for issue three.

As a new publication, establishing readership can be a long and difficult process. I am so eternally grateful that you have chosen to spend those few precious moments of free time to take a look at our work.

Many hours have been put into this by our very small team of incredible contributors, and just to know that one person has read and enjoyed what we’ve created is absolutely incredible.

As we spend our summers enjoying drinks on the patio, showing our pale Canadian skin to the sun for what feel like the first time and recovering from what (for me at least) was a 10-day bender during Stampede, it becomes so easy to love Calgary in every possible way.

Every single day, someone with passion is creating something. That something could be as simple as a new acoustic guitar song, a new promo poster for an upcoming show, or something much more complicated. Festivals have been planned, concerts have been performed, and art has been created.

Calgary is becoming so much more than what it ever has been before and that is such an incredible thing to witness.

“There is nothing to do in Calgary.”

How many times have we heard this statement, or even said it ourselves? How many times have people dreamed of leaving Cowtown for bigger, better things, like Vancouver or Toronto?

Even now, the apparent best advice that musicians can receive is still to “go to a city with better resources.” As someone so very passionate

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about this city’s culture, those seven words can be so incredibly disheartening.

How will our arts community ever be able to grow if that is the general attitude?

The good news, however; are that things here are changing. It would be impossible not to notice.

With East Village well on its way to success, and the National Music Centre nearing completion in all of its glory, it is clear that the potential is there. Attitudes are already shifting, and I have no doubt in my mind that this trend will continue as Calgarians begin to become aware of the beauty and artistry that is all around us.

On that note, we have decided to take this issue in a different direction. This issue is going to be much more personal, and we have chosen to cover three specific moments which tell the story of a city coming

together to create something absolutely beautiful.

An interview with local pop/rock/country/everything else musicians Swift Oliver about their recent Wake Up YYC battle of the bands contest provides insight into Calgary from an artist’s point of view.

Photographs of the Red Bull Stomping Grounds show at Commonwealth, featuring local rockers The Dudes, as just one example of true passion and artistry. And an in-depth look at this year’s Sled Island as a personal expose as I myself spent the week exploring the many incredible sounds throughout venues in Calgary.

I hope that you all enjoy the change of pace, and these three stories speaking to the incredible soul of this city.

Claire BourgeoisEditor-in-chief

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SWIFT OLLIVERCELEBRATING NORTHERN ROCK

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SWIFT OLLIVERCELEBRATING NORTHERN ROCK

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Calgary locals Swift Olliver are still relatively new to making music. Being less than two years old, they are just beginning their careers as musicians.

However, it seems that they have already managed to make a name for themselves.

With multiple recordings, a hefty social media following and a talent for marketing themselves in unique ways, the guys are well on their way to success.

Having just held Wake Up YYC, a battle-of-the-bands style event where local bands competed for $10,000 and recording opportunities, they have managed to give back to the scene while still pushing their own careers forward.

We caught up with brothers Kayle and Evan to discuss their personal opinions of the Calgary music scene.

So tell me a little bit about the inspiration behind Wake Up YYC.

A: “We were trying to think of a way that we could do a show for local musicians where we could get some of these bands involved and give them some of the opportunities that we’ve picked up on Calgary that they may have potentially missed out on. I think we were able to be successful because we looked for local opportunities when it comes to resources and we were able to utilize them.

“We just wanted to put on an event where we could give some of our friends in other

bands the chance to interact with these same people who gave us a leg up.

B: “At the same time, it was sort of tailored towards showing some of these younger bands that they can, in fact, do more. You can reach out to more people and there is always another way to get your name out there and grow your band. “

If you could give some advice to up-and-coming bands, what would it be?

A: “First of all, you need to make sure that musically you are ready and comfortable. If you start promoting yourself then you need to be ready to take these opportunities as they arise and if you don’t feel ready, just be sure to practice and practice until you are. Once you’re at that point it becomes much easier to promote yourself.”

B: “Another thing we’ve learned is that one of the most important things it to make sure to make as many friends as possible. It doesn’t matter who they are, it is always going to be good to make as many connections and build as many relationships as you can while you’re first starting out.

“You never know what opportunities might arise from people you’d never expect, or at unexpected times.”

How have your experiences been trying to make it in Calgary so far?

A: “I think with Calgary, the music scene here is like being in a special club, where if you’re in it, it’s awesome. But if you aren’t, then it can be really hard to break into. And for a lot of people I think that’s what makes it so special. But for musicians trying to get beyond just Calgary, and break into the larger market, it can be a bit of a challenge.

“There’s a lot of talent in Calgary, whereas there isn’t necessarily enough resources yet. It’s just a different business here. The local industry is its own thing, and while that’s awesome, it can be difficult to grow beyond it. “

B: “We love being a local band and our roots will always be in Calgary. But we’d love to be able to bridge the gap between being local and getting national and international airplay. We want to somehow start from Calgary but still be able to get ourselves out there.

B: “I think that over the years, with the National Music Centre and a lot of arts-focused things coming into town, that is what’s making the difference. The resources are finally coming into the city and that will definitely help Calgary to become a bigger city for music.”

Like you said, there’s obviously a lot of growth happening in Calgary right now. Have you guys noticed a change in the attitudes surrounding the music scene here?

A: “Every day, it seems like there are artists coming out of the woodwork in Calgary to play. You even look at the poster boards downtown on 17th ave and they are just covered with posters for upcoming shows.

“I really think that the more Calgarians, especially the people outside of the music business, become interested in the local scene, the better it will be for everyone involved.”

B: “Some of the biggest markets, even in Calgary, are still the ones who aren’t really involved in the scene and who don’t go to local shows. I guess a lot of the reason might be that they aren’t even aware that these shows are going on, which is why the local scene has become such a niche.

“What we want to try to do as a band is to break past that niche and try to get everyone involved. We want to bring as many people out to our shows as possible, even if they aren’t the ones that usually go to all the local shows. That is how you grow a scene, which we can already see is beginning to happen in Calgary.”

facebook.com/SwiftOlliverBand@SwiftOlliver

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S l e d Island

Sled Island once again has outdone itself this year.

For newcomers and dedicated attendees alike, this year’s events presented a phenomenal variety of local and touring musicians, comedians, filmmakers and visual artists hosted in a plethora of venues throughout the city.

From Commonwealth to Broken City; Central United Church to the #1 Legion and many in-between, one would be hard-pressed to walk into a bar without witnessing a show.

Curated this year by Montreal post-rockers Godspeed You! Black Emperor, this year’s festival presented a wonderful array of artists from all over the place.

Eargasms aside, the best thing about Sled Island is most definitely the way that it truly brings out the best of Calgary’s music-lovers.

The bars are filled with both young and old; fans of nu metal and surf punk, businessmen and college kids. The wonderful thing about a song is that it can touch anyone’s soul, no matter who they are.

Festivals like this are where new friends and memories are made, and there truly is nothing more unifying than sharing sweat with at least 100 other people in the sold-out basement of The Palomino, that’s for sure.

From my own personal experience, the unwritten rules of Sled Island seem to be fairly simple: stay hydrated, never be without a beer, have an open mind, and be sure to catch as many shows as humanly possible before collapsing on the couch in a zombie-like state on Sunday night.

This strategy has always worked well, particularly the importance of being open-minded. This festival is unique in the sense that it brings in hundreds of bands from all over Canada and overseas.

While it can be tempting to see only musicians you know (and therefor, know you will enjoy) will lead to a lovely, perhaps average, experience.

This year, the focus was placed on covering shows featuring a variety of venues, genres and crowds.

Over the next few pages, I have provided a personal insight into Sled Island, not from a journalistic standpoint, but simply as someone who is passionate about music and so very proud of Calgary’s music scene.

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Wednesday night. The streets are nearly empty, save for small groups of Sledders identifiable by their brightly coloured wristbands as they make their way from venue to venue. A warm breeze carries the sounds of people laughing as they stand outside on the streets waiting for the final sets of the evening to begin.

As I walk down 11th Ave with friends, we joke about Sled being Calgary’s “Stampede for hipsters,” as we watch two bearded, tattooed men stagger out of Broken City for a cigarette. We are headed to Wine-Ohs to see locals Dojo Workhorse perform an evening set in the basement cellar.

For anyone who has not been to Wine-ohs before, let me paint you a picture.

Approaching the main entrance, it becomes clear that there is no rock show going on within those doors. The high-end, sit down atmosphere of the restaurant hardly lends itself to rock and roll, and many ticket holders are left in a state of confusion.

However, it is by going past the doors and towards the back entrance that things become clear. Past the kitchen and down a stone staircase that one

D o j o Workhorse

would doubt is up to building code, hides a beautiful wine cellar and perfect concert venue.

As Calgary favourite Danny Vacon (The Dudes, Highkicks) conducts sound check for his third and perhaps least known band, the crowd begins to approach the stage. The sold-out show leaves little sitting area, causing most ticket holders to stand directly in front for the best viewing.

As the band began to play, time stops. With lyrics reminiscent of good times with old friends, Dojo Workhorse present what are perhaps Vacon’s most sincere attitudes on life and love. The melodies, smooth, soft and magical, captivate the hearts of every single person in the room.

For those minutes that the music played, that music was everything. Free of stress, free of the outside world entirely, we stood there together in unity. Vacon and his band provided a rare and magical experience. Those of us in that cellar could have been the last people on earth, as were sang and swayed to the lazy guitar riffs and bluesy bass.

Isn’t that what its all about? The reason we shell out hundreds of dollars on tickets; the reason we become so attached to our favourite bands. Music is one of the few things in this world that still remains honest.

When Dojo Workhorse took the stage, they reminded all of us what it is like to be human.

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This being the very first Sled Island event to ever happen at the brand new East Vil-lage area, I had no idea what to expect as I walked from the train station towards the stage with four of my closest friends in tow.

Having spent the afternoon on a patio enjoying cold beers in the beautiful +25-ish weather, our spirits were high and we were ready for a party.

We heard the event long before we could see it, as the bass pulsed from the speakers and carried far past Fort Cal-gary. As we approached, many food and craft vendors revealed themselves, scat-tered throughout the East Village area along the riverwalk.

The streets were packed with event-go-ers of all ages as they wandered from net to tent, or moved toward the stage to grab a beer and watch the show, which proved to be impressive in itself.

East VillageBlock Party

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I would honestly like to extend a warm congratulations to whomever planned the Block Party, because they clearly knew how to organize a damn good party.

From the beer gardens to the vendors lining the streets across from the large stage set up on the river featuring rappers Mykki Blanco and Tory Lanez, this was executed almost perfectly.

“I can’t believe this is actually happening in Calgary,” A member of my group speculated in awe.

While I could most definitely believe it, it was still so great to see his heart open up to the city, even just a little bit. We grabbed some beers and went to watch Mykki Blanco hit the stage, whose performance proved to be a true highlight of the afternoon.

Two words: stage presence.

Blanco was a fireball, putting on an insane show for the moderately sized crowd. The sheer commitment to his show and obvious belief in the words he spit into the mic made it impossible to look away (even if just to dodge Blanco’s wayward foot as he leaped off the stage).

Despite the heat, his energy never once faltered. The show was a pure testament to the fact that, when performing, stage presence can change the entire atmosphere. He left his audience feeling speechless, and even long after the set had ended, his contagious energy remained.

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As hip-hop hotshot Tory Lanez took to the stage for the final set of the afternoon, it was becoming increasingly more obvious that the beer gardens were being hit heavily.

This increase in beer ticket usage, combined with a reprieve from the hot sun which had been relentless all afternoon, led to high spirits as Lanez bounced around the stage, being sure to get everyone involved in the show.

His strong vocal talent, obvious charisma, and overall likability were all incredibly evident in his performance. He took advantage of the full crowd, getting everyone dancing and singing along.

By the end of the show, it appeared as though everyone was ready for a full evening of music at the various Sled Island venues throughout downtown. Blanco and Lanez, along with multiple Djs spinning throughout the afternoon, were an excellent kick-off to a Friday full of music and arts.

We finished our beers as the East Village emptied and made our way back towards centre street, in awe of how incredible the event truly was and filled with excitement for the evening to come.

HOLD ON.“What’s the big deal about this East Village thing anyways?”{...I’m so glad that you asked.

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East VillageA brief history

Where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet sits an area of land known today as the East Village. Recognized as Calgary’s oldest neighbourhood, in past years Calgarians have known this area as a place to avoid.

What was once a thriving community in the 1920s began its decline in 1941, leading to widespread demolition in the 60s. For the past 40 years, East Village has been known to most Calgarians as nowhere special. Neglected and uncared for, the streets sat mostly empty on ever the most beautiful of days. This has all changed in the past couple of years, however.

As Calgary’s largest urban gentrification project in history, the East Village has grown at spectacular rates in past years. Featuring what will soon become the groundbreaking National Music Centre in 2016, along with

a brand-new, modern library opening in 2018, the Village has everyone talking. The addition of new hotels, restaurants, public art pieces and an award-winning riverwalk are all contributing to what will likely become Calgary’s most successful community space.

The area has already started to host a variety of events, ranging from live performances to yoga in the park.

This area is a great thing for Calgary for many reasons. It is so important for a city to have a strong sense of community, which is fostered through city beautification and community spaces. When complete, The Village will hopefully prove to be a pioneer in city life for the city.

We are so excited to see the future of this initiative which has already proved to be so successful.

Visit www.evexperience.com for more information.

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This year’s Sled Island achieved what many festivals can only hope to attain.

On top of the usual, wonderful live performances and art viewings, Calgary history was made with the East Village Block Party.

This year, arguably the best year yet, was full of amazing talent of many varieties. When the weekend came to a close in the usual style (Broken City’s karaoke wrap-up party), no one seemed ready for the festival to end.

It is weekends like this that keep a city alive and breathing. By stimulating Calgary’s growing arts scene, we are all helping our city to become something bigger and better, with more soul and life than ever before.

Keep updated for next year’s festival by following the Sled Island team on social media:

facebook.com/sledisland@sledisland

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G A L L E RY:R E D B U L L STAMPING GROUNDS

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G A L L E RY:R E D B U L L STAMPING GROUNDS

Whenever The Dudes announce a show, there is never any doubt that anyone who buys a ticket is in for a wild night.

These Calgary rock veterans, fronted by the one and only Danny Vacon, have proved time and time again that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, as long as you like to dance.

Their upbeat indie rock lends itself to a party atmosphere, and Commonwealth provided the perfect venue for their performance.

The Red Bull Stomping Grounds, a rock and roll extravaganza in celebration of the stampede, was a wicked party and overall radical time featuring some awesome musicians including girl-power duo Misha and the Spanx and indie rockers The Shiverettes.

The Dudes

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Misha and the Spanx

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HexRay

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SEE YOU IN OCTOBER.WE’LL MISS YOU.

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T H A N K

Y O U .To you, our readers, thank you. Vignette would be nothing without amazing people like you to explore the depths of our pages.

We sincerely hope that you found our second issue to be an interesting read and we cannot wait to deliver issue four.

We have some other amazing individuals to thank as well:

• Kaley Beaudoin• Kayle Luft• Evan Luft• Julie Wieler• Steve Head• The Sled Island Team• Colin Canning• Cory Jones

Once again, thank you. See you in October.

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