Music Notes: Reel Big Fish in a little pond
Music might slow down in the summer, but it never stops. Matt Olson recommends a few concerts happening in Saskatoon.
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It’s mid-July — the slow time of the season, at least in Saskatoon. But Ness Creek is about to get rolling, and there are plenty of other music festivals on the horizon. So for all of you travelling around the province (or the country, or the world) during this hot summer, make sure you check out some of the great music available to you. Staying around the hometown, like me? Take in some of the great music from the bands and at the local venues. While music might slow down in the summer, it never stops. Embrace it.
Spacemints
When: Friday, July 19
Where: Black Cat Tavern
What: Are they electronic? Not really, but there are elements there. Are they punk? Or rock? Wouldn’t call them that, either. The trio from Saskatoon is an eclectic combination of punk-ish vocal stylings with heavy rhythms and guitar riffs, and it is safe to say they defy an easy genre description. In that myriad of musical mayhem comes power and purpose, though, and Spacemints is the kind of band that would be a blast to see and hear live. Are they a little different? Absolutely. And that’s absolutely a good thing.
Val Halla
When: Thursday, July 18
Where: Capitol Music Club
What: Val Halla (a most magnificent name) plays a dark, country-tinged brand of folk rock music. Hailing from Regina, Val Halla’s songs run the gamut to balladic to a gritty rock-style — with the one constant being Val Halla’s striking and powerful vocals. She’s had a magnificent career up to this point, with tours across Canada and the United States and multiple albums to her name, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Also, she’s recently been involved with Girls Rock Camp in Regina, which is a magnificent organization in its own right. Top-tier Saskatchewan talent with a great name and a sound comprised of pure awesome? Yes please.
Reel Big Fish
When: Thursday, July 18
Where: Coors Event Centre
What: You remember Reel Big Fish, right? That’s not to say they’ve gone anywhere, mind you. It’s just that they’re best known for hits from years ago (Sell Out, Where Have You Been?, a cover of Take On Me). With only one original band member still with the group, Reel Big Fish has certainly changed but they’ve still been putting out music in that signature ska style. With the number of albums they’ve put out — and that magnificent nostalgia to play off of — Reel Big Fish should be a real entertaining live show.
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