This coming week is going to be legen— wait for it— dary.
Not only is Neil Young coming to the Enmax Centre, April 25, but there is a cornucopia of music happening.
One of my favourite quirky country bands, Luther Wright and the Wrongs, will be playing April 24 at the Slice. They get extra cool points because a few years ago they released a double album of country versions of Pink Floyd's the Wall, which is just outstanding. Plus they used to play with Sara Harmer in a band called Weeping Tile, so don't miss them.
Endangered Ape is releasing a new EP the same night at Henotic, with Amelia Earhart, the Myelin Sheaths, Evan Van Reekum, Kent Aardse and The return of Ran! Most of them were playing at Henotic this week too, so if you missed them this week, catch them on Friday.
A big event is happening at the Slice, April 25, unfortunately competing against Neil Young. The semi-final competition of this year's South Country Fair songwriting take place featuring Lethbridge acts Shaela Miller, Karen Romanchuk, George Arsene and Bruce Roome. It starts at 8 p.m., I'll most likely miss it as I'm going to be “rocking in the free world” with Neil Young, but it is sure to be an outstanding show.
The first two were both performing to packed houses this past Saturday night, April 18.
Romanchuk and a full house of well wishers, enjoying the music from her new CD “Shine” as well as a lot of new material and choice covers from the likes of Willie P. Bennett, and Lucinda Williams. She sounded fantastic, bringing the spirit of old school country back.. Her backing band including lead guitarist James Oldenburg, bassist David Popovitch and her husband Darwin pounding out rhythm on a “Cajon” were tight.' Romanchuck is also going up to Calgaryon May 9 for the Calgary Folk Fest songwriting competition in the Alberta category with her song “Tired and Trrue” which she played at her show.
I hadn’t heard Shaela Miller play for a few months until her Front Row pub debut, April 18 so I was impressed to hear how much she has improved her craft. She played a most of the music off last year's EP including an uptempo version of my personal favourite, “Manchester” as well as a lot of cool new old country style throwbacks including the song she entered in the South Country Fair songwriting competition called “Loving Me,” which was exceptional. her backing band drummer Tyler Bird and stand up bassist Paul Holden were outstanding and as always Shaela has a unique vulnerable, yet edgy sound that makes her immediately appealing.
