Vancouver singer songwriter Hannah Georgas made her long awaited return to Lethbridge, June 26 at at the Slice. She played music from her new CD ‘This Is Good,’ as well as several older tracks and even a newer one inspired by her bassist/ professional dancer called ‘Shorty.’.

The red headed fireball began her set with one of my favourite tracks from the latest CD ‘Bang Bang You’re Dead.’ And took off from there.

She eventually got quite a few people on the floor dancing. She did an excellent job of another one of my favourite tracks ‘Chit Chat,’ but there wasn’t much chit chat coming from the stage, as she preferred to let her music do the talking for her and her  tight band, which included a keyboardist, lead guitarist, drummer and bassist.

Another highlight was ‘Thick Skin’ which was suitably tortured and featured Georgas whistling a solo.

She sounded like No Doubt with more of a jazz pop feel.
After a lot of cheering, just before midnight, she played an encore  of ‘Ode To My Mother,’ which she sent out to her dad who passed away.

The long awaited opening of the Owl Acoustic Lounge featured  special guests Hank and Lily, June 26. They performed an acoustic set  on a brand new upraised stage in the corner, which was drowned out by the chattering crowd. This was the first big test run for the sound system, so  owner Steven Foord plans to work out some of the  bugs in it.

The show started early, which was great, opening with local singer/ songwriter Jared Klok at  7 p.m. to a standing room only  crowd who made themselves right at home, feeling the spirit of Henotic in the air, surrounded by walls adorned with local artwork.

Hank and Lily’s unique brand of vaudeville inspired folk weirdness  are an acquired taste, so if you don’t know what to expect, they raise a few eyebrows. 

As per usual, Hank Pine was dressed like a character from the movie Road Warrior  and Lily Fawn, dressed as a woodland creature  replete in antlers, played  a saw  hooked up to a  rack full of guitar effects.

As a special treat she picked up the ukulele for several  upbeat numbers as her ethereal high pitched helium voice pierced the chatter with haunting melodies.

 They had the audience singing along  to a couple of numbers including ‘Don’t Be Afraid.’

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The Roger Marin Band introduced about a dozen people to their brand new CD  ‘Silvertown,’ and a lot of old favourites, at the Slice, June 27.
he played all of the country style tracks  on the new CD. I arrived in the middle of one of the highlights, ‘Long Way Down.’ And really enjoyed he descending guitar riff on ‘Whiskey Take Me Down.’ Marin was an affable performer as always, telling stories about following Winnipeg musician Scott Nolan and pestering  him to play his song ‘Rosie,” and then deciding to write his own ‘Rosie.’

He also told stories about writing “I Ain’t Crazy, I’m Just A little Insane,” with his sister , Kori Heppner,’ who is Fred Eaglesmith’s drummer. He also let bassist Phil Bosley, who sounded  a little like Travis Tritt, take a turn on lead vocals as well as drummer Mat Keighan, who sported a CKXU t-shirt.

One of my favourite songs ‘Blondie and Dagwood ’ was a highlight of Marin’s first set, as was all of the new material.
Old favourite ‘Broken Hearts and busted songs’ was a highlight thanks to excellent  vocal harmonies and a harmonized guitar outro.
 The second set started with  a bang and ‘High Roads,” followed by  a repeat version of  the title track of the new CD ‘Silvertown.’
He wound down his show with his cover of 49 Tonnes,” and ‘The Way I Am.’

Cousin Harley aka Paul Pigat is looking forward to being back in Alberta to be part of the Rockabilly Riot in the Geomatic Attic parking lot, July 4.
“I’m looking forward to being back in Alberta, because visiting Alberta once a year isn’t enough,” said Pigat, who has played the Geomatic Attic with several acts but made his first visit with Cousin Harley (including drummer Jesse Cahill and bassist Keith Picot, who also plays with Hurricane Felix)  last year.

The show will open with local rockabilly trio Bent 8 at 4 p.m. followed by Eve Hell and the Razors at 5 p.m., Hurricane  Felix and the Southern Twisters at 6 p.m. followed by  Cousin Harley at 7 p.m.
“It’s going to be  a 90 minute set, so I’ll start with a full rockabilly set, then maybe a western set than go completely insane after that,” Pigat chuckled adding the show will showcase everything he does from rock, rockabilly, country and even a little jazz.

“It’s like gumbo, man, there’s a little bit of everything,” he said.
“We’re a very improvisational based band. No matter where I’m going, Jesse and Keith know exactly where I’m going and can follow it,” he continued adding they are just beginning the tour in support of  their new CD ’It’s A Sin’ which was released in late May.

“We don’t know how stage sales are yet, but sales from CDbaby and iTunes are going well. It took way too long to get it out there,” he said adding they had it in the can back in January, but didn’t want to release it  in the post -Christmas lull, then didn’t want to compete with the Olympics and Paraolympics.

“Cousin Harley records are  usually recorded, mixed and mastered within two weeks because that keeps it fresh. It’s supposed to be real spontaneous rock and roll which doesn’t work if you start overthinking guitar parts,” said Pigat, who is endorsed by Gretsch guitars and plays with a  variety of diverse musicians.