If your new year’s resolution is to support live music, then take a stroll down to LB’s Pub this weekend.
For more than two decades owner Linda Beier has been a hardcore supporter of live music bringing in both Canadian icons and introducing emerging artists. It’s become a go-to place for musicians to bust out.
As part of the sweeping hierarchy of rock and progressive pop, Jericho West, featuring Nick Samoil and Danielle Abel, returns this Saturday for another dance party.
Playing a pop, rock and R&B set list from the 1950s to present day, they have a solid handle on a mixed catalogue from Hootie and the Blowfish and Bill Withers to Rob Thomas and Eric Clapton.
And Danielle Abel, the five-piece band’s only female, delivers vocal acrobatics in assorted songs from Fleetwood Mac’s power anthems to Etta James’ tender ballad At Last.
“Danielle is unique. She has this extremely powerful voice. She has a lot of agility in her voice and she can be very powerful emotionally,” said frontman Nick Samoil, 24, a MacEwan University music graduate.
Rounding out the band is Kent Shores (guitar) holding a jazz performance degree from Texas; Kieran Dicke (bass) with a bachelor of music in jazz and contemporary pop, and the Spanish-speaking Victor Solana (drums), an Edmonton music jam performer.
In addition to studying performance and composition at MacEwan, Samoil has collaborated with local theatre companies and film projects in various avenues as a composer, sound designer and accompanist.
The idea for Jericho West started about four years after Samoil heard of the Radio Star Canada song writing competition that offered a $10,000 grand prize in goods and services. He whipped off Tranquility, the first demo song he ever recorded.
“I needed people to play and I got a group together,” Samoil said. “That was my first shot at writing and I put it out there. We didn’t get anywhere, but I continued to write and in May of that year I put together my first band to play around town.”
At first, Jericho West was a revolving door of musicians. As Samoil said, it was difficult to find musicians committed to rehearsing and polishing their act.
But time has gelled the sound. Abel, now with Jericho for 14 months, has found her niche, and the men are equally committed to setting a new bar.
“Kent is pretty keen. He works on music and he suggests ideas. He’s not there to make $100 a gig. He’s there because he wants to be. He’s played a lot of covers. He’s good with guitar tones and knows what to play in context with the band.”
“As for Kieran, he’s a solid bass player. He has a lot of chops and plays with the drummer really well. He has a lot of ability but he doesn’t overplay it.”
“Victor really seems to enjoy himself when he’s drumming. He plays a large number of genres and since he comes from a different place, he brings different ideas to the table.”
And Samoil, the lead singer-piano player selects the tunes to show off Jericho’s multiple skills.
“We have a lively energy and we try to make people feel welcome. You should come down and join us.”
The Saturday dance party starts at 9 p.m. LB’s Pub is at 23 Akins Dr. No cover charge.
