As a band, Celery and Sidewalks is only seven months old, but already they’re leaving their footprint in the sand.
Formed in February to perform at the famous Bellerose High School Bike-a-thon, an initiative to raise money for cancer, the foursome has steadily expanded their platform.
On Canada Day, they performed at the City of St. Albert’s Youth Showcase and come Aug. 23, they will be one of the full-throttle talents pedaling it hard at the Saint City Music Fusion Festival.
In the meantime they’re honing their chops playing an acoustic guerilla gig at St. Albert’s Arcadia CafĂ© this coming Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Taking advantage of the sunny weather, they will play several stripped down sets on the patio.
“Arcadia is an awesome place to play,” says bassist Kelsey Wood. “It’s a cafĂ© bar. It has a bar atmosphere but if you’re under 18, you can still come. Both times I’ve been there, we’ve packed the place.”
Rounding out the indie rock band is Damien Doris (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Jordan Poirier (drums) and Sam Wetyk (guitar). In addition to the basic band instruments, they also have a handle on trumpet, banjo, mandolin, harmonica and piano.
“One of our strengths is how we all play a variety of instruments and in various genres. It’s like a variety show. We’re always switching instruments and singers and we like to keep the audience guessing,” Wood adds.
A large part of their versatility is drawn from members’ musical inspirations. Wood gravitates towards modern rock such as The Black Keys. Poirier prefers classic rock whereas Wetyk is attracted to bands such as Goo Goo Dolls and R.E.M. Doris, instead, is inspired by more obscure European and international bands.
“We play upbeat, good-time music. We write in different styles, we play different genres and the songs have different feels. We’re not static and people seem to like our shows.”
The Sunday set will be primarily covers with a few originals spicing up the action.
Arcadia Café is on 24 Perron St. There is no cover charge.
