Local rockers Keep 6 will be flying out to Austin, Texas for the South by Southwest music conference and festival next week, a gathering of several thousand creators, performers, music scouts, media and industry members.
As in past years, there’s a river of talent flowing into the state with about 2,000 bands expected to pass through Austin’s dozens of clubs.
“It’s absolutely off the hook,” says bass player Matthew Wispinski.
Keep 6 will play two shows during festival week: Wednesday, March 14 at the Blind Pig (Rooftop) and then on Thursday, March 15 at the Thirsty Nickel.
The former St. Albert resident adds, “We’re very excited and thrilled to be an Alberta band taking part in it. Not many bands get the opportunity to take part. You have to work for years to get the status to play there.”
Recognizing this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the band has decided to perform an identical concert for local fans at the Starlite Room tonight. The opening acts are Them Damn Coyotes and No Witness.
Keep 6 will release their third full-length album, Just a Matter of Time, in the late spring. Tonight they’ll turn up the volume and rev up the buzz with new songs.
This weekend the band is also launching their new website at www.keep6.net.
Tonight the action starts at 10 p.m. The Starlite Room is at 10030 – 102 St. Cover charge is $10.
The Boonstock Music Festival has a sizzling line-up of talent. Headline performers such as Billy Talent, Korn, Afro Jack and Kaskade will rock out from June 29 to July 2.
But today organizers are hosting a volunteer fair at the west end Holiday Inn from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The address is 11330 – 170 St. in Edmonton.
Organizers are looking for parking attendants, cooks, cashiers, ticket takers, environmental attendants, garbage and recycle attendants and front gate crew, says Trudy Chouinard, site manager and volunteer co-ordinator.
Boonstock needs about 150 volunteers to handle the expected 10,000 fans. In return for their commitment, volunteers receive various perks that range from a free pass and volunteer t-shirts to meals while on shift and a free camping spot.
“We’re like a big family. You get to meet fun people. You see the bands and you have a good time,” Chouinard said.
Anyone unable to attend the volunteer fair can email Chouinard at [email protected].
Once again host Mark Ammar is unpacking his drum kit at LB’s Pub for another Moosehead/Barsnbands Open Stage. This coming Tuesday his special guests are keyboard/vocalist Dan Sinasack and guitarist Gerald Moellering.
A Windsor man enamoured with the Motown Sound, Sinasack moved to Edmonton in 1983 and created an original blues project called Jack Shadow.
He wrote, recorded and produced his debut album Burnt Piano and his newest release is Goin’ Back, a collection of songs that influenced his style over a 40-year career.
Moellering instead was influenced by Robin Ford, Albert King and John Myall and performs with Paula Perro and No Foolin’ and Chain of Fools.
“Gerald has a great knack for timing,” says Ammar.
The open jam starts at 9 p.m. No cover.
Two-time Juno award winner Johnny Reid will play a live set and sign autographs at West Edmonton Mall on Wednesday, March 14. He will feature songs from his brand new album as well as some of his favourite chart toppers.
The visit coincides with Fire It Up, his sixth studio release, before a cross-Canada tour that concludes with a stop at Rexall Place on Thursday, April 19.
WEM’s live performance starts at 6 p.m. followed by an autograph session.
