Despite some recent knocks, Calgary's independent music scene is alive and well! This past Thursday music fans were fortunate to have two separate, yet well attended, events to choose from. I began my night at the Battle of the Bands event occurring on most Thursdays at Dickens Pub, 1000 9th Ave SW. The competition had originated at a previous establishment this past fall where it had completed its preliminary rounds. But those bands who successfully proceeded to the quarter-finals were put into an unknowing limbo when the management of Radiopark Music Room suddenly decided to pursue other entertainment options. It is with little regret that a visit to their website shows that their attempt to institute yet another Calgary Thursday DJ dance night has fallen apart. Fortunately for indie music fans and musicians, Dickens Pub stepped up to the plate to host the remaining rounds of the competition. This has been fortunate for Dickens as well as they have been well rewarded with ever growing crowds of beer guzzling, taco eating fans with each successive Thursday.
The most recent round was a great treat to everyone in attendance as it featured the trip-hoppy sounds of Comrade and Sargeant versus the slick emcee Transit and DJ Crosswalk. Led by the ethereal vocals of Yolanda Sargeant the duo, to which she lends her name, went first. Despite a little bit of a jittery first song Miss Sargeant warmed up quickly, using her powerful jazz inspired voice complimented by the trip hop sounds of DJ Comrade to bring about comparisons to Massive Attack and Veronika Coassolo (from Tricky fame). Heedless of her short stature she easily commanded the room with her soulful singing, transfixing many in the audience as she seemingly floated across the stage. It was with some anger though that this spiritual experience would be rudely interrupted by the untimely subtraction of DJ Comrade.
As though to illustrate the proper role of a DJ, DJ Crosswalk would be the perfect yin to Transit's yang. Seen but ultimately not (verbally) heard, while jumping up and down, and waving his hands in the air he played the right tunes for Transit to rhyme to. DJ Crosswalk was less like a school crosswalk attendant than he was a perfect cheerleader (sans skirt, pom poms, and acrobatics), inspiring the already boisterous crowd to really feel the beat. As for Transit, I doubt his vocals could compare with the raw power of Sargeant, but his sick rhymes and catchy hooks had the fists pumping and the crowd surging. The irony of the success of their spoof of a top 40 pop song not lost on the duo, Transit introduced their internet buzz song Lights, Camera, Action by saying they were turning down Gene Simmons' offer to turn it into something bigger. It is easy to see what the “demon” of KISS saw in the tune as the audience literally exploded to the auto-tuned, easy to chant along with, and repetitive beat. Personally, I just like to whip my hair back and forth to it. Perhaps I will get that chance when the duo play in the semi finals, beginning February 10th, as they won the chance to continue competing for $2500.
Just down the street is the perennial indie music supporting venue the Marquee Room at 612 8th Ave SW. And, as though they had billed the timing perfectly to coincide with the show a few blocks away, the Nix Dicksons went on just after our arrival. Despite being without Curtis, their often costumed mascot, and oddly missing a gimmick (past shows have included a petting zoo theme complete with balloon animals and Curtis dressed as a Giraffe, an underwater theme, a space theme, and a Hawaiian Volcano God theme...can you guess who dressed as the Volcano God?) the band was every bit as fun as ever. Always drawing a college crowd, even on this school night, the energy in the room was transparent. Their always affable front man, Tanner Holthe, adeptly works the room, making members of the audience feel right at home, as if the show is transpiring in their own living room. Tanner charismatically calls out members of the crowd by name and easily segues into an introduction
for the next song. Each of which is easy to enjoy, the band encouraging the crowd to join in on sing-a-long sections in such songs as 'King of Connecticut', 'Big Kids', the head bop worthy 'All Girls Want', and the stage filling 'Working on the Weekend'. Staying true to the Nix Dicksons' philosophy of “writ(ing) fun songs and breath(ing) positivity...” this is exactly what going to one of their shows is like. Their music feels like pop songs for the soul. I look forward to seeing what their “secret” stage theme will be for their next show February 25th at the Gateway as they play the Go For the Eyes cd release party!
It's Curtis who is there mascot haha
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