Verb Issue S245 (June 21-27, 2013)

Issue #245 – June 21 to June 27

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FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE their rise to the top

culture

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saskatoon

Come app me, brah! Making mobile game apps on the prairies art evolution Mendel Art Gallery’s Shaping Saskatchewan world war z + the sheepdogs have at it Films reviewed­

Photo: courtesy of kristin barlowe

NEWs + Opinion

contents

almost famous Part two of the making of Jeans Boots.

4 / Local

come app me, brah!

Making mobile game apps in the prairies. 6 / Local

On the cover:

One for the road

Florida Georgia Line

Our thoughts on ignition interlock devices. 8 / Editorial

comments

This country duo is taking off.

14 / cover

Here’s what you had to say about safe injection sites. 10 / comments

Photo: courtesy of adam taylor

culture

Q + A with crowded city skyline Edmonton folk rockers. 12 / Q + A

art evolution

the lucky burger

Shaping Saskatchewan explores art on the prairies. 13 / Arts

This week we visit Sports on Tap. 16 / Food + Drink

music in the park

Music

It’s the Canada Day Arts & Culture Festival. 13 / Arts entertainment

Passion Pit, Larry and His Flask + Eli, For Short. 17 / music

listings Local music listings for June 21 through June 28. 18 / listings

world war z + the sheepdogs have at it 20 / Film

on the bus Weekly original comic illustrations

by Elaine M. Will. 26 / comics

Nightlife Photos

Games + Horoscopes

We visited Sports on Tap and the Yard & Flagon. 22-25 / Nightlife

Canadian criss-cross puzzle, horoscopes, and Sudoku. 27 / timeout

verbnews.com @verbSASKATOON facebook.com/verbSASKATOON Verb is owned by parity publishing inc.

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Business & Operations

Editor in Chief / Ryan Allan Managing Editor / Jessica Patrucco staff Writers / Adam Hawboldt + Alex J MacPherson

Office Manager / Stephanie Lipsit account Manager / nathan holowaty sales Manager / Vogeson Paley Financial Manager / Cody Lang

ART & Production

contact

Production lead / Brittney Graham design lead / Andrew Yanko Contributing Photographers / Patrick Carley, Adam Hawboldt, Alex J Macpherson + Christian Cortez

Comments / feedback@verbnews.com / 306 881 8372 advertise / advertise@verbnews.com / 306 979 2253 design / layout@verbnews.com / 306 979 8474 General / info@verbnews.com / 306 979 2253

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almost famous

The making of Jeans Boots by alex J Macpherson

Photo: Courtesy of M. Kay Photography

This is part two of a two-part series. Find part one in last week’s issue of Verb.

S

ome bands meditate or pray before they walk onstage. They observe these rituals to concentrate the mind, or perhaps purify the soul, before the lights and sounds of the stage assault their senses. Jeanette Stewart, who performs as Jeans Boots and is less than an hour away from debuting her new record, Z0RG C1TY, has her own traditions.

After scribbling setlists onto pages torn from a notebook, she retreats to the back of the bar to paint her face. This is a relatively new development, and it appears to coincide with a radical change in the arc of her career. Although she is at Amigos to celebrate the release of an energetic rock record, Stewart has spent the last several months dabbling in electronic music — spacey soundscapes that sacrifice structure for sonic expansion and raw beauty.

Stewart began her career like most songwriters, with an acoustic guitar and a dream. Before long, Jeans Boots had morphed into a rock band. The current lineup features guitar wizard Levi Soulodre; Tyson McShane, who plays in Slow Down, Molasses; and

drummer Aaron Scholz. Along with Stewart, herself a competent guitar player, they created the tapestry of overdriven tube amps and thunderous drums that is Z0RG C1TY. A fifteen minute romp through the history of edgy guitar rock, Z0RG C1TY is the most cohesive and coherent album Stewart has ever made. It is also a turning point. A few weeks before its

who produced Z0RG C1TY and has emerged as her newest musical collaborator. What followed was a fifteenminute barrage of spacey electronic music and distorted vocals — a sound completely unlike anything she had produced before. After the show, Stewart defended her departure.

“Maybe I should have more limits, but I think my favourite musicians

I don’t need to numb myself anymore to my life — I can just be happy. jeanette stewart

release, Stewart invited me to watch her audition for the Ness Creek Music Festival. I expected a blast of searing guitar rock, but when I arrived the band was nowhere in sight. And Stewart, who has a penchant for outlandish clothes, had exchanged her kaleidoscopic streetwear for a muted palette of black and grey. The sombre clothes set off her face, which was streaked with green and silver paint, and studded with rhinestones.

When she walked onstage, she was accompanied by Duncan Pickard,

are the people who make music that sounds like the music they like, and I’ve really been getting into this kind of trancey, spooky, electronic synth stuff,” she said. “It’s always been something I wanted to do.” All artists evolve over time, but the shift toward electronic music marks a quantum leap for Stewart. Inspired by the cutting edge of popular music, her sound has shifted away from the concise hooks and predictable structures of rock and roll, and toward expansive soundscapes, pulsating grooves, and dramatic Continued on next page »

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changes of tempo and volume. Referring to Claire Boucher, who performs as Grimes, Stewart cited technology as a major influence. “She’s an artist who is pushing barriers. I talk about technology, and she’s an artist who is using the tools available to her. It’s really cool and different.” Stewart’s vision is limited not by what has been done, but by what can be achieved.

But this change is more than just a desire to push the boundaries of popular music. It is also a reflection of the path she has chosen — the harsh realities facing people who jettison comfortable careers for a life of unfettered creativity. Earlier this year, Stewart left her job as a reporter at the StarPhoenix to concentrate on making music. She said it felt like the right decision. “For the past couple months, I’d just been getting hammered every night. I was just getting wasted every night and I was a total train wreck.

That night I didn’t feel like I needed to f**k myself up. I was happy for the first time. It was like, I don’t need to numb myself anymore to my life — I can just be happy.”

Stewart has for years carried with her an aura of unpredictability. Her life appears to be unscripted, a collection of impulses held together by little more than unshakable conviction in the rightness of her decisions. She describes making music in the same terms other people use to discuss eating and drinking and sleeping. “I have to do it,” she said when I asked why she would choose such a difficult path. “I just have to do it. I keep

booking shows and playing the shows, and people keep asking me to play.

Until that ends, I’m not going to stop.”

Acutely aware of the difficulties facing young artists who are forced to gamble their savings against the vicissitudes of success, she concedes that returning to the daily grind might be inevitable.

“No one else is going to prioritize my music, and I haven’t found anyone that does, and I think it’s just always the place you’ll be if you start out as a solo artist,” she said, explaining that touring by herself is always going to be cheaper than paying other musicians.

“If you want to start a band, then everyone has to start the band together, and you all have to be invested in it. It’s always going to be a challenge, bringing someone else into this project.”

This is the crux of the problem that emerged with Z0RG C1TY: the record is not an expression of Stewart’s future, but a documentation of her past. As the clock advances on showtime, she interrupts her pre-show rituals to explain that her performance will feature both electronic music and straightforward rock and roll — a bridge between two phases of her career.

Stewart’s performances are entertaining because they are unpredictable. Her shows are a refreshing counterpoint to the unsurprising setlists and canned banter that have become standard fare in the music industry.

The chaos that pervades her life, the uncertainty of the future, is reflected in her music. The songs on Z0RG C1TY are fractious and raw, and Stewart plays them with abandon, channel-

ling every ounce of her being into the music. On stage, she is magnetic. This is apparent from the first moments of her performance, which begins with an electronic set. As flashing multicoloured lights illuminate the stage, she moves with the music, her delicate voice slicing through titanic waves of electronic noise.

But the audience seems mystified.

The stage is littered with drums and guitars, and many people expected Stewart to appear with a rock band — the only incarnation of Jeans Boots they have ever known. After a few more blasts of atmospheric noise, she stops playing and her bandmates file on stage. Then she counts in “Rocktober,” the first track on Z0RG C1TY, which opens with a series of frantic power chords. As the guitars kick in, Stewart shoots a tender smile at Soulodre. They scrub out the first few chords together. As the waves of sound unfold in front of her, an unbroken ribbon of noise leading somewhere beyond the horizon, Stewart leans back into the music. In the end, it doesn’t matter where she goes or how she chooses to play her songs: she is at home on the stage, any stage, embracing the past and the present, and leaving them both behind in a furious rush of light and sound and joy, full of hope and almost famous.

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photo: courtesy of adam hawboldt / verb magazine

Come app me, brah!

Noodlecake Studios gives insight into mobile gaming industry during MoSo Conference by Adam hawboldt

T

he basement of St. James’ Anglican Church has become a gaming centre.

Normally it’s just a big room with worn wooden floors, folding chairs, and a fully equipped kitchen used for church meetings and other such functions.

But on this cold, wet day in June, as soon as you begin your descent into the basement you notice the sounds. Electro-music and video game explosions are rising up through the stairwell. The sounds seem strange, out of place in a building like this.

But when you turn the corner and enter the room, you instantly realize where they’re coming from.

At the far end of the basement there’s a huge screen set up behind

a table that is piled high with computers and controllers and other electronic gadgets. As three men sit at the table, colourful triangles — which look kind of like Atariera spaceships — zip from side to side on the TV. Thin, gray, horizontal walls quickly cascade down the screen. There are openings in

“This is just a prototype,” explains Arlin Schaffel, a bald, bearded man who works at Noodlecake Studios.

And Schaffel should know.

Employees at Noodlecake Studios — a small, indie game studio in Saskatchewan — are encouraged to spend 10% of their day working on new games. And this one, the game

Our games have to be fun. If it is, then maybe we’ll keep going with it. arlin schaffel

these walls. The object of the game these guys are playing? Dodge the oncoming structures by zipping toward the openings.

up on the screen? This is one of Schaffel’s 10% projects.

“I put in a couple of hours on it and now we’re putting it in people’s Continued on next page »

6

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hands to see if it’s fun,” he says.

“That’s the key. Our games have to be fun. If it is, then maybe we’ll keep going with it.”

Kind of how they did with the other mobile games they have created.

Founded in 2011, Noodlecake Studios’ first game was a hyper-fun, multiplayer mobile gaming app called Super Stickman Golf.

“We wanted to call it Stick Golf,” explains Jordan Schidlowsky, cofounder of Noodlecake, “but there was a trademark dispute so we went with Stickman Golf.” That little dispute was by no means the only frustration they experienced trying to get their mobile game into people’s hands. See, after the game was created using Objective-C (an iOS developer language), they had to rewrite the game in C++ in order to compile it on Android. This process, in case you’re wondering, is about as much fun a grinding down your toenails with an electric sander.

“Have you ever ported an objective [like that]?” asks Schaffel. “You shouldn’t do it. It’s a terrible idea, one that gives people [in our industry] nightmares.”

Lesson learned. So when Noodlecake’s next game, Lunar Racer, was coming out, the guys decided to make it easier on themselves. What they did was develop a porting technology that would allow them to run objectives (ie. games) over to Android a lot easier and a lot more smoothly. And it’s because of this technology that Noodlecake soon found itself helping other mobile game developers get their games published.

That’s one of the reasons the guys from Noodlecake are here in this basement of the St. James church on this gloomy Friday in June, giving a presentation at MoSo Conference.

There are more than 30 people packed into the church basement.

Some are seated, others stand near the back. Pictures are being taken, videos recorded on iPhones, advice furiously being scribbled into notebooks. At the front of the room Ryan Holowaty, Noodlecake’s marketing guru, is explaining how

to succeed in the mobile gaming industry. He tells the audience about leveraging resources, about strategic partnerships, social media, and ad marketing.

The people in the audience listen intently, as well they should.

In less than three years this company went from being a tiny, indie game developer to an on-the-rise indie game developer/publisher/ consultant that has more than 30 million downloads and just cracked over a billion sessions played — thanks to the help of published titles like Happy Jump, Zombie Road Trip, Trainyard and more. All are highly praised and highly played mobile games.

But that doesn’t mean everyone is a fan of the games Noodlecake puts out. At one point in the presentation, a slide of two pictures appears on the screen behind Holowaty. One of the images is of a family kneeling and praying. This is the icon for the super fan, the kind of people who are devoted to the games Noodlecake publishes.

The picture on the other side of the screen is of a troll.

“When you’re in the app game industry, you’re going to run into trolls,” says Holowaty. “You can’t worry too much about them, though.

It’s part of the package.”

To drive his point home, some comments from trolls flit across the screen behind him. “Stickman golf can suck a d**k,” says one of them.

The audience erupts in laughter. The guys from Noodlecake laugh, too, in part because the comments are ridiculous but also in part because they’ve found a successful foothold in the ever-shifting sands of the mobile app game. At least for now.

“Mobile is an ever-changing industy,” says Schidlowsky, to conclude Noodlecake’s MoSo Conference presentation. “It shifts rapidly. This is what we’re doing now to market games. I don’t know how things will work in a year. Everything could flip on its head.

Thing change and we adapt. That’s how this works.” ( ( ) 881 Feedback?

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one for the road Convicted of drinking and driving? Then it’s time for an ignition interlock device

N

ot so long ago Doug Beirness, a policy analyst with the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, recommended that Saskatchewan make ignition interlock devices mandatory for people who are convicted of impaired driving in the province.

And we think that’s a smashing idea.

For those who don’t know, an ignition interlock device is essentially a breathalyzer that’s installed in your vehicle. Before starting your car you have to blow into the device; if your blood alcohol concentration is above a pre-set limit — say, 0.02% — your vehicle won’t start. What’s more, even after your car is started the interlock device can require the driver to give random breath samples at pre-set times — you know, to ensure you don’t start the car, crack a cold one and go zipping through the streets.

Currently, only about seven percent of convicted drunk drivers in Saskatchewan have these devices installed, but that’s not enough. After all, drinking and driving is a serious problem here in our province. In fact, according to Statistics Canada the rate of drunk driving incidents in the province is 683 per 100,000 people, which is the worst of all provinces and more than double the national rate.

Obviously something has to be done, and that’s why we think making interlock devices mandatory for people convicted of driving under the influence is a good first step. After all, we know it’s virtually impossible to stop drinking and driving the first time, but here’s the thing: people who drink

and drive tend to be repeat offenders. So why not reduce the chances of someone who’s had a few too many getting behind the wheel a few too many times by making a breathalyzer test compulsory?

And we’re not just grasping at straws here and hoping it’ll solve the problem. In fact, interlock devices have been proven to work, and work well.

The International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety concluded that “evidence spanning nearly 10 years by eight or more research groups in the U.S. and Canada point toward

[Our rate of drunk driving incidents] is the worst of all provinces…

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40-95% reductions in recidivism while the interlock programs are in effect.”

And while interlock devices won’t completely solve the drinking and driving problem here in Saskatchewan, they’re a good first step in abating it.

So what would such a system look like? Well, we think that if you’re convicted you’re subjected to all the fines and suspensions already levied by our Criminal Code. An interlock program would cost money to create and administer, of course, and it would only be fair to have those costs be

covered by the guilty. In Alberta it runs something like this: installation ($150); rental fee per month ($105); application fee ($63); driver programs ($970); and removal of device ($50). And on top of all this, we think those who must use an interlock device should have this stipulation indicated on their licence — that way, if they get pulled over while driving someone else’s car, they’ll be subject to some serious fines for circumventing the system.

We think these changes would be a great start to addressing the shameful rate of drunk driving in Saskatchewan. And while it might seem harsh, it’s not as bad as some places. At one time, if you are found to be under the influence while driving in south Australia, your car was immediately confiscated. What’s more, once the vehicle was forfeited to the Crown the police commissioner could then choose to either sell it or crush it — which seems more than a little excessive to us.

And that’s why we think installing interlock devices on the vehicles of those who choose to drive while drunk is an even-handed approach that will curb an out of control problem.

These editorials are left unsigned because they represent the opinions of Verb magazine, not those of the individual writers.

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comments

On Topic: Last week we asked what you thought about safe injection sites. Here's what you had to say:

– A safe injection site in Saskatchewan may or may not be a good idea. The spread of HIV/AIDS & other diseases could be curbed since people won’t be sharing needles with each other. On the other end greater drug use might be encouraged among junkies & then making their addiction problems worse & their lives & perhaps the lives of others around them more miserable. :-\

text yo thoughtsur to 881 vE R b 8372

it by not doing what we can to ensure everyone has access to a healthy and safe environment is essential.

– Agree with safe injection site.

Too bad politicians get to make the calls, instead of you know actual health officials with a knowledge base of injecting drugs.

OFF TOPIC – I will support safe injection sites after they provide weed-smoking facilities. Sometimes there is just nowhere to have a puff...not joking

– This is the end is great these guys hit it out of the park. Great cast funny movie.

In response to “Apocalyptically Funny,” Film, #244 (June 14, 2013)

– By encouraging people to use drugs, even if they’re being supervised, aren’t you still condoning that behaviour? We should be working to get them off drugs not make it easier or more comfortable for them.

– Finding a half empty bottle of methadone on your sidewalk is DOWNtown.

– “Safe injection sites” are an oxymoron. Injecting addictive narcotics is bad for you. That said it’s imperative the GOV act now to make injections less deadly

– DOWNtown guy (Charlie) — I loved the series, great job and thanks to you and your friends (and anonymous contributors)!

Keep up the great work :D :D :D

– We are absolutely a perfect location for safe injection site. We desperately need it as our skyrocketing rates of HIV attest, and it has been such a success in Van. Lower rates of overdose, no increase in crime, cleaner streets. Who wouldn’t want this for their city?

– A school in Nova Scotia had the idea to cancel Mother’s Day and Father’s Day in favour of family day. Are you kidding me??? Kids need to honour their parents.

– I would fully support bringing a facility like Insite to Saskatchewan. It could do so much good here. It’s important to remember that addiction is a disease, and punishing those who suffer from

sound off

– Guys when at a loss for or not sure of a pose always fall back on the classic “spear chucker” pose.

Everybody looks good doing it!

– Heh Hav ben recycling for years Neighbors put out garbage every week. Us maybe every 4 Continued on next page »

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Powered by the crew at moga mobile

or 5 weeks. Now we have to pay because other people don’t care.

Pigs/lazy/mentally deficient/don’t care. Ding em/fines for businesses/ aptment dwellers, etc. Portable DNATesters available. Need garbage police. Hav more to follow. Cornell

– Despite a so called “boom” there’s still way too many people struggling to meet the basic needs of living in this province.

– I think the new Circle Drive south bridge should be named after Christopher Yorath. After all it was his vision for the roadway. He deserves more recognisition then a one block street in the middle of Avalon that no one has really heard of

– Equality is not about making everyone the same…it is about embracing our differences and treating people with the same respect that we would wish for ourselves.

– Labor leaders of my generation satisifed their middle class aspirations nice cars big mortgages and pensions. Labor lost ground big time from this mass sellout!

– I can’t believe Quebec is banning tubans in soccer games! That totally goes against the Charter of Rights and puts a black eye on Canada!

– Maturing sucks! Personality matters more than looks now.

Attractive (hot) Personality is way harder to find.

– Sup

Next week: What do you think of ignition interlock devices? Pick up Verb to get in on the conversation:

We print your texts verbatim each week. Text in your thoughts and reactions to our stories and content, or anything else on your mind.

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Crowded City Skyline

Photos: courtesy of ben lemphers

Edmonton folk rockers hone in on their sound by Alex J MacPherson

C

rowded City Skyline, an independent folk band from Edmonton, makes music that is anything but crowded. Using a guitar, a bass and their voices, the trio have spent the last year carving out a minimalistic sound that is as compelling as it is spare. Led by brothers Josh and Zack Barker, and held aloft by Meredith Weir’s wistful vocal lines, the group channels a wide variety of influences while cleaving to none. Their debut EP, Awake My Love, is scheduled to be released later this summer. The album promises to be an engaging and alluring demonstration of how three musicians can achieve a lot with relatively little. I spoke with bassist Josh Barker about the band’s birth and evolution, as well as their commitment to perfecting powerful three-part harmonies.

Alex J MacPherson: You play with your brother, Zack, in the band. Have you always played music together, or is this a relatively recent development?

Josh Barker: We have been making music together as far back as I can remember. As kids, we used to cut out guitars from cardboard and rock out to whatever music was on the radio. That’s where it started for us. Jumping forward, we spent quite a bit of time in our late teens just listening to music and really picking

the foundation of us as a three-piece.

This is our new sound.

things apart, figuring out what kind of music we liked. Just feeding off each other in that respect.

AJM: One thing that stands out is your use of other instruments besides guitars and basses. Is that an attempt to expand your sound without adding more members?

AJM: Crowded City Skyline hasn’t always been a three-piece, right?

JB: It used to be a bigger band, but some people had to go separate ways for various reasons. We’ve kind of honed in on just the three of us. When we were at our biggest,

JB: Being a three-piece, the instruments we’re using are a lot more diverse. Within the three of us,

…as we [got] closer to a three-piece, our sound just started to tune in… josh barker

mostly me and my brother, there’s your typical bass and guitar, but there’s also keyboards, glockenspiel, melodica, ukulele, banjitar — a lot of diversity. And these are all instruments we play live; it’s not some prerecorded thing we can never reproduce. But as a trio, I think the biggest thing we’ve got going for us is our harmonies. We do a lot of three-part vocals.

we were a six-piece — before we were Crowded City Skyline, even.

It was a bunch of people getting together to play music. It seemed like as we narrowed it down, getting closer to a three-piece, our sound just started to tune in and the writing started to get tighter. Everything started to fall into place.

AJM: Tell me a little bit about the record. What can people expect?

AJM: That’s evident on your early recordings, which feel like attempts to nail down and perfect those harmonies. Why do you think three-part harmonies are so powerful?

JB: It should be out this summer. We have a single that might be out before we even play the Saskatoon show.

The EP is just a compilation of a few older songs that we’ve done and probably about five new songs. It’s called Awake My Love. It’s essentially

JB: Why? That’s a loaded question. It just feels good. Because there’s three

of us and we’re so tuned into each other now, we can just get together and spend 40 minutes on a two-minute part, and just really lock in the thing. Sometimes we’ll just work on harmonies for a whole evening, just trying to get all the pieces together — where everything sounds just like one piece, you know?

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arts

Art Evolution

Shaping Saskatchewan explores the rise of an art scene on the prairies

S

haping Saskatchewan is a response to a completely unrelated exhibition. Curator Sandra Fraser was inspired to explore the history of Saskatchewan art after seeing The Automatiste Revolution, which examines one of the most important art movements in Canadian history. “I’m excited by that history and some of the artists working in that period,” she says as she walks through the gallery a few days before the show opens. “I’m new to Saskatchewan, and I thought, ‘I wonder what was happening in Saskatchewan at that time?’ It was kind of an excuse for me to dig into the history.”

The exhibition, which uses works in the gallery’s permanent collection, explores the years between 1936 and 1964. Fraser chose the opening date because it coincided with the establishment of an art department at the University of Saskatchewan, the latter because it marked the creation of the

Mendel Art Gallery. The years in between witnessed the flowering of a Saskatchewan style — an evolution from the European influences of Henderson and Kenderdine to the hard-edge abstraction of Bloore and Lochhead.

According to Fraser, Saskatchewan art emerged as a potent and recognizable force in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Constrained by the Great Depression and the Second World War, a generation of artists began depicting local scenes with a fresh perspective, unencumbered by the formal strictures of the European schools. “In the ‘30s and ‘40s there’s a real interest all across North America in painting the local, or making art about the local,” she explains. “This group shows a bit of an interest in the industrial landscape, and there’s a focus in the local not just being pastoral, but looking at some of the grittier aspects.”

The exhibition also tackles abstraction, which began at Emma Lake with artists like Lindner and

by alex J MacPherson

Mulcaster, and evolved into the Regina Five — the iconic quintet that included Bloore and Lochhead. Fraser uses the term internationalism to describe this period. “Once we get to the ‘50s and ‘60s we have artists who have gone to university and often have graduate degrees, so they’ve traveled either to the United States, Europe, or other parts of Canada,” she says. “Or they have come from the United States or other parts of Canada to Saskatchewan.”

Shaping Saskatchewan is the story of art and artists in the province during a critical time in its history, when the norms of an earlier generation were being shaken off in favour of a new way of thinking. But it also hints at the diversity to come, the blossoming of ideas that have come to define one of the most diverse and vibrant art communities in the country.

Shaping Saskatchewan Through September 15 @ Mendel Art Gallery

Music In The Park

The Canada Day Arts & Culture Festival hopes to open up electronic music to a wider audience by alex J MacPherson

T

he Canada Day Arts & Culture Festival is much more than just a good reason to spend a hot summer afternoon lounging in one of Saskatoon’s vast tracts of green space. It is also an opportunity to experience a side of the city’s arts scene that few people know exist. Featuring a wide array of DJs and electronic music performers, the Arts & Culture Festival offers a window into the world of late-night house and breakbeat music from the comfort of a sunbleached afternoon in the park.

“We’ve been doing this for a few years, but before it was kind of focused on a park party with dancing and DJs,” explains Harley Steinke, operations manager at Pro Plus Production, the local sound and lighting company that is organizing the festival. “This year we’re going to expand it a little bit.”

The Canada Day Arts & Culture Festival has its roots in a similar, though much smaller, event held six years ago.

The 2013 iteration is Steinke’s third, and he hopes it will be the biggest to date. To appeal to a broader demographic, he has spearheaded a move beyond DJ culture to live demonstrations of visual art and much more.

Although he admits that the schedule is not yet finalized, Steinke expects there will be something for everyone in the park on Canada day.

“There are a lot of people that are great, great artists,” he enthuses, “but maybe people don’t know they exist — so there will be a lot of people showcasing their stuff.” More importantly, he adds, the festival organizers are trying to create a family-friendly atmosphere. “We’re trying to keep it pretty relaxed,” he says. “It’ll be a dance party, but it’s also going to be relaxing.”

But the central aspect of the festival will be music. Many people are unfamiliar with the city’s vibrant electronic music scene because most events take place late at night and are not well publicized. Steinke wants to change this. And by bringing a slew of talented DJs, including local favourites the Gaff and Dr J, on board, he hopes people will recognize that electronic music is neither exclusive nor difficult — and that the growing scene can take root in as many new places as possible.

The Canada Day Arts & Culture Festival July 1 @ Rotary Park Feedback? Text it! (306) 881 8372

@VerbSaskatoon amacpherson@verbnews.com

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Feature

Florida Georgia Line

Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard on their meteoric rise by Alex J Ma

B

rian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard have come a long way since they wrote their first songs together, perched on the tailgate of Kelley’s Chevrolet Tahoe. Over the last twelve months the duo, who perform as Florida Georgia Line, have been catapulted from relative obscurity to the top of the country music charts. After meeting through a friend while attending Belmont University in Nashville, Kelley and Hubbard discovered that they enjoyed writing songs together. Their musical relationship blossomed, and the pair spent several years on the road and released a pair of EPs. Their second album, It’z Just What We Do, included a song called “Cruise.” It changed their lives.

When I spoke with Kelley and Hubbard earlier this month, the band was hours away from playing the Ryman Auditorium, the ancestral home of the Grand Ole Opry and one of country music’s most hallowed halls. “We’re pumped, man,” Hubbard says with a laugh. “It’s a crazy, crazy year for us, but we’re enjoying it. Just working hard and doing our thing and having fun.”

Florida Georgia Line connects two states in the American South. Hubbard grew up in Monroe, a small city nestled in the heart of Georgia, a few miles east of Atlanta. Kelley was born in Ormond Beach, Florida, a town

north of Daytona Beach famous for being the vacation home of industrialist John D. Rockefeller. Both men grew up surrounded by music, everything from country and gospel to hip hop and rock. Hubbard sensed that he and Kelley had an affinity for songwriting from their very first meeting. “Man, we knew we had something special from the very first song we wrote,” he says. “We wrote a few songs, and there was just a cool connection — a lot of

from its roots; its sound transcends the South and appeals to anyone in search of a party. “Our influences are all over the map,” Kelley explains. “We love everything. We just wanted to have an album that sounded fresh and made sense, man.” Producer Joey Moi, who has worked with everyone from Santana and Hinder to Faber Drive and Tim McGraw, was instrumental in creating the record. His ability to transform raw songs into powerful, accessible

I think country music is evolving into something really cool that a lot of people are attracted to.

Tyler hubbard

similarities in our styles and things like that, just the way we grew up.”

Country music has evolved considerably since the golden years, when the Nashville and Bakersfield sounds dominated the charts and maudlin was the default emotion. Since the rise of Garth Brooks, country has moved toward the mainstream, becoming in the process an upbeat alternative to rock and roll for parties, gatherings, and celebrations. Florida Georgia Line’s debut long play, Here’s To The Good Times, pushes country even further

anthems has become an integral part of Florida Georgia Line’s sound.

“We always picture, when we’re writing our songs, arenas or stadiums full of people singing along — like, how would that sound?” Kelley says.

“Joey took that vision and that dream that we had, and he multiplied it by ten.” This is apparent from the opening bars of “Cruise,” which grafts a colossal guitar lick to half-spoken verses inspired by the band’s love of hip hop.

A hyperactive party anthem about a pretty girl from the South and a big Continued on next page »

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Photo: courtesy of adam taylor

acPherson pickup truck, “Cruise” defines the course of the album: towering sounds, limitless energy, and easily relatable lyrics. “Hell Raisin’ Heat Of The Summer,” which features a simple piano lick cast against a wall of electric guitar chords, captures the spirit of the record in just a few lines: “Yeah man, we had some damn good times / And I sure hope everybody’s doing good.”

“We just wanted to record songs about our lives and where we’re at and

Photo: courtesy of adam taylor

what we’ve been through and where we want to be,” Kelley explains. “Right now, that’s writing [about] the good times, chasing dreams, and having fun with your friends, and loving your family.” The songs on Here’s To The Good Times are successful because they are immediately recognizable, focused on the beauty of being young and alive. “It’s a way to let everybody connect,” Hubbard muses, “and that’s what music’s all about.”

Contemporary country music, unlike the heart-wrenching songs written

by Hank Williams and Gram Parsons, is celebratory. But Florida Georgia Line are not in the business of recycling tired clichés. Here’s To The Good Times feels like an attempt to expand the boundaries of what can be achieved under the umbrella of country music.

“I think country music is evolving into something really cool that a lot of people are attracted to,” Hubbard says of the record, which incorporates sounds that would have been inconceivable to popular country musicians ten years ago. “It does expand the fan base and it’s just fun to step out of the box and do different stuff and find a sound that’s your own. And people really dig that, so it’s fun to watch people connect to our music and what we’re doing.”

This desire to draw on influences outside the canon reached its apex when Kelley and Hubbard collaborated with Nelly, a hip hop artist from St. Louis, Missouri, on a remixed version of “Cruise.” Nelly, who rose to prominence after releasing Country Grammar and won Grammy Awards in 2003 and 2004, brought a different edge to the recording studio; the remixed cut of “Cruise” is a crossover, a track that can be played at a tailgate party or in a nightclub in the city. And according to Hubbard, it was a lot of fun to make.

“He’s just a cool guy, man,” he says of Nelly, “laid back, funny as can be, really learned a lot from him for sure.

He taught us lots. We had a really good time with it.”’

This is the secret to understanding Florida Georgia Line. Neither Kelley nor Hubbard make any apologies for their fixation on having fun. And it shows. Here’s To The Good Times is exactly what it purports to be. The sense of wonder and amazement at being young cuts through every song on the record. It is an ode to long days and longer nights with good friends and cheap beer. And while Kelley and Hubbard have spent the last year riding an elevator to success, watching their songs transcend national borders and reaping the benefits of fame, they seem unchanged by the experience.

“It’s pretty simple, man,” Hubbard muses, “We’re just doing what we love and hope people love. And if they don’t, they don’t — we’re still going to do our thing and have fun and try to make a living playing music.” Kelley agrees: “We’re just trying to figure out how to live it up with each moment, each day.

There’s a lot of cool things happening right now and you can get soaked up in worrying about what’s coming up or what’s happened. We’re trying to live in the now.” Here’s To The Good Times is the culmination of everything Kelley and Hubbard set out to achieve when all they had were a couple of guitars

and a dream. “We didn’t know we were going to be in a duo or do the artist thing, but we decided … we loved playing our songs for people and figured we’d see what happened,” Hubbard recalls. “It worked out, man.”

Florida Georgia Line June 28 @ TCU Place Sold out Feedback? Text it! (306) 881 8372

@VerbSaskatoon amacpherson@verbnews.com

15 June 21 – June 27 /verbsaskatoon

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Boston Bruins and the lucky burger Photos courtesy of Adam Hawboldt

Sports on Tap offers burgers you build yourself — and lots of hockey by adam hawboldt

T

here’s something about Milan Lucic.

Watching the Boston Bruins left winger bust down the sideboards like a runaway freight train, feathering a pass under the stick of a defender to his centreman is oh-so-sweet.

But it’s not only points and passing for this guy. He’s salty, too. The kind of course salt you don’t want rubbed in a wound. He’s a wrecking ball on skates. The kind of guy you don’t want to be hit by and definitely, unless you’re an NHL heavyweight, not the kind of guy you want to drop your gloves with.

An impressive mixture of talent and power, grit and scoring punch, sweetness and salty meanness.

The only reason I bring any of this up is because earlier this week I was at Sports On Tap watching Lucic and the Bruins take on the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup finals.

Grabbing a chair, I perused the menu. On a shoehorn of black couches to my right two friends lounged around, shooting the breeze about hockey. Their schooners of beer rested on the table in front of them (only $7 on Mondays), and they talked about things like “faceoffs” and “Brenden Morrow” and “puck possession.”

With hockey on my mind and a hunger in my belly, I read the menu until I got to the page that told me I could build my own burger. Bingo!

And since I’ve wagered not a small sum of money on this series, I figured the best thing I could do was construct a burger that resembled the on-ice personality of Milan Lucic. You know, for luck and stuff.

What I ended up with is something I’ve dubbed the Peanut Butter Bacon Burger.

Stacked with lettuce, tomato and dill pickles, the patty (which was deliciously spicy) was then topped with cheddar cheese and lathered with peanut butter.

The result? A sweet, salty, spicy concoction — just like the Bruins’ hulking winger.

Oh, and like Lucic and the Bruins in Game 3, the burger was a winner.

When you walk into Sports on Tap and look around, the first thing you notice is the wall to your right.

There, like in a sports newsroom, televisions are stacked from the ceiling to nearly the floor. There are six flat screens bookended by two gargantuan big screens.

What I ended up with is something I’ve dubbed the Peanut Butter Bacon Burger.

Adam Hawboldt

Taking a seat I thought to myself, “Not a bad place to watch the game.

Not a bad place at all!”

let’s go drinkin’ Verb’s mixology guide Stanley’s cup

Ingredients

T’is the season to sit back, grab a drink and watch the Stanley Cup finals with friends. So in honour of Lord Stanley, why not give this easy but tasty cocktail a try?

6 oz gin 1 oz Grenadine (or to taste) shaved ice 1 orange slice

Sports on Tap 2606 Lorne Avenue | 306 683 8921 Feedback? Text it! (306) 881 8372

Directions

Put all the ingredients in a shaker. Shake well. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with orange slice.

@VerbSaskatoon ahawboldt@verbnews.com

16 June 14 21 – June 20 27 culture

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Next Week

coming up

Eli, for short

Larry and His Flask

Passion Pit

@ Lydia’s Pub friday, June 28 – $5

@ Amigos Cantina saturday, June 29 – $10

@ Odeon Events Centre tuesday, September 3 – $32.50

It all started for Eli when he was 18. For his birthday, his mom took an old acoustic guitar from the storage room, had it restrung, and gave it to him as a present. From that point on his musical education commenced. Wait, no. That’s not right. In truth, his education began years earlier while sitting in the back seat of a minivan, driving across the prairies and listening to music. Since then it’s basically been a life-long obsession — one that has paid dividends. He’s played in a band called The Rebellion, formed a folk duo with Kirby Criddle and put out an EP called Smile and Pretend. The songs on the album have a laid-back, catchy quality that are hard ignore. Come see what he’s all about next week.

Contrary to what you might think, there’s no dude named Larry in the band Larry and His Flask. Consisting of Dallin Bulkley, Andrew Carew, Ian Cook, Jamin Marshall and Jeshua Marshall, this Oregon-based band plays an infectious, riotous brand of punk bluegrass. And even though they’ve toured with bands like the Dropkick Murphys, they aren’t above breaking out their instruments and playing on a street corner if the fancy (or the need for gas while touring on their own) strikes. And the fact that in 2008 they changed their sound and started playing acoustic instruments only allows them to do this easier. Check ‘em out next week at Amigos, and have yourself a foot-stomping good time. Tickets at the door.

Ever wonder how bands come up with their names? Some get their name from other people’s songs (Rolling Stones), some choose them from novels (Joy Division), and some are named after contortionist strippers (Alexisonfire). As for Passion Pit, this electro-pop five-piece from Cambridge, Massachusetts, plucked their stage name from a Variety slang dictionary. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, a passion pit is just another name for a drive-in theatre. With songs that range from whimsical to party anthem, Passion Pit is fast becoming a must-see band for anyone who likes to have a damn good time. With appearances on SNL, tours with Muse and their songs landing on such TV shows as Gossip Girl and Big Love, this group’s star is definitely on the rise. Tickets at theodeon.ca – By Adam Hawboldt

Photos courtesy of: the artist / the artist / arana702

Sask music Preview Sask Music has teamed up with the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival to provide musicians and music fans with two great workshops — for free! A Q+A period at “Music Management” on June 22 will offer insight into what it means to be a manager, work with a manager, hire a manager and more. On June 30, “Tools, Tips and Tricks for Musicians and YouTube” will teach you how to create and engage an audience on the Internet’s second biggest search engine. Space is limited, so pre-register to hold your spot. See http://saskjazz/workshops/ for workshop times, locations and more info.

Keep up with Saskatchewan music. saskmusic.org

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JUNE 21 » June 29 The most complete live music listings for Saskatoon.

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23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Friday 21 House DJs / 6Twelve Lounge — Funk, soul & lounge DJs liven it up. 9pm / No cover Jazz Fest / Amigos — With Lee Fields and the Expressions + more. 10:30pm / $15 DJ Aash Money / Béily’s — DJ Aash Money throws it down. 9pm / $5 cover Jazz Fest / The Bassment — With Coral Egan. 9pm / Ticket info @ saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Bessborough Gardens — With Colin James + more. 7pm / saskjazz.com Fear of Knowing / Buds — A local heavy rock quartet. 9pm / $6 Jazz Fest / Friendship Park — With Gypsophilia and The Steadies. 7pm / No cover Jazz Fest / James Hotel — Featuring Rita di Ghent. 10:30pm / No cover DJ Sugar Daddy / Jax Niteclub — He rocks any party. 9pm / $5 cover Bass Invaders / Lydia’s Pub — Some bass for your face. $10:30pm / $5 Super Smash Summer Sizzla / Odeon — Featuring Criscole + more. 9pm / $10/20 DJ Big Ayyy & DJ HENCHMAN / Outlaws — Round up your friends. 8pm / $5 Apollo Cruz / Piggy’s Bar and Grill — High-octane blues. 9pm / Cover TBD Jatino / Prairie Ink — Smooth jazz/latin/ pop. 8pm / No cover Phoenix Lauren and the Strength / Spadina Freehouse — Local R&B and soul.

9pm / No cover

Teri Ann Strongarm / Stan’s Place — A country songstress. 9pm / No cover Dueling Pianos / Staqatto Piano Lounge — With Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King. 10pm / $5 Party Rock Fridays / Tequila Nightclub — Featuring DJs Anchor + Stikman. 9pm / Cover TBD DJ Nick Ruston / Uncle Barley’s — Stop by for some beer and smooth beats. 9pm / Cover TBD Poor Young Things / Vangelis — With Whiskey Songs. 10pm / $8 Jazz Fest / Village Guitar & Amp Co. — Featuring Andy Shauf. 8pm / Ticket info @ saskjazz.com

DJ Sugar Daddy / Jax — He rocks any party. 9pm / $5 cover Graham Tilsley Band / Lydia’s Pub — Jazzy alt-rock/pop. 10:30pm / $5 Outside the Wall / Odeon — With Unchained and Kashmir. 8pm / $22.50 DJ Big Ayyy & DJ Henchman / Outlaws — Round up your friends. 8pm / $5 Apollo Cruz / Piggy’s Bar and Grill — High-octane blues. 9pm / Cover TBD Caila Ellerman / Prairie Ink — Laid back folk music. 8pm / No cover Jazz Fest / Prairie Lily Riverboat — Featuring Maurice Drouin Trio. 6:30pm / Ticket info @ saskjazz.com Aaron Adair and SK Soul / Spadina Freehouse — Soul for your listening pleasure. 9pm / No cover Teri Ann Strongarm / Stan’s Place — Soulful country. 9pm / No cover Dueling Pianos / Staqatto Piano Lounge — With Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King. 10pm / $5 DJ Anchor / Sutherland Bar — Droppin’ dope beats. 9pm / Cover TBD Sexy Saturdays / Tequila Nightclub — Featuring DJ Dislexik. 9pm / Cover TBD DJ Thorpdeo / Uncle Barley’s — Spinning hot tunes all night. 10pm / Cover TBD Jazz Fest / Vangelis — With Wake Owl + more. 10pm / $10 Jazz Fest / Village Guitar & Amp Co. — With Suzie Vinnick. 8pm / saskjazz.com

Saturday 22

House DJs / 6Twelve — Resident DJs spin deep and soulful tunes all night. 9pm / No cover Jazz Fest / Amigos — Featuring Lee Fields and the Expressions + more. 10:30pm / $15 Jazz Fest / The Bassment — With Rita di Ghent + more. 9pm / Ticket info @ saskjazz.com DJ Aash Money + DJ CTRL / Béily’s UltraLounge — These two DJs throw down a high-energy top 40 dance party. 9pm / $5 cover Jazz Fest / Bessborough Gardens — Featuring Metric, Nightbox and We Were Lovers. 6pm / Ticket info @ saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Broadway Theatre — Featuring Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Don Griffith.

7:30pm / Ticket info @ saskjazz.com Fear of Knowing / Buds — A local heavy rock quartet. 9pm / $6 SaturGAY Night / Diva’s — Resident DJs spin exclusive dance remixes every Saturday. 10pm / $5 Jazz Fest / Friendship Park — Featuring Aaron Adair & SK Soul, Wil Campa and more. 1pm / No cover Jazz Fest / James Hotel — Featuring Charly Hustle. 10:30pm / No cover

Sunday 23

Jazz Fest / Amigos — Featuring A Tribe Called Red. 10pm / $15 Jazz Fest / The Bassment — Featuring Vijay Iyer Trio. 8pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com Industry Night / Béily’s — Hosted by DJ Sugar Daddy. 9pm / $4; no cover for industry staff Jazz Fest / Bessborough Gardens — With Ziggy Marley + more. 6pm / saskjazz.com Chris Charmichael / Bon Temps Cafe — Some down-home blues. 9pm / Cover TBD

Jazz Fest / Broadway Theatre — With John Schofield Uberjam. 7:30pm / saskjazz.com DJ KADE / The Hose & Hydrant — Saskatoon DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm / No cover DJ Anchor / Jax — A Bollywood vs. Western dance party. 9pm / Cover TBD Jazz Fest / Prairie Lily Riverboat — Featuring Maurice Drouin Trio. 6:30pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Potashcorp Club Jazz — Featuring Monkey Junk + more. Shows start 1pm / Info @ saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Spadina Freehouse — Featuring Absofunkinlutely. 10:30pm / No cover Blues Jam / Vangelis Tavern — The Vangelis Sunday Jam offers blues to rock and beyond. 7:30pm / No cover

Monday 24

Jazz Fest / The Bassment — Featuring Soweto Kinch Trio. 8pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Bessborough Gardens — Featuring Serena Ryder. 7:30pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Broadway Theatre — Featuring Bettye LaVette. 7:30pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com Big Dave McLean / Buds — Awesome Delta blues. 9pm / $6 Jazz Fest / Downtown Stage — W Doug Boomhower Quartet and BC Read Duo. 11:45am, 5pm / No cover DJ Audio / Dublins — Spinning dope beats.

9pm / Cover TBD Metal Mondays / Lydia’s — If hard, heavy awesomeness is your thing, swing by. 9pm Jazz Fest / Potashcorp Club Jazz — Featuring Young Benjamins + more. Shows start 12pm / Info @ saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Prairie Lily Riverboat — Featuring Maurice Drouin Trio. 6:30pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Spadina Freehouse — Featuring Young Benjamins. 10:30pm / No cover

Tuesday 25

Jazz Fest / The Bassment — Featuring the Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer. 8pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com Big Dave McLean / Buds — Awesome Delta blues. 9pm / $6 DJ SUGAR DADDY / Double Deuce — This crowd favourite rocks. 9:30pm / $4 Jazz Fest / Downtown Stage — Featuring Misterfire + more. 11:45am, 5pm / No Cover DJ Nick Ruston / Dublins — Spinning dope beats. 9pm / Cover TBD OPEN STAGE / Lydia’s Pub — Show off your skills. 9pm / No cover Jazz Fest / Potashcorp Club Jazz — With Royal Wood + more. Shows start 12pm / Info @ saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Prairie Lily Riverboat — Featuring Maurice Drouin Trio. 6:30pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com Open Mic / Somewhere Else Pub — Come out to show your talent. 7pm / No cover Jazz Fest / Freehouse — Featuring Percussion Syndicate. 10:30pm / No cover Mac Demarco / Vangelis — With Caves.

9pm / $10

Wednesday 26

HUMP WEDNESDAYS / 302 Lounge & Discotheque — With DJ Chris Knorr. 9pm / No cover until 10pm; $3 thereafter Michael Bernard Fitzgerald / Amigos — With John Antoniuk. 10pm / $13 Jazz Fest / The Bassment — With the Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer. 8pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Bessborough Gardens — With Herbie Hancock. 7:30pm / saskjazz.com Big Dave McLean / Buds — Awesome Delta blues. 9pm / $6 Jazz Fest / Downtown Stage — Featuring The Lost Keys + more. 11:45am, 5pm / No cover DJ Memo / Dublins — Spinning dope beats.

9pm / Cover TBD

18 June 21 – June 27 entertainment

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DJ Kade / The Hose & Hydrant — Saskatoon DJ lights it up. 8pm / No cover Dr. J ‘Souled Out’ / Lydia’s Pub — Dr. J spins hot funk and soul. 9pm / No cover WILD WEST WEDNESDAY / Outlaws — With DJ Big Ayyy & DJ Henchman. 9pm / $4 Jazz Fest / Potashcorp Club Jazz — Misterfire + more. Starting 12pm / saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Prairie Lily Riverboat — With Maurice Drouin Trio. 6:30pm / saskjazz.com Open Mic / Rock Bottom — Hosted by Chad Reynolds. 10pm / No cover Jazz Fest / Spadina Freehouse — Featuring Whiskey Song. 10:30pm / No cover CJWW Karaoke / Stan’s Place — Your talent, aired on the radio! 9pm / No cover Dueling Pianos / Staqatto — With Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King. 10pm

Thursday 27

Jazz Fest / Amigos — Featuring Yukon Blonde + more. 10:30pm / $15 Jazz Fest / Bassment — With Kurt Rosenwinkel Quartet + more. 7pm / saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Bessborough Gardens — With City and Colour. 8pm / saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Broadway Theatre — With Nikki Yanofsky. 7:30pm / saskjazz.com Big Dave McLean / Buds — Awesome Delta blues. 9pm / $6 Jazz Fest / Downtown Stage — Donna Hay Trio + more. 11:45am, 5pm / No cover Throwback Thursdays / Earls — With Dr. J. 8pm / No cover DJ Kade / The Hose — Saskatoon DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm / No cover DJ Sugar Daddy / Jax — Rockin’ all night8pm / $5; free by 11pm with student ID Jazz Fest / Potashcorp Club Jazz — Jack Semple + more. Starting 12pm / saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Prairie Lily Riverboat — With Maurice Drouin Trio. 6:30pm / tickets @ saskjazz.com Heavy Metal Rampage ’13 / Rock Bottom — With Stryker + more. 9pm / Cover TBD Jazz Fest / Spadina Freehouse — Featuring Charly Hustle. 10:30pm / No cover Triple Up Thursdays / Tequila — Featuring DJ Stikman. 9pm / Cover TBD

Friday 28

Saturday 29

House DJs / 6Twelve Lounge — Funk, soul & lounge DJs liven it up. 9pm / No cover Jazz Fest / Amigos — Featuring Jack Semple + more. 10:30pm / $15 Jazz Fest / The Bassment — With Alfredo Rogdriguez Trio. 9pm / saskjazz.com DJ Aash Money / Béily’s — DJ Aash Money throws it down. 9pm / $5 cover Jazz Fest / Bessborough Gardens — With Dr. John and the Nite Trippers. 8pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Broadway Theatre — Featuring Art Pepper. 7:30pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com Big Dave McLean / Buds — Awesome Delta blues. 9pm / $6 Jazz Fest / Downtown Stage — Featuring Percussion Syndicate. 11:45am / No Cover DJ Eclectic / The Hose — Local turntable whiz pumps snappy beats. 8pm / No cover Jazz Fest / James Hotel — Featuring Gillian Snider. 10:30pm / No cover DJ Sugar Daddy / Jax Niteclub — This local crowd favourite rocks. 9pm / $5 cover Eli, for short / Lydia’s — Smooth, cool jams. 10pm / $5 DJ Big Ayyy & DJ HENCHMAN / Outlaws — Round up your friends. 8pm / $5 Jazz Fest / Potashcorp Club Jazz — Oral Fuentes + more. 12pm + on / saskjazz.com The Standards Trio / Prairie Ink — A smooth jazz ensemble. 8pm / No cover Jazz Fest / Prairie Lily Riverboat — With Maurice Drouin Trio. 6:30pm / saskjazz.com Uberwaltigend Turbofest / Rock Bottom — Hot tunes. $60 for both nights Jazz Fest / Spadina Freehouse — Featuring Charly Hustle. 10:30pm / No cover Dueling Pianos / Staqatto — Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad King. 10pm / $5 Florida Georgia Line / TCU Place — Rockin’ country. 7:30pm $30+ Party Rock Fridays / Tequila — With DJs Anchor + Stikman. 9pm / Cover TBD DJ Nick Ruston / Uncle Barley’s — Come and check him out! 9pm / Cover TBD Jazz Fest / Vangelis — With 24th Street Wailers. 10:30pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com

House DJs / 6Twelve — Resident DJs spin deep and soulful tunes. 9pm / No cover Jazz Fest / Amigos — Featuring Larry and his Flask. 10:30pm / $15 Jazz Fest / The Bassment — With TD Jazz Intensive. 1pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / The Bassment — With Courtney Pine. 7pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com DJ Aash Money + DJ CTRL / Béily’s — These two DJs throw it down. 9pm / $5 Jazz Fest / Bessborough Gardens — With Jimmie Vaughn + more. 6pm / saskjazz.com Jazz Fest / Broadway Theatre — With Macy Gray. 7:30pm / saskjazz.com Big Dave McLean / Buds — Awesome Delta blues. 9pm / $6 SaturGAY Night / Diva’s — Resident DJs spin exclusive dance remixes. 10pm / $5 DJ Kade / The Hose — Lights it up. 8pmJazz Fest / James Hotel — Charly Hustle.

10:30pm / No cover DJ Sugar Daddy / Jax Niteclub — He’s able to rock any party. 9pm / $5 cover Le Groove / Lydia’s — Come on down!

10:30pm / $5 DJ Big Ayyy & DJ Henchman / Outlaws — Round up your friends. 8pm / $5 Jazz Fest / Potashcorp Club Jazz — With Red Baraat + more. 1pm + on / saskjazz.com Wayne Bergen / Prairie Ink — Instrumental guitar. 8pm / No cover Jazz Fest / Prairie Lily Riverboat — With Maurice Drouin Trio. 6:30pm / saskjazz.com Uberwaltigend Turbofest / Rock Bottom — Hot tunes. $60 (both nights) Jazz Fest / Freehouse — Featuring Pile of Bones Brass Band. 10:30pm / No cover Dueling Pianos / Staqatto — With Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie + Brad King. 10pm / $5 DJ Anchor / Sutherland Bar — It’s the world famous video mix show! 10pm Party Rock Fridays / Tequila — Featuring DJs Anchor + Stikman DJ Thorpdeo / Uncle Barley’s — Spinning hot tunes all night. 10pm / Cover TBD Jazz Fest / Vangelis — 24th Street Wailers.

10:30pm / Tickets @ saskjazz.com

19 June 21 – June 27 /verbsaskatoon

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The zombies are coming!

Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

World War Z a decent, but not great, addition to the zombie genre by adam hawboldt

I

f you’re any kind of cinephile, by now you’ve heard all about World War Z. You’ve heard about the problems that plagued its production. About the spats between the director and cast, the constant rewrites, the revolving door of personnel, the long-delayed release, and the monstrous, out-ofcontrol budget.

Some people thought all this hullabaloo would lead to an absolute abortion of a movie. Others figured, “Meh, it’s a movie about zombies starring Brad Pitt … how can’t it be good?”

The truth of the matter lies somewhere in between both viewpoints.

Based on Max Brooks’ novel of the same name, World War Z is a sprawling film about a worldwide zombie apocalypse and the search for a cure.

Wait. Let me rewind for a second.

The film, directed by Marc Forster (Monster’s Ball, Finding Neverland), isn’t really based on Brooks’ gritty cult novel. It’s more based on the idea inherent in the book. See, if you’ve read the novel, you know it’s written in an interview-based style that, in no way, shape or form, would lend itself to a summer blockbuster like the one Forster had in mind. So what they did was kept the central concept — that most of the world’s population has been decimated by zombie attacks — and invented an almost entirely new plot.

At the centre of it is family man and former UN investigator Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt.) When we first meet Lane

he’s a mild-mannered, stay-at-home father who loves spending time with his loving wife Karen (Mireille Enos) and his daughters Rachel (Abigail Hargrove) and Constance (Sterling Jerins.)

The Lanes are one big happy family. But that happiness is short-lived when the zombies show up. And at that point, Lane has a choice to make:

World War Z Marc Forster Starring Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, David Morse + James Badge Dale Directed by

115 minutes | 14A

World War Z apart is that instead of being confined to a specific locale, zombie attacks are happening all over. The undead are climbing walls in Jerusalem, running amok in Korea, and boarding planes at airports.

It’s an intense situation, with many intense moments. But here’s the thing: for all the scares and intensity, there isn’t much heart to World War Z, nothing that’ll make you go, “Holy crap!

That was amazeballs!”

The reason? Brad Pitt’s character.

Now don’t get it twisted, Pitt does a good job in the role of Gerry Lane. He just doesn’t have too much to work with. Lane is too perfect. A perfect father, perfect investigator, a perfect zombie slayer. He simply doesn’t have any flaws. And when you have a character like that driving your movie, it’s hard to draw the audience in — heart, mind and soul.

…for all the scares and intensity, there isn’t much heart to World War Z… Adam Hawboldt

stay at home and defend his family or put his unique skill set to work and traverse the globe in search of patient zero in the hopes of finding a cure.

He opts for the latter, and apocalyptic chaos ensues.

But this isn’t the kind of somewhat contained chaos you’d expect from a zombie movie. For starters, these aren’t the lumbering, slowmoving zombies of, say, Walking Dead fame. No, they’re running, leaping pack beasts with a thirst for blood (which, much to the chagrin of many zombie enthusiasts, there isn’t much of). Another thing that sets

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A documentary of the dogs

The Sheepdogs Have At It chronicles the rise of Saskatoon’s favourite classic rock band by adam hawboldt

Photo: Courtesy of indiecan entertainment

E

verybody likes a good underdog movie.

C’mon, admit it! You know you do. How can you not enjoy a movie like Rudy or Rocky or heck, even The Shawshank Redemption? There’s something about cheering for the little guy that feels safe and justified. We see ourselves in them, we urge them on. If they can succeed, maybe one day we can too. So let’s hear it for the long shot!

And let’s hear it for The Sheepdogs Have At It, the new documentary about Saskatchewan’s favourite bearded band, the Sheepdogs. Because, ostensibly, that’s what the film is about — underdogs. The movie tracks the band from their humble beginnings (making a racket in drummer Sam Corbett’s parents’ basement way back in 2004) to the making of their sophomore album last year.

Right, and in case you’re the only person in Saskatchewan who hasn’t heard of the Sheepdogs, here’s the basics of what you have to know: they are an updated echo of the ‘70s,

playing classic rock the right way. They have big beards and untamed, flowing hair. They drink and tour and play the hell out of their stage shows.

Oh, and in 2011 they won a contest and were featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Which, in case you’re wondering, is kind of a big deal.

Beginning just after the Sheepdogs won the Rolling Stone contest, the movie lets the audience know what the stakes are from the get-go. Now that the Sheepdogs have been on the cover of the iconic magazine, it’s time for them to record a sophomore album. But here’s the catch (as record execs, managers and agents all attest to): the album better not suck. If it does, all the hard work they put in will be for naught.

No pressure! So the guys go into the studio, and the movie rewinds (literally, there’s a rewinding sound set against a blackened screen) back to the band’s beginnings and rise.

This is where the underdog angle comes from. We learn all about the genesis of the band, about touring in

the sheepdogs Have at it John Barnard Starring Ewan Currie, Sam Corbett, Ryan Gullen + Leot Hanson Directed by

85 minutes | PG

a beat-up van, about how close they came to quitting, about how hard it is for a big, hairy, old-school rock band to stay true to their roots and make it in this auto-tuned, bubblegum pop day and age.

Fast forward back to the studio, and we see the trials and tribulations the Sheepdogs are having recording their self-titled sophomore album.

Rewind back to the past, leap back to 2011 or 2012. Back and forth the documentary goes, from past to (almost) present. And do you know what? This non-linear storyline works well. The concert footage does, too.

Toss in a few funny parts and a few things you might not have known about the band, and what you have is one pretty darn good documentary.

If I were to levy one criticism, though, it would be that the story lacked tension. Director John Barnard should’ve probably amped up the suspense while the Sheepdogs were in the studio in order to keep those unfamiliar with the band wondering how the album turned out. Still, though, fan or no fan, Have At It is a musical documentary well worth a watch. It might not change your world view, but you’ll definitely be entertained.

The Sheepdogs Have At It is currently being screened at Roxy Theatre.

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saturday, june 15 @

sports on tap

Sports on Tap 2606 Lorne Avenue (306) 683 8921 Music vibe / Eclectic — a little

bit of everything feature deal / Johnny Walker

highballs for $4, Grey Goose and pints of Rickard’s for $5, boneless ribs for $6, bone-in ribs for $8, Molson pitchers for $15, and Molson titanics for $28 Drink of Choice / Grey Goose vodka and spiced rum top eats / Dry ribs Coming up / Stanley Cup + NBA finals, volleyball half season tournament something new / Hockey table giveaway: pose under the picture of the Stanley Cup at Sports on Tap, and post it on Facebook for a chance to win

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Photography by Patrick Carley

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Tuesday + wednesday, June 18 + 19 @

yard & flagon

The Yard & Flagon 710 Broadway Avenue (306) 653 8883 Music vibe / Alternative and rock Featured deals / 15 wings for

$4 on Tuesdays Drink of Choice / Great Western

beers top eats / Nachos — piled high with

cheese and a ton of toppings

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Š Elaine M. Will | blog.E2W-Illustration.com | Check onthebus.webcomic.ws/ for previous editions!

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timeout

crossword canadian criss-cross

DOWN 1. Unimportant thing 2. Money for the landlord 3. Inquire about 4. Science that deals with matter and energy 5. Property divider 6. Lumberjack’s tool 7. Smaller amount of 8. Countries of the East 9. Natural ability 11. Unexpected gift 12. Place where things are sold 14. Nervous 17. Craftsperson 20. Fork prongs 21. Alcoholic beverage

24. Partner’s dance move 26. Go on to say 28. Hanging ornament 29. Kind of aerobics 30. French square 31. Silver, in heraldry 33. Being at leisure 34. Initial venture 35. Food for farm animals 38. Unnecessarily quick action 41. Disfigurement 43. Faucet annoyance 45. Bartender’s “rocks” 47. Baby in blue

sudoku answer key

A

B

6 7 1 9 3 2 8 4 5 9 5 3 8 6 4 7 1 2 8 4 2 1 7 5 3 6 9 2 9 4 5 1 8 6 3 7 3 1 6 2 9 7 5 8 4 5 8 7 3 4 6 9 2 1 7 6 8 4 5 1 2 9 3 1 2 9 7 8 3 4 5 6 4 3 5 6 2 9 1 7 8

27. Tasteless 29. Leafless flower stalk 32. Gathering to say goodbye 36. Road surface 37. Lower part of the leg 39. Foot digit 40. Energy units 42. Word used to connect words 43. Very serious 44. Short summary 46. Out of the country 48. Pass a law 49. Like a crowd, sometimes 50. Chart of family lineage 51. Kind

4 3 5 7 1 8 6 9 2 6 7 9 4 2 3 8 1 5 8 1 2 9 5 6 3 7 4 3 2 7 6 9 4 1 5 8 1 5 8 3 7 2 4 6 9 9 6 4 5 8 1 7 2 3 2 4 6 1 3 9 5 8 7 7 9 3 8 6 5 2 4 1 5 8 1 2 4 7 9 3 6

ACROSS 1. Bend in a sink pipe 5. Angel costume accessory 9. Alternative to frozen 10. Put to use 12. Like some dresses 13. Long for 15. Knife handle 16. Become less elastic 18. A plant grows from it 19. Anointing substance 20. Dead on one’s feet 22. Be a nuisance to 23. Say what will happen in the future 25. Showing signs of wear and tear © walter D. Feener 2013

Horoscopes JUne 21 – june 27

Aries March 21–April 19

Leo July 23–August 22

Sagittarius November 23–December 21

If you’ve been suffering in the communication department lately, Aries, don’t worry. This week you’ll be able to get your point across, no problem.

Have you accomplished something fairly substantial lately, Leo? If so, reward yourself this week.

You deserve it!

You’re going to be subjected to some strange, foreign impulses very soon, Sagittarius. Proceed with caution … and a sense of adventure!

Taurus April 20–May 20

Virgo August 23–September 22

Capricorn December 22–January 19

There’s going to be a radiance about you at some point this week, Taurus. Your happiness and joy will be infectious.

Don’t waste your time watching television or movies this week, Virgo. Instead, get out and engage with the world. It will yield an amazing surprise.

This isn’t a good week to make long-term plans, Capricorn. So try to take it easy, and enjoy living in the moment instead.

Gemini May 21–June 20

Libra September 23–October 23

Aquarius January 20–February 19

Rarely does the word enchanting come up in daily conversation, Gemini. But this week, that’s exactly what you’ll be.

Confused about the direction you’re heading, Libra? If so, stop and reassess exactly what you want in life, then charge after it. You got this!

Unsatisfied with your current station in life, Aquarius? If so, it’s easy to remedy. All you’ve got to do is be an agent of change.

Cancer June 21–July 22

Scorpio October 24–November 22

Pisces February 20–March 20

Ever have one of those weeks where it seems like your work will never end? This threatens to be one, Cancer.

Keep your head down and push onwards.

A blast from the past may re-enter your life this week, Scorpio. But here’s the thing: not all blasts are good! So be wary of people’s intentions.

You know you’re charismatic, Pisces. So why not put that charm to good use this week and get things accomplished. It’s time to shine!

sudoku 4 7 1 9 7 1 5 8 2 5 6 3 6 9 8 1 5 8 7 4 6 4 5 2 4 1 3 9 3 2 8 2 7 9 3 6

crossword answer key

A

6 3 2 8 9 4 1 2 8 4 1 6 2 5 3 7 1 6 9 7 5 7 4 9 5 3 9 8 4 3 5 6 2 1 7 8

B

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