Five acts to catch at this year’s celebration
SIMPLY SAUCER
Formed in Hamilton in 1973, Simply Saucer is about as “cult band” as you can get in Canada.
Led by singer and guitarist Edgar Breau, the band released only one single in its initial eightyear existence.
But their experimental protopunk was rediscovered after the release of the 1989 compilation Cyborgs Revisited and its 2003 reissue.
The group has also been in the spotlight recently thanks to a new book about them, Heavy Metalloid Music: The Story of Simply Saucer, written by former Calgary writer Jesse Locke.
( June 21, midnight at the Palomino.)
LES FILLES DE ILLIGHADAD
Hailing from Illighadad, Niger, Fatou Seidi Ghali and Alamnou Akrouni are outstanding guitarists playing beautiful and hypnotic Tuareg music.
Though their world roots sound seems better suited for the Calgary Folk Fest, Les Filles de Illighadad do fit in perfectly with Sled Island’s mission to present unique and exciting acts who fly under the radar.
(June 21, 10 p.m. at The King Eddy.)
FOONYAP
Sled Island’s Calgary contingent is strong this year (as usual). Among the local acts gracing the stages is former Woodpigeon member, Foon Yap. As FOONYAP, she released one of the best local albums of last year, Palimpsest.
Haunting and beautiful, FOONYAP’s music balances between neo-folk, classical and subtle electronic elements.
Her live performances are equally captivating.
(June 23, 2 p.m. at the Palomino and June 24, 7 p.m. at Studio Bell.)
SILVER APPLES
Silver Apples is basically a one-man show with the singular-named Simeon holding court behind a pile of electronics, as one would expect an experimental electronic rock pioneer to do.
Formed in 1967 as a duo (drummer Danny Taylor died in 2005), Silver Apples disbanded only a few years later but not before they played to 30,000 people in New York’s Central Park.
They attracted a new generation of fans after re-forming in 1996.
(June 21, 10:30 p.m. at Dickens Pub.)
DJ QUIK
A pick of Sled Island guest curator, Flying Lotus, DJ Quik is a must-see for any hip-hop head. The Compton native’s 1991 debut album, Quik Is the Name, sold more than one million copies, and he’s produced several albums, including Jay-Z’s The Black Album and Ludacris’ 2005 record, The Red Light District.
(June 23, 11 p.m. at The Palace Theatre.)