Good revisits Beautiful Midnight with EP, tour
MATTHEW GOOD
When: Feb. 26
Where: O’Brians Event Centre What: Do people like remakes? Hollywood seems to think so. As a result we have a weird countrytinged (and sadly Kevin Baconless) Footloose and the crappy, Vince Vaughn version of Psycho. And we shall not be spared from future remakes of films like A Star Is Born with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga (whyyyyyy?) and Pet Sematary (triple whyyyyyy?). Maybe it works better in music form? Matthew Good recently re-recorded a few songs from his beloved album Beautiful Midnight. It’s been nearly 20 years since the record, which features songs like Suburbia and Load Me Up, came out. His new EP I Miss New Wave: Beautiful Midnight Revisited is being accompanied by a 28-date tour. He’ll perform Beautiful Midnight (Juno winner for Rock Album of the Year) in its entirety. Whether or not the reworked versions of the songs top the classics, it up to fans. Good himself is happy with the outcome. “I think I may have actually bettered what some consider my best work,” he said in a release. Either way it’s a cool exploration of creativity. Craig Strickland opens the show.
PIERCE THE VEIL
When: Feb. 25
Where: O’Brians Event Centre What: I’ve been in this job long enough to know very few band names have a great story behind them. More often than not it was something arbitrary that sounded cool. That being said, writing a backstory for a band name is a great creative writing exercise. Take Pierce the Veil for example. Maybe one of the band members suggested it because he no longer believed in marriage after his parents’ divorce and saw the destruction of a veil as a symbolic dig against the institution. It didn’t hurt that part of the reason for the split was his mother’s obsession with actor Pierce Brosnan. I think I have the workings of a novel there. Fiction aside, Pierce the Veil released its latest album Misadventures in 2016. Their PR team calls it “equal parts heavy and melodic.” The San Diego group is currently on its Rest In Space Tour with guests Falling in Reverse and Crown the Empire.
ALEXIS NORMAND
When: March 1
Where: The Bassment
What: When you write about talented people all day, your own life tends to feel a bit unaccomplished in comparison. Things I accomplished today: 1. Arrived at work on time. 2. Sent some emails. 3. Ate lunch and only got one stain on my T-shirt. Alexis Normand’s CV has grown a lot in the last year. She’s performed solo and as part of Rosie & the Riveters. She released her selftitled album, three music videos and a holiday single called Sing Me Home. She was recently nominated for Best Female Singer at the Gala des prix Trille Or’ 17, a gala that honours francophone music outside of Quebec. Her upcoming local show is a double bill with Kevin Roy. I’m sure she spills on her shirt sometimes too.
ROYAL TUSK
When: Feb. 24
Where: Capitol Music Club What: Writing this column is a great time for introspection (if I can’t work out my thoughts and feelings in this public space where can I?). Royal Tusk is playing Saskatoon in support of its new album Dealbreaker. Let’s talk about some of my deal breakers when it comes to new friends: 1. People who don’t like my dog. 2. People who don’t like to snack. 3. People who don’t like playing board games. 4. People who expect me to return texts in a timely fashion (I just like ignoring texts, OK). Other than that (and you know, not being a hateful person) we should be good buds. That includes you members of Royal Tusk. The band has “put the winter tires on the van and is ready to take their energetic live show across Western Canada.” Saskatoon’s The Pistolwhips are also on the bill.
JORDAN WELBOURNE
When: Feb. 23
Where: Village Guitar & Amp What: Do you think it’s strategic that the Saskatoon Blues Society hosts its blues festival in February? It’s the shortest month and yet it always feels like the longest. What better way to shake off the long, cold days than with some soul-soothing tunes? Jordan Welbourne, who is now based in Toronto, is returning home for the week to direct the 2017 Blues Camp, but he’s also taking the stage. One of his appearances will be a collaborative show between him and local blues legend Eddy Robertson (who I believe also goes by Fast Eddy). Welbourne’s working on a new album right now.