JAZZ SINGER LOGS PLENTY OF KILOMETRES IN PROVINCE
LAILA BIALI
When: Nov. 9
Where: The Bassment
What: I’m a certified city girl who’s allergic to horses and harvest and couldn’t plow a field to save her life. That being said, I still feel a special connection to the rural parts of my home province. I come from good Mennonite farming stock and spent many days of my youth wandering the quiet streets of Nipawin. I appreciate the fact that jazz singer Laila Biali took the time to visit some of Saskatchewan’s smaller centres this fall. The Toronto musician hit La Ronge, Rosthern, Biggar, Kindersley, Shaunavon and Langenburg, to name a few. Biali released her last album House of Many Rooms last spring and she’s working on a new jazz album for 2018. Her current tour includes previews of some of her new songs and renditions of some Canadian classics from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young and k.d. lang.
THE GLORIOUS SONS
When: Nov. 9
Where: Louis’
What: I’m torn about whether or not to tell you about this show. It’s sold-out so maybe I’m just rubbing salt in the wound. Then again, should a band be punished for being popular? You might not be able to see the Glorious Sons when they come to town, but you can still listen to their new album Young Beauties and Fools. “They’re simple songs about alcoholism and the mostly autobiographical story of my life. The whole thing is derived from the thoughts, actions and feelings of a kid who doesn’t really know himself and the consequences of those actions,” lead singer Brett Emmons said in a release. Ah, to be young and foolish again ... scratch that, I’m much happier being thirtysomething and pragmatic. The album features the lead single Everything Is Alright. I have a hard time reading that title without a tone of sarcasm, given these times we live in.
MAUNO
When: Nov. 10
Where: Vangelis
What: Halifax band Mauno is named for band member Eliza Niemi’s “musically frustrated Finnish grandfather” and they weirdly live up to that inspiration. The band recently released Tuning, its second full-length record. According to frontman Nick Everett, the “album’s more pop-oriented than its predecessor Rough Master, much more carefully crafted and a lot more cohesive. Rough Master was about conflict and the clash of opposing ideas. This one is much more about talking through the problems that arise in any creative project. I think it sounds a lot more mature — but I’ve listened to it about ten thousand f---ing times so I don’t know anything about it anymore,” he said in a release. Haha, that’s exactly how I feel after writing, editing and re-editing my stories. After listening to Tuning I can vouch for Everett’s comments. It’s a rad record. Listen to it.
OTHER SHOWS IN SASKATOON THIS WEEK:
GWAR, Nov. 9, Saskatoon Event Centre; Union Duke, Nov. 9, Station Arts Centre in Rosthern; The Pistolwhips, Nov. 11, O’Brians Event Centre (in support of the Pink Wig Foundation); Dirty Catfish Brass Band, Nov. 12, The Bassment