Music

ATB Listens: Resonate

resonate

  • to have particular meaning or importance for someone

  • to affect or appeal to someone in a personal or emotional way

This may look like a slick music video for an up-and-coming artist, but there’s a twist. “Resonate” is part of a new branding campaign from Alberta banking institution ATB Financial. And boy, do I ever enjoy this song written by Ben Spencer and sung by Alex Vissia.

It speaks to me as an Albertan, as a Calgarian, and the common experiences we share in this lovely province. “Resonate” is described as an “Alberta version of Amazing Grace View this Post

  • October 14, 2016

5 things to look forward to at Roundup MusicFest

Roundup Musicfest

Calgarians out enjoying the annual Roundup Musicfest

Festival season is gearing up for the summer and it all kicks off in a few weeks with the Roundup Musicfest on July 11th! The Roundup always delivers a boot-stomping good time for Calgarians who are ready to soak in the sun and enjoy some western hospitality. For those of you who have never gone, there’s a lot to enjoy. Here are a few things to look forward to at this year’s Roundup Musicfest.

Shaw Millenium Park

This venue is so awesome for an outdoor concert! I loved this change in location to View this Post

  • June 25, 2018

Taylor Swift Remixed: Transit & Kirstyn Johnson

I have a love-hate relationship with Taylor Swift. I was a huge fan in her early days when she was still singing about “Tim McGraw”, but quickly fell out of love when her pompous air seemed to take over post-VMAs. I blamed Kanye West for boosting her undeserved fame (honestly, who would have remembered her if he had just let her finish her speech!) But as the years have passed, I have come back full circle to appreciate how well young Taylor has played the social game and make some pretty darn catchy music along the way.

But it View this Post

  • January 13, 2015

Emilie-Claire Barlow reimagines jazz at its finest

Emilie-Claire Barlow

Getting an album made is an impressive feat for any musician. For Emilie-Claire Barlow, releasing her 11th jazz album should have been a piece of cake, right? The Canadian jazz vocalist has grown and refined her musical sound over the years, but the process for her latest album was a long one in the making. Four years in fact! The album was a truly international project with musical arrangements written in Mexico, the orchestra recorded in Amsterdam, Barlow’s band playing in Toronto and some of the final vocals recorded before a small audience in Montreal. The end result View this Post

  • March 29, 2016

Inside Studio Bell

Studio Bell

It’s been many years in the making but the beautiful musical space that is Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre is finally in its last touches and will be opening to the public July 1,2016. I was super fortunate enough to visit the facility twice over the Junos weekend last April to get a sneak peek at what’s to come. Calgary will soon be home to a truly world-class facility that will appeal to local and international audiences alike.

The vision

The inspiration behind the building was, well, obviously the music. The design is reflective of instrument View this Post

  • May 10, 2016

Songwriter’s Circle brings musical stories to life

A photo posted by Irene Seto (@heyseto) on

Canada is blessed to have such amazing musicians that weave stories about our Canadian heritage and experiences. The Songwriter’s Circle brings together a small group of such artists to share their musical background and is known as the “gem” of the JUNOs weekend. This year’s edition brought Calgary boy Paul Brandt home to host the event. It was an eclectic group of JUNO nominee ranging from new acts like Autumn Hill and Ria Mae to established voices like Alex Cuba and Matt Good. The diversity worked View this Post

  • April 7, 2016
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