Music of Saskatchewan
Encyclopedia
Saskatchewan
is one of the Prairie Provinces of Canada
.
was incorporated in 1883, and became the provincial capital in 1905. Early in its history, the city boasted numerous bands, including a brass band
, Musical and Dramatic Society and a number of church
choir
s.
Frank L. Laubach, a professional Scottish
musician arrived in Regina in 1904, and was a prominent figure for eighteen years. During that time, he founded the Regina Philharmonic Society (1904), Saskatchewan Music Festival (1908, with F. W. Chisholm), Regina Orchestral Society (1908) and the Regina Operatic Society (1909).
After Laubach's retirement in 1922, three choral and orchestra society groups exist: Regina Symphony Orchestra
, Regina Male Voice Choir and Regina Choral Society. Only two years later, the three societies again merged to form the Regina Philharmonic Association. The Regina Symphony Orchestra later departed from that association, in 1926.
Musicians from Regina include Edith Fowke
, Helen Dahlstrom, Ghosts of Modern Man, Nina Dempsey, Norman Farrow, Barbara Franklin
, Colin James
, Audrey Johannesen, Muriel Kerr, Gary Kosloski, Peter Clements, June Kowalchuk, Owen Underhill
, Gaelyne Gabora, Jack Semple
, Rob Bryanton, Into Eternity, Val Halla, Rah Rah, Geronimo, The War Doves, Intergalactic Virgin, Tinsel Trees, Birds are Dinosaurs, Pnice, Def 3, Library Voices, LazerBlade, E Tea, Ron Scott, Brett Dolter, Beth Curry, Joel Fuller, Tyler Gilbert
, John Dick, Dagan Harding, Ken Shields, Streetheart
, and Paul Sloman from A Horse Called Horse.
Dj's and Electronic Music Artists
Guidewire, Neon Tetra, Limbo, Kruft, Jeff Galaxy, Short Fat Steve and Hardtoe, Mike Trues, Submit, Pulsewidth, Cueball, DR. J, Jadybug, QCM, Square Sound Round Body, DJ Handle(now Archie Cooper), and A Horse Called Horse.
Earl Brown had the Soundaround label starting in the 1960s which featured many of the local country and ethnic bands recording in his basement studio. Mel West & The Meteors, and The Canadian Downbeats had a few singles on the Soundaround label, later picked up Canada-wide via Stan Klee's "Red Leaf" label. Mel & The Meteors would chart Canada wide with their tracks "Sad & Blue" and "Seventh Saint". Earl had later success with the Grand Coulee Jug Band, and sold a number of albums via TV infommercials in the '80s.
Most current bands/artists produce CD's by themselves or with the aid of the Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association (SaskMusic). But an increasing number of artists have moved to posting their music on websites such as myspace.
s by Gilbert & Sullivan, vaudeville
and minstrel show
s were among the most common forms of musical performance. The Saskatoon Philharmonic Society was founded in 1908, and won a prize at the first Saskatchewan Music Festival in 1909. The number of professional groups grew steadily through the next couple years, with the founding of the Saskatoon Oratorio Society in 1913 and later, the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra
in 1931 or 1932. With the Great Depression
in the early 30s, however, the musical community suffered.
The Celebrity Concert Series, held by the Saskatoon Kinsmen Club, began, in 1944, to introduce international celebrities every year for twenty-six years. Other groups include the Saskatoon Oratorio Society, Saskatoon Opera Association, Prairie Opera Inc. and the Saskatoon Lyric Theatre Society.
Musicians from Saskatoon include Joni Mitchell
, Neil Chotem
, Brenton Price Dutton, Susan Pesklevits Jacks, Lorraine McAllister Richards, Irene Bubniuk, Kyle Riabko
, David Swan, Lesia Zubrack Romanoff, This Autumn Low, One Bad Son
, Kim Brandt, Chris Altrogge, Mike Ferbey (of the Rhythm Pals
) and Walter Babiak.
In the 1990s, Saskatoon-based pop
-rock
group Wide Mouth Mason
achieved national success in Canada.
In 2004, Theresa Sokyrka
, born in Moose Jaw
and since moved to Saskatoon, became first runner-up in the second season of Canadian Idol
. Sokyrka's jazz and blues-influenced musicianship made her the critical darling of the series. Lionel Richie
, appearing on one episode, said that Sokyrka had inside her the soul of an old black woman.
In recent history, dynamic musical sensation Chris Altrogge (not to be confused with Jack Johnson
) has mustered out several melodic tunes by honing different styles of the rock genre. He has been quoted listing his inspirations as Kings of Leon
, Red Hot Chili Peppers
, Joel Plaskett
and Citizen Fitzgerald. When asked of Altrogge, Citizen Fitzgerald wrote on a late-night Twitter post, "...now of course I just being facetious..ah yes, but he (Altrogge) has certain stylish structures present in his smooth, if you will, soulful vocals. Subtle mixtures of several musicians such as The Smashing Pumpkins
, The Shins
, Said the Whale
, AC/DC
and the sort. sshhhhhhhhhhhhh (sic), alas the sun has set so I shall sleep".
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
is one of the Prairie Provinces of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Regina
ReginaRegina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
was incorporated in 1883, and became the provincial capital in 1905. Early in its history, the city boasted numerous bands, including a brass band
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
, Musical and Dramatic Society and a number of church
Christian Church
The Christian Church is the assembly or association of followers of Jesus Christ. The Greek term ἐκκλησία that in its appearances in the New Testament is usually translated as "church" basically means "assembly"...
choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
s.
Frank L. Laubach, a professional Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
musician arrived in Regina in 1904, and was a prominent figure for eighteen years. During that time, he founded the Regina Philharmonic Society (1904), Saskatchewan Music Festival (1908, with F. W. Chisholm), Regina Orchestral Society (1908) and the Regina Operatic Society (1909).
After Laubach's retirement in 1922, three choral and orchestra society groups exist: Regina Symphony Orchestra
Regina Symphony Orchestra
The Regina Symphony Orchestra was founded by Frank Laubach, in Regina, Saskatchewan, as the Regina Orchestral Society in 1908, giving its inaugural concert December 3 of that same year...
, Regina Male Voice Choir and Regina Choral Society. Only two years later, the three societies again merged to form the Regina Philharmonic Association. The Regina Symphony Orchestra later departed from that association, in 1926.
Musicians from Regina include Edith Fowke
Edith Fowke
Edith Fowke, was a Canadian folklorist. Born on April 30, 1913, in Lumsden, Saskatchewan, she was educated at the University of Saskatchewan. She hosted the CBC Radio program Folk Song Time from 1950 to 1963...
, Helen Dahlstrom, Ghosts of Modern Man, Nina Dempsey, Norman Farrow, Barbara Franklin
Barbara Franklin
Barbara Hackman Franklin is President and Chief Executive Officer of Barbara Franklin Enterprises, a private international consulting firm headquartered in Washington, DC...
, Colin James
Colin James
Colin James is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, who plays in the blues, rock, and neo-swing genres. He grew up as a Quaker.-Early years:...
, Audrey Johannesen, Muriel Kerr, Gary Kosloski, Peter Clements, June Kowalchuk, Owen Underhill
Owen Underhill
Owen Underhill is a Canadian composer, flutist and conductor based in Vancouver. He is currently a professor of music at Simon Fraser University...
, Gaelyne Gabora, Jack Semple
Jack Semple
-History:Semple grew up on a farm north of Regina, Saskatchewan. He started his musical career playing with various Regina-based bands, and later relocated to Toronto in the late 1980s to become the lead guitarist of The Lincolns, a popular funk and rhythm and blues band...
, Rob Bryanton, Into Eternity, Val Halla, Rah Rah, Geronimo, The War Doves, Intergalactic Virgin, Tinsel Trees, Birds are Dinosaurs, Pnice, Def 3, Library Voices, LazerBlade, E Tea, Ron Scott, Brett Dolter, Beth Curry, Joel Fuller, Tyler Gilbert
Tyler Gilbert
Tyler Gilbert is a Regina, Saskatchewan based folk guitarist.In 2010 he released “The Re-Session, and stays busy with appearances in the folk circuit. In 2011 Gilbert released his latest album “Tyler’s World” In 2011 Gilbert released his latest album “Tyler’s World”. Gilbert’s influences include...
, John Dick, Dagan Harding, Ken Shields, Streetheart
Streetheart (band)
Streetheart is a Canadian rock band, from Winnipeg, Manitoba that got its start in Regina, Saskatchewan. Their best known songs include "Action", "Hollywood", "Teenage Rage", "One More Time", "Tin Soldier", "What Kind of Love is This", and their disco remake of "Under My Thumb".-Biography:Keyboard...
, and Paul Sloman from A Horse Called Horse.
Dj's and Electronic Music Artists
Guidewire, Neon Tetra, Limbo, Kruft, Jeff Galaxy, Short Fat Steve and Hardtoe, Mike Trues, Submit, Pulsewidth, Cueball, DR. J, Jadybug, QCM, Square Sound Round Body, DJ Handle(now Archie Cooper), and A Horse Called Horse.
Earl Brown had the Soundaround label starting in the 1960s which featured many of the local country and ethnic bands recording in his basement studio. Mel West & The Meteors, and The Canadian Downbeats had a few singles on the Soundaround label, later picked up Canada-wide via Stan Klee's "Red Leaf" label. Mel & The Meteors would chart Canada wide with their tracks "Sad & Blue" and "Seventh Saint". Earl had later success with the Grand Coulee Jug Band, and sold a number of albums via TV infommercials in the '80s.
Most current bands/artists produce CD's by themselves or with the aid of the Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association (SaskMusic). But an increasing number of artists have moved to posting their music on websites such as myspace.
Saskatoon
The city of Saskatoon was founded in 1882 and incorporated in 1903. During that time, the city's population grew swiftly. In the early 20th century, operettaOperetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
s by Gilbert & Sullivan, vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
and minstrel show
Minstrel show
The minstrel show, or minstrelsy, was an American entertainment consisting of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music, performed by white people in blackface or, especially after the Civil War, black people in blackface....
s were among the most common forms of musical performance. The Saskatoon Philharmonic Society was founded in 1908, and won a prize at the first Saskatchewan Music Festival in 1909. The number of professional groups grew steadily through the next couple years, with the founding of the Saskatoon Oratorio Society in 1913 and later, the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra
Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra
The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra is a professional orchestra based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan administered by the non-profit Saskatoon Symphony Society. The orchestra was founded in 1927 as an amateur orchestra, but today has 10 core members and up to 50 sessional musicians...
in 1931 or 1932. With the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
in the early 30s, however, the musical community suffered.
The Celebrity Concert Series, held by the Saskatoon Kinsmen Club, began, in 1944, to introduce international celebrities every year for twenty-six years. Other groups include the Saskatoon Oratorio Society, Saskatoon Opera Association, Prairie Opera Inc. and the Saskatoon Lyric Theatre Society.
Musicians from Saskatoon include Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto...
, Neil Chotem
Neil Chotem
Neil Chotem was a Canadian composer, arranger, conductor, pianist, and music educator. His compositional style is eclectic but conservative, and often incorporates elements of jazz and popular music...
, Brenton Price Dutton, Susan Pesklevits Jacks, Lorraine McAllister Richards, Irene Bubniuk, Kyle Riabko
Kyle Riabko
Kyle Riabko is a Canadian pop singer, guitarist, and actor who was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He resides in New York City....
, David Swan, Lesia Zubrack Romanoff, This Autumn Low, One Bad Son
One Bad Son
One Bad Son is a Canadian rock band from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.-Origin:The band was formed in 2004. Two full length albums have been released by independent record label Versailles Records in New York. The third album is being completed in Vancouver, with an expected release in 2011...
, Kim Brandt, Chris Altrogge, Mike Ferbey (of the Rhythm Pals
Rhythm Pals
Rhythm Pals is a Canadian music television series which aired on CBC Television in 1956.-Premise:This Vancouver-produced series featured country music group The Rhythm Pals who would later be known for their frequent appearances on The Tommy Hunter Show.-Scheduling:This series occupied a 20-minute...
) and Walter Babiak.
In the 1990s, Saskatoon-based pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
-rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
group Wide Mouth Mason
Wide Mouth Mason
Wide Mouth Mason is a Canadian blues-based rock band, consisting of Shaun Verreault , Safwan Javed , and Gordie Johnson . Former bassist Earl Pereira was also co-founder of Wide Mouth Mason...
achieved national success in Canada.
In 2004, Theresa Sokyrka
Theresa Sokyrka
Theresa Sokyrka is a Canadian singer-songwriter. On the second season of Canadian Idol, she was the final runner-up to winner Kalan Porter.-Biography:...
, born in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Moose Jaw is a city in south-central Saskatchewan, Canada on the Moose Jaw River. It is situated on the Trans-Canada Highway, west of Regina. Residents of Moose Jaw are known as Moose Javians. It is best known as a retirement and tourist city that serves as a hub to the hundreds of small towns...
and since moved to Saskatoon, became first runner-up in the second season of Canadian Idol
Canadian Idol
Canadian Idol is a Canadian reality television competition show which aired on CTV, based on the British show Pop Idol. The show was a competition to find the most talented young singer in Canada, and was hosted by Ben Mulroney. Jon Dore was the "roving reporter" for the first three seasons...
. Sokyrka's jazz and blues-influenced musicianship made her the critical darling of the series. Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie
Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
, appearing on one episode, said that Sokyrka had inside her the soul of an old black woman.
In recent history, dynamic musical sensation Chris Altrogge (not to be confused with Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson (musician)
Jack Johnson was born May 18, 1975 is an American folk rock singer-songwriter, surfer and musician known for his work in the soft rock and acoustic genres. In 2001, he achieved commercial success after the release of his debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. He has since released four more albums, a...
) has mustered out several melodic tunes by honing different styles of the rock genre. He has been quoted listing his inspirations as Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion, Oklahoma but formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Anthony Caleb Followill , Ivan Nathan Followill and Michael Jared Followill Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion,...
, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
, Joel Plaskett
Joel Plaskett
Joel Plaskett is a Canadian rock musician originally from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. He grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and now resides across the harbour in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia...
and Citizen Fitzgerald. When asked of Altrogge, Citizen Fitzgerald wrote on a late-night Twitter post, "...now of course I just being facetious..ah yes, but he (Altrogge) has certain stylish structures present in his smooth, if you will, soulful vocals. Subtle mixtures of several musicians such as The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
, The Shins
The Shins
The Shins are an American indie rock band comprising singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Mercer, guitarist/bassist Dave Hernandez, Eric Johnson of Fruit Bats, drummer Joe Plummer and bassist Ron Lewis. Their sound draws on several musical genres, including pop, alternative rock, indie rock,...
, Said the Whale
Said The Whale
Said the Whale is a Vancouver-based indie rock band started by Ben Worcester and Tyler Bancroft.Their debut EP Taking Abalonia was released in 2007. It was re-released with seven new songs on June 3, 2008 in Canada as a full-length LP under the name Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia...
, AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
and the sort. sshhhhhhhhhhhhh (sic), alas the sun has set so I shall sleep".
Prominent Figures of Saskatchewan
- Wide Mouth Mason
- Mobadass
- Air Ticket
- Chris Altrogge
- The Deep Dark WoodsThe Deep Dark WoodsThe Deep Dark Woods are a Canadian alternative country band from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, currently signed to Sugar Hill Records in the United States and Six Shooter Records in Canada...
- The SheepdogsThe SheepdogsThe Sheepdogs are a Canadian rock band from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, consisting of Ewan Currie on vocals and guitar, Leot Hanson on guitar, Ryan Gullen on bass and Sam Corbett on drums....
- One Bad SonOne Bad SonOne Bad Son is a Canadian rock band from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.-Origin:The band was formed in 2004. Two full length albums have been released by independent record label Versailles Records in New York. The third album is being completed in Vancouver, with an expected release in 2011...
- Quickshift
- The Rebellion
- Dana Wylie Band
- The Buzz Trouts
- 7even Levels
- The Swindlers
- Tyler Gilbert
- Phoenix ChristPhoenix ChristPhoenix Christ is a Canadian hard rock band from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The band has released several independent songs on the Internet, which have been praised/played in multiple countries...
Festivals
- Connect Electronic Music Festival (Organized by Jeff Galaxy)
- Ness Creek (in Northern Saskatchewan)
- Regina Folk FestivalRegina Folk FestivalThe Regina Folk Festival is an annual folk music festival held in Victoria Park in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Occurring the second weekend in August, the festival is a three-day annual event that attracts around 20,000 people and over 500 volunteers. It is Western Canada's longest-running music...
- Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
- Craven Country Music Festival (Formerly Big Valley Jamboree)
- Gateway Music Festival
- RockFest (Rose Valley)
External links
- Sask Music - http://www.saskrecording.ca/
- RAGE Regina - http://www.rageregina.ca - All the info you need on upcoming shows and local bands in Regina
- The Ruckus - Audio Interview with Lorena Kelly from Sask Music, April 2009