Chad VanGaalen Introduces the Bleach Wipes

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Chad VanGaalen has been a strange and vital part of the Canadian musical landscape for over a decade now. The Calgary, AB artist’s work for Flemish Eye, Sub Pop, and others shows what kind of clever reinventions are needed to keep indie-rock and folk music vital, with some divergences into electronic music.

The last time he did this one his own was with 2014’s Shrink Dust, an album that pushed against his usual sound. On this coming tour, though, he’ll have some help bringing those songs and others to the live setting. Ryan Bourne and Chris Dadge are joining him as his new backing band, the Bleach Wipes.

If their first show together is any indication, they’re all a good fit for each other. Rating the evening an eight out of a possible 10, Exclaim! said the group’s first public show earlier this September was “a dynamic performance” and “a reinvigoration of VanGaalen’s sound.”

Chad VanGaalen and the Bleach Wipes are in the Exchange on Thursday, September 24 with Faith Healer. . Doors at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 plus service charges and are available at Vintage Vinyl, Madame Yes, and online at TicketEdge. $20 at the door. All ages and licensed.

The Agonist Are Always Moving Forward

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The members of the Agonist had a unique opportunity to celebrate their roots. The group started in Montreal, QC in 2004 with vocalist Alissa White-Gluz. In 2014, she left the group to be the lead for Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy. The rest of the Agonist didn’t stand still –– they quickly found Vicky Psarakis, a singer from the States who’d prove her abilities in a series of YouTube videos. This year, they all got to have a reunion of sorts, as the Agonist and Arch Enemy all played together for a night of the Heavy Montreal festival this past August.

Even in such a short period of time, the group had something new to bring to the table. The group never spent a moment sitting on their hands since bringing in Psarakis, quickly recording and releasing their fourth album, Eye of Providence, in 2015. The record builds on their melodic death metal sound they’d been establishing for years, even as Psarakis lends a new, vital quality to what the band does.

The Agonist are in the Exchange on Thursday, September 17 with Between Now and Then and FPG. Doors at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 plus service charges and are available at Vintage Vinyl, Madame Yes, and online at TicketEdge. Tickets available at the door barring a sell-out. All ages and licensed.

One-Stop Vintage and Handmade with the Prairie Flea

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There’s a vibrant scene for people selling vintage and handmade goods in Saskatchewan right now. If you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll see them doing pop-up shops in odd places or setting up tents at local festivals.

You won’t need to be on the hunt on Sunday, September 13, as they’ll be in one spot for you. The Prairie Flea is a one-day event being thrown by the Saskatchewan Vintage Collective, bringing together sellers of these kinds of goods for one wild day in the Exchange.

Who all will be there? Sellers include 33rd Street Market, Badbad Vintage, Better Off Duds, Davidson Kinder Surprises, the Dress Form, Duo Plant Studio, Engauged, the Flourshoppe, Hat Farm, Hiddenstitch, MidMod Vintage, Swish and Craft, and T +A Vinyl and Fashion.

The Prairie Flea is happening Sunday, September 13 in the Exchange. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the event runs until 6 p.m. Admission is free. All ages and licensed. Go to the event’s page on our website for more information.

Herb and the Humans’ Direct Garage Rock

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When Herb Exner played drums, he was a monster, playing big and aggressive and always on time. He was the powerful foundation to the Hot Blood Bombers’ rhythm section back in the day, before that legendary Regina trio disbanded.

These days, they’re all onto their own things. Dave Schneider’s in the Delta Throats, Shane Grass is out in Vancouver with Nervous Talk, all among groups. For Exner’s part, he’s stepped out from behind his kit to front Herb and the Humans.

Together with Gino Gimabattista and Avery Strong, Exner’s crafted some fine garage rock. The three form the kind of direct rock and roll group where everything’s essential and direct, something that’ll no doubt be reflected in the self-titled album they’re releasing at an upcoming Exchange show.

Herb and the Humans play the Exchange on Friday, September 11 with the Royal Red Brigade and Black Thunder. $10 at the door. All ages and licensed. Go to the event’s page on our website for more information.

Meet the New Workshop Tour Troupe

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Every year, one of the more exciting activities around the Cultural Exchange offices is watching the Workshop Tour troupe take shape. For over thirty years, our organization has put together a group of artists to travel around the province, filled with Saskatchewan writers, musicians, visual artists, and more. They share their craft with elementary and high schools all over the province, letting the next generation in on the joys of creation.

All the pieces are now in place, and we can announce the 2015 Workshop Tour troupe. This fall, we’ll be sending all these talented folks out on the road:

– actor Kenn McLeod

– dancer Taylor Hunt

– musician Erik Mehlsen

– visual artist Rowan Pantel

– writer Danica Lora

For more information on each member of the troupe and the Workshop Tour as a whole, go to the tour’s page on our website.

When You Buy a Lottery Ticket in Saskatchewan, Where Does That Money Go?

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If you’re going out to get Lotto 649, Lotto Max, or other lottery tickets in Saskatchewan, you’re not only giving yourself an opportunity to win a lot of money. Funds raised are going to support sport, culture, and culture right in your province, including the funding organizations for the Cultural Exchange.

So next time you’re having some responsible fun, know that some of that money finds its way towards supporting the arts in Saskatchewan! For more information, go to the Saskatchewan Lotteries’ page on who benefits from lottery sales.

Recently Announced: the Bros Landreth

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Our show announcements are going deeper and deeper into the fall. Recently, we told you the Regina Folk Festival Concert Series is bringing Ron Sexsmith to the Exchange on September 30. Now, we can say that Rawk Entertainment are putting up the Bros Landreth in the Exchange on October 18 along with Donovan Woods.

The Bros Landreth, a couple of whom are, indeed, brothers, released their debut album, Let It Lie, earlier in 2015. It’s a tribute to the Americana rock sounds from their home of Winnipeg, MB and far beyond. Woods, the Sarnia, On born and raised singer-songwriter, has been justly praised for his third album, 2013’s Don’t Get Too Grand.

Advance tickets are on sale at Rebellion Brewing Company, X-Ray Records, and online at TicketEdge.

SNFU Celebrate an Anniversary

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If you know anything about SNFU, the seminal Canadian hardcore group, you’ll know they’re all pretty wild. In their nearly 35 years of existence, they’ve never taken it down a notch onstage or off.

So, you might not take the Vancouver group, led by Mr. Chi Pig, as the nostalgic type. Nevertheless, they’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut album, … And No One Else Wanted to Play, with a whole tour in its honour. Each night, they’re playing the record in its entirety.

SNFU are in the Exchange on Monday, July 20 with the Extroverts and the Royal Red Brigade. Doors at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 and are available at X-Ray Records. $20 at the door. All ages and licensed.

Why Join the Presenters Network?

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If you’re making art, if you’re promoting art to Saskatchewan and world, if you’ve got a space to fill with art, the Presenters Network can benefit you directly. Yes, you!

The network is an entirely free way to promote your work to those in your community and beyond, as well as a way to discover the work of those around you. Profile are quick and easy to make and simple to browse.

The more people who are part of the Presenters Network, the more useful it becomes for everyone. So why not join up today? Go over to our website to find out more.

Daydreaming’s Diverse Sound

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The shoegaze renaissance is in full swing, or maybe the music just never left. The style –– heavily distorted guitars playing rock music aiming more for capturing a sound than an energy –– has seemed to see a reemergence lately, not just with early pioneers of the sound coming back but with new bands coming in to use it, too.

Edmonton, AB’s Daydreaming are clued into that, no doubt, while still bringing something of their own. Elements of post-punk and no wave work heir way into their music, too, as you can hear on their debut EP, Dazed, released in 2014. It’s no wonder, when you look at the list of members. They’re drawn from musicians who’ve worked in rock, metal, and beyond for years.

Daydreaming are in the Club on Sunday, July 12 with Good Girls and Surf Dads. Doors at 7 p.m. $5 at the door before 8 p.m. $10 after. All ages and licensed.