Fundraising and Fun in the Exchange

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Come out and enjoy a night of music in support of a great cause on Saturday, April 11 in the Exchange. Mike Walsh is seeking treatment for leukemia in Vancouver with his fiancé Megan Westaff. Funds from this evening will be going to help cover their expenses. You can also donate in advance online at YouCaring.

Regina singer-songwriter Nick Faye, Regina rock band Vintage Children, Regina garage-rock band Herb and the Humans, and Regina rap act DGS featuring LOA all play. Doors at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 and are available at Norwood Clothing. All ages and licensed.

Danko Jones’ History of Rock

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Danko Jones, the man, is a rock obsessive, the kind of guy who believes in that style of music through and through with everything he’s got. He’s not shy about it, either. He’s had radio shows, he’s had a podcast, he’s even recorded a spoken word album called The Magical World of Rock, all dedicated to the power of one of rock and roll.

That might set expectations high for Danko Jones, the band, but they live up to them, and have for years. Singer and guitarist Jones long-time bassist John Calabrese have been rocking Canadians for a long time now, building a strong live legacy before they ever released an album. They released their debut, Born a Lion, in 2002, coming out strong with big singles like “Lovercall” and “Sound of Love”. They’ve stopped since then, continuing a long line of rocking with their seventh album, Fire Music, in 2015. It’s also their first album with drummer Rich Knox.

Danko Jones is in the Exchange on Friday, April 10 with the Lazys. Doors at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $25 plus s/c and are available at Vintage Vinyl and online at TicketEdge. $30 at the door. All ages and licensed.

R.I.P. William Matisz

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William Matisz passed away on Tuesday, March 31. Bill and his wife Reta are long-time volunteers for the Cultural Exchange and two of the best people out there. The thoughts of the Cultural Exchange are with Reta at this time. Bill will be sorely missed. You can read Bill’s obituary at the Leader-Post’s website.

OK Vancouver OK Bringing Their No-Wave from the West Coast

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OK Vancouver OK used to be the longtime project of just Jeff Johnson, a musician based out Vancouver. 2013’s Food Shelter Water brought in Laura House and Liza Moser as full-fledged members.

That was also the first of their records to be recorded not by a four-track but by Eli Moore of legendary label K Records. Weird Canada said the album “[channels] tenderness, the environment, and driving yelp-rock in joyous rotation”. That held true for their latest album, Influences, which was released in late 2014.

OK Vancouver OK are in the Club on Sunday, April 5 with KMVP, Hello, Lady, and Bad Comrade. Doors at 8 p.m. $10 at the door. All ages and licensed.

Locals Coming Through the Exchange and the Club

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What Regina artists do we have coming up in the Exchange and the Club?

April’s Songwriters Showcase features Troy Bleich, Tyler Gilbert, and Ben Winoski in the Club on Wednesday, April 1. The monthly series features local musicians in a casual format, sharing songs and stories.

Port Noise are in the Exchange on Saturday, April 4. If you’re feeling some withdrawal after six weeks of Queen City Rocks in the Exchange, this is a great place to start. The four piece are an entrenched part of Regina’s Rock scene, sticking with their hard rock sound with dogged dedication.

The Villain and Harvest King Records present Failed States with Low Level and Stepping Stone in the Exchange on Sunday, April 5. The Regina hardcore group recently released a new EP, Death, and ready to take it on tour. After this show, they’ll be heading out to Europe, so be sure to come by and send them off in style.

For more information on these and other upcoming shows in the Exchange and the Club, go to our website’s Events section.

Amelia Curran a Steady and Sure Talent

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It wouldn’t take much for an artist to be envious of Amelia Curran’s work to date, though that hasn’t stopped her from moving forward. The St. John’s, NL artist has released seven albums in the past 14 years, a steady and stellar output for the musician.

She’s been recognized for her work, too. Six Shooter Records, home to some of the best roots acts Canada has to offer, picked her up. Since then, she’s even won a JUNO Award. It’s no surprise people have been responding to her music –– her minimalist folk sound and carefully worded lyrics should be immediately resonant with anyone who cares to listen.

Her newest record, They Promised Mercy, came out in 2014 and was a bit of a departure for Curran. According to Exclaim!, the record “dishes up a louder but still palatable rock sound that maintains her seasoned lyrical integrity.”

Amelia Curran is in the Exchange on Friday, March 28 with Ryan Boldt. Doors at 8 p.m. Show at 8:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 plus s/c and are available online at TicketBreak. $25 at the door. All ages and licensed.

Ceilidh Friends’ Music Touches on Tradition and More

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By now, Regina music fans should be well acquainted with the notion of a ceilidh. For years now, the Mid-Winter Ceilidh has been a busy February event in Regina, a celebration of Celtic music full of all kinds of merriment.

The mixture of folk music and socializing is at the heart of Ceilidh Friends, as well. The four original members –– Moira Cameron, Steve Lacey, Dawn Lacey, and Steve Goff –– met in the musical community of Yellowknife, they connected over a shared love of traditional folk music, featuring autoharp, banjos, mandolins, and more.

Since then, Goff has passed, but the group has continued. Their most recent album is Northern Remembrance, released in 2014.

Ceilidh Friends are in the Club on Thursday, March 26. Show at 8 p.m. $15 at the door. All ages and licensed.

The Real March Madness Is the Metal Meltdown

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Everyone’s still wrapped up in college basketball’s March Madness, but there’s another variety coming up quickly.

Called March Metal or Metal Madness at various points, the Metal Meltdown has been happening every March in the Exchange for the past four years, and this might be the biggest year yet. This showcase moment for heavy music in Regina and Saskatchewan takes over both the Exchange and the Club for a single night on Saturday, March 28.

Bands like Kelevra, Deadrot, Trenchfoot, FPG, Tomorrow Starts Today, and the Ben Winoski Project are all playing, but that’s not all. Regina metal mainstays Bloodline are headlining the night and releasing their new album, Prisoner of Life. The group of local music veterans bring experience and dedication to their music, and are ready to close out a big night for heavy music in our two rooms.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Show at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 plus s/c and are available from Vintage Vinyl and the Tiki Room. All ages and licensed. For more information, go to the Facebook event.

Queen City Rocks Ready to Go Out Big

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We’ve seen five weeks of great performances in the Exchange, and we’re about to close it all out for another year: the Queen City Rocks Grand Finale is happening in the Exchange on Thursday, April 2.

Local bands Braindead Romeo, Hello, Lady, the League of One, Majetik, and Mother Night all won their nights and will go on to the final evening of the annual 104.9 The Wolf battle of the bands. On this evening, one of these bands will be leaving with the grand prize.

For more information on Queen City Rocks, go to the Wolf’s website. Doors are at 7 p.m. It’s just $10 at the door, and funds will be going to Music Heals, a charity supporting music therapy.

The Presenters Network Is for Presenters and More

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It’s right there in the name: “the Presenters Network”. Who are presenters? They’re the groups and individuals who help facilitate so much of the art that happens in our communities. They’re the concert promoter booking the next concert, the dance organization putting together the next performance, the visual art collective coordinating the next show.

The Presenters Network is a database launched by the Cultural Exchange. We’re hoping to connect Saskatchewan presenters, venues, and artists to help everyone find new opportunities and fill out province with art. For presenters, this could mean finding that one artist you have to work with, or the perfect venue for what you do, or another presenter who you could partner with in the future.

Signing up for a profile is quick, easy, and free. Visit the Presenters Network on our website to sign up or to browse the existing profiles.