Musicians have not been able to resume performing because of the pandemic, so some have taken this time to improvise and find other ways to enhance their skills. Limited capacities in many venues and increased apprehension among people to attend poses a challenge to local musicians. However, some musicians are finding ways around COVID-19 to…
Musicians and local venues face challenging times amid COVID-19 pandemic
Amid cancelled gigs, venue closures and calls for people to stay home, musicians are being forced to find new ways to connect with fans. Live streaming is quickly becoming the new normal for artists amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Local and touring artists have been relying on social media to connect with fans in a time…
Local folk artist releases sophomore album
Tyson Ray Borsboom plays with his band at the Owl Acoustic Lounge on Feb. 22. In the strange purple light of the stage sits a man on a stool. He closes his eyes and strums away on his acoustic guitar to a full house at the Owl Acoustic Lounge. Tyson Ray Borsboom plays his first…
Local alternative rock group prepare to release new album
Dayton Jans plays lead guitar for 21st Avenue at the Owl Acoustic Lounge on Jan. 18. Like three springs under pressure, the band members jumped high into the air. Time suspended for a fraction of a second while the band hovered above the stage. Their shoes met the floor with a cymbal crash and immediately…
Windy City Opry showcases local musical talent at monthly live show
The Slice Bar & Grill was jam-packed with patrons moving and grooving during the Windy City Opry on Jan. 11. An opry is an event where an establishment hosts live folk or country music. This particular event put six local artists in the spotlight. The musicians were Shaela Miller, Ali Cat, John Wort Hannam, Skinny…
Canadian country music entertainers bring down the house at ENMAX Centre
Dean Brody, Dallas Smith, Mackenzie Porter and Chad Brownlee (left to right) took the stage on Oct. 21 for the 25th show of the Friends Don’t Let Friends Tour Alone 2019 tour. The group sang mashups of Brody and Smith’s top hits while jamming out on stage. The sound of cheering and screaming fills their…
Century old firehall transforms into haunted house concert venue
Louis Cza performs at CKXU’s Frighthall No. 1 Music Fest in Firehall No. 1 on Oct. 26, 2019. It is dark and blood is splattered all over the bar. About half the room is covered in shadows, while the rest is littered with skulls and cobwebs. Louis Cza, also known as the Black Greek God,…
Local and touring talent express creative freedom at Lethbridge venue
Kyle Chyzyk (Kyler Tyle), from Regina, plays guitar at the Owl Acoustic Lounge on Oct. 12. Lethbridge was his last of six stops on his western Canada tour. Inverted lamps hang from the ceiling and sit, with crooked shades, around the small stage. They give just enough light to reveal the records and artwork lining…
Local rock band’s original music keeps crowd coming back
A lone performer sings to a crowded bar – in the audience his band members and long-time friends prepare to join him. As he finishes the opening song, his three bandmates populate the stage and without a moment of silence the band’s explosive energy fills the room. The crowd is drawn to the front of…
University of Lethbridge student boosts career with unique scholarship
University of Lethbridge Digital Audio Arts student Kieirian Turner working on his assignment for class on Tuesday, Sept. 17. As the volume dial turns up on the audio board, a one-of-a-kind melody pierces the ears of the audience. This is an everyday occurrence for Digital Audio Arts (DAA) student Kierian Turner. Turner has been at…