Collaboration and live streams keep Alberta and B.C. musicians in the groove

Fri. May. 14, 2021

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FestivalSeekers is highlighting the best new music of 2021 to come out of Alberta and British Columbia in a new series called Musician Monthly, written by Sage McBride of Shred Kelly. This month Sage features several artists who have been creatively releasing new songs, holding online concerts, and along the way building community and making people feel optimistic.

Having spent most of the past year adapting to the online world with my band Shred Kelly, collaboration and community became two key components that drove most of our creations.

From live streams featuring Canadian artists to creating virtual music festivals, to remote music videos with musicians in our hometown of Fernie, a sense of community has emerged as one of our main inspirations over the past year.

The experiences of the past year have opened doors to the possibilities of collaborating and community building. I am in admiration of our May spotlight artists who make this a key component of their ongoing creativity.

One of our favourite collaborations to date was the remote recording we did with our friends and B.C.-based band, Moontricks of Buffalo Springfield’s ‘For What It’s Worth’. Stream it here .

Are you a B.C.- or Alberta-based musician releasing new music and doing cool things? We’d love to hear from you! See the bottom of the story for how to connect with us.

Check out our May Spotlight Artists

The Funk Hunters Musician Spotlight Rob Campbell

Photographer: Rob Campbell

The Funk Hunters are guaranteed to get you dancing.

The Funk Hunters - Vancouver BC

Electronic Music Fans will love what The Funk Hunters are putting down. After being awarded Road Gold Certification in Canada for selling over 25,000 tickets to live audiences in 2020, it is inspiring how they have pivoted over the last year.

They have created an online community on their Twitch Channel through the creation of their show, The Detour Drive. It is live, a real good vibe, and you’ll be welcomed as part of the online family they’ve created.

FestivalSeekers' #BuyBasin Festival in April gave us the idea to start the Musician Monthly series. Learn more here.

All the while they have been releasing new tunes, and their collaboration with Defunk & Akylla is 100% Canadian and 100% guaranteed to get you dancing.

Feature Track: The Funk Hunters with Defunk & Akylla - Warn Ya

Where you can catch them next: Every Tuesday on their Twitch Channel for The Detour Drive

Stream ‘Warn Ya’ on your favourite streaming platform (Apple Music, Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Youtube, etc.)

Congrats to the @TheFunkHunters for being on the same bill as one of the World's top rock acts & other Canadian bands including @TheWeatherStation, @OrvillePeck and @deadmau5 at Bonnaroo this September long.

Check out our calendar to stay up to date on festivals in Alberta and B.C.

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Nice Horse Musician Spotlight Calgary Travis Nesbit

Photographer: Travis Nesbitt

Nice Horse has created Be Nice Nation in support of mental health and the LGBTQ+ community.

Nice Horse - Calgary BC

Country music fans, get pumped for Nice Horse! The four women who make up the award-winning band are the ultimate hard workers, and are constantly releasing new catchy music that you can not only bop to, but relate to.

They have launched a lifestyle brand and media empire ‘Be Nice Nation’ which spreads positivity and advocates and supports issues, including women’s rights, the LGBTQ+ community, and mental health.

The Alberta Government recently launched a grant program for Alberta musicians and live music venues. Check it out.

“As the pandemic dragged on, we felt more and more disconnected not only from our fans but from each other, so we started doing a weekly Monday-morning live stream - essentially Nice Horse’s version of a morning show, said Krista Wodelet, one of the band members. “Those weekly live streams eventually inspired us to launch both a podcast, The Road Case, and a lifestyle brand, Be Nice Nation. Our goal for both is to spread positivity and find creative ways to share our platform, collaborate, and give back to our community,” she said.

Feature Track: Highschool

You can connect with them through their podcast; The Road Case, telling stories of life on the road with some of the friends they’ve met along the way. Each episode features a new special guest.

Where you can catch them next: Every Monday on their Podcast for The Road Case

Stream Highschool on your favourite streaming platform (Apple Music, Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Youtube Music, Deezer, Amazon Music, Tidal, etc.)

Photographer: Brian Van Wyk

Mike Edel has been releasing a series of four covers in 2021.

Mike Edel - Victoria BC

Indie music and singer-songwriter fans will love everything that Mike Edel has been up to over the past year.

On Edel’s 2020 album release, ‘En Masse,’ collaboration was key. Every song was co-written and collaborated. It’s incredibly inspiring. Since then, he has been releasing a series of four cover songs throughout 2021. The first release is a cover of Coldplay’s ‘Don’t Panic,’ and it is a breathtaking cover that rivals the original. I can’t stop listening.

This master collaborator and beloved West Coast musician also just recently experienced a stroke during a U.S. tour with his partner who is expecting their first child in August. He is recovering at home, but a Gofundme has been set up to help his family with expenses while he recovers. Donate here.

Feature Track: Don't Panic

Where you can catch him next: Live in Red Deer, AB at Hard Hels Hop, tickets here.

Stream Don't Panic on your favourite streaming platform here (Apple Music, Spotify, Among Music, Itunes, etc.)

Are you a B.C.- or Alberta-based musician releasing new music and have upcoming live or online gigs? We want to hear from you! Send your press releases to Sage McBride, singer/keyboardist of Fernie, B.C.-based band Shred Kelly. www.shredkelly.com, or straight to FestivalSeekers via Facebook.

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