I Heart Edmonton

The Concerts By Emil Tiedemann I was just 12 years old when I went to my very first concert. My buddy Peter and I were both “Straight Up” in love with Paula Abdul , and knew we had to see her as soon as we found out that she was coming to Edmonton to perform at what was then known as the Coliseum (with opening act Color Me Badd ).  We stood on the floor of the arena, barely able to see over the heads of the people in front of us, and sang along to every song in her repertoire. I know now how lame this sounds, but we were kids and love makes you do silly things! Paula Abdul, who happened to be my first-ever concert! Although it was years before I would ever go to another concert, they would eventually become part of what I did. It didn’t necessarily have to be at the arena or stadium either, because Edmonton seems to always be a tour stop for all the biggest names in the music industry, from AC/DC to Jay-Z , and anybody and everybody in between.  In fact, you m...

Winspear Centre By Emil Tiedemann Dr. Francis G. Winspear was born in Birmingham, England in 1903, but by the time he was eight years old he had moved with his family to a hamlet just outside of Calgary. He eventually made his way north to Edmonton, where he studied accounting at the University of Alberta in the 1920s. By the ‘40s, Winspear had the top accounting firm in his adopted hometown.  His success benefited many local organizations and charitable foundations, and Winspear also made significant contributions to the University’s Faculty of Business. He even helped to found the Edmonton Symphony Society in 1952 and then the Edmonton Opera in 1963. In fact, his $6 million gift to the Edmonton Concert Hall Foundation was this country’s largest single private donation ever made to a performing arts facility.    Inside the Winspear Centre in downtown Edmonton. That money spearheaded the construction of the Francis G. Winspear Centre for Music - or simply ...

Ruth B.'s "Superficial Love" (2017) Directed by Alison Honey Woods (from album Safe Haven ) 

Starlite Room by emil tiedemann I T ALMOST looked like a medieval church, depending on where you were standing. Brick walls, an arched entrance, and a flock of bohemians, beatniks, and beirdos waiting for the large castle-like doors to swing open and grant them asylum from the cold.  It was the middle of February in Edmonton and so the sooner the better. I had been invited by some publicist because of my blog about “everything Edmonton,” and in fact had never even heard of headliner Michael Bernard Fitzgerald prior to this invite, nor had I ever been to a show at the Starlite Room .    Calgary's Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (left) performing at the Starlite Room, with Andrew Ball on drums. I had at least heard of the Starlite though, and was excited to finally check it out, sort of a hidden gem, unless you’re a fan of any music that Pitchfork or Spin magazine might praise. I hope I didn’t paint a picture of pretentious and arrogant hipsters staring you down ...

The Royal Foundry's "Dreamers" (2017) Directed & Edited by Brandon William Fletcher (Faked Potatoes)  

The Vibrant Music Scene by emil tiedemann I F you’re not a music fan, then I don’t think we can be friends. It’s as simple as that. No, for real! Just kidding! But seriously, if you don’t like music, then something is probably wrong with you.    Local musician Josh Williams performing at the City Market downtown. Anyways, if you do like music, however, then you’re in the right town! Sure, we’re no Nashville or Austin or even Toronto, but we know good music and we have plenty of it. Edmonton’s music scene is bustling with talented musicians, bands, songwriters, singers, and producers making some pretty damn good sounds.  From the traditional roots of our very own Corb Lund & the Hurtin’ Albertans to the contemporary pop stylings of Edmonton-born k.d. lang , and just about everything imaginable in between, we’ve got your cup of tea! There are plenty of pubs, clubs, lounges, bars, cafes, eateries, patios, parking lots, basements, rooftops (& one trolley...

Although the local music scene has taken a hit in the last couple of years, Edmonton is on the forefront of an exciting new musical landscape by emil tiedemann D ESPITE some disheartening setbacks in Edmonton's music scene over the last couple of years, namely the closure of some beloved performance venues and the "send off" of Joe Gurba 's Old Ugly Recordings , there's new hope for live music fans on the horizon. Some of Edmonton's talented musicians! We saw musical landmarks like The Artery, The Pawn Shop, and Wunderbar close their doors for good last year, but there have been others that have eagerly taken the baton.  A year ago, The Almanac opened on Whyte, followed by The Sewing Machine Factory this year, while The Needle Vinyl Tavern and The Chvrch of John created some much-needed stage space in the downtown soon after, collectively providing live music seven days a week! In January, YEG Music launched as an effort to support and pro...

The Young 's " Living the Dream " (2016) ( Directed by The Y oung )  

We Were Friends ' " Down on Me " (2016) ( Directed by Ken Nemetcheck )

Jesse and the Dandelions' "No Fun" (2016) (from album True Blue ) 

Samantha Martin's "Addicted" (2015) (feat. Delta Sugar) (from album Send the Nightingale )

Daniela Andrade's "Digital Age - Chapter 1" (2016) Directed by Jeremy Comte (from EP Shore )

37 songs that every Edmonton music lover should know... by emil tiedemann I THINK it's fair to say that Edmonton isn't exactly a Nashville, Austin, or Seattle when it comes to the local music scene, but there's no denying that there are plenty of sweet sounds coming from our own backyard!  The Joe performing at Avenue Theatre in 2010. Whether they were born or raised, reared or formed in Edmonton, our humble hometown boasts some of this country's most influential and addictive music makers, everyone from roots maverick Corb Lund to international pop icon k.d. lang.  Below, 'I Heart Edmonton' has put together the ultimate #yegmusic playlist, stretching all the way back to the mid-'80s when Edmonton-born Moe Berg and his Pursuit of Happiness had a hit with "I'm An Adult Now," and all the way up to Ruth B 's global success with her piano ballad "Lost Boy."  These are the songs that defined our city; that told our st...

Josh Williams' "Love's Still Calling" (2015) (produced by Justin Kueber & Sam Reid)

Ruth B's "Lost Boy" (2015) (from EP The Intro ) 

Savage Playground's "Infatuation" (2015) Directed by Barrett Klesko  

Sound of Edmonton (2014) A film be Evan van Ramshorst  

Stevie Raikou 's "Misty" (2015) (feat. Dapper Dan & Loic Moonmattress) (dir. Kamaal Da Koala/ CWC Records)  

Braden Gates' "Perfect Shade of Blue" (2015) by emil tiedemann F ORT Saskatchewan singer-songwriter Braden Gates has been reasonably compared to a young Loudon Wainwright ; a storyteller with a voice far beyond his years, and blessed with a songwriting capacity that is sure to get him far in the Canadian folk music industry. Braden Gates has been described as a "born raconteur." In early 2013 he released his debut album Break It to Me Gently , produced by Miles Wilkinson , who has worked with everyone from Bonnie Raitt  & Emmylou Harris  to Willie Nelson & Dolly Parton . Wilkinson returned to the helm for Gates' sophomore effort, 2014's Ferris Wheel . Earlier this year, at the 4th annual Edmonton Music Awards , Gates was named Male Artist of the Year, and his "Life's a Picture" won for Roots/Folk Recording of the Year. Gates - who also plays the guitar, fiddle and harmonica - recently released a video for h...

The Wet Secrets' "Nightlife" (2014)