Sled Island Staff Picks! Here to the Rescue!

The Sled Island staff (from left to right: Will Schatz, Colin Canning, Paisley Sim, Shane Lynch, Josh McNorton, Drew Marshall, Lindsay Shedden) is made up of a small, dedicated crew of 7 ordinary people. We’ve been putting in crazy long hours and plan to deliver our all to make this festival the best year yet! So while we’re busy running around like superheros to save the day, here are some the bands we’re saying you gotta go check out, and with any luck you’ll see us there too! 

LINDSAY’S PICKS

Jim Ward - Best known from At the Drive In, Sparta, and my personal favourite, Sleepercar, Jim Ward is a moving songwriter and beautiful guitar player who breaks my heart constantly. He is incredibly fun to drink whiskey with too. Also, pedal steel dammit!

New Jerusalem - We are incredibly excited to be screening this beautiful film starring my hero, Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Everything that man touches turns to gold. Please watch this video, fall in love with him, and then go see this film. 

The Vicious Cycles - Vicious Cycles are a motorcycle club that sing about the things I love. Getting rad, loving life, good women and motorcycles. This is real, and pure, rock n’ roll.

Red Fang - If these guys are half as fun on stage as they look like they are going to be, I’m going to lose my mind. Heavy, brutal and funny, look out Calgary, Red Fang wants to party-melt your faces off.

Pujol - Scrappy and smashy and fun. Like me! No seriously though, there is nothing serious about this band, except that they seriously rule life.

JOSH’S PICKS

In Medias Res - Passionate, beautiful and bombastic indie rock from one of Canada’s greatest unsung bands. Catch them loud at The Legion on June 24th and more subdued at Hillhurst United Church on June 25th. I  promise both sets will be intense!

Adaline - Imagine a saucy gospel singer writing electro-pop songs that sound like a cross between Robyn, Tori Amos and Portishead. That’s Adaline. And she’s hot, too.

Lee Ranaldo - Imagine the sound of a Fender Jazzmaster plugged into a hundred effects pedals and swinging from the ceiling of a 100+ year old church. That’s what Sonic Youth’s innovative lead guitarist is bringing to Sled Island on Thursday June 23rd.

DREW’S PICKS

The Luyas - One of my favourite acts from the last few years. Beautiful vocals placed over intricate layers of dense soundscape. The light bulbs add an awesome touch to their live show!

B.J. Snowden - Beaming with radiance, I can’t help but smile in the presence of B.J. Snowden. Her songs all speak true to her past experiences, mostly to her love for Canada. She actually has a song dedicated to every province in Canada. Don’t miss this rare performance! 

Sans AIDS - After a breakthrough performance last year at Sled Island, Sans AIDS is back with a real special lineup featuring Thomas Dininno on guitar and Salina Ladha on sampler. Heavy jammers lifted over slacker vocals, pull up your pants and hop on your bike to catch them twice in one night! 

Thee Oh Sees - Utter insanity will ensue when Thee Oh Sees perform at Sled Island at Broken City on Saturday night! Having crafted their niche in the garage rock scene in San Francisco, this band has gone on to create a devote following across North America. Discover the energy reserves you didn’t even know you had!

PAISLEY’S PICKS

Color Me Obsessed - The Replacements might be the greatest band of all time. This film is screening at 9pm on Tuesday June 21st at The Plaza Theatre.

Jennifer Castle - Castlemusic is perfectly beautiful summer music, don’t miss this Flemish Eye artist backing Zola Jesus at the Marquee on Wednesday June 22nd at 11:30pm.

Role Mach - Role Mach were a highlight of Wyrd Fest III and this showcase will further prove that Weird Canada shreds. Catch them on Thursday June 23rd at 11:30pm at Broken City.

Moon Duo - We’re partnering with Discord to present the stormy and psychedelic Moon Duo backed by Leslie Bell’s video art at Emmedia on Saturday June 25th at 11pm. Emmedia holds about 50 people, be sure arrive early!

Hunx & His Punx at Twisted Element - Gay singles played at my favorite gay bar. This show is going to be like nothing else at the festival and it ends early, highly recommend you check this out and bike as fast as you can to Hifi for the *secret guest* on there at 11pm. 

Ian Svenonius Lecture  - Ian Svenonius is here to remind us that you don’t know what freedom is if you don’t have chains. This open forum discussion is your chance to meet the man behind Soft Focus, the Make Up, Chain and the Gang, the Psychic Soviet, and so many girl’s day dreams. Happening at at 2pm no Saturday June 25th at the Glenbow Museum.

SHANE’S PICKS

Barn Burner - While I don’t find myself listening to heavier music most of the time, Barn Burner is a refreshing dose of that heavy metal itch I’m prone to scratch.  These guys seriously KICK ASS with wicked heavy riffs you can really latch on to; and for me what is most important, they are not just loud and in your face, but musical in their delivery.  Can’t wait!

Blonde Redhead - These guys have just the right amount of instrumental and electronic framework with eerie cascading vocals that I can’t wait to see live.  This is really what I’m into these days.  While I haven’t been listening to them for very long, I’m stoked to see them live!

Minus the Bear - After an old work colleague and fellow musician heard me play a show in Calgary with a band I used to tour with, he suggested I check out Minus the Bear.  I picked up Planet of Ice and was hooked immediately!  I have very high expectations for their live show, and am really looking forward to hearing/seeing them live for the first time.  Thanks Sled 2011!

Quest for Fire - I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t heard of a number of bands that are playing Sled this year, but hey, that’s what it’s all about right? For some reason I am again drawn to a metal band, this one from Toronto, Ont.  Quest for Fire is one band that I definitely want to check out in my quest for new music to add to my collection.

COLIN’S PICKS

Justin Townes Earle - Nothing helps you get in touch with you inner Albertan than drinking whiskey and listening to retrospective country music. Listen to his 2008 album ‘the Good Life’. Cool country does exist. 

The Soft Pack - Drinking beers on hot summer nights with your friends goes so much better with authentic surf-pop. Their nostalgic sound will make all the sweatiness bearable. 

Sleep - I’m normally not one for metal, and didn’t know much about this band until a few months ago. But, I do know that when hundreds of metal dudes are this excited for a show, it’s got to be good. Watch some of their videos on youtube and read the comments. You’ll get hooked too. 

Kurt Vile / Chad VanGaalen - Their two 2011 albums, Smoke Ring for My Halo and Diaper Island, respectively, are easily the two best albums I’ve heard this year. The fact that they’re both playing the same festival, let alone in Calgary, is so fucking awesome. 

Skratch Bastid / Keys N Krates - After walking around all day listening to good music, at the end of the night, you just have to get to the partying. These are some of the best around at getting a party going, and really, that’s what Calgary does best.

Want to keep track of where all these bands are performing at Sled Island? Build your own customizable schedule using our new SCHED app: http://schedule.sledisland.com/