Calgary Music History: Shows that Changed My Life

A great live show can have lifelong impact. Calgary born and raised Pete Emes, now a world touring DJ and producer, recounts his most memorable live music moments and the Calgary venues that made them happen.

Pavement, The Republik - Apr 28, 1994 Slanted and Enchanted was such a huge record for me. I reviewed it for my high school paper at Western in 1993 (It got a 5/5). They embodied the lack of ambition and direction that I felt at the time, they were relaxed punk rockers like me. They played a great, loud set. I remember hanging out with my friend Pat Kelly (Canadian actor and CBC radio personality) that night. He was yelling some funny shit at the band, and they responded with something that made them look bored - but it was cool. The Republikwas such a great place for shows. I saw Pavement again in 2010 at Coachella, and they still sound great, but the social context of 1994 was the perfect setting to hear these songs.

Pete Emes in one half of Calgary’s Smalltown DJs, an owner of the HiFi Club and is set to open a new venue, the Commonwealth Bar and Stage, this summer. 

www.smalltowndjs.com @SmalltownPete @SmalltownDJs

www.hificlub.ca @hificlub

www.commonwealthbar.ca @CommonwealthYYC

If you follow Calgary’s Smalltown DJ’s blog (www.smalltownromeo.blogspot.com/) you’ll know that Smalltown Pete’s dad, Al, frequently puts together some mixes with the help of Calgary DJ’s. With Sled Island starting today, we just got an email from Smalltown Pete saying how excited his dad was about this year’s lineup and he put together 11 songs from bands playing in 2011. Pete then compiled them into a mix, and now we present to you: Emes Sled Island 11 for 2011. We’ve been listening to it all morning in the office, and it’s really great. You can download it here and get excited about some of this year’s bands too.