In the midst of art openings and Shaela Miller’s CD release party, there was another talented young singer performing her heart out at the Mocha Cabana, Saturday, March 13. 

Local country singer Alyssa McQuaid sang a strong solo set of covers of everything from Oasis to Chris Isaak with lot of country hits thrown for variety plus a couple of her originals to boot. She has an immediately appealing silky resonant voice as well as a couple dedicated tables cheering her on.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

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 Vancouver rock trio  the Manvils blasted through their repertoire and tore up the Slice for an almost full house, Friday March 12.

Some of the audience was surprised their balls to the wall intense show was done before midnight. Me especially, though they don’t have a lot of original material. Regardless, the band was a having a blast on stage as was the crowd jumping in front of it responding to every note.

Lead guitarist/ singer Mikey Manvil leaped into the midst of the bouncing audience, then back on stage. They  had a lot of energy, tight musicianship, a crisp sound mix, tight hooks, a lot of catchy songs and have come into their own as a trio.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat editor

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This week will almost be as exciting and action packed as the last week. There are a couple of cool St. Patrick’s Day’s  shows this week including a special show by Glencoulee at the Wolf’s Den on March 17 and the Chevelles at  the Soundgarden.
 But the Folk Club has a pretty sweet show this week. J.P Cormier will be bringing a taste of his native Cape Breton to the Wolf’s Den. March 21. Cormier is a multi-award winning multi-instrumentalist who is a virtuoso guitar player, mandolin player, banjo player and violinist. He plays a variety of styles from bluegrass to Celtic music. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him several times and  can assure you he is phenomenal. Tickets are $25 for non members $20 for members.

Another great show for roots and blues fans is Dave Alvin, who will be bringing along a couple ‘guilty women’ to the Geomatic Attic, March 22. Alvin, who used to play with  ’80s roots rockers the Blasters as well as did a brief stint with popular punk pioneers X. He just released a critically acclaimed CD “Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women” including Cindy Cashdollar, Nina Gerber, Laurie Lewis, Christy McWilson, Sarah Brown and  Amy Farris. Tickets are $25 for members, $27.50 for non-members and $40 at the door.

’90s rockers have a cool shows to look forward to too. Calgary pop-punk band  Chixdiggit are back in town to play Henotic with the Sophomore Jakes and Aleeycat Blues, March 20. Get ready to to relive the ’90s and see a great show. 

It’s a good week for the blues as well with Paul Kype and Texas Flood at the Wooden Kilt, March 20 plus The Boogie Brothers (Darryl Düus) are playing at  a new south side pub called Jimmy’s Pub next to the Future Shop, March 20. And Blues Sen-Sa-Shun and the David Harmon Experience have a gig  at the Slice, March 19 as well.

Edmonton dance-rock band the Shout Out Out Out Out ’stop by Henotic, March 23  on the way back from South By Southwest in Austin this week. They will have spent 39 straight hours in a  van together— there and back.

“Lethbridge is out only stop on the way back, so we’ll be ready to let loose and get rid of some cabin fever,” said Nik Kozub, Shout Out Out Out’s  synth programmer/ vocalist and bassist.

“Everybody who doesn’t play drums plays bass in this band,” Kozub laughed adding he is looking forward to  playing five shows in Austin this week.

“We go every year and  to the CMJ and North by North East. We find it really worth our while. We go down there to have fun and also to work. We always do business down there. There’s music industry people there,” he said adding it is a a bit of a hassle setting up and tearing down equipment (two drum sets in addition to a variety of basses, keyboards and synthesizers)  for the 45 minute sets at South by Southwest showcases.

“It’s a pain in the butt, but it’s also a big part of our sound and who we are,” Kozub continued adding playing Henotic on March 23 is going to be a challenge too.

“Trying to figure out how to fit everything on a tiny little stage. Last time (on Sept. 12 last year) they opened the big garage doors and the drummers played in the windows. But I don’t think that will happen  at this time of year. It will be tight but we’ll be ready to let loose and  get rid of that cabin fever,” he said.