Calgary has been a launching pad for many musicians who have gained international recognition, such as Teagan and Sara, Loverboy, and artists like Feist and Jann Arden. For years, Southern Alberta’s music scene has been a consistent source of talent. While not all of these artists achieved global fame, they have undoubtedly become local favourites. Read on calgary-trend about 7 remarkable bands that call Calgary home.
The Mandates
The Mandates, a quartet formed in 2011, bring back the nostalgia of 1970s music with their unique rock sound, featuring three-chord guitar riffs, a powerful bass, and explosive drumming. Their albums include The Mandates, In The Back Of Your Heart, and Dead In The Face. The timeless quality of their music appeals to listeners across generations.
Jo Hikk
Jo Hikk is a four-member country band founded in 2004, featuring brothers Kelly and Kenny Sitter, Al Doel, and Don Jorgensen. Known for their outstanding vocal harmonies, infectious energy, and playful antics, they released their debut album Ride in 2009, followed by The Game in 2010.
Their hit singles “Sweet City Woman” and “My Kind of Radio” reached the Top 20 of Canadian country charts. The track “The Big Spoon,” co-written by Kevin Fox and Kenny Sitter, is a tender, heartfelt melody.
The Hot Nasties
Formed in 1978, The Hot Nasties emerged during Calgary’s first wave of punk rock. Initially named Social Blemishes, the band consisted of bassist and vocalist Warren Kinsella, guitarist Pierre Schenk, and drummer Alan MacDonald. They honed their punk sound in Alan’s basement.
Their cult EP The Invasion, released in 1980, featured just three hardcore punk tracks and laid the foundation for their later full-length cassette album. After leaving the band, Kinsella pursued a career as a lawyer and strategist for Canada’s Liberal Party.
Belvedere
This fast-paced punk rock band had its first run from 1995 to 2004 before reuniting in 2012 with a new lineup. Named after a 1980s sitcom, the original members included Steve Rawles on guitar and vocals, Brock on bass, and Dan Hryniuk on drums.
Their debut album, Because No One Stopped Us, came out in 1998. The band built a reputation on the underground punk scene with melodic vocals and emotive tracks. After reuniting, they released The Revenge of the Fifth in 2016, featuring the notable single “Good Grief Retreat,” a critique of systemic inequality and corporate privilege.
Jocelyn & Lisa
Jocelyn & Lisa is an indie-soul-pop duo founded in 2012, featuring vocalist Jocelyn Alice and bassist/keyboardist Lisa Jacobs. Their debut EP, Weary Warrior, includes the standout track “Preach.”
Alice, who gained national attention at 16 through the TV show Popstars, has a powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. Jacobs, who grew up playing bass in her family band, initially hesitated to collaborate but later joined Alice to form a dynamic partnership.
Women
Women, an art-rock band founded in 2008, included members Patrick Flegel, Christopher Reimer, Matt Flegel, and Mike Wallace. Their self-titled debut album received praise from critics for its blend of influences like The Beach Boys, The Velvet Underground, and The Zombies.
Their second album, Public Strain, released in 2010, garnered widespread acclaim. Despite challenges, including an infamous onstage fight, the band continued until Reimer’s untimely passing in 2012. Members later formed new projects such as Preoccupations and Cindy Lee.
Azeda Booth
Azeda Booth was an experimental pop band formed in 2004 by Morgan Greenwood and Jordon Hossack. Known for their genre-blending sound and unique elements like Hossack’s childlike falsetto and Greenwood’s unconventional drumming, the band released their debut album, In Flesh Tones, in 2008 to critical acclaim.
The group disbanded in 2011 after multiple lineup changes and Greenwood’s move to Vancouver, leaving behind a legacy of inventive and genre-defying music.
