Peak Performance Project: The Wisers, The Velveteins, Leeroy Stagger
Welcome to the first of our four writeups on the musicians featured by the Peak Performance Project!
The PEAK Performance Project is a seven-year, $4.9 million contest open to all musicians in Alberta. The program is run by Calgary’s 95.3 The PEAK radio station and Alberta Music with the goal of developing Alberta-based emerging artists and preparing them to take on the world.
We asked all 12 musicians featured in this year's Project the same four questions and here are the responses we received from Calgary's The Wisers, Edmonton's The Velveteins and Lethbridge's Leeroy Stagger! Make sure you check out the upcoming Peak Performance Project showcases at Nite Owl on October 16 and October 23!
The Wisers
How would you describe your music to someone who's never heard you before?
Back to basics, blue collar, red meat guitar rock or full-blooded gritty garage rock that recalls Jet, rocks-era Primal Scream and even early Rolling Stones.
How has your experience throughout the Peak Performance Project been?
Awesome. It pushes you, teaches you, makes you better and, honestly. everybody comes out a winner because of that.
What are your thoughts on the Alberta music scene and the state of Alberta music?
It's a great community with a lot of talented folks. Everybody is pretty supportive of one another.
What other Alberta bands would you recommend for next year's Peak Performance Project?
JJ Shiplett, SuperWoof, Frankie Mcqueen
The Velveteins
How would you describe your music to someone who's never heard you before?
We coin our music briefly as "frothy rock n' roll" . The word frothy is surfer lingo for being excited or stoked. Its rock n' roll-esque music, with super high raw energy and injections of indie rock, surf and roots.
How has your experience throughout the Peak Performance Project been?
Our experience through the Peak Performance Project has been nothing short of amazing. Super informative, supportive and encouraging to grow as artists professionally. That's a huge one. I came into this experience half suspecting they wanted us to be pigeonholed into a particular sound - but my suspicions where completely wrong. Everyone was like "Naw be you! But be it well! Here are some tools to help you". So great.
What are your thoughts on the Alberta music scene and the state of Alberta music?
I'm quite proud of the music scene in Alberta. I mean, there are heaps of rad bands coming out of this place doing all sorts of genres. I definitely feel lucky to be apart of it and lucky to have grown up in Edmonton where everyone is so stoked on younger bands, new music and everybody in general.
What other Alberta bands would you recommend for next year's Peak Performance Project?
Other bands I would recommend would be Edmonton's Nature Of and Calgary's Fever Feel. They are extremely tight, confident and self aware of their artistry, and are really great people. I certainly look up to them, and love their music.
Leeroy Stagger
How would you describe your music to someone who's never heard you before?
Roots rock n' roll, bringing humanity back into the ring.
How has your experience throughout the Peak Performance Project been?
It has been intense! But also incredibly inspiring. Bootcamp was mentally exhausting but I gained so much. I've also learned a lot about myself and how people perceive me and my music.
What are your thoughts on the Alberta music scene and the state of Alberta music?
It's very strong. We have an amazing amount of musical riches in the province and some great funding and industry resources. We are lacking in the business side of things. There are very few managers, agents and labels in Alberta.
What other Alberta bands would you recommend for next year's Peak Performance Project?
Anyone that has or is building a strong following and that is 100 per cent serious on doing this for a living. It really is a great resource on how to build a career in this business.
