Features
Interview: Cat Clyde
In early May, Cat Clyde released her debut album, Ivory Castanets. Cat is a new artist from Stratford, Ontario, and already has over a quarter of a million and counting monthly listeners on Spotify. We caught up with her over the phone before her Calgary show at the end of May.
Interview: Fast Romantics
In times of adversity, it's incredibly easy for bands in this competitive industry to just give up and throw the towel in when things just aren't going well. In 2014, Fast Romantics could have easily taken that route when only Jeffery Lewis and Matt Angus were still left in the band. However, they persevered, and have come back stronger than ever. Under The Rockies got to talk with lead singer Matt Angus about their latest record, American Love, and what the process of writing and rebuilding the band had in shaping the album.
Interview: Dune Rats
Earlier this year, Australian stoner-punks Dune Rats released their second record, The Kids Will Know It's Bullshit. This album topped the Australian charts, and the band will be touring all over in support of the record.
Interview: Blue Rodeo
Iconic Canadian country rock band Blue Rodeo released their fifteenth studio album in late 2016. I had the privilege of speaking with drummer Glenn Milchem over the phone prior to Christmas, to discuss the new album, their upcoming tour and the legacy that Blue Rodeo has created.
Interview: Simple Plan
The 2016 Calgary Stampede seemed to be doomed with stormy weather, but iconic Canadian pop punk band Simple Plan had no problem singin' in the rain. Under The Rockies sat down with guitarist Sebastien Lefebrve and drummer Chuck Comeau to talk about touring, their new album, and what it was like to work with David Hasselhoff.
Interview: Jocelyn Alice
During Jocelyn Alice's last visit to her hometown of Calgary, we had the chance to sit down and chat with her about all things Calgary - from the Stampede, to the music scene, as well as what it's like to be signed to a label and the high stakes of breaking into the American music industry.
Interview: Melanie Martinez
Melanie Martinez first captivated us with her unique voice and sense of style while on The Voice. Since then she's become one of the few stars of the show to achieve mainstream success, signing with Atlantic Records and releasing an EP and, most recently, her debut full-length, Cry Baby.
A while ago we were given the opportunity to talk to her about her hustle, the visual aspect behind her art and the and her plans to expand upon Cry Baby's world.
Interview: Vance Joy
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of Vance Joy, or at least his song "Riptide". From playing summer festivals (including the Calgary Stampede) to opening for Taylor Swift on her tour, Vance Joy isn't ready to slow down.
Under The Rockies' Mary McComish and Joshua Platt sat down with Vance Joy when he came through Calgary in January (and photographed the show). We asked the Australian musician how he's dealing with Canadian winters, his tour openers, Calgary's own Reuben and the Dark, and his touring tactics.
Interview: Halestorm
Between their 2013 "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" Grammy win and Lzzy Hale's stage presence, Halestorm is one of those rock bands you simply can't ignore.
Under The Rockies was given the opportunity to sit down with Halestorm drummer, Arejay Hale, and guitarist, Josh Smith, when they came through Calgary this past winter, opening for Three Days Grace. We talked extensively on touring, their most recent "I Am The Fire" music video and how you reallyyy pronounce "Calgary"
Interview: The Sheepdogs
Under The Rockies photographer Joshua Platt and I had the opportunity to interview The Sheepdogs' drummer, Sam Corbett, before an incredible show at MacEwan Hall. The group confidently rocked the hall by opening with, “Where Can I Roam” and closed with their classic, “I Don’t Know” before following up with an outstanding encore, which included The Allman Brothers tune “Whipping Post”. From the opening riffs to the closing solos, everybody in the hall was either dancing, jumping, crowd surfing, singing along with the band or performing some combination of the four. The band never let up the whole night, and only took a few breaks in the set lists to thank the audience or grab a quick drink. Hours before the stellar show, while the band was getting ready, we sat down with Sam Corbett and had a laid back and rewarding conversation.
Interview: Phases
Meet Phases, a band who, if you haven't heard of them or their popular song "I'm In Love With My Life" yet, you'll be hearing about them very soon. Formerly making music under the name JJAMZ, this group features some big indie rock names including Z Berg of The Like, Alex Greenwald of Phantom Planet, Jason Boesel of Bright Eyes and Rilo Kiley and Michael Runion and, prior to Phases, also included Maroon 5 guitarist James Valentine.
Interview: Set It Off
Set It Off have an interesting story. Frontman Cody Carson paved the way for YouTubers-turned-musicians in the alternative music scene, which has since expanded to include acts like Against The Current and As It Is.
Interview: Miss May I
It's been quite the year for Miss May I. A run on Warped Tour, a stellar fifth album, Deathless, and now they're on the road with Aussie metalcore vets, Parkway Drive. We caught up with lead singer Levi Benton a couple days prior to Miss May I's show in Calgary.
Peak Performance Project: Two Bears North, The Royal Foundry, Northern Beauties
Vancouver's Gay Nineties were set to play Calgary's X-Fest before severe rain ultimately cancelled the festival. Luckily, a planned interview we had with the band was still able to go on and Gay Nineties ended up playing a make-up show at Cowboys that night.
Interview: Gay Nineties
Vancouver's Gay Nineties were set to play Calgary's X-Fest before severe rain ultimately cancelled the festival. Luckily, a planned interview we had with the band was still able to go on and Gay Nineties ended up playing a make-up show at Cowboys that night.
Under The Rockies' Mary McComish talked to vocalist Parker Bossley and drummer Malcolm Holt on former band experiences, touring and about the band's upcoming debut full-length record.
Interview: Cancer Bats
Toronto's own, Cancer Bats recently embarked on a tour opening for punk legends, Pennywise and Danzig. While we did get to experience that, Under The Rockies' Josh Platt had the opportunity to talk with Cancer Bats frontman, Liam Cormier, over the phone. They talked the elusive Danzig and the experiences they had recording their latest album.
Interview: Scott Helman
Under The Rockies went and saw Scott Helman perform at the Calgary Stampede's Coca-Cola Stage. Helman's been making waves from his hit song "Bungalow", opening for Walk Off The Earth on their US tour and, most recently, his MMVA [Much Music Video Award] nomination.
Along with photographing his performance, Under The Rockies' Mary McComish and Aya Nakamoto went and talked to Helman about the Toronto music scene, what his favourite thing to do in new cities is and if he runs through the 6 with his woes.
Interview: Beartooth
Under The Rockies saw Beartooth open for Silverstein's Discovering The Waterfront 10 year anniversary tour. We chatted with Beartooth vocalist, Caleb Shomo, on their music, touring and what they think of their fans idolizing their favourite musicians.
Interview: Lights
Here at Under The Rockies, we love us some Lights. We got to talk to her last month at her show in Calgary.
We talked about her new album, Little Machines, her new baby and about her plans for 2015.
Interview: People On Vacation
We did an email interview with Ryan Hamilton and Jaret Reddick from People On Vacation. For those not familiar, People On Vacation is a band consisting of Jaret Reddick (frontman for Bowling For Soup) and Ryan Hamilton.
Mary McComish asked about their new album, The Chronicles Of Tim Powers, their chance at mainstream success in the UK and what the band has planned for 2015.