Mark Mills Live in Edmonton Apr.25th 2015

On Saturday afternoon my Cuz and I went to the Buckingham here in Edmonton to catch the Mills and Mills show, a free show at that.

First up was Windmills who is actually just a one man band from Kelowna, B.C. His name is Cory Myraas and plays indie pop, just him playing guitar and keyboards. He was interesting, better then I was expecting.

Windmills at the Buckingham.

Headliner was Mark Mills who is now based in Vancouver. This was my third time seeing him perform, and yet again, another great performance. Mark is very entertaining playing his electro dance beat style of music. This time around he didn't bring out the guitar instead just playing the keyboards and he also scaled back his stage antics a touch. As Mark has been known to scale the bar, furniture or just about anything around him, and wandering all around the venue singing, but this time he kept to the stage only. This was his last date of a western Canadian tour promoting his vinyl release of his latest album "Triple Fire Sign".

Though there was no advertising for this show whatsoever, there was still a good turn out for it all things considered. Mark's set on this Saturday afternoon was only about an hour, but was highly entertaining with him playing songs from his latest release as well as songs from his earlier album "Go Love Yourself". Mark closed out his show with a cover of the Chris De Burgh song Lady In Red. A very fun show. Good times!!!

Mark Mills at the Buckingham.

Autographed copy of the new Mark Mills album Triple Fire Sign.

Seven Inch Saturday (Various Artists)

Today's seven inch is a double seven inch single called "Get To Know" that was released last year and was available for free at independent record stores in Calgary. Thanks to my Brother, he was able to pick up a copy for me.

This single put out by Scion Sessions features four bands that played the Scion Sessions last year at Calgary's Sled Island Festival at the excellent venue The Palomino Smokehouse. A great venue with great food.

The four artists featured on this release are Fist City, Lab Coast, Dominic Pierce and Mark Mills. All four songs, one by each artist were recorded at the show at the Palomino, in which my Brother and I were at.

Side A of disc 1 is a song by Fist City called "Losers Never Die". Fist City is band based in Lethbridge, Alberta that play a punk pop style of music. Fist City consists of Ryan Grieve on drums, Brittany Griffiths on bass and vocals, Kier Griffiths on guitar and vocals and Evan Van Reekum on guitar. Their show that day at Palomino was the first time I had seen them and I have to say, I was impressed. Checkout their music here.

Side B of disc 1 is a song by the Calgary band Lab Coast. The song performed on this release is called "Remember The Moon". Lab Coast's music kind of has a poppy folk lo-fi feel to them. Their set at this show was good. To hear their music click here.

Side A of disc 2 is a song called "Vertical Feel" by Calgarian Dominic Pierce who is a DJ and spins a soul/deep house theme kind of music, according what I have read anyways. Not really my type of thing.

Side B of disc 2 is a song called "Run Like The Wind" by Mark Mills who I believe now is based out of Vancouver. Mark Mills was my favorite artist of these sessions. He is a quirky guy who plays a weird but so much fun style of pop electro dance beat kind of music. His enthusiasm and energy during his live performances are contagious, you can't help but have fun at one of his shows.

I believe all four of these songs on this release are previously unreleased songs. To hear these songs on this seven inch click here.

In concert news... Mark Mills will be playing in Edmonton at the Buckingham on Saturday April 25th with opener Windmills.

A big kudos to Scion for putting on and releasing these kind of discs and shows. Nice to see a big organization like Scion helping support Canadian bands and artists. Here's hoping this do this kind of thing again at this years Sled Island Festival in Calgary June 24th-28th.

Mark Mills Live Dec.13th 2014

On Saturday afternoon my Cuz and I were out and about walking Whyte Avenue here in Edmonton when we come across this shows poster outside The Buckingham. The show was for that afternoon, what a great way to wind down the afternoon then some live music and beers. Glad we were walking on that side of the street or I would never have known about this show.

I was stoked about getting to see Calgary artist Mark Mills perform again, as I had seen him in Calgary in the summer as part of the Sled Island Festival and he was awesome. I've been looking forward to catching his live performance ever since.

Well this afternoon show was a blast too. Mark Mills combines electro dance beats with great lyrics, often being down right hilarious. Mark also bring out the guitar once in a while to play along with his programmed beats. The man has got lots of energy and his interaction with the audience is priceless, with him crawling all over the tables and benches, wandering the bar singing and dancing with and to everyone. His dancing is worth checking out in itself and he performs like he is playing to a full stadium. He played songs from his two albums "Go Love Yourself" and "Triple Fire Sign". Even though there wasn't a very big crowd for this show, that certainly didn't stop Mark from putting on a great show. He is one very entertaining performer. You can't help but have a good time at his shows.

As for The Buckingham as a venue, what a cool fucking place, great vibes, good crowd and awesome staff. This is a place I could find myself going to more often, even just to hang out and have a few beers. Great place. Good times!!!

Mark Mills at The Buckingham in Edmonton.

Checkout these videos to see what I am talking about.

Lab Coast, Fist City and Mark Mills at The Palomino June 19th 2014

After the in store show at Sloth Records, we were off to the Palomino Smokehouse to catch the following bands Lab Coast, Fist City and Mark Mills. This was my first time at this venue, I heard lots about it from my Brother, and have to say I was impressed. The smell of the smoked BBQ food when you walk in makes your mouth water instantly. The place has a small stage upstairs and a bigger stage in the basement of the club. The bands we saw were all upstairs on this afternoon.

The first band we caught was Calgary band Lab Coast. They are an indie pop band, I'm not really much of a fan of pop music, but the style Lab Coast played was excellent. Seems like it would be great music for a sunny afternoon having a few beers, in which I did. One of the guitar players Samantha Savage Smith I had heard of before, with her solo work, I had no idea that she also played in this band. Her voice is amazing. I picked up their latest release "Walking On Ayr".

Lab Coast.

Next up was Fist City also from Calgary. They play a punk style of music. I was impressed with them and the lead singer Kier Griffiths can really crank it out, lots of energy and very tight. Good stuff.

Fist City.

And last but not least was an artist by the name of Mark Mills. My brother had seen him perform the night before and had said he was very entertaining. Well, I couldn't agree more. Mark was a blast to see live. It was just him with a guitar, keyboard and a drum machine playing some funky dance beats. His lyrics were hilarious and his energy infectious. He reminded me of what Beck may have been like when he first got started. Keep your ears and eyes open for Mark Mills, I think he is going to only get bigger and better. My Brother and I had the opportunity to meet Mark, he was very nice guy and took the time to talk and greet his fans. Super nice. Good times!!!

Mark Mills.

Limited Edition Cassette I also picked up.

Mmmm beer.