THE RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE
Saturday September 14
9:45pm-10:45pm
TD Stage

Over four acclaimed albums, The Rural Alberta Advantage has explored themes ranging from hometowns lost and found to tragic Alberta disasters. Some won awards, some were critics’ darlings but all of them showed a frank and forthright style of songwriting that has continued to leave its mark and grab fans around the world. Years of touring have filled rooms with a sound far beyond what any music fan would initially expect from a trio, until they witness Paul Banwatt’s incomparable drumming style live and the number of parts Amy Cole can play at any one time alongside Nils Edenloff’s cathartic vocals. Recognized amongst indie rock die-hards as “Canada’s best unsigned band” to sold-out tours and devoted fans around the world with featured coverage from Spin Magazine, Pitchfork, The New York Times and Rolling Stone all taking note. The band has been nominated for two 2012 Juno Awards (Best New Group and Video of the Year for their song “Stamp”), long listed for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize, and awarded the CBC Music Prize for Best Independent Artist in 2014. The RAA has released four albums on Saddle Creek/Paper Bag Records: Hometowns (2009), Departing (2011) and Mended With Gold (2014). Their most recent album, The Wild (2017), features the singles ‘White Lights’ and ‘Brother’. The band heads out for a small tour across North America this spring to perform and re-form some of the new material they’ve been working on. Expect new music soon.

“Consider this both edgy and essential” —  Under the Radar

“This is a focused trio who boast a superb drummer and feature lovely, unshowy harmonies, able to balance the melancholy of Nils Edenloff’s lyrics with a euphoric, confident delivery that feels like a brilliant form of catharsis” — Uncut