Sean da Silva
writer
Local indie rock band White Lightning has been creating quite a storm recently with their debut full length album See It All, due to be released this Saturday, Feb. 5 at Avenue Theater.
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White Lightning’s coming to Avenue Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 5.
The band, formed in 2007 by Steve Bosch and Enoch Rottier, started receiving some serious attention lately due to their hard work and intriguing live performances.
Having had success in local music competitions such as the Team 1260 radio contest, Alberta’s Last Band Standing and Futures Fest, White Lightning has made quite a name for itself.
Nominated for “Best Live show” at the Edmonton Music Awards and crowned Sonic’s Band of the Month in November of last year, it’s apparent that these guys are the real deal.
And with new recruit Jason Grilo in the lineup, White Lightning have all the skills and experience needed to collectively progress for some time to come, continuing their rise as one of Edmonton’s top bands.
The band recorded and mixed the album themselves which allowed them the opportunity to try some interesting recording styles to give the album an innovative, unique sound. A couple songs on the album were actually recorded in a 30,000 bushel grain bin which supplied that “huge sound” you hear on the album.
“I grew up cleaning out grain bins and singing in there and thought it sounded like a cathedral,” said drummer Rottier, describing the creative process behind the recording.
Other obscure sounds found on the album were done with an assortment of household items, such as homemade drums, the shattering of glass and even a shotgun blast.
It’s interesting to hear how they incorporated these elements into their songs, and how good it sounds. An interesting approach taken by the band was a remix contest that they put on for their single “Satisfaction,” that allowed fans to download the song and put their own twist on it.
The contestant that received the most online votes would have their remix put on the album and the chance to perform it live at their record release party. The contest winner was local producer Jeff Olson, out of St. Albert, who’s song is posted on the bands’ website.
The band is praised for their live shows, which include anything from kazoos, garbage cans, beat boxing and gunshots, all of which can be heard on their new album which they plan on recreating from start to finish live at their record release party.
“This will be our most extravagant show to date, incorporating audience participation, visual and dramatic effects, ” Rottier said.
It wouldn’t be unheard of to see a nine-foot-tall Bosch walking around playing his guitar with garbage cans attached to his feet, or the trio performing captivating percussion pieces that are guaranteed to get you moving. It is a performance only fully appreciated in the flesh with a total lack of inhibition.
White Lightning will be playing an all-ages show with special guest Zerbin this Saturday, Feb. 5 at Avenue Theatre, 9030 118 avenue.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. sharp. Tickets are $10 at the door and CDs will be available for $10 as well.
The show is shaping up to be one to remember.
You can check the band out on their website http://www.whitelightningmusic.com where they have up-to-date blogs and videos of the bands progress.
