WE SUPPORT SASKATCHEWAN’S ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC SCENE

Whether it’s reaching out to a newly released project, musician or creating a spotlight for local talent to be heard on any of our stages, as well as opportunities to be heard opening for larger acts on a full-venue stage. We look forward to assist and launch newest concepts that strongly support the local music in this province. The local music scene is super important to us – we are a small province, but we have big dreams. Let’s grow and support each other – putting Saskatchewan on the map for premium music and entertainment experience.

WHAT MAKES SASKATCHEWAN SUCH A GREAT MUSIC COMMUNITY

Saskatchewan has grown to be known as a melting pot for genuine, creative and talented human beings. From brick and mortar record stores and venues to musicians and creatives, Saskatchewan has made it easy for music enthusiasts to indulge. The Saskatchewan music community is filled with so many talented and amazing people which has made it easy for Pulse Music Journal to exist. Over the last couple months, we have released articles and spotlights each week – shining a little light on what makes our music community special. We look forward to a whole lot more!

Approaching the end of “2020” we reconnect with Flatland Funk, Coors Event Centre, Shantaia, Capitol Music Club, Ariel + Sean, Broadway Theatre, The Hourhand, Black Cat Tavern, Factor Chandelier, and Amigos Cantina. These past Pulse Music Journal guests give their take on why the Saskatchewan Music Community is such a great community to be apart of.

We also chat with Adam Harrison of The Vinyl Exchange. The new owner shares how he became the owner of the ‘go-to’ downtown shop, why vinyl is such a timeless way of listening to music, pushing music into the physical hands of the listener, the vinyl rarities he has come across, and the best selling genres in the store! Check out the interview below, and be sure to check out Vinyl Exchange while you are downtown Saskatoon.

Pulse Music Journal is please to announce that we are supporting the Saskatchewan music community this holiday season. We have purchased merchandise, gift cards and goodies from local artists, performers and venues – AND we are giving it ALL away to lucky fans, ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Follow the instructions each day on our Instagram and Facebook, and be sure to tune into Pulse Music Journal all week for more opportunities to WIN! 

FLATLAND FUNK

COORS EVENT CENTRE

WHAT MAKES SASKATCHEWAN SUCH A GREAT MUSIC COMMUNITY?

BRENNAN ELLIOTT (OF COORS EVENT CENTRE): Saskatchewan is made up of some of the most genuine and talented people. The music community doesn’t fall short of amazing. From new artists and seasoned vets to production teams and venues, everyone is willing to help when needed. The community is strong, the province is small compared to most provinces in Canada – this allows us to grow together. We are privileged to have the fans, musicians, creatives and industry leaders that this province has to offer. It’s really exciting to be where we are at right now – because I would like to say we are just getting started. During lockdown of 2020, we really got a taste of what Saskatchewan’s true colours are – talented, supportive, and really great people. As a venue, We have thoroughly enjoyed connecting with the community over the years, and we look forward to more opportunities in our room for fans, musicians, creatives and everything in between.

photo by Brennan Elliott

SHANTAIA

WHAT MAKES SASKATCHEWAN SUCH A GREAT MUSIC COMMUNITY?

CAPITOL MUSIC CLUB

WHAT MAKES SASKATCHEWAN SUCH A GREAT MUSIC COMMUNITY?

ARIEL & SEAN

THE HOURHAND

WHAT MAKES SASKATCHEWAN SUCH A GREAT MUSIC COMMUNITY?

THE HOURHAND: What makes Saskatchewan such a great community to be a part of is the people. Through our journey as a band, we have met some amazingly gifted musicians, caring fans, and supportive venue staff in Saskatchewan. We have always had a great relationship with fans during and after shows. It’s great seeing people groove along to our music and even better to see those same people come to chat with us after the show. The Saskatchewan music community has always made us feel at home!

photo by Kyle Whitrow

BLACK CAT TAVERN

WHAT MAKES SASKATCHEWAN SUCH A GREAT MUSIC COMMUNITY?

VINCE GEIGER (OF BLACK CAT TAVERN): What makes Saskatchewan such a great music community is the endless support we give each other. Almost every venue communicates and has a great understanding for each other. Also the overall support from fans and many local artists. During this pandemic it has been amazing to see all the online shout outs, everybody who bought a shirt from Sask Music’s campaign and everybody who has bought a pizza from us the past year. It’s so great to see everybody look out for each other and thats what makes Saskatchewan such a great place for music.

photo by Vince Geiger

Introducing Molson Canadian – Brewed with Canadian water, prairie barley and no preservatives, this lager is as clean, crisp and fresh as the country in comes from – OH CANADA. Molson Canadian earns its name with an iconic taste derived from authentic Canadian ingredients. Molson Canadian is the product from Canada’s eldest brewery, since 1786.

Brewed today to inspire tomorrow – 5% alcohol.

THE VINYL EXCHANGE

VINYL HAS GRADUALLY MOVED THEIR WAY BACK INTO A PRIMARY SOURCE OF MUSIC. WHY DO YOU FEEL THAT THEY ARE SUCH A TIMELESS WAY OF LISTENING TO MUSIC?

ADAM HARRISON: There are a number of reasons for it, I think. There’s always been a niche market for it, and it never really died. I think that’s because there’s always been people who truly believe that listening to music should be experienced and not just background noise. Listening to music on vinyl on a good stereo system sort of forces you to pay more attention. You have to flip the record every 4 or 5 songs, for one thing. Then the album sleeve gives you something to look at while you’re listening, often with lyrics and such printed somewhere inside. Plus, there might be a poster or booklet and other goodies included as well. I’ve been saying this for a while now, but I think one of the big reasons for the growth in physical record sales in recent years can be attributed to streaming. Suddenly everybody has access at almost every album that ever existed at their fingertips, which allows you to easily do a deep dive into the catalog of any artist that appeals to you. When you do that, you grow attached to certain albums which may entice you to support the artists by collecting these special things physically (with artwork & goodies, yay!). I come from a generation that was just stealing singles on Limewire with their parent’s new computer. Very few people gave a sh** about albums. You can tell this this generation coming up now does, which I love. Billie Eilish single-handedly kept our doors open last year.  

NOTHING BETTER THAN LISTENING TO CLASSIC ROCK ON VINYL. IS THIS THE BEST SELLING GENRE IN THE LOONIE BIN AND NEW SECTIONS?

ADAM HARRISON: It’s probably the best selling, but they’re also the most common. The Pop/Rock section is the biggest in the store, because pretty much every collection that comes in has a copy of Bat Out of Hell, Rumours, Dark Side Of The Moon, 4 Billy Joel albums, a Beatles compilation, and all of the popular albums that were released in the mid to late 70’s through the 80’s when everybody was buying records. I’m sure if I had a steady stream of used Blues and Jazz coming in, they would do VERY well. They’re just less common. That’s all reflected in the price though, it’s all supply and demand just like anything else. I guess the rock stuff is more common because they were the most popular then, so it stands to reason that they would still be the most popular now. It all has its place though: Metal, Punk, Pop, Rock, Soul, Rap, Jazz, Blues, Country. There’s a market for all of it. 

WILDEST OR YOUR FAVORITE RECORD IN THE STORE?

ADAM HARRISON: I often get asked what my favorite record is, and I always find it to be an impossible question to answer. I wouldn’t even be able to definitively give you a favorite album from any of my favorite artists, let alone narrow it down to one among all of them. I might be able to give you a top 50 if I really thought hard about it. The stuff that always peaks my interest when they come in is any obscure psychedelic looking albums released between 67-69. They almost always sell for close to 100 bucks or more online, especially if there’s never been a reissue. The albums that are usually worth the most are original pressings of stuff released in the 90’s. So like, an original pressing of Nevermind, for example. We almost never see those. They were pressed in super limited runs back then and the people who own them are usually serious collectors, so they are still hanging onto them or only selling them for a very pretty penny. A lot of that stuff has been reissued now though, which tends to bring the price of the originals down slightly. But the original pressings are still highly sought after. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT’S TO COME…