A former staple of Edmonton’s local music scene is having somewhat of a homecoming this weekend. Christian Hansen and company enjoyed some considerable success around our city over the last few years and like many before, it encouraged them to take another step and bring their sound to new audiences. After dropping “the Autistics” from their name and parting ways with a couple of band members, Christian Hansen and Molly Flood put Edmonton in the rear-view mirror and made the move to Toronto.
But the name, the line-up and the location aren’t the only changes this group has been through recently. The band’s 2009 LP Power Leopard was a bouncy collection of synth-pop gems bolstered by Hansen’s dark but witty lyrics. The album earned them local artist of the year accolades here in Edmonton, was included in the honourable mention list for the 2010 Polaris Prize and the single “Cocaine Trade” fell into heavy rotation on local airwaves after they were featured as Sonic 102.9′s band of the month. Despite the obvious popularity of their previous work the band hasn’t shied away from embracing a new sound to go along with all the other changes. Their new LP C’mon Arizona showcases more of a rock sound but is still loaded with hooks designed to lodge themselves in your brain and get your pulse pounding.
Christian and Molly are bringing the new band and new sound to Edmonton and they’re making sure we all have lots of opportunities to get in on the party. They will be playing three shows beginning at the Dinwoodie Lounge on the UofA campus on October 11 and two all ages shows at the Elevation Room on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s show sold out fast but the band didn’t waste any time in showing us some love by almost immediately adding the Saturday show to their schedule.
With Doug Hoyer opening at the Dinwoodie and Mikey Maybe laying it down at the Elevation Room you can’t go wrong by getting yourself out to one of these shows to return the goodwill and show some support for these UofA alums and Edmonton ex-pats.
October 11 – Dinwoodie Lounge – Student Union Building, University of Alberta Campus
October 12 – The Elevation Room – 10349 Jasper Ave
October 13 – The Elevation Room – 10349 Jasper Ave
