Anyone involved in the local music scene (and beyond) in Winnipeg is probably aware of the tragic accident on Canada Day that led to the death of Royal Canoe bassist Brendan Berg and his partner Olivia Michalczuk.
Brendan (along with Royal Canoe drummer Derek Allard) was on a very early episode of Witchpolice Radio back in fall 2014, so this is a reissued version of that episode for those who want to remember him. I've had a lot of good feedback from people who have listened to previous 'in memoriam' episodes, saying they appreciate the opportunity to hear the person being remembered's voice again... but I hate that I ever have to do these at all.
I knew Brendan a little bit. Great guy, incredible musician. And Olivia, who I didn't know super well, was involved in our local podcasting community early on as the co-host of Paper Cut Podcast. Big loss for the local arts community on both fronts.
Royal Canoe announced this week that a celebration of life for Brendan and Olivia is taking place Tuesday, July 15 at the Burton Cummings Theatre, with a traditional funeral happening Monday at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Cathedral.
Positive vibes to Brendan and Olivia’s family and friends, and to everyone connected to Royal Canoe. This is a big loss and I can’t even imagine what you’re dealing with right now. Love to all of you.
Here's what we originally said about the Royal Canoe episode back in fall 2014:
Coming off a 2014 Juno nomination for their critically-acclaimed Today We’re Believers record and a jam-packed, festival-heavy summer of touring, Winnipeg’s Royal Canoe are headed back out on the road before hunkering down and working on a follow-up.
The group’s rhythm section — our pals Brendan Berg and Derek Allard — stopped by the basement to reminisce about old times, share road stories, and get passionate about their hometown.
R.I.P.
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WR992: Olisae
Here's an interview all about the soul, sound and signature of R&B-tinged Afrobeats artist Olisae!It's a fun conversation about his forthcoming new single, perceptions on Winnipeg crowds, focusing on musical energy, and much more!
This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company.Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on Patreon. You can help out for as little as a couple bucks a month if you like the show and want to throw some change in the guitar case!As always, if you like the podcast, please tell a friend or 20! Rate and review on your podcast player of choice! Word of mouth is still the main way Witchpolice Radio reaches new ears. Thanks for listening.
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WR991: Peacocking
A fun conversation on this one with the duo behind electronic project Peacocking!We talk about their upcoming EP (which drops July 18), the science of ‘beat week’, expanding beyond drum and bass, glockenspiel, and much more!This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company.Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on Patreon. You can help out for as little as a couple bucks a month if you like the show and want to throw some change in the guitar case!As always, if you like the podcast, please tell a friend or 20! Rate and review on your podcast player of choice! Word of mouth is still the main way Witchpolice Radio reaches new ears. Thanks for listening.
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WR990: Backyard show 02/06/2018
This isn't a regular episode of Witchpolice Radio -- it's a bit of a throwback from the ol' vault. Here's the audio from a backyard show at my house in June of 2018, featuring performances by Anne-Marie Williot, Roger's Arsenal, Gerrit Delaquis, and Project: Constellation.
This has never been released before in audio podcast form, although it is available in video form (individual song videos) on the LSD25RECORDS YouTube channel, thanks to local musician Kumaran Reddy, who attended a lot of the early house shows we did.
There are a few songs by each artist here, aside from Anne-Marie, whose one performance that got recorded is not even through the PA -- she just performed on the grass in the yard with her accordion! Need more from these artists? Check out Anne-Marie on episode #479 (April 2020), Roger on episodes #222 (March 2017) and #429 (Oct. 2019), Gerrit on episode #272 (Feb. 2018), and Project: Constellation on episodes #292 (June 2018) and #356 (Feb. 2019). This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company. Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on Patreon. You can help out for as little as a couple bucks a month if you like the show and want to throw some change in the guitar case! As always, if you like the podcast, please tell a friend or 20! Rate and review on your podcast player of choice! Word of mouth is still the main way Witchpolice Radio reaches new ears. Thanks for listening.
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WR989: Shit Happens
Local punks Shit Happens, who recently put out a brand new full-length, sit down for an interview on this episode!Tune in to our conversation about the record (‘Slam Poetry to Junk Music’), being in a band with — shock! Horror! — the word ‘shit’ in its name, their unique approach to songwriting, the search for a new guitarist, and much more!This episode brought to you by our pals at Devine Shirt Company.Huge thanks to everyone who supports the podcast on Patreon. You can help out for as little as a couple bucks a month if you like the show and want to throw some change in the guitar case!As always, if you like the podcast, please tell a friend or 20! Rate and review on your podcast player of choice! Word of mouth is still the main way Witchpolice Radio reaches new ears. Thanks for listening.
Acclaimed Manitoba-centric music interview podcast. Hosted by Winnipeg journalist and massive record nerd Sam Thompson. Music talk radio, broadcasting from 2012 'til forever. DIY or die.