When it comes right down to it, music as a medium is pretty much always in flux.
And for a band like Edmonton funk ‘n’ rollers Dawn in the City, it’s a state the members are comfortable with – including new ones added since the band’s last appearance in the Valley.
Dawn in the City, which plays Banff’s Rose & Crown, tonight, Friday and Saturday (March 21-23), has already seen some lineup changes since it started in 2006. With more changes now in place, including having a couple of couples involved, the band is heading back to Banff with some new sound.
“Banff tends to be one of our best received shows of the year,” said frontman Bernal Ibarra (vocals, guitar, keys, harmonica). “I think it’s because it’s such a cosmopolitan town. There could be people there from anywhere in the world and I think they enjoy the type of music we offer.”
As Dawn in the City, Ibarra is joined by his wife Andrea (bass, vocals), newcomers and music teachers Louise Dawson MacLean (vocals, percussion) and Burke MacLean (drums), and Brian Ryder (guitar, vocals).
“It’s an interesting lineup and a unique dynamic,” said Ibarra. “It gives us kind of an ABBA-esque feeling.”
After releasing a self-titled album, DITC is readying a new product – Dawn on the Sidewalk – for release this year; a compilation of singles they’ve released.
For its live shows, “the focus is on being a great performance,” said Ibarra. “We have influences from funk to rock and jazz and what we want to shine through is our passion. New singles like “Rhythm Shakin’ Woman” reflect that. And every new member has influences that add to our sound.”
Along with the flux in band members, DITC is working to change and expand its sound. “We hit a bit of a block with songwriting,” said Ibarra, “so we’re getting a bit away from traditional songwriting and live music by going in the direction of samples and loops with an electric component. With funk these days, there’s a big discussion of introducing an electronic component.
“Our demographic is 25 to 45 and we’re trying to reach a new demographic. We want to be original, but more avant-garde, the possibilities are endless.”
As an example of moving a ways out there from the funk ‘n’ roll they’ve offered, DITC is covering PSY’s “Gangnam Style;” complete with Korean lyrics. “It took a month to learn the lyrics,” said Ibarra. “I don’t really understand it, but I’ve been learning how it sounds and we have a goofy dance to go with it as well.
“Variety is key, and the ability to tackle difficult projects. I think people who have seen us before will see how we’re evolving and changing. We’re trying things we haven’t tried before and I think when people see you’re passionate about what you’re doing, they respond.”
The band has kept busy touring in Alberta with shows in mountain towns like Jasper and Waterton, the casino in Camrose and unusual locations like a new residential neighbourhood south of Edmonton.
“We were set up on a new residential street with a tent over us for an open house,” said Ibarra. “It’s the only show I’ve ever played where people in the audience were driving by in cars.”
DITC’s sound ranges from the catchy, keys-driven “Rhythm Shakin’ Woman” to the rock/funk of “Deadmonton” to the reggae-like feel of “Honda Civic”.
