Alberta's music history

The History of Music in Alberta: A Journey Through the Decades

Alberta's music scene is as diverse and inspiring as its vast landscapes. Each decade brought new influences, genres, and artists who shaped the province’s musical identity. Let’s explore Alberta’s musical evolution, decade by decade, while highlighting the key artists who emerged during each era.

1900s-1920s: The Early Beginnings

In the early 20th century, Alberta’s music was heavily influenced by the European settlers and Indigenous cultures, forming a unique folk music blend. Music was deeply connected to community life, with church hymns, traditional ballads, and Indigenous rhythms dominating the soundscape.

Influences & Themes:

Traditional European music (Scottish, Irish, and French) melded with Indigenous storytelling traditions. Themes were often focused on the hardships of rural life and the beauty of Alberta’s landscape.

Artists:

• Wilf Carter (born in Nova Scotia but spent a significant portion of his career in Alberta): Known as “Montana Slim,” Carter pioneered Canadian country music and was a significant influence throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

Key Venues:

Churches, community halls, and early radio broadcasts served as the primary platforms for live performances in Alberta’s small but growing towns.

1930s-1940s: Jazz, Swing, and the War Years

The rise of jazz, big band, and swing in Alberta’s cities like Calgary and Edmonton reflected the growing urbanization of the province. During World War II, military bands and patriotic songs dominated the airwaves, but dance halls also boomed with jazz and swing tunes.

Influences & Themes:

American jazz and swing were dominant, while wartime patriotism influenced much of the music.

Artists:

• Mart Kenney: One of Canada’s top bandleaders during the swing era. Though Kenney was born in British Columbia, his “Western Gentlemen” band was a significant part of Alberta’s jazz and big band scene.

Key Venues:

Ballrooms like Edmonton's Trocadero and dance halls in Calgary became hotspots for big band and swing performances, while the rise of radio brought these sounds into Alberta’s homes.

1950s-1960s: The Rise of Country and Western

In the post-war years, Alberta cemented itself as a stronghold of country and western music, deeply tied to the province’s ranching and cowboy heritage. The Calgary Stampede grew in significance, and Alberta became synonymous with cowboy culture, shaping the music scene.

Influences & Themes:

Country music, inspired by American stars like Hank Williams, intertwined with local ranching culture. Folk music also gained prominence as the 1960s progressed, reflecting the political and social upheavals of the time.

Artists:

• Wilf Carter: Continued his influence into the 1950s, defining the Alberta country music scene.

• Stu Davis: An influential country music artist and radio host who brought the "Singing Cowboy" persona to Canadian audiences.

• Ian Tyson and Sylvia Tyson (as Ian & Sylvia): This folk duo became hugely influential in the 1960s, blending country, folk, and Western influences into their music. Ian, originally from Victoria, B.C., later settled in Alberta and became a country legend.

Venues:

The Calgary Stampede and various rodeo events became major venues for country and folk performers. The rise of radio stations in Alberta also played a key role in promoting local artists.

1970s: Rock, Folk, and the Singer-Songwriter Era

The 1970s saw the rise of Alberta as a hub for rock and folk music. The singer-songwriter movement, with its introspective lyrics and emphasis on storytelling, reflected the growing environmental and political awareness in the province.

Influences & Themes:

Folk rock, inspired by artists like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell, gained momentum. Alberta’s expansive landscapes and environmental issues became common lyrical themes.

Artists:

• Joni Mitchell: Though born in Alberta, Joni Mitchell went on to become one of the most iconic singer-songwriters globally, influencing the folk-rock genre.

• Tommy Banks: A prominent jazz musician from Edmonton who contributed significantly to the Canadian jazz scene. Banks also became a renowned composer, conductor, and television host.

• k.d. lang: Emerging at the end of the 1970s and gaining prominence in the 1980s, this Alberta-born artist mixed country with alternative influences, becoming an icon of the province’s evolving music scene.

Key Venues:

University of Alberta’s SUB Theatre and the Calgary Folk Club helped foster a burgeoning folk and rock scene. Folk festivals also began gaining momentum, providing platforms for emerging singer-songwriters.

1980s: The Rock Explosion

The 1980s were defined by a surge in Alberta’s rock and punk scenes. The province produced several well-known bands that found national and international success.

Influences & Themes:

Heavy metal, punk rock, and new wave influenced much of Alberta’s music. Social issues, including environmentalism and economic struggles, played a central role in the lyrics of many Alberta-based rock bands.

Artists:

• SNFU: Formed in Edmonton in 1981, this punk rock band became internationally renowned, leaving an indelible mark on Alberta’s punk scene.

• k.d. lang: Lang’s career took off in the 1980s with her unique blend of country, pop, and alternative influences, making her one of Alberta’s most celebrated artists.

Venues:

Punk rock and metal venues like Edmonton’s Starlite Room and Calgary’s Republik became the breeding ground for Alberta’s rebellious rock scene. Festivals like Klondike Days (now K-Days) in Edmonton helped keep mainstream rock alive.

1990s: The Indie Scene Takes Root

Alberta’s music scene in the 1990s became more diverse, with the growth of indie rock, alternative music, and electronic influences. Bands from Alberta started to gain recognition across Canada and beyond.

Influences & Themes:

Alternative rock, grunge, and the early days of electronic music influenced Alberta’s musicians. The growing oil industry and its environmental impact inspired much of the music's socially conscious themes.

Artists:

• Corb Lund: Originally part of the indie rock band The Smalls, Lund transitioned into country and roots music, becoming one of Alberta’s leading artists in the 2000s.

• Feist: Born in Nova Scotia but raised in Calgary, Feist’s early career as part of the Calgary punk scene laid the groundwork for her later success in indie rock.

Venues:

Calgary’s Night Gallery and Edmonton’s New City Likwid Lounge became key venues for Alberta’s growing indie scene, while the Edmonton Folk Music Festival continued to draw attention to both local and international artists.

2000s-Present: A Diverse and Global Music Scene

In the 21st century, Alberta’s music scene has never been more diverse. From country and folk to hip-hop and electronic music, the province is now home to a wide array of genres and styles, reflecting its increasingly globalized culture.

Influences & Themes:

Global music trends, from EDM to hip-hop, blend with Alberta’s traditional country and folk roots. Social issues, such as Indigenous rights, environmental concerns, and identity, remain central to Alberta’s musicians.

Artists:

• Corb Lund: Having transitioned into country and roots music, Lund continues to dominate the Alberta music scene, blending traditional sounds with modern themes.

• Tegan and Sara: This indie-pop duo from Calgary gained international fame in the 2000s, representing Alberta on the global stage.

• Cadence Weapon: Born in Edmonton, this hip-hop artist has garnered critical acclaim for his work, making him one of the leading voices in Canadian hip-hop.

Venues:

Major festivals like Calgary Folk Fest, Sled Island, and Edmonton’s Jazz Fest have become important platforms for Alberta’s modern musicians. The National Music Centre in Calgary has also cemented itself as a landmark in Alberta’s music history.

From the folk traditions of the early 1900s to the genre-blending sounds of today, Alberta’s music scene is a reflection of its people, landscape, and culture. Each decade has given rise to iconic artists who have shaped not just the province but Canadian music as a whole. Alberta’s musical journey continues to inspire, drawing on its rich past while embracing a vibrant and diverse future.