Singer/songwriter Leslie Alexander is looking forward to bringing a more polished show with good friend and folk festival favourite Jenny Allen, to the Slice, Dec. 16.

“Jenny and I are like two sisters born out of the same same pod,” said Alexander from Cayley, shivering through her first Southern Alberta winter in about 20 years. She was based out of Vancouver for many years, but recently relocated back to Cayley.

“It’s like we can read each other’s minds. I’ll be taking down my mic and look over at her taking down her mic, I’ll be putting away my guitar and she’ll be putting away her guitar,” Alexander observed adding they are looking forward to returning to Lethbridge  to play a ‘more polished’ show.

I don’t like e-mail interviews as a general rule. I find they lack the spontanaeity, intimacy and personality of doing them live.
But considering I just remembered the fourth annual Highway 3 Roots Revue tour  with Leeroy Stagger, Dave McCann and John Wort Hannam ends in Lethbridge at the Slice, Dec. 19, I caught up with Dave McCann on the road to Sakatchewan through  the magic of e-mail.

 So here is the transcript of the interview.

1. How is the tour going so for? What year is this for the Highway 3 Roots Revue?

This is the fourth tour I've done with Leeroy and John. The tour has been a blast so far, we've had good turnouts and other than the snow loaded backroads in Saskatchewan being a little sketchy in places I really can't complain.

2.How does it compare to previous years? What is different this year?

Things have obviously changed for all of us as artists as it always does from year to year. I think this time around we've grown more comfortable with each others songs. There is a familiarity with how we each like to perform and a stronger bond of friendship created in the process. I guess the big difference would be new material and the fact that this year we decided to expand the tour into Saskatchewan for four dates.

3. What are you enjoying most about this particular tour? Has it become a December tradition for you? Is it something you look forward to doing each year?

It's always great to experience new venues and meet new people. I think because our schedules seem to have a gap in December that works for all of us it has become a bit of a tradition. I always look forward to touring, I think we all do. We have a great time for the most part.

4. What is the format? is it each of you playing a set or alternating songs? playing on each other's songs?

We just play what we want and go down the line with them , some of the song get collaborated on some are left alone. For the most part we showcase our own songs and try and accent the other person's work somehow.

5. Some of the Saskatchewan shows have already sold out. Is that a gratifying feeling?
It's always nice to play a packed out venue to a couple of hundred people who are intent on listening. I guess you could say that's what it is all about.

It’s been a long time coming, but Edmonton/ Toronto/ Vancouver indie rock band Hot Panda are looking forward to returning to Lethbridge where they are capping off a 12 date Western United States and Canada tour at the Slice, Dec. 15.

“We’re pretty open minded about music. It’s artful, open minded pop music,”  said vocalist/ guitarist Chris Connelly  over the phone from somewhere between Los Angeles and San Diego.

The band’s sound has been compared to everyone from the Talking Heads to Daniel Johnson, Robert Pollard and Roxy Music.

It has been a couple years since they were last in Lethbridge  so things have changed.

“We have a couple new members who weren’t with us the last time we were there. And we’ve all become better musicians. We’re a lot more confident now and we’re definitely a lot different ,” he continued adding a lot has changed since their last visit, with a new CD “How Come I’m Dead,” which was just released Oct. 12 and two new members, bassist/ vocalist Catherine  Hiltz, who joined a year ago and guitarist/keyboardist/ accordionist Heath Parsons, who joined shortly after the release of their last  CD, ’Volcano … Bloody Volcano.’

“They’re working really well. It’s fun again. We lost  the fun a while back. We’re a really energy dependent band, so if there isn’t good vibes, we suffer for it. Now, there’s a lot of creative energy,” Connelly continued adding audiences have really been responding well to the new CD.

I caught a late announced show from Dalliance Elixir at Beaches Pub, Dec. 4, where they were playing a fun-filled set.

 Murray Nelson had an array of computer gadgets hooked up to his guitar so he could play strings and organ sounds through it.

 Bruce Roome held a steady groove on bass and Brady Valgaardson  kept the beat through a  set of jazzy, bluesy mostly originals.
 Plus some cool covers of “Gimmie Good Loving,” “People Are Strange,” and Ida Maria’s ”Better When You’re Naked.”

Jolene Draper continues showing improvement as a vocalist with her smooth, sexy voice, which this time had  a Supremes feel to it and was having a good time on stage.