While there is a Cars tribute band named Heartbeat City, don’t expect to hear any covers from the ’80s pop rockers when Heartbeat City comes to the Slice, Aug. 21 with local bands the Open Channels and the Darby and Joan Club.
The Winnipeg based folk influenced indie rock band have just released their debut CD Thunder Amongst Us.
They had their CD release party at the Good Will Social Club, a new venue in Winnipeg and are excited to take the show on the road.
While they have a whose who of the Winnipeg music scene like Yes We Mystic and Boats’s Jodi Plenert adding cello and Imaginary Cities’ Rusty Matyas adding extra keyboards to the CD, they are coming to Lethbridge as a trio including guitarist vocalist Ian Larue, Louis Leveques Cote and drummer Luke Bergen. Violinist Nick Krueger isn’t able to join them on this tour.
There are a lot of different ambient sounds and layers, however LaRue said they make things work as a trio.
“ I use a loop pedal for some things,” he said, adding he also uses his voice to add extra layers.
“ We have the basic songs and then we build on top of them,” he said.
“ I’m really excited about it,” he said.
he noted this is his most personal album.
“It’s definitely my most personal thing I‘ve done. It’s a little more introspective,” he said.
“ The lyrics are a mix of what is happening around me and what is happening to me,” he said.
“ Yet is is also more upbeat,” he said.
The Aug. 21 show will be the first time he has played Lethbridge.
“I’ve never played there but I’ve heard a lot about it,” he said adding he doesn’t tour a lot as he takes care of his two daughters and wife.
“ But we’re excited to get out on tour and play for as many people we can,” he continued.
— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor