blog post Sled Island 2012: Complete coverage

Modelled on the downtown vibe of Pop Montreal and SXSW, Sled Island encourages music fans of all generations to explore Calgary's core and discover a whole world of hidden musical and artistic gems.

CBC Music's Vish Khanna spent the week at Sled Island talking to musicians. Here's a sample of what he came back with:

Just before his Olympic Plaza Sled Island set with his band the Jicks on June 23, brilliant songwriter/guitarist Stephen Malkmus took time to answer questions about his history with Calgary, his fascination with Canada, the recently released Silver Jews compilation,Early Times, and what to get the baby who needs everything but also must be neglected.

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A revealing chat with Eric Bachmann in the lobby of the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary during Sled Island 2012. The enigmatic and thoughtful songwriter discussed being a "secret guest" for a surprise Crooked Fingers set at Broken City, his history with Calgary, how he alternates between Crooked Fingers and Archers of Loaf as a performer, and the future of Archers.

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Sled Island loves Hamilton's B.A. Johnston so much, they gave him his own, all-day barbecue show. Here, we get the lowdown on why Calgary is the second-best city in the world, and what the future looks like for Johnston.

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You run into the best people walking down the street in Calgary. In this case, it was one of my earliest musical heroes, Lou Barlow of Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr., a few hours before a solo gig at the Commonwealth. Here, we talk about Sled Island, Joe Pernice, and news about upcoming Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr. records.

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Calgary's own Teekay and DJ Cosm of Dragon Fli Empire give us a tour of significant hip-hop spots in their city.

In part I, we visit Recordland, a store revered by many of hip-hop's elite producers – from Pete Rock to DJ Shadow – for its vast collection of vinyl and deep cuts.



Dragon Fli Empire's hip-hop Calgary part II

Dragon Fli Empire's hip-hop Calgary part III

Dragon Fli Empire's hip-hop Calgary part IV

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And here's the rest of Khanna's coverage of Sled Island:

Comedian Neil Hamburger smells something rotten in Calgary during Sled Island.

John Wright and Tom Holliston of Nomeansno reflect upon Calgary and reveal plans for some brand new releases.

Tim Heidecker "directs" this interview with Todd Barry and Natasha Leggero at Sled Island in Calgary and things quickly go awry.

A taste of Sled Island and Calgary from Nardwuar, Andrew W.K. and the Evaporators.

Comedian Nick Flanagan isn't so keen on the chlorine content of Calgary's swimming pools.

Hannibal Buress has a Nardwuar encounter at Sled Island in Calgary.

Comedian Hannibal Buress tours Canada this week and tries to stay outta trouble. "Every Canadian lady that buys a ticket to my show will get – exactly that."

Shotgun Jimmie and Cannon Bros. talk about their Sled Island experience and Polaris Music Prize nominations.

Danny Vacon of the Dudes on how he brought Archers of Loaf and the Hold Steady to Sled Island this year.

Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet are back, playing their first shows in 18 years. Two shows. That's it. In a video interview, the band speaks exclusively about this.

Hear a wide-ranging chat with Matt Gentling about the past, present and future of Archers of Loaf.

Bassist Matt Gentling on Archers of Loaf's delayed return to Canada (for NXNE and Sled Island), and their plans to write new songs.

Palaceer Lazaro's revealing answers about everything from his mysterious monikers, the sensuality of food and his love for Frida Kahlo.

Hot Snakes singer/guitarist Rick Froberg talks about how his band's reunion tour has been going, and their upcoming Canadian dates.

Related:

Radio 3's music festival coverage

CBC Music's 2012 festival guide