"To put it simply, we're just ecstatic that these guys exist! It's kind of irrelevant that all members of RTC are in and around 15. It's like they've managed to not only skip right past puberty, but also adulthood, jumping straight into full on, ageless rock god status. This one comes 100% Sled Island guaranteed to make you smile. Stamped. No erasies." Shawn Petsche, Sled Island Central, June 2008
Professional Performance
At 16, Calgary's teen jiggernauts Random Task Collective (RTC) joined the ranks of the city's most recognized up-and-coming bands as winners of Calgary's Canadian Talent Development program, Xposure 2009 (X92.9 Harvard Broadcasting). Crossing boundaries in rock, funk, indie, acoustic, and Latin, an RTC signature incorporates one-part Weezer, two-parts Green Day, and a pinch of the Foo Fighters.
RTC have shared the 'shows that thrill' stage with artists as diverse as K'NAAN, THE ARKELLS, THE LIONS, THE CRIPPLE CREEK FAIRIES, LINDSAY ELL, MICHAEL BERNARD FITZGERALD, GHOSTKEEPER, MAD COWBOYS, FRANKIE MCQUEEN, ZOEY'S CLOSET, folk artist CORT DELANO, rock-punk gurus FALLOUT FREQUENCY.
RTC members Connor Harvey and Jake Simard spend summers at the Silverlake Conservatory in California (Flea/RHCP). Along with Ryan Keddy and Shawn Savard, they continue to work year-round with Eli Brueggemann from Silverlake, challenged to learn entirely new instruments, play cross genre, and in large ensemble. The result is an infusion of 60s keys, 70s funk and 'think on your feet' live experimentation uncharacteristic of musicians their age.
In 2008 + 2009, RTC engaged in over 100 professional live performances. 2010 will be no different.
Licensing + Publishing
In less than a year, RTC's first single Barricade (Certified Organic, 2008) attracted the interest of commercial and independent radio, a major motion picture music supervisor, CBC Radio3, and ramped up live performance opportunities with other senior artists locally. July 2009 saw RTC's first music placement in the closing credits of the internationally distributed film, Wasting Away (K5)!
RTC then shot their first video, now in distribution in North American, German and UK markets with the DVD/VOD release of Wasting Away. It screens at the Calgary Underground Film Festival April 2010.
January 2010 also kicked off with a bang! I am Providence, the first single off Classified Matter (2009), was selected for the Original Soundtrack (OST) for Eat Ghee, a web soap opera with a huge following in India! I am Providence was also mashed-up by RTC for an unofficial promotion of the Left 4 Dead 2 game launch in November 2009, with a thumbs up from Gabe Newell himself!
"Congratulations! We'd like to use your song, Barricade in the film Wasting Away. There were over 500 submissions but your work really stood out. You guys have some amazing music and I see great things in your future. I look forward to working with you all. Thanks for the opportunity to use your music in our film." Sean Kohnen, Wasted Pictures, LLC, June 2009
In the Community
In 2009, Random Task Collective was thrilled to play the Grey Cup Festival Stage in downtown Calgary as part of a week of celebrations in advance of the big game last November and in January, RTC joined a host of talented performers for the first time ever at the internationally acclaimed High Performance Rodeo 2010 (One Yellow Rabbit).
In 2008, RTC headlined the Sloth Stage at the critically acclaimed Sled Island Festival, a first for an u18 band in Calgary. In 2009, they led an initiative to promote all-ages shows and introduce eight new u18 artists at the 'Young Buds' stage. In 2010, RTC returns to champion even more Young Buds programming as part of the Festival. In one year, Young Buds will expand from single showcase, to over twenty-four u18 artists over 3 nights, and a new project, 'Wins + Needles' - a city-wide search for Calgary's finest u18 Djay/Turntablists.
This year also marks the 3rd year of the Collective. Produced by RTC and held once a month, Collective shows -- ten in all, feature other up-and comers in Calgary in a program that includes collaborative musicianship, mentorship on entrepreneurship and building a sustainable career in the DIY creative economy, and the presentation of a multi-artist public concert for any and all ages.
For three years, RTC has been a proud supporter of annual events for Calgary Between Friends Skate-a-Kid-to-Camp (March), the Cancer Society's Relay for Life (June), the Kid's Cancer Care Ride for Life Tour (July), and War Child Canada's Busking for Change (September), playing live, hosting workshops, and helping to raise awareness and support for these important projects.
"During our hour long conversation, Connor, Jake, Ryan and Shawn seemed like pretty regular high school guys. However, once the stage lights turned on and the band ripped into their set, it was evident that these young men were far from ordinary. These guys haven't even finished school, yet have managed to find the time to contribute to their community as well as make some kick-butt music." Erika Stark, Youthink Magazine, November 2009