Sled Island and connectFirst present: Bartees Strange, Sen Morimoto and more

Bartees Strange

Bartees Strange is a lot of things but most of all more than just the sum of his parts. A man of varied experience, he was born Bartees Cox Jr. in England, grew up performing opera in Mustang, OK, worked in D.C. for the Obama administration and has played in emo and post-hardcore bands in New York. Today, he’s best known for his anthemic and chameleonic style as a solo recording artist.

Under the stage name Bartees Strange, he arrived on the international music press’s radar in 2020 with the release of Say Goodbye to Pretty Boy, a collection of reinterpreted songs by The National informed by his experience of being one of only a few Black audience members he saw at the band’s concerts. It was later that year that his star rose further following the release of his debut album Live Forever. 

That album garnered him a Best New Music designation from Pitchfork and showed up on numerous critics’ best of the year lists. The album’s central force lies in the powerful anthems wherein Bartees unleashes a font of emotion in each explosive chorus. Though much of the album is guitar-driven, it shines when Bartees’ wide array of influences are channeled through electronic elements, rap, emo, inventive use of Auto-Tune, horn blasts and the tiniest hint of country-western. New listeners should start with the rave-up “Boomer” and dance floor stirrer “Flagey God.”

The success of Live Forever built a momentum that seems only to continue to grow for Bartees. His 2022 album Farm to Table (released by elite indie imprint 4AD) is his next level up, a collection of similarly eclectic tracks that explore even more genres and show off his best lyricism yet (just try not to get chills when listening to “Tours” or “Hennessy”). It has gained him additional critical devotion as well as fans and tourmates including Phoebe Bridgers, Courtney Barnett, Metric and Lucy Dacus. In a full-circle moment, he supported The National in 2022 including a stop right here in Calgary.

Now touring major venues worldwide as a crowd-commanding headliner, Bartees has noted that his audience is not the all-white, monocultural blah that perturbed his younger, concert-going self. Now isn’t just his moment, but one for fans of myriad backgrounds and experiences. And so it is with great excitement that we welcome him to bring his one-of-a-kind sensibility to Sled Island through both curatorial picks and as one of this year’s festival-defining headliners.

Sen Morimoto

Saxophonist and singer-songwriter Sen Morimoto is an integral part of Chicago’s vibrant young music scene, acting as a live member of KAINA’s band and appearing on bills alongside artists like Sled 2019 alum Tasha. His latest full-length, a self-titled work, showcases jazzy dream-pop alongside his speak-sing-rap vocal style to potent effect.

 

Weak Knees

Reminiscent of indie-sleaze rock’s mid-aughtie glory days, Weak Knees sway and cruise with effortless charm and a hazy sense of familiarity. On debut single “Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bitch (Hannah)” the five-piece delivers through dueling Strokes-esque guitar lines that build into a cathartic, garage-rock climax.

 

girl with dream

The solo project of Chris Lawson, bassist in Montreal art-rock group Dresser, girl with dream uses breezy and delightful indie pop stylings to showcase her insightful songwriting. Her reflective and celebratory songs are easy to get lost in, making for the perfect soundtrack to a pleasant June afternoon.

 

JayWood

Integrating the tranquility of bedroom pop with electro-funk aesthetics and an indie-rock attitude, JayWood crafts eclectic, contemplative recordings. Hailing from the Canadian prairies, JayWood works equally well for a frigid Winnipeg winter or an LA dance floor. The 2022 release, Slingshot, sees a matured continuity from humble jangle-guitar beginnings to more elaborate productions.

 

Silvering

Shalom Toy’s Silvering project pairs her powerfully intimate vocals with lo-fi guitar playing to create flowery bedroom pop. Steeped in melancholy but sweetly hopeful, her sound lies between slowcore and shoegaze. It is meditative, healing and resonant.

 

Lovelet

For those who revel in being dramatic, Lovelet’s 2018 album Couples Fight Night provides the perfect backdrop to be deeply in your feelings. The wistful, down-tempo emo sound might elicit a tear or two, or at the very least, prompt the shoegaze shuffle. Either way, it’s a victory for those unafraid to confront their emotions.

 

 

About Sled Island

The Sled Island Music & Arts Festival is a five-day, multi-venue festival taking place June 21 - 25, 2023. For more information, visit SledIsland.com. 

Everyone has the right to feel safe and included at Sled Island. All festival attendees agree to abide by Sled Island's safer spaces and inclusion policy, which can be found at SledIsland.com/SaferSpaces.

Sled Island acknowledges Calgary as the traditional territory of the Blackfoot and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Ĩyãħé Nakoda First Nations, including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley First Nations. Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.

Please note: This is an 18+ event.