Sled Island & The Gauntlet present: OKGB + DA'AT + BODY LENS + guests

 

OKGB

Made up mostly of ex-Calgarians, OKGB makes a catchy brand of post-punk that uses the angularity of the genre as a bedrock for magnificent hooks. Though those signature baritone vocals have the deadened timbre you’d expect from the genre, the quintet is all energy, especially live. For a fun detour, check out the alter-ego project of the band, Peggie & the Discount Country Band.

DA'AT

Like a mix between a contemporary Sacred Bones band and a sweaty underground act from ‘80s Manchester, DA’AT is all jittering bass, wrenching vocals and nervous urgency. Its first few tracks so far show the band using the flattened drum machine sounds of early Jesus and Mary Chain alongside needlework guitar that duels with skronking sax. Though a newer act in Calgary, the band is making a strong start as one to watch.

BODY LENS

The Body Lens spin on post-punk veers towards goth but maintains the ever-important angular tension needed to make the genre compelling. One part deathrock growl, one part charged rhythm and one part needle-sharp guitar, the band is a worthy forebear for a genre known as much for its cult following as its sonic limitations.

Fitness

Staying true to its name, Fitness is equipped to perform in peak physical form. The post-punk outfit from Edmonton deliver jagged and discordant guitar passages, angular percussion accompaniments and no-nonsense vocal projection. Weirdly wonderful and delightfully dizzy, Fitness bolsters an energetic live performance guaranteed to incite pleasure and excitement.

Bonnie Trash

Twin sisters Emmalia and Sarafina Bortolon-Vettor write spooky songs with high drama somewhere between incantations and songs. Hooky when it needs to be, the band is influenced by Italian folklore, horror stories and communication theory. Debut LP coming soon.

About Sled Island

The Sled Island Music & Arts Festival is a five-day, multi-venue festival taking place June 22 - 26, 2022. The full festival lineup and schedule is now available on 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 here.

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.