The Venue Bar and Grill will have a busy few weeks rolling out some new musicians starting with Crystal McGrath on May 24 and 25.
McGrath, singer/songwriter from Calgary is fast becoming a household name in the music industry. With her beautiful vocals and the natural glow of her personality, she has been conquering the stage and gaining popularity.
Performing in venues of all sizes worldwide, Crystal has developed into a true star. She has shared the stage with artists such as Lights, Ani Di Franco, David Usher, Wide Mouth Mason, Suzie McNiel, George Canyon, Aaron Pritchett and many other greats in the music industry.
Most recently she conquered a tour in Ontario and Quebec followed by a showcase during Canadian Country Music Week 2016 in London, playing over 60 shows.
McGrath has always had a passion for being an active philanthropist. In 2006, she joined forces with the well-recognized American Foundation, Toys For Tots as their spokesperson.
Her song Christmas Everyday was used as their inspirational theme song and she performed and appeared at various events promoting Tots For Tots at NFL Games, the Governor’s Mansion, and commercials.
With Jarred Nicklen, she has founded the foundation Write2Dream, which provides young songwriters with artist development scholarships. The funds give aspiring starts the opportunity to be mentored, record their own song in a professional recording studio session, a photoshoot, and to have their song on iTunes.
McGrath's strength, comes from finding her own voice and letting it shine without trying to conform to other female contemporaries, accoridng to her website. She is known to have an ambitious and hardworking attitude which will continue to be evident for years ahead.
Crystal McGrath has plenty in store for 2018 including an EP for herself and her pop band, Boy and Gurl, tour dates, and a new music video for One World.
McGrath's show will begin at 8:30 p.m. on May 24 and at 9 p.m. the following night due to the fourth annual Cochrane Spring Show and Shine car show.
Following up McGrath will be Flatline Phoenix on May 31 and June 1. The five-man band are made up of lead vocalist, Guy, lead guitar, Paul, Greg or G-Dawg on rhythm guitar, Paul on base and Joe on drums.
Originally from Ottawa but having grown up in Calgary since the age of 5, Guy takes inspiration from the likes of Jim Morrison, Axl Rose and even Garth Brooks, Guy feels most comfortable when he’s on a stage in front of a mic.
“I love the connection you can get to the audience when performing live … there is absolutely nothing like it," Guy said. "I’ve actually taken quite a long sabbatical from the stage but in all the time I’ve been gone, I knew I’d be back. It’s that connection with the audience and with the other guys on the stage that has lured me back to where I belong. Very quickly in FP, things fell into place and sounded like we had been playing together for years.”
Originally from Montreal, Paul brings 30 years of deep experience and a Huge Marshall brown sound to the Calgary scene. His playing has been described as a bucket full of lightning whether he is making his guitar talk, cry, whisper or all out shredding.
"I love the classic sound you get playing Les Paul's through Marshalls. It just doesn't get any better," he said."I have always been drawn to bands with a big deep rhythm section, a stand out lead guitar player, and a charismatic front singer with a huge voice and range. I found it with this band and am having a blast playing with these guys."
Influenced by the Rock of the 80s, Greg digs the sound of New Rock, even without his mullet. Being one of the few that were pretty much born and raised in Calgary, Greg is into playing music that rocks.
"On rhythm guitar, I really enjoy adding to the full sound of this band. The key to having two guitarists in any band is dynamics. Add to the overall sound without too much duplication. Difficult to achieve, but I think FP pulls it off well," Greg said.
Originally from Winnipeg, Paul has been playing bass since the late 80's and grew up on the hard rock of the late 80's and 90's. He's played in both cover bands and all original bands over the years.
"I've always felt that it was the job of the bass player to bridge the gap between the drums and guitars, a crossover between being partly musical and partly percussive," Paul said about his role on the band. "I've always enjoyed trying to figure out how to fit the bass part in just right to tie a song together. That and working to find the perfect tone that growls and shakes the walls. I have a lot of respect for what each member brings to Flatline Phoenix and there's a great camaraderie. I've really enjoyed working with and getting to know the guys in FP, there's such a chemistry with the music and the people. We're here to have a great time playing some butt shakin' rock n' roll that makes people get up and have a great time with us."
Both of Flatline Phoenix shows will start at 9 p.m.
