Marmot's Kokanee Freeride: more than a "cool" venue

RICK MACDONNELL

Faber Drive put on a stellar show at Marmot Basin's Kokanee Freeride. RICK MACDONNELL/SnowSeekers

JASPER, AB – One of the greatest things about listening to a new band or catching them at a live show is that you’re never sure where it’s all going to go. Today’s music industry is an icy mistress: cold to one’s advances, but negotiable with caution. It takes more than talent and hard work to succeed in today’s market; it also takes a fortunate bounce or two, a lucky break that’s the difference between becoming a household name and fading away into obscurity.

Just getting started

Edmonton five-piece TheFlashJam may have just found the break they needed. The band, which opened for the Juno-nominated Faber Drive at this past weekend’s Kokanee Freeride, came to the opportunity by somewhat unconventional means.

“We won a battle of the bands,” chuckled frontman Jamie McLean. “It’s something that we wouldn’t normally do, but what we did was enter at On the Rocks in Edmonton, and the winner had an opportunity to open up for Faber Drive here in Jasper.

“I mean, why wouldn’t we enter?”

Having released a 4-song EP in December, TheFlashJam are truly just getting started. “This is actually only our seventh show as a band. It’s pretty cool.”

The Kokanee Freeride jam took place at the mid-mountain Paradise Chalet. The venue was one of the coolest (no pun intended) that I’ve ever seen. The bands played their sets from atop the Paradise Chalet, with a packed crowd dancing and eating some stellar BBQ down below.

“This is seriously the coolest backdrop that Faber Drive has ever played to,” said Faber Drive’s bassist, Jeremy “Krikit” Liddle. “Not many bands get the chance to play at a ski hill, so it’s pretty cool.”

It gets even better

“The venue was amazing,” McLean said. “It’s kind of cold, you know, but once we got into it, we were just having a blast.”

TheFlashJam members Jamie McLean and Stefan Candie make a fan's day at Marmot's Kokanee Freeride show. RICK MACDONNELL/SnowSeekers

The Freeride was the start of a sweet last few weeks at Marmot Basin. On April 17, Marmot will play host to Northern Alberta Masters, where all skiers are welcome to take part in one of the final races of the season. The following day, those feeling lucky can enter the skier-cross/boarder-cross race, and enjoy the mini rail jam that follows. And, of course, there’s Closing Day on Apr. 25.

Unfortunately for TheFlashJam, they don’t get out on the hills as much as they’d like. “I like to go rip it up, sure, but with TheFlashJam, there’s just no time.” 

I guess they’ll just have to settle for playing jam-packed shows on snow-packed hills. 

“It doesn’t get much better than this.”

For TheFlashJam, though, it just might.

For more information on Marmot Basin and its upcoming events, visit www.skimarmot .com. And check out TheFlashJam and Faber Drive on Myspace at www.myspace.com/theflashjam and www.myspace.com/faberdrive.

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