Show highlighting Sask. talent

Four Saskatchewan musicians are coming together for an eight community tour leading up to Christmas, and 5th Avenue Cup & Saucer in Yorkton will be one of the stops.

The show, highlighting Carly Maicher, Northcote and Ryan Boldt came about through the efforts Zachary Lucky, the fourth member of the troupe.

"The Prairie Roots Revue has been a long time in the making," said Lucky. "I had the idea last year to get a handful of artists together - people who I considered good friends - also people who were doing something great in regards to their music. I had tossed the idea around a bunch - but nothing ever came of it."

Fast forward to summer 2011.

"I began tossing the idea around again - first to Carly Maicher - then to Northcote - it began to look like we might have a group of like minded people together to pursue this dream," said Lucky. "We needed to round out the group though. I had been getting to know Ryan Boldt (from Saskatoon's The Deep Dark Woods) for a while now, exchanging e-mails, talking about music, gear, and what not - and one day I mentioned to tour to him and he was thrilled and said he wanted to be a part of it.

"This will be the first time the four of us have toured together, and possibly the last for quite some time."

The show became one Lucky said he felt fit the Christmas season, even if the music will not specifically be seasonal.

"When we set out to do this tour, I thought that December would be a good time - because it aligns with what this tour is all about," offered Lucky. "I often find December as a month that brings people together - whether for Christmas, or over meals - and that's exactly what this tour was doing - bringing people together. The four of us don't get to play too many shows together on a regular basis - so this is something special for us.

"As far as the show being Christmas oriented, that wasn't really the goal - but that's not to say that there won't be a Christmas song or two - anything can happen."

What it will be is a chance for four Saskatchewan musicans to showcase their music.

"Each artist has their own records out - The Deep Dark Woods released their new record 'The Place I Left Behind' at the end of summer," said Lucky. "It's a fairly roots-based record that dances with old time and alt-country tunes

"The Deep Dark Woods are truly one of Canada's biggest and best exports right now. They've recently been signed to Six Shooter Records in Canada and Sugar Hill Records in the United States. This might be one of the last times (for a while) that you see Ryan Boldt playing in such a small venue."

Lucky continued in his discussion of what the other artists have been up too individually.

"A definite favorite of mine. Carly Maicher also released a new record in August called 'Hiding'. I had the privilege of recording these songs in Carly's ocean side home in New Brunswick - and I personally think the record turned out amazing," he said. "Carly is a very gifted writer and story teller - with a story worth listening to. Powerful vocals - and haunting melodies. You can pretty much hear the ocean in these songs.

"Northcote will be touring songs from his latest release 'Gather No Dust' and the previous release.

"As for myself - since the release of 'Come and Gone' I've been up to my neck in touring and performing at festivals across Canada. I've also been working on a new release for quite some time now that is due out in early 2012."

And as friends Lucky said the shows will be a chance to perform together too.

"Not only will each artist play their own material, but there is bound to be some once in a lifetime collaboration on a few numbers. This will make for an unforgettable night," said Lucky, adding it may be a gathering of artists that may not share the same stage for a long time once the tour is complete. "Currently there are no plans for the four artists to tour together beyond these eight shows.

"Due to everyone's busy schedule this was the only week everyone could find time to put aside to hit the road together."

Tickets are available in advance for $10 at 5th Ave Cup & Saucer, as well as at the door ($13) for the Tuesday Dec. 13 show.