Music

HIGH FIVES: The Rural Alberta Advantage

by Sam Sutherland

Every week, High Fives asks five bands five themed questions over five days. This week, we’re preparing for the Great Holiday Onslaught by talking about holidays, why the rule / don’t rule, and how great it is to talk about them, all the time, while they’re happening.

I’m going to be honest with you, internet. Because, to quote the greatest holiday film ever made, “If you can’t say it at Christmas, when can you, eh?” I first heard of the Rural Alberta Advantage around the same time you probably did. Their debut full-length, Hometowns, was released in 2008, and a lot of people whose musical tastes I found pedestrian (at best) and offensively twee (after two beers) were up in arms about how fantastic this new, too-long-named band was. I dismissed them as more of the same flat indie pap that Toronto had started to churn out endless post-You Forgot It In People, and you know what? I’m a fucking idiot. The Rural Alberta Advantage have more in common with groundbreakingly rad bands like Neutral Milk Hotel and the good Belle and Sebastian records than any of the insanely boring crap that that University of Toronto students have propagated mercilessly on unsuspecting Mexican food enthusiasts at Rancho Relaxo for the last three years. Anyway, I bet their next record (due out in March) fucking rules. They’re currently doing the Ontario / Quebec rounds, playing in Hamilton tonight and Toronto on Friday, followed by Montreal and Ottawa. Go mosh.

Do you celebrate any holidays during The Holidays?

AMY: My family has always hosted a Christmas Eve party every year, and it’s become a tradition and my favourite part of the holidays. Friends from grade school, high school… when we all get into town Christmas Eve, everyone kind of knows to come over to my parents’ place.

PAUL: I did when I was little. Then I stopped when I became too cool for it. Now I’m less cool, so I celebrate again.

NILS: It’s pretty much the traditional Christmas for me, spending it with friends and family, and of course generally eating too much.

Do you have any particularly fond childhood memories from this time of year?

AMY: We’ve been watching Mystery Science Theatre 3000’s Santa Claus Conquers the Martians on Christmas every year since I was probably ten or eleven. Another important tradition in my family.

PAUL: Skating at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. It’s still the best.

NILS: My dad took my brother, sister and I on a hunt for the perfect Christmas tree in all of Edmonton. After an hour of walking around our neighborhood, he eventually led us back to our house to remove one of the Charlie Brown-ish trees on our front lawn, which was his plan all along.

Do you have any particularly awful childhood memories from this time of year?

AMY: Ha, none I really want to talk about…

PAUL: If I do, they’re well-repressed.

NILS: I split my chin open while skating when I was six years old and needed stitches. That was actually the last time I ever skated.

What’s the best holiday film?

AMY: Even though I do love Santa Claus Conquers The Martians, I’d have to go with It’s A Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart is the best.

PAUL: The Star Wars Holiday Special… It’s a must watch.

NILS: Scrooged.

What’s the best food that’s only available this time of year?

AMY: I’m not sure about in general for this time of year, but my friend Amanda’s mom brings this really good shrimp dip to our Christmas Eve party every year. I love it so much.

PAUL: Gingerbread houses. Not enough food lets you feel like Godzilla.

NILS: Home cooking.

Did you cringe when you were sent questions about the holidays?

Amy: A little… ?

Paul: No. Happy holidays!

Nils: Just a little bit…