illScarlett is one of the hardest working Canadian bands on the scene. Their intense live shows have a blend of reggae and pop that has gained them fans from home to Japan and back. After an extensive US tour, the band is back on home turf touring in support of their recent release
1UP!. They play The Gateway at SAIT in Calgary December 2nd and The Starlite Room in Edmonton December 3rd and 4th.
Lead singer Alex Norman says that the constant touring is worth it, as being on stage is where he and his fellow band mates (guitarist Will Marr, bassist John Doherty and drummer Swavek Piorkowski) have the most fun.
"It is really a lot of fun, we love playing live and going to different places, keeping busy. When we are on a break and home I get really bored and tired. On the road it energizes me even though I am expending more energy. We love doing what we do."
GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine chatted with Alex in advance of his shows, over the phone. Ask anyone who has seen the band live and they will tell you it is an excellent performance.
"We are up there having a good time. We have to entertain ourselves first so when we are on stage joking around or throwing our heads in the air it is because we like to do that. We find that if we are having a good time, everyone else is having a good time. We try to involve the audience as much as we can. We are pretty casual; we don't have smoke or fly down from the rafters with lasers. We are just a bunch of dudes who get on stage and want to play some songs for everybody."
The tour sees the band head out to Toronto to open for Weezer on December 5th. Having already had an opening slot for Blink 182, Norman is appreciative of the chance to open for bands he listened to himself.
"The opportunity has come from constantly touring and meeting new people in different markets. It is all who you know. We played so many shows so the people who book these opening slots have seen us play and know we can entertain a crowd. For us to open for Blink 182 and especially Weezer - The Blue Album and Pinkerton are some of our defining early adolescent records. To actually share the stage with Weezer at the Air Canada Centre, where the Leafs play, is a huge deal. We approach it the same way we do any show, give 110% and just have a good time."
By this point illScarlett is established in Canada. Their recent US tour opening for Big D and the Kids Table provided a new challenge in front of unfamiliar audiences.
"It is great to play for people who know who you are, have seen you before and know the words. It is easier for the energy exchange for the concert-goer and entertainer to occur; it is just a smoother connection. You sing the songs, they sing it back and everyone has a good time. With new crowds it is fun and challenging because there is no preconception of who you are. As long as you are having a good show you get a surprise element to it. People start with 'who are these guys?' and, if you play well, go 'Wow that was really cool!' You meet them afterwards and make fans. It is like any challenge; when you accomplish something that takes a lot of work, it is so much sweeter for the reward of people moshing to you when they don't even know who you are."
Norman promises high energy, fun shows and possibly the chance to toss back a few.
"Please come and give us a try. We are in the Starlight room for two nights in Edmonton and SAIT at Calgary. If you want to come to the show and you are of age, let’s do some shots!"
