Concert Review: The Rural Alberta Advantage Play To Hope At Bowery
In these times of needed quiet and humility, The Rural Alberta Advantage (RAA) rise to give you a show that redefines escapism. Personally, I am a ball of energy circling for stillness. I can run around like a chicken with its head cut off, yet, like this blog, I am dedicated to finding entertainment that makes me mindful. While we may seek nightlife that makes us feel like night never ends, The Rural Alberta Advantage gave a show that made you truly wish it didn’t.
Their semblance of eternity begins with the long, winding vocals of Nils Edenloff. Yes, I did make a Beatles’ reference to “The Long And Winding Road” because Edenloff’s voice reminded me of this song in fragility and strength. From their tracks “White Light” to “Brother” , the concert felt dedicated to the persons that understand beaten roads can still lead to beating hearts. Sometimes, you have to trudge through spiritual mud and fire to find remaining life, but when you do that is when true love is earned. Song like, “Terrified”, “Drain The Blood” and “Alright”, spoke to the several times you felt like you were the only person in a dark room, and someone else lit a candle to say, “I am here, too”. All you need is that “one” other that “gets you”, and Edenloff’s vocals are acclaimed forgiving that “I get you” vibe. When harmonizing with songstress Robin Hatch, Nils sounds like he has found the resting pillow to his roughened vocals. Together they feed hope in singing to the times when you were just “about” to lose it. Thus, bringing a sense of cathartic acknowledgment of pain, while also fulfilling stereotypes that Canadians are simply the friendliest people.
There is no denying that RAA love their job, and it made me want to wave my Canadian flag, which I have no idea where I got it from, in solidarity and love. They arrange each song like the wild pastures of your life, of which you graze and glide to see that you survived every time you were scared because you are still here and listening to their music. They are not the songs you pick when you want to be euphoric or devastated; they are the songs you choose when you know there is reason to fear but also reason to hope. Thus, in their igniting sing-alongs and smiles big enough to make a Dentist feel proud, The Rural Alberta Advantage gave Bowery Ballroom a show to genuinely feel good about! For More Information On The Rural Alberta Advantage Click Here.
