Northwest CanCon

In this edition of Northwest CanCon Headliners, Nils, Paul and Amy of The Rural Alberta Advantage talk about the band, their new record Hometowns, and the meaning of success.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW:

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Like many teens in rural Canada, Nils Edenloff fled his hometown after high school to study at an urban university—in his case Edmonton. Then he fled that scene to pursue his fortunes in, an even bigger center, Toronto. While that was definitely a good career move, Edenloff soon realized he missed the rural Alberta life.

So, like any good troubadour, he wrote songs about it. Meanwhile, he, Paul Banwatt and Amy Cole were hosting a less-than-sold-out open-mic night at a Toronto bar. The frequently empty stage gave them ample opportunity to play, even if just for the bar staff. Thus was born the Rural Alberta Advantage.

To me, the band is all about vocal melodies and percussion. —Paul Banwatt

A couple of years, an EP and a self-produced album later, and the RAA is still simmering on the backburner of the Toronto music scene. Then, in November 2008 the big break: their album is featured as an eMusic Selects album of the month. Next thing you know, a gig at SXSW that leads to signing with Saddle Creek Records, and an official North America-wide release of Hometowns.

The band drew about 100 to Backspace in Portland on a Tuesday night, and put on a solid, down-to-earth show, culminating with a mic-free final number sung from within the crowd. If the band continues its trajectory, they won’t be able to do that for long.

Download the interview here.

Click here for exclusive photos from the RAA’s performance July 7 at Backspace.