Juno nominated Canadian folk talent Del Barber is currently in the country celebrating his fourth and latest full-length effort, Prairieography, which the Winnipeg native unveiled earlier this year to rave acclaim.
As he zig-zags his way across our fair highways, hitting up venues in capital cities to share sprawling stories of his childhood on the Canadian prairie, we decided to celebrate Del’s visit by getting him to guide us through his beloved Winnipeg in the way only he could.
Check Out Local Talent At Times Change(d) High And Lonesome Club
234 Main St, Winnipeg
“My favourite place to hang out and listen to live music is the Times Change(d) High And Lonesome Club. It’s a brilliant honky-tonk. If you’re looking for a more formal concert venue then I’d have to recommend the Park Theatre. I love playing both these places… Completely different vibes, completely essential Winnipeg venues.”
Spend Big At Into The Music
“I spend all my spare money at Into The Music. Great selection of used vinyl, great neighbourhood. For new vinyl I usually shop at Mcnally Robinson… It’s also our best local book store… Not to mention they have a great french bakery on site… You gotta try the blueberry tart.”
Sort Out Your New Vinyl Collection Over A Coffee
“Four great coffee shop’s in four of the best neighbourhoods. Parlour Coffee (exchange district) Little Sister (Osborne Village) Cafe Postal (St Boniface) Thom Bargen (West Broadway)”
See Some Local Winnepeg Band Chic Gammine
“How can I just recommend one band? In my humble opinion we have a world class music scene in Winnipeg… Right now the first choice on my list would have to be Chic Gammine. A mix between soul, roots and indy rock. If you want to hear an amazing blues band I’d have recommend The Perpatrators. For roots and honky tonk I’d have to push Andrew Nevill And The Poor Choices. There another couple dozen I should mention…”
Pick Up A Copy Of Prairie Wind
“If I had to recommend a Winnipeg-esque LP I guess I’d have to say Prairie Wind by Neil Young. It’s connection to Winnipeg isn’t explicit… However a great deal of the album is written about his father Scott Young… (an old sports writer in Winnipeg) When I heard the album when it came out (2005) I felt like it was connected to the Canadian prairies directly… Winnipeg less explicitly.”
Listen To Prairie Wind While Looking Over The Forks
“It’s touristy but I’d have to say “The Forks” especially in the winter… From there you can rent or bring your ice skates and skate away on either the Red or The Assinaboine rivers.
They have beautiful warming huts along the path and miles and miles of well kept ice. A beautiful historic confluence of rivers and an excellent way to spend a winter evening (if you can stand 30 below zero… or colder…”
Get Down With The Locals At The Winnipeg Folk Festival
“The Winnipeg Folk Festival. The best weekend of the summer… Neilfest is close second. Winnipeg musicians get together and play Neil Young for the weekend. He’s our God father in a way… Went to high school in Winnipeg.”
Experience Where The Magic Happens At Empire Recording
“I love Empire Recording. Maybe because I’ve worked there a bunch… Private Ear has a lot of fans as well… I just don’t have any experience so I can’t vouch for it. Empire Recording has such a great live room… And a hell of a lot of vintage gear. There’s nothing like have the option between C12’s U47’s and various RCA ribbon mics…”
Upcoming Shows
November 28 – December 21
Festival of Small Halls
www.festivalofsmallhalls.com
December 27 – January 01
Woodford Folk Festival QLD
www.woodfordfolkfestival.com
