Foundation Concerts presents one of Canada's hardest working and acclaimed rock bands, Bumstead Recording artists', The Trews, as they embark on the 'The Trews Acoustic Tour' across western Canada in October and November 2010. Foundation will present The Trews in seven western Canadian markets, including Saskatoon, Grand Prairie, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Calgary, Sherwood Park and St. Albert.

It's summertime and the living is indeed easy at Foundation HQ! We have a few of shows (Said the Whale, Wolf Parade, Jucifer) to keep us from full-on concert deprivation in July/August, but it's the fall months that are keeping us focused and working hard in the Foundation office right now. A whole batch of dates have been announced in recent weeks (Land of Talk, Josh Ritter, Po' Girl, Hayes Carll, Nevermore, Cuff the Duke...), so click on the city of your choice to the right and find out who will be swingin' through your city in the coming months! We've got a pile of more shows up our sleeves, so be sure to check back often for more announcements!

Happy summer,

Foundation Concerts

Since the release of "Waving Flag", K'naan has been unstoppable. A remixed version of the single has been chosen as the Coca-Cola anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, to be held in South Africa, while during the Vancouver Olympics 50 Canadian artists joined K'naan under the collaboration name "Young Artists for Haiti" to produce a charity version of the song. In 2010 alone, he has won Juno Awards for Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, toured with Lenny Kravitz and has hit #1 in music charts around the world. "I'm not interested in being mediocre," declares the rapper. "If there's not a necessity to what I'm doing, I just wouldn't do it. If I don't have something to add to the conversation, I'm just not gonna talk." Luckily for us, he has plenty to say. Utilizing everything from folk guitar to the actual Hammond B3 used on Bob Marley's Exodus, the emcee deftfully finds a balance between earnest tales of growing up and clever, braggadocio rhymes straight out of Big Daddy Kane's rhymebook. It's this mix, both musical and lyrical, that earned his 2006 debut album The Dusty Foot Philosopher a Juno award for Rap Recording of the Year, a BBC Radio 3 Award, and nomination for the inaugural Polaris Music Prize, Canada's equivalent to the Shortlist Music Prize. Having spent the better part of the last two years traveling the world, taking his message directly to the people , soaking in everything from Bob Dylan to Fela Kuti to and Mos Def , Troubadour, K'naan's latest release, is the sonic document of an artist who has a lot to share, but clearly has a lot more in the coming years. For anyone who's said that hip-hop has nothing left to say, Troubadour proves that it all depends on where you look.

A LIVE NATION AND FOUNDATION CONCERTS CO-PRESENTATION:

K'NAAN WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2010 EDMONTON EVENT CENTRE - EDMONTON, AB Doors: 7:00PM Show: 8:30PM

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, MAY 28TH @ 10AM

Charge by Phone 780-451-8000 Tickets also available at all Ticketmaster Outlets and Rogers Wireless Box Office. is a NO SERVICE FEE mobile ticketing service available exclusively to Rogers Wireless customers. Visit www.urmusic.ca/tickets or text TICKETS to 555 for full event listings and special offers.

Tickets (incl. GST) $35.00 (Plus FMF & Service charges)

GENERAL ADMISSION / ALL AGES

Due to popular demand, Foundation Concerts has added a second show by Toronto's psychedelic country rockers, The Sadies, this May in Calgary. In addition to the much-hyped show on May 29th at Dickens' Pub, a second, more intimate show has been added at The Ironwood on Friday, May 28th. Touring in support of their new release, Darker Circles (Outside Music), The Sadies will be supported by Vancouver's The Pack A.D. on both shows.

Darker Circles is the follow-up to their acclaimed last album New Seasons and sees guitarist brothers Dallas and Travis Good, drummer Mike Belitsky and bassist Sean Dean again pair with legendary Jayhawk and sought-after producer Gary Louris. Furthering the focused songwriting and recording aspirations reached on New Seasons, The Sadies bring their signature blend of country, psychedelic, rock and surf into rifle scope focus on Darker Circles, further underscoring their reputations as musicians' musicians. The album was recorded in one marathon twelve-day session at the 'Bathhouse' studio and five more at Toronto's Woodshed. 

Always at the top of the list when discussing musical chops and live intensity, The Sadies are now more intent than ever on making their mark as songwriters. It's an intent that comes naturally says Travis Good, "It's not conscious. Nothing is planned when it comes to The Sadies. We're just better players and we did more homework this time."



The Sadies
 w/ The Pack A.D.
 Friday, May 28TH, 2010 
The Ironwood - Calgary, AB 
$20 advance tickets at Ticketmaster & Sloth TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, MAY 14TH @ NOON Presented by CKUA Radio, Foundation Concerts & Concerts North

Saturday, May 29TH, 2010
 Dickens' Pub - Calgary, AB
 $20 advance tickets at Ticketmaster & Sloth LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
 Presented by CKUA Radio, Foundation Concerts & Concerts North


Foundation Concerts presents Toronto's KO, May 7th and 8th in Edmonton and Calgary. KO is touring in support of his release, Let's Blaze (Castle Hill/Warner), featuring the hit single "Capable."

Ko Kapches was raised in a middle-class Greek family in the Queen and Broadview area in Toronto, ON. After falling into the trap of using and selling a wide variety of drugs as a teen, he soon found himself on an odyssey of street life and rehabilitation centers throughout the U.S. and Toronto.

At the time, KO spent much of his time with friends in small studios, crafting his talents as a rapper while starting to write songs and playing guitar. KO began to develop his own unique style he refers to as both urban funk and urban folk.

While KO is still influenced by Toronto's underground rap community, he also enjoys more mainstream rap and ranks such diverse artists as Everlast, Kid Rock, Ani DiFranco, Thelonious Monk and Van Morrison among his favourites. KO's eclectic taste is reflected in the originality of his organic sound.

www.myspace.com/officialkonation

KO w/ guests

Friday, May 7TH, 2010 The Pawn Shop - Edmonton, AB $12 advance tickets at Ticketmaster, Blackbyrd & Listen TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY, APRIL 12TH AT 10 A.M. Presented by Foundation Concerts & Sonic 102.9FM

Saturday, May 8TH, 2010 The Marquee Room - Calgary, AB $12 advance tickets at Ticketmaster & Sloth TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY, APRIL 12TH AT 10 A.M. Presented by Foundation Concerts & X92.9 FM

Foundation Concerts presents CHECK THE RHYME, a meeting of the best in underground hip hop, this April through Western Canada. CHECK THE RHYME brings together & separately Slaughterhouse (Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5'9 & Joe Budden), Pharoahe Monch, Del The Funky Homosapien, Bukue One, Peter Jackson and DJ Zac Hendrix for an amazing night of beats, rhythms and rhymes.

SLAUGHTERHOUSE When Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, and Royce Da 5'9 joined Joe Budden on his 2008 mixtape Halfway House, the chemistry on their collaborative track meant "Slaughterhouse" the song would quickly become Slaughterhouse the hip-hop supergroup. Seeing as how Budden, Crooked I, and Ortiz all had issues with their former labels -- Def Jam, Death Row, and Aftermath respectively -- other tracks recorded at their initial meeting bypassed the usual music distribution channels and were leaked to the net, including "Move On" which gave the music press the group's backstory in song. They recorded their debut album in a mere six days, signed to the E1 label, and released their self-titled, debut in 2009. Due to sample clearance issues, the final product did not include the promised single "Woodstock," but in keeping with the group's alternative marketing plan, it was released via Budden's Twitter account.

DEL THE FUNKY HOMOSAPIEN Hailing from Oakland, CA, Del The Funky Homosapien got his start with the crew, the Hieroglyphics, a markedly non-gansta response to the burgeoning 90's West Coast scene. Most recently he's been known for his collaborations with artists such as Kid Koala, The Automator and Damon Albarn's 'Gorrilaz' project. His latest release is the critically acclaimed solo effort, G-Market (2010).

PHAROAHE MONCH While a member of the New York City duo Organized Konfusion, Pharoahe Monch developed a reputation as one of underground hip-hop's pre-eminent lyricists, crafting intricate and intelligent raps with partner Prince Poetry. After recording three albums together from 1991-1997, the two split up amicably, and Monch pursued a more aggressive solo style with the terrific independent label Rawkus. He made guest appearances on other artists' records and contributed tracks to the Rawkus compilation Soundbombing II, which raised expectations for his solo debut. The single/video "Simon Says" was released in the summer of 1999 and became a massive hit among rap and club audiences, setting the stage for a surprising debut -- just short of the Top 40 -- for the full-length Internal Affairs upon its release several months later. While he didn't release a second album -- Desire -- until 2007, he was active throughout the intervening years, with fiery singles like "The Life" (with Styles) and "Agent Orange," along with featured spots on tracks by Ras Kass, J Dilla, Pete Rock, and Sa-Ra. Pharoahe Monch's third studio album, We Are Renegades (W.A.R.), is set for release in early 2010.

CHECK THE RHYME featuring Slaughterhouse (JOE BUDDEN, ROYCE DA 5'9, CROOKED I & JOELL ORTIZ), Del the Funky Homosapien, Pharaohe Monch, Bukue One, Peter Jackson, DJ Zac Hendrix & MORE

Thursday, April 15th - The Whiskey, Calgary Advance tickets $35 at Ticketmaster, Giant 45, The Gallery & Sloth Limited VIP tickets $75 at Ticketmaster ONLY Presented by Foundation Concerts & Ill Movements

Friday, April 16th - Edmonton Event Centre, Edmonton Advance tickets $35 at Ticketmaster, Soular (W.E.M.), EEC, Foosh & Blackbyrd Limited VIP tickets $75 at Ticketmaster ONLY Presented by Foundation Concerts & Urban DNA

Slaughterhouse (JOE BUDDEN, ROYCE DA 5'9, CROOKED I & JOELL ORTIZ), Pharaohe Monch, Peter Jackson & MORE

Tuesday, April 13th - The Pyramid, Winnipeg Advance tickets $30 at Ticketmaster, Music Trader, Kustom Kulture and The Urban Bakery Limited VIP tickets $50 at Ticketmaster ONLY Presented by Foundation Concerts & Face Entertainment

Wednesday, April 14th - The Pat, Saskatoon Advance tickets $20 at Ticketmaster, The Pat, Skunk Funk, Ninetimes and Undergrind Limited VIP tickets $40 at Ticketmaster ONLY Presented by Foundation Concerts & Black Sheep

Del The Funky Homosapien, Bukue One, DJ Zac Hendrix & MORE

Saturday, April 17th - Cosmo Centre, Saskatoon Advance tickets $20 at Skunk Funk, Ninetimes and Undergrind Presented by Black Sheep

Sunday, April 18th - The Pyramid, Winnipeg Advance tickets $17 at Ticketmaster, Music Trader, Kustom Kulture and The Urban Bakery Presented by Foundation Concerts & Face Entertainment

Foundation Concerts are very pleased to announce four dates with 2009 Polaris Prize winners Fucked Up supporting the release of Couple Tracks: Singles 2002-2009. Containing 25 songs, Couple Tracks is designed as a sequel to the band's earlier compilation, Epics In Minutes (Deranged, 2004) and the Polaris Prize winning The Chemistry Of Common Life.

Couple Tracks: Singles 2002-2009 spans an extraordinarily varied (and highly collectible) musical career that has been mainly documented on 7" vinyl singles released around the world on various labels in different countries. Chronologically, the compilation ranges from the A-side of their first single, 'No Pasarán', a commentary on the Spanish Civil War released on Deranged in 2002, to the fast, alternate take of 'No Epiphany', their latest 7" on Matador from early 2009. In addition to from some their rarest moments, the compilation also contains five unreleased tracks; all lovingly remastered.

Press Reviews about The Chemistry Of Common Life:

Toronto Star 4 / 4 - "Already one of the decade's best" NOW Magazine 4 / 5 - "Just when you thought the mallification of punk rock had sapped all the danger and excitement from the form, a band like this comes along..." Outburn 10 / 10 - "A refreshing spit in the face."

Fucked Up w/ guests

Friday, May 14 - Edmonton, AB, The Avenue Theatre Tickets are $16 advance at Ticketmaster, Blackbyrd, Listen & Freecloud

Saturday, May 15 - Saskatoon, SK, Amigo's Tickets are $13 advance at Ticketedge, Amigo's & Vinyl Exchange

Sunday, May 16 - Regina, SK, The Exchange Tickets are $12 advance at Ticketedge, Zeus, Vintage Vinyl, & XRay

Monday, May 17 - Winnipeg, MB, West End Cultural Centre Tickets are $14 advance at Ticketworkshop, Into The Music & Music Trader

ON SALE FRIDAY, MARCH 26 AT 10AM

Foundation Concerts presents global citizen of the music world, YOAV, this April in Edmonton and Calgary. Returning after a sold-out show in Edmonton in 2009, YOAV is touring his sophomore release, A Foolproof Escape Plan, out April 6th.

An exceptional singer/songwriter, Yoav is a much talked about artist. His unique musical influences have resulted in a sound that fuses the singer-songwriter tradition with Eastern scales and rhythms, all rooted in a dance-club groove.

 All of the sounds on Charmed and Strange and, for the most part, on A Foolproof Escape Plan were created on the acoustic guitar; all drums, bass, keyboard and piano sounds were beaten and dragged out of his trusty Lowden acoustic.

The live performance follows the same route, with the help of several loop stations and Yoav's unusually hand-like feet. 

True to his reputation as global citizen, Yoav spent 2009 writing songs in London, South Africa, and Venice Beach, California, collaborating with a mélange of musicians and artists from around the world to add to the richness of his sound. Joey Waronker -- the outstanding American music producer and drummer who has worked with Thom Yorke, Beck, Smashing Pumpkins, and R.E.M. - took the producer's chair.

YOAV with guests

Thursday, April 29th, 2010 - The Starlite Room, Edmonton, AB 8PM DOORS Tickets are $17.50 in advance at Ticketmaster, Blackbyrd & Listen TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, MARCH 19TH at 10 AM Presented by Foundation Concerts

Friday, April 30th, 2010 - The Marquee Room, Calgary, AB 8PM DOORS Tickets are $15.00 in advance at Ticketmaster, Sloth TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, MARCH 19TH at 10 AM Presented by Foundation Concerts & X92.9 FM

Foundation Concerts presents Winnipeg's The Wailin' Jenny's, Tuesday, May 11th at Edmonton's MacDougall United Church. This award-winning trio of ladies has taken the folk music world by storm since the release of their self-titled EP in 2003. The Wailin' Jennys are touring in support of their 2009 release, Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House (Outside Music).

Three extraordinary voices, two founding singer-songwriters, one singular vision: The Wailin' Jennys continue to evolve into far more than the melodious sum of their individual talents seven years after blowing in on a fresh acoustic breeze from Canada's mid-western heartland.

"One Voice," a live staple and highlight of the Jennys' Juno-winning album, 40 Days, remains a metaphoric statement of intent that to this day underlines the group's original mandate: three individuals with unique gifts combining seamlessly into a single beatific entity. Soprano Ruth Moody (guitar, banjo, accordion, bodhran) and mezzo Nicky Mehta (guitar, harmonica, ukulele, percussion) are charter members who've anchored the Jennys since the first line-up formed in their Winnipeg hometown. The critical third voice, an alto who fills out the chordal range of the group's vibrant three-part harmonies, has been filled in turn by Cara Luft, Annabelle Chvostek and, now that the latter has returned to her own solo career, new recruit Heather Masse.

The Wailin' Jennys w/ guests

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 -MacDougall United Church, Edmonton, AB 7PM DOORS Tickets are $23.50 in advance at Ticketmaster & Blackbyrd TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH at 10 AM Presented by Foundation Concerts

The Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad and Foundation Concerts present Jenn Grant and Jason Plumb & The Willing this February in western Canada. As part of a cross-Canada tour, Jenn Grant and Jason Plumb & The Willing will be making their way through the Canadian Prairies stopping in Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Calgary. Jenn Grant is currently promoting her 2009 release Echoes (Six Shooter Records), while Jason Plumb and the Willing are promoting their latest effort Wide Open Music: Songs for Saskatchewan (SoccerMom Records).

From her debut record, Orchestra for the Moon, Jenn Grant's name has surfaced in four star reviews from Harp and The Globe and Mail, earned her several East Coast Music Awards nominations, and landed her on tours with the Great Lake Swimmers and The Weakerthans.

There are traces of Orchestra for the Moon in her latest offering, Echoes, elements that helped shape Jenn's sound into what it has become. Without the songs being old or feeling old, Echoes' analog heart reflects the art and the heart of Jenn herself, inciting a familiarity that connects the listener with the roots of music.

Jason Plumb is an exception in the world of contemporary pop music where "extended careers" and "timeless bodies of work" are not commonplace.

An artist of considerable depth, the Saskatchewan-based singer and songwriter, has over the course of the past twenty years delivered a impressive body of work that continues to present fresh and exciting chapters, as is the case with his new release Wide Open Music: Songs for Saskatchewan.

From hit singles and memorable album tracks with The Waltons, and to solo albums, soundtracks and theme songs, Plumb has consistently created music that has been embraced by Canadian audiences and acclaimed by the industry and his peers.

Foundation Concerts presents two dates with Jay Malinowski, front man of popular Canadian band, Bedouin Soundclash, this coming March in Edmonton and Vancouver. Promoting his forthcoming solo release, Bright Lights and Bruises, Malinowski will be supported by Vancouver's Kinnie Starr and Edmonton's Michael Rault.

The self-produced, acoustic-based album and Malinowski's first foray into the solo world will be released on Bedouin's own Pirates Blend record label and distributed through Sony Music in Canada. Bright Lights and Bruises shows off a different side of the artist -- quieter, deeply personal and incredibly contemplative.

The result is a stunning and remarkably stirring collection of material that shows someone who's as much in touch with his feelings as he is with the craft of songwriting, and someone who's willing to take chances and lay it all on the line. From the haunting and plaintive piano ballad There's A Light -- the album's opener and first single -- to country strummers Life Is A Gun and Loving Hand, and the jangly, McCartney-esque pastoral melodicism of A Vacant Youth, Malinowski explores sonic and emotional spaces that will surprise but allure fans old and new.

Jay Malinowski of Bedouin Soundclash w/ Kinnie Starr & Michael Rault

Thursday, March 18th - The Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, BC 8PM DOORS Tickets are $13.50 in advance at Ticketmaster, Zulu Records and Red Cat Records TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18TH at 10 AM Presented by Foundation Concerts & The Biltmore Cabaret

Sunday, March 21st - The Pawn Shop, Edmonton, AB 8PM DOORS Tickets are $14.00 in advance at Ticketmaster, Blackbyrd and Megatunes TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18TH at 10 AM Presented by Foundation Concerts

Foundation Concerts is thrilled to present Raekwon, member of the seminal rap clique, Wu-Tang Clan, this February. Touring through Edmonton, Saskatoon and Winnipeg, Raekwon is promoting Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt. II, the much anticipated and long-awaited follow-up to 1995's, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.

OB4CL2 features cameos from many industry heavyweights such as the Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah, Method Man, GZA, Jadakiss and many others. It also features blazing tracks from the who's who of extraordinary Hip-Hop producers such as the RZA, Eric Sermon, Dr Dre, Scram Jones, Pete Rock, Marley Marl, Allah Mathematics and J-Dilla. Cuban Linx II sticks to a classically New York template. Rae's raps still paint dusky pictures of New York's nefarious nooks, only this time around, he's projecting from secure surroundings.

Raekwon The Chef of Wu-Tang Clan "Only Built for Cubin Linx 2" Tour with I.P. & guests

Saturday, February 6th - The Starlite Room, Edmonton, AB 9 PM DOORS Tickets are $30 in advance at Ticketmaster, Blackbyrd, FS (W.E.M.) & FOOSH TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18TH at 10 AM Presented by Foundation Concerts & Urban DNA

Tuesday, February 9th - The Odeon, Saskatoon, SK 8 PM DOORS Tickets $30 in advance at Ticketmaster, Undergrind, Ninetimes and Skunk Funk TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18TH at 10 AM Presented by Foundation Concerts & Black Sheep Productions

Wednesday, February 10th - The Pyramid, Winnipeg, MB 9 PM DOORS Tickets $30 in advance at Ticketmaster, Music Trader and Kustom Kulture TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18TH at 10 AM Presented by Foundation Concerts

Foundation pre-sale - Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 at 10am Foundation Nation members will receive a special password to beat the box office, this Wednesday morning. Anyone can join the Foundation Nation list by going to www.foundationconcerts.com