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TOPSSomewhere between breezy AM radio jams and dreamily modern bedroom pop lies TOPS, longtime sweethearts of Canada’s indie music scene.
Formed in 2011 by Edmonton-to-Montreal transplants Jane Penny and David Carriere, TOPS quickly found themselves at home on Arbutus Records, the label that helped introduce the world to Grimes and Blue Hawaii. Recorded at La Brique — the loft studio space where they all met — and adding Riley Fleck on drums, their ‘12 debut album Tender Opposites showcased a band dedicated to lo-fi disco grooves and artsy indie noise. As the BBC put it, “There’s something about these songs that will tempt you back time and time again.
”Their follow-up album Picture You Staring added a shimmer of vintage soft rock sheen to an already-eclectic sound. It earned accolades from Pitchfork, and was listed by Stereogum as one of the best albums of 2014. The band put some serious miles in as well, touring and playing around 100 shows by the end of 2015.
After temporarily relocating to Los Angeles, TOPS released their third album Sugar at the Gate in 2017. Marta Cikojevic joined as keyboardist that same year, adding a crucial element of sonic etherealness to the now-quartet’s complex sound. I Feel Alive came three years later, delivering Harry Nilsson-style arrangements accompanied by Jay Som-esque production and complete with Penny’s warm vibrato (and flute skills!). This one was released on their own label, Musique TOPS.
The 2022 EP Empty Seats represents a further evolution, fusing yacht rock and synthed-out new wave with a bittersweet touch. They’ve toured the world and explored many sonic highways, and now Sled Island brings TOPS back to the prairies from whence they came.
About Sled Island:
Sled Island is an annual five-day independent music and arts festival in Calgary, Alberta that brings together a community of music, comedy and art with nearly 30,000 attendees in multiple venues across the city. For more information, visit SledIsland.com.
Upon entering a festival venue, the passholder agrees to being photographed, filmed or recorded in that venue, and agrees to the publication, reproduction, distribution and broadcast of all photographs, video or other recordings of the passholder's voice or likeness without further notice or compensation in any publicity, advertisement or other publication carried-out by, or on behalf of, Sled Island and in perpetuity in any manner and media whatsoever, including print, broadcast or internet.
Everyone has the right to feel safe and included at Sled Island. All festival attendees must abide by Sled Island's safer spaces and inclusion policy and agree to the code of conduct, which can be found at SledIsland.com/SaferSpaces.
Sled Island acknowledges Calgary as the traditional territory of the Blackfoot and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Ĩyãħé Nakoda First Nations, including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney First Nations. Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
#1 Royal Canadian Legion, 116 7th Ave. SE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Tickets
