Local musicians celebrate bad weather, bad relationships and not having any money with song
Winter in Saskatchewan stinks. It’s cold. People complain about it for half the year. And riding a bike is about as fun as sucking on a dirty icicle.
Which is probably why so many local musicians write sad songs all the time.
Not that that is a bad thing. There is something weirdly empowering about sad songs, where someone else’s pain and hardship as articulated through a G chord brings meaning to your own fucky life. Heck, even when I’m chirpy and upbeat I dig a good tearjerker – there’s no greater feeling than wallowing in someone else’s misery.
Ominocity’s Guide To Saskatchewan’s Saddest Songwriters
Pearson
Besides holding the title for being Saskatoon’s saddest sacks (musically), prairies slow-core band Pearson have quite possibly released the most depressing music video ever made – robots and the most abysmal heartbreak ever. This is the musical equivalent of you being five and your parents telling you “I’ll give you something to cry about.”
‘Purity of Heart’ by Pearson – Official Music Video from James Scott on Vimeo.
Maybe Smith
Written after an epic break-up of biblical proportions (assumedly) Saskatoon’s Maybe Smith aka Colin Skrapek released the Second Best Death EP back in 2005. Years later and it still makes my entire body contort with the blue devils.
Andy Shauf
Regina’s Andy Shauf may have just released his best album to date – 2012’s The Bearer of Bad News – but it’s hardly a cheerful romp. For those not in the know, Shauf’s tender voice erodes cinder blocks and melts rainbows. So sad!
Deep Dark Woods
They may be touring across the world and doing shit that’s far cooler than most local bands will ever get to experience, but Saskatoon’s Deep Dark Woods can sure write a car wreck tragedy of a song. Especially that song about money. Not having money is the worst!
The Deep Dark Woods – All The Money I Had Is Gone from HearYa.com on Vimeo.
A Gentle Forest
In addition to writing some of the most heartrending songs ever played locally, Saskatoon’s A Gentle Forest – the weepy brainchild of Sonya Dickens, now of The Moas – unfortunately never got the memo to release their music via any other internet medium other than MySpace. It probably got lost in the mail while they were out looking for their dog, who ran away from home and never came back.