When you’re a six-member, genre-mutilating, multi-dimensional pop band from Winnipeg, Canada, it’s hard to know what to tell the border guards whenever you head south on a U.S. tour.
“They say, ‘Oh, you’re a band? What are you called?’ And of course they’ve never heard of us,” jokes Royal Canoe guitarist Bucky Driedger. “So then they’re like, ‘What kind of music do you play?’”
That’s when the Department of Homeland Security really starts to get suspicious, Driedger says.
“If you say ‘pop,’ they’re gonna think Taylor Swift. Or ‘hip-hop,’ and then they think Nelly or 50 Cent. We try to make music that takes into consideration everything we listen to, all sorts of music — pop, hip-hop, classical, jazz.”
Royal Canoe has been described as mixing elements of the Beatles, Peter Gabriel, Vampire Weekend and Outkast — and that seems fair. What’s true is their “Purple and Gold” EP, released last year, shows an astonishing musical intelligence and sonic richness for a four-song project produced by a group that’s still in relative infancy. Their first full-length record should debut this summer, Driedger says.
Before then, the band will open for indie rockers of Montreal at the Savannah Stopover Music Festival’s huge, free Concert in the Park on March 8.
“I’m super excited for of Montreal,” Driedger says. “I’m a big fan. They were definitely a musical influence for me.
“They’re not afraid to be over the top in their arrangements, which are dense and full of lots of hooks and goodies. We like to pile things on production-wise and make really dense pop music, too.”
Though Royal Canoe has driven through parts of the South, the Savannah Stopover visit will be their first time doing more than passing through.
“We plan on being in Savannah for three nights,” Driedger says. “A lot of guys in the band are foodies, so we definitely plan on sampling the local specialties.”
Driedger, who admits he hasn’t really formed an opinion of the South, describes it as “kinda weird.”
“It’s this place that’s really close to Canada,” he says, “geographically speaking, compared to the rest of the world. Yet it seems like a totally different culture. Like it’s a subculture.”
But in the city where Outkast’s Big Boi came up, Royal Canoe will actually be returning to one of its many roots.
CONCERT IN THE PARK
Savannah Stopover's free, all-ages Concert in the Park, sponsored by SavannahNow and the Savannah Morning News, kicks off at 6 p.m. March 8 in Forsyth Park.
Royal Canoe will take the stage at 7 p.m., followed by of Montreal at 8. Savannah's KidSyc will emcee the concert.
Food and beverage will be available from local and regional vendors including Leopold's Ice Cream, Blowin' Smoke BBQ, SweetWater Brewing Company (the Festival's official beer sponsor) and Barefoot Wines.
A portion of beer and wine sales from the event will go to Stand Out Youth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, resources and education to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, ages 14-23, in the Lowcountry.
”We’re thrilled to be a part of this great all-ages event," said Robert Dunn, Stand Out's director. "The music of of Montreal celebrates freedom of individuality and creative expression, and we’re excited to witness their energetic showmanship in Savannah for the first time.”
Savannah Stopover is also pleased to offer Bike Valet, courtesy of the Savannah Bicycle Campaign. Festival-goers arriving on bike will be able to valet their bikes during the concert. SBC supports efforts in making Savannah a more bike-friendly city.
There will be preferred viewing areas in front of the bandshell for festival passholders and VIP. To buy a pass, visit savannahstopover.com.