okanaganwriting

I love Sloan.

It’s difficult for me to believe that Sloan has been rockin’ stages for 20 years, or that I’m old enough to know that. I had great taste in music when I was 6. Honest.

My friends at Tinhorn Creek in Oliver, British Columbia (about a 7 minute drive from our house) have a summer concert series. This has everything to do with Sloan. Honest, again.

Each year, Tinhorn Creek puts on a number of outdoor concerts at their remarkable amphitheatre – all Canadian bands, either past Juno winners or Juno-quality. And each summer, the concert series ends with a grand finale – something to really celebrate. Past finales have included K-OS and Bedouin Soundclash. Big names, big sound, and big fun.

The grand finale concert for 2012 has yet to be decided, and I’m campaigning for it to be: Sloan. An cornerstone in the Canadian rock music scene for 20 years, Sloan was the soundtrack to our misspent youth, lazy summer days, impromptu parents-have-gone-away house parties. Sloan saw us through awkward teenage years, self-confident young adulthood (with requisite beater car), and our first “day job” from which we escaped on weekend roadtrips with mixed tapes and a cooler of obscure microbrew – or homebrew.

And so, I bring you the Top Ten Reasons Why Sloan Should Be the 2012 Summer Concert Series Grand Finale Band at Tinhorn Creek:

1. Every decent American hipster band references Sloan as their “unknown” Canadian band of influence.
2. Chris Murphy has worn the same glasses for 20 years. And he rocks them. Completely.
3. They have lyrics referencing “that snowsuit sound”, used “cajole me”, and made me question anyone named Chester (apologies to Chesters everywhere).
4. On their Sloan XX Tour (2011), they played Penticton’s Barking Parrot – tickets cost just $15. They’re inclusive like that.
5. It’s highly probably that almost every Canadian can hum along to at least one of their songs – their discography is that prolific and memorable (175+ songs).
6. They’re what hipsters want to be, and they’ve been that way for two decades (without even trying).
7. They released this song in 1998. Seriously.
8. Sloan is from Halifax. Everyone knows that people from Halifax are really, really nice.
9. They have been nominated for or won a Juno for almost every album they have ever released.
10. The Rest of My Life – try not moving during this song. I dare you.

Ultimately, Sloan could be one of the most Canadian Canadian bands – they’re accidentally cool (toques and plaid jackets – hello, grunge… you’re welcome). And it’s because of this Canadian-ness that I think they’d be the most kick-ass concert season finale that Tinhorn Creek has seen yet.

Oh, and they’re almost certain to be a sold out show. Did I mention that?

Want Sloan to play Tinhorn Creek in the summer of 2012? Comment on this blog, use the hashtag #Sloan4Tinhorn on Twitter, or send me an email to info @ okanaganwriting.com and I’ll pass your request along.

~ Jeannette

PS: Sloan – if you’re reading this, know that I’m doing my best to get you the sweetest gig: at a winery, in the summer, outdoors, with some great people. Thanks for 20 years of rockin’ my world. And I’m not a stalker. Honest.