The Calgary Songs Project pays tribute to the city’s musical heritage

What’s your favourite Calgary song? That’s the question local musician Kenna Burima and Arif Ansari of the Calgary Cassette Preservation Society asked the public as they curated a playlist of 30 songs written by Calgary musicians over the last 30 years. The retrospective playlist is part of the Calgary Songs Project: 30 Songs Celebrating 30 Years — a tribute to the city’s musical history that coincides with the 30th anniversary of the High Performance Rodeo, which runs until January 31.

The playlist, meant to capture the essence of the city, was carved down to 30 from nearly 300 submissions and spans all types of genres. The final list was revealed on the opening night of the rodeo, with a medley of the songs performed by Burima on the Calgary Tower’s carillon bells. The music will be playing from the Calgary Tower and throughout downtown for all the month of January and a variety of Calgary bands, including Napalmpom and Tom Phillips, will perform covers of the songs at a concert at the Royal Canadian Legion #1 on January 15.

The High Performance Rodeo is Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts and the largest event of its kind in Western Canada. Running for four weeks in January, it includes a wide range of artistic disciplines including theatre, music, dance, and comedy, with award-winning performances from local, national, and international performers.

The full playlist from the Calgary Songs Project:

• Kobra and the Lotus, “Nayana” (2012)
• Ghostkeeper, “By Morning” (2010)
• Beyond Possession, “Skater’s Life” (1986)
• James Keelaghan, “Hillcrest Mine” (1989)
• Sacred Heart of Elvis, “Wheezing Dog on a Leash” (1986)
• Dragon Fli Empire, “Mount Pleasant ” (2004)
• The Quitters, “Levitation” (1992)
• Wagbeard, “Too Easy” (1995)
• Tom Phillips, “Ribbons and Bows” (1999)
• Same Difference, “Kiss of Ice” (1989)
• Reverie Sound Revue, “Walking Around Waiting Downtown” (2003)
• Kris Demeanor, “I Have Seen the Future” (2007)
• Anne Loree/Jann Arden, “Insensitive” (1994)
• Chixdiggit, “Chupacabras” (1998)
• The Von Zippers, “Bad Generation” (2001)
• The Dudes, “Dropkick Queen of the Weekend” (2006)
• Color Me Psycho, “Black Corvair” (1986)
• Fire Engine Red, “Shank Pony” (1995)
• Samantha Savage Smith, “The Score” (2011)
• Tim Williams, “It’s Enough to Be Remembered” (2008)
• Huevos Rancheros, “Crowchild Trail” (1993)
• Fist City, “Hey Little Sister” (2015)
• Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, “Oh Sorrow” (2005)
• Women, “Black Rice” (2008)
• Chad VanGaalen, “Clinically Dead” (2005)
• Zuckerbaby, “Andromeda” (1998)
• Kara Keith, “Kick This City” (2008)
• Hot Little Rocket, “Down With Safe” (2004)
• The Primrods, “Santa Lucia” (1994)
• Rae Spoon, “My Heart Is A Piece Of Garbage. Fight Seagulls! Fight!” (2008)