As Moose Jaw prepares for the upcoming Scotties Tournament of Hearts, so too will Alberta-based country group The Dungarees — who will perform two nights in the Scotties HeartStop Lounge during the tournament.
The Dungarees, a group hailing from the Edmonton area, will be including their stop in Moose Jaw as part of a small handful of western Canadian shows in February.
“We've been able to be part of the curling circuit for the last couple of years and it's a great way for us to be able to play in the wintertime,” said James Murdoch, bassist and vocalist with the band. “It's definitely going to be a good time.”
Murdoch describes the group’s music as high-energy country with a vintage, classic feel that long-time country music fans will appreciate.
The Dungarees — comprised of Murdoch, guitarists and vocalists Robb Angus and Kiron Jhass, steel guitarist Darrek Anderson, and drummer Ben Shillabeer — are certainly ready for the upcoming shows, as they’ve collected quite a few accomplishments to spur them on.
After taking home three Alberta Country Music Awards in 2017, the band went on to see three top 10 hits overseas in Australia and several charting singles here in Canada, along with another great year at the ACMAs.
Their six-track EP Twenty Something just won Album of the Year at the recent ACMAs, with the title track also taking home the Single of the Year Award as well.
“This last year has been amazing,” said Murdoch. “We’re just hot off the heels of winning a bunch of Alberta Country Music Awards here, so for us, we're feeling invigorated and ready to go.”
Several of the group’s singles frequent Regina’s 620 CKRM radio playlists, and Murdoch promises those favourite singles will make an appearance at their Moose Jaw show.
“We'll be playing those songs and then we'll be sprinkling in some very recognizable songs for people to do some dancing,” said Murdoch. “It's definitely a good party mix of tunes.”
Murdoch and the rest of the band are definitely looking forward to being a part of the national curling tournament and playing in Moose Jaw for the first time as a band.
“People like to have a good time and party and celebrate in the evening, so it's always a lot of fun,” said Murdoch.
The lineup in the HeartStop lounge is decidedly prairie-centric, with Yorkton-born Samara Yung kicking off the week on Feb. 14, followed by The Dungarees on Feb. 15-16.
Continuing the lineup will be Regina-based rock group The Tumbleweeds on Feb. 18, Moose Jaw’s own sweethearts The Bromantics on Feb. 20, and rock n’ roll mainstays from Lethbridge The Chevelles to wrap things up on Feb. 21.
Admission to the HeartStop lounge is free with the purchase of a ticket to any of the tournament draws, and a full schedule of entertainment is available on the Scotties Tournament of Hearts website.
