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Backstage with Darcy Stamp

Darcy Stamp is a Calgary based classical crossover violinist who has performed and recorded with Josh Groban, George Canyon, Johnny Reid and many others.  Darcy studied at the university of Toronto under David Zafer and has toured extensively throughout the United...

Fatigue Fest Playlist

Listen to some of Calgary's best musicians as featured in Fatigue Fest which was part of the Chinook Blast. Apple Playlist - Spotify Playlist Stagehand was a part of the inaugural Chinook Blast, a mid winter roundup designed to energize the downtown core and celebrate...

Empowering the Arts

Written by Derek Manns, Co-founder & CEO, Stagehand   The time is right to make real and lasting change for the Arts.  The Arts industry was facing some serious challenges long before COVID added to the malais.  Traditional arts institutions’ leadership position...

Backstage with Sonia Deleo

One day, when she was 11 years old, Sonia Deleo woke up with a song in her head. She scribbled a set of lyrics onto a piece of paper and tucked it in her pocket, anxiously waiting for the right time to show someone what she had created. Years later, Sonia’s musical...
Backstage with Lisa Jacobs

Backstage with Lisa Jacobs

The life of Lisa Jacobs has been immersed in music since the very beginning. Although the piano is her first instrument and “Tequila” was her favourite song to play on the acoustic guitar as a kid, the electric bass guitar remains her most beloved. Listen to the...

Banding Together for Calgary’s Live Music Venues

Banding Together for Calgary’s Live Music Venues

With a history of openly welcoming musicians of all genres from near and far to perform on its iconic Casat Deck stage, the Ironwood Stage & Grill has earned a reputation as the heart of Calgary’s live music scene. Typically, the Ironwood presents live music seven nights a week and more than 400 shows a year—but this year is looking a little different.

Backstage with Dan Duguay

Backstage with Dan Duguay

Dan Duguay never planned on becoming a professional musician—let alone an entire band. On a mission to make people smile and earn some extra cash, he strapped a drum on his back, drilled bolts into his shoes, and set off with a guitar and a harmonica. From that moment...

How live music can compete in a new era

How live music can compete in a new era

Written by Derek Manns, Co-founder & CEO, Stagehand Recently I have been listening to Dan Carlin’s podcast, Hardcore History. In his series about World War I, Carlin discusses how, for the first time, technology was a major factor in war. In 1914, the...

Reimagining Live Music

Reimagining Live Music

We have all heard the story about someone whose busy and stressful life is abruptly interrupted by a heart attack. They wake up the next day in the hospital and realize that they need to change. Unfortunately, it took a catastrophic event to make them see that they...

Road Trip Tunes Playlist

Road Trip Tunes Playlist

Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Music Summer vacations look a little bit different this year. Instead of jet-setting to faraway locales and packing our passports, we’re settling in for staycations, road tripping to nearby towns, and touring our own cities. There’s...

Backstage with Bob Chartier

Backstage with Bob Chartier

Bob Chartier is known for many things. He’s a talented musician, a creative singer/songwriter, an inspiring mentor to up-and-coming musicians, and the “Mayor” of Calgary’s Music Mile—but his musical journey has been anything but ordinary.  Listen to the podcast: Bob...

Repositioning Local Live Music

Repositioning Local Live Music

Written by Derek Manns, Co-founder & CEO, Stagehand What is it about the term “local” in regards to music that invokes a negative reaction?  When I started Stagehand, I was an outsider to the music business. As I became more involved in the industry, one thing...

Stampede Sounds Playlist

Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Music Stampede may be cancelled for 2020, but 2020 can’t cancel country music and community spirit! Live music has always been a key part of the Calgary Stampede. Normally in early July, Calgary would be bustling with people headed to...