Calgary Buzz: It's All About National Dust

Jacqueline and I managed to grab a cup of coffee the other day with National Dusts' Lorrie Matheson at the local arts house, Karma. The interview began shortly after he caught up with the lady sitting next to us, and the waiter as well.Firstly, the band just released their sophomore disc, Welcome To Utopia over the winter break. Though it's only found in Calgary right now, expect to find the disc at all fine music locations across Canada in May. Unlike the first disc, Blind Luck Ain't No Luck At All, this album was recorded and mixed by Chixdiggit!'s Dave Alcock, which lead us to inquire as to any future Chixdiggit!/National Dust bills."I'd love to play with them, but I don't think our music goes," says Lorrie. Well, that didn't stop the promoters from organizing such crack-induced line-ups as Wide Mouth Mason and The Moffatts. This ordeal hands us the next stumper; how would you describe their music? After a few lame generic names, we conjured up "feel good, ass-slappin' folk vs. rock" music.Lorrie just laughed, "I can't really describe it. It's just what we do."He couldn't even pinpoint any influences, as there are just too many of them that form such a broad spectrum as well. Of course, growing up in Saskatchewan with a lone radio station and its top 40 program would explain that, right?Our interview is briefly interrupted when National Dusts latest disc is played from behind the counter. Lorrie is amused, then he admits that he hasn't listened to the album since they recorded it.Since we wandered off track, going back is no longer an option. We began chatting about singing in the shower. Though I thought singing to Tom Jones was pretty strange, it seems that one of Lorrie's pals has it down to an art and actually installed speakers in the shower to get that perfect sound. Needless to say, I was outdone.Lastly, if you've been left curious, which I hope you are, check out nationaldust.net, where you can hear a few sound clips and keep on top of tour dates.Be sure to catch National Dust live:March 15 Calgary, AB @ KarmaMarch 17 Calgary, AB @ Original JoesMarch 22 Calgary, AB @ Round-up CenterOver and out.Cait HammettCait Hammett doesn't wear a cowboy hat or cowboy boots, but our indie rock grrl from Calgary reports in when she finds something truly cool to write about.