RHG Exclusive - Part I
Red Hot Gospel have been a staple within the Edmonton punk community for nearly ten years. They are loved by everyone, even folks whose tastes don’t necessarily align with RHG’s fast and heavy approach to music. On March 13th, they will deliver their final album which will be called Flamenco. That night, they will perform for the very last time. To mark the occasion and to honour a band that has meant so much to so many Edmontonian’s over the years, the Cups N Cakes Network will be running a three part series where we will be premiering tracks from the new album and interviewing band members: Kendall Orr, Jay Higgs, and Owen Lukawesky. The articles will arrive every Monday until the album drops on the 13th.
Today, please enjoy an exclusive stream of the track “Fatherhood” and a Q&A with bassist Jay Higgs.
CnC - What made you decide it was time to close the book on RHG?
Jay - “While being in RHG has been amazing ride, in the last few years, life has made it very difficult for us to actually be focussed and play a lot of shows. It just seems like the appropriate time to hang up the hat, and end it on a high note.”
CnC - What has it meant to be able to play music with two buds for so long?
Jay - “Playing with Kendall and Owen quite literally saved my life. When I first joined the band I was going through a really, really, rough break up, their friendship and support as well as having the band as an outlet and distraction, really helped me refocus and pick up the pieces. On top of being two of the best dudes I know, they’re also incredibly talented musicians. We all approach music in such a different way, and it has been really refreshing to get to learn to write with them.”
CnC - What is your favourite RHG memory?
Jay - “I’d probably have to say the first time we hit the road together. Sending our van “Blucifer” (R.I.P.) off on her maiden voyage. Driving down to Calgary to play Broken city. Visiting Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump. Playing in Lethbridge. Crashing on floors and couches. Driving back to Edmonton. All crammed into a couple days.”
CnC - What is your wildest RHG story?
Jay - “Hands-down has to be the time we almost died driving back from the second year of Massif. The vehicle started lurching just outside of Cranbrook so we decided to pull over. Upon further inspection we realized that we were missing four out of the five lug nuts on the rear passenger side tire. All the while driving winding mountain roads on the outside lane. Ended up stuck in Cranbrook for almost 24 hours. And it took an assembly line of friends and family to get us back to Edmonton.”
CnC - What’s next? Any new projects we should know about?
Jay - “Kendall has been playing in a sweet little band with Zach and Kennedy from Dead Fibres called RAT’S ASS. Blending the right amounts of punk, rock, and sass and an amazing live show, they’re a force to be reckoned with. Check’em out, you won’t be disappointed. And while both My and Ken’s other band Borrachera is currently on hiatus, I’ve been busying myself with a new band called Rose Valley. It’s a bit of a departure from the screaming I normally do in the rest of my projects. We’ll be releasing our debut EP late spring/early summer so please keep your ears open and your eyes peeled.”
CnC - Why is your farewell show the only place worth being in Edmonton on March 13th?
Jay - “I can’t speak for my peers, or the Edmonton music community, but RHG has been a huge part of the scene for almost 10 years, with me being a part of it for almost 5. On top of it being Chron Goblin’s 10 year anniversary, which is sick in itself, this is quite possibly gonna be the first and last time we play this new record live. The making of this album was a pain staking process spread out over two+ years. We’re extremely proud of the record and the growth we made as both musicians and friends. It would be amazing to see the all the friends we’ve made over the years of playing music come out to SMF and collectively rock out together one more time. Also, it’s Friday the 13th. Ominous or what?”
If in Edmonton, do not miss Red Hot Gospel’s Farewell Show on March 13th at Sewing Machine Factory. To help RHG celebrate, Calgary’s Chron Goblin will be joining them as well as guests Fear The Mammoth and Machines Like These.