Laura Power
Northern News Services
Published Friday, November 23, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - You may have heard rumours that Leslie Bader was next in line to leave the Yellowknife music community.

And the rumours were true - but she changed her mind. She was planning to head towards Vancouver Island to continue with her education, but a number of factors, including the high cost of housing on the island, deterred her.

Leslie Bader Band will perform tonight at the Top Knight for the band's CD release party. - NNSL file photo

Another factor was what she'd be missing if she left.

She said she's discovered "way too many opportunities here in Yellowknife which I never really thought of when I first moved here."

Along with hooking up with Al Udell, Kevin Dunbar and Pete Harding and playing gigs every other weekend, Bader has been a part of the NWT Arts Council and has seen how things work for musicians in the territory.

"The whole arts council thing has been great for musicians here," she said.

While she was planning her move, the boys of Leslie Bader Band had been talking about auditioning new singers. She also said she sold her parka, and will need a new one.

Whatever happens to the band, the musicians are not likely to put their instruments down any time soon.

"Now that I'm staying, I know we'll all continue in some way, shape or form, but yeah, I hope it's together," said Bader.

Right now, the band is concentrating on the release of its first album.

About a year ago, Leslie and her band at the time (which then included Sean Best) got to work recording some original songs. After a year of finding the time in busy schedules for mixing and production, the band is finally ready for a CD release party.

Just the Sun includes seven original tracks including True North, Woman's Fire and the title track. Tonight, the band plans to play the songs in the order they are on the CD.

A few special guests have been invited to perform with them as well, including Jeff Norris and Sandy Pringle. Opening the show will be 3-Across-Dee-Eye.

The party starts tonight at 9 p.m. at the Top Knight.