.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Giant Con is a new band whose young members already share a prominent history in the local music scene.

Since forming the blues-influenced folk-rock trio last fall, Bryce Styan, Brendan Callas and Steve Whittaker have written about 20 original tunes together - 10 of which they self-recorded for an emerging debut album this month.

From left, Brendan Callas, Bryce Styan and Steve Whittaker of the band Giant Con roll dice in the street. This fall, the lifelong Northerners joined forces to launch the new blues-influenced folk-rock trio. - Daron Letts/NNSL photo

Click above to hear "Machine"

Their first gig is scheduled for the Block 1000 Party in SnowKing's castle in March. The bandmates are exploring other performance opportunities this winter, as well.

"I'm excited to be playing again," Callas said. "Now it's time to start sharing it with the City of Yellowknife instead of hogging it for ourselves. It's our responsibility. We enjoy playing live so we should be making music happen."

Callas and Styan co-founded the popular pop band The Greasy Twigs a few years ago. The Twigs played at Folk on the Rocks (FOTR) three times before dispersing in 2007 to pursue school and employment.

Callas returned to the festival last year with local songwriter Shea Alain. Styan spent time in Whitehorse playing with the band Death In Venice before joining the Twigs.

Whittaker, who moved to Yellowknife from his hometown of Kugluktuk in 1999, enjoyed similar success with bands Mandeville Drive and Esker, playing at FOTR three times, as well.

Esker opened for Canadian music legend Kim Mitchell at the Yellowknife Community Arena in 2006 and joined The Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir from Calgary for the annual FOTR spring concert in 2007.

Giant Con's compositions mix Callas' piano, keyboard and trombone with acoustic guitar from Styan and Whittaker, creating a soft but lively sound that showcases the band's thoughtful, often philosophical lyrics. All three band members contribute vocals.

In several songs, Styan's meandering, Dylanesque voice is a vehicle for poetic ruminations about life in Yellowknife.

"This city burned my culture 'cause I left it in a shack. So I became a traveller. There ain't no turnin' back," he sings in a voice that gently rises and falls with emotion.

Other lyrics, written by Styan and Whittaker, celebrate the mystery, romanticism and nostalgia of early adulthood.

"We're thrilled that they're going to start performing again," said fellow musician Chris Pyke of The Dawgwoods, speculating that his band may collaborate on a joint show with Giant Con later this year.

Professional multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Pat Braden said he also looks forward to seeing Giant Con on stage. Braden performed with Callas at a few private gigs last year and has heard several of the musicians' former bands perform at Rock the Folks and on other stages in the past.

"Its exciting to see that they're continuing with it," he said.

Giant Con's first album will be released before the summer.