Debut on the Deck: A Calgary band’s first live show
Posted onon
Isaiah Wong, left, and Kyle Maloney, center, work on setting up gigging equipment while Evan Maggipinto, right, belts out a song in Wong’s backyard in Calgary on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Reece Mysko/The Emery Weal)
Calgary band Golden Lava Club released their first studio recording in the form of a self-titled EP on Aug. 19, and they also played their first live show.
Golden Lava Club comprises guitarist and vocalist Kyle Maloney, guitarist and vocalist Aiden Brouwer, bassist Joseph Gurgis, and drummer Evan Maggipinto.
As the band members are all students—with Maggipinto and Gurgis being students at SAIT—the budget for the show was minimal. In all, the band only spent $16 in addition to the gear they already owned to pull off the performance.
The show was hosted in the backyard of Isaiah Wong, a friend of the band members. Wong lent a hand helping during set up and sound check and barbecued for his guests.
Isaiah Wong, left, and Aiden Brouwer, right, tape a microphone to a stand in Wong’s backyard in Calgary on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. As the band didn’t have the means to purchase much equipment, they were forced to be creative. (Photo by Reece Mysko/The Emery Weal)Evan Maggipinto sets up his drum kit in Isaiah Wong’s backyard in Calgary on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Reece Mysko/The Emery Weal)Joseph Gurgis drives a new strap screw into his bass in Calgary on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. The screw holding Gurgis’ strap in place came loose, so Gurgis had to make a trip to a hardware store during the setup for the show. (Photo by Reece Mysko/The Emery Weal)Isaiah Wong barbecues hotdogs in preparation for the arrival of his guests in his backyard in Calgary on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Reece Mysko/The Emery Weal)(L-R) Joseph Gurgis, Kyle Maloney, Aiden Brouwer, and Evan Maggipinto pose for a photo before taking the stage in Isaiah Wong’s backyard in Calgary on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Reece Mysko/The Emery Weal)
At around 7:30 p.m., guests began to arrive, and the sense of community was immediately evident. Everyone knew everyone, and all were excited to show support for their friends in the band.
Set to the backdrop of the swaying trees of a balmy August evening, the band played a set consisting of a few originals and a few covers. The applause from the guests at the performance—and neighbours in surrounding backyards—was loud and full between songs.
Evan Maggipinto sings while he plays the drums in Isaiah Wong’s backyard in Calgary on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Reece Mysko/The Emery Weal)Joseph Gurgis plays his bass in Isaiah Wong’s backyard in Calgary on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Reece Mysko/The Emery Weal)Kyle Maloney sings and plays guitar in Isaiah Wong’s backyard in Calgary on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Reece Mysko/The Emery Weal)Audience members applaud the performance of Golden Lava Club in Isaiah Wong’s backyard in Calgary on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Reece Mysko)Aiden Brouwer sings and plays guitar with passion in Isaiah Wong’s backyard in Calgary on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Reece Mysko/The Emery Weal)
“My impression was that it was really well received, and it went pretty well,” says Evan Maggipinto.
Following the performance, an after party took place, during which Golden Lava Club received compliments and congratulations from those in attendance, and all had a chance to mingle amongst each other.
“I guess it was pretty cool for them … to experience all of their friends around, watching them,” says Caden Treschel, an audience member and friend of the band.
Audience members gather for a picture following Golden Lava Club’s performance in Isaiah Wong’s backyard in Calgary on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. (Photo by Reece Mysko/The Emery Weal)
Reece Mysko
Reece Mysko is a SAIT photojournalism student and an Emery Weal contributor. He is an avid mountain climber and river surfer and enjoys sharing his experiences through photography.
Good luck guys 👦 💙 ❤️ 👍
Met Joseph on the bus today, he clued me into his band. Top lad and good band.
btw:
Bandcamp
CJSW
CKUA
And hit up sloth and Melodiya if you’re doing physical product, or wanting yo network with scene insiders.
Good luck!