Fresh off the release of his latest album ‘Shrink Dust’, local musician Chad VanGaalen took to the gazebo stage of Tomkins Park for an impromptu ‘secret’ concert for his fans, friends and family.
“We were trying to figure out if we wanted to do a street show or something like that,” said VanGaalen. “We’re just gonna play some songs.”
Details of the show were released on Twitter in the hours leading up to Saturday afternoon's concert.
The artist’s attempt to play a free word-of-mouth show in a city owned park, brought an unexpected amount of red tape.
“Just let the people play,” laughed Chad in a message delivered to the lens of CTV’s camera, but addressed to no one in particular at city hall.
The Tomkins Park concert was something of a homecoming for the multi-instrumentalist.
“I used to busk just over by the Wicked Wedge, I don’t even know if the Wicked Wedge is there anymore.”
When a friend informed VanGaalen the former home of the popular 17 Avenue pizza joint had become an upscale pizzeria, the musician, signed to local label Flemish Eye, joked about his inability to afford the current restaurant’s wares.
Now, five full length albums into his career and the recipient of acclaim from fans and critics alike, Chad says little has changed from his days busking along 17 Ave.
“I don’t know if I’m at a different level,” explains VanGaalen. “I’m at a different level in the fact that I’m now a dad and more of a responsible person.” The musician followed his declaration of newfound responsibility with a laugh and the caveat ‘kind of’.
VanGaalen is set to return to the road in support of Shrink Dust, his fifth album which was released in April. A busy slate of June shows will have VanGaalen touring throughout western Canada, Washington, Oregon and California, before returning to Calgary for a featured spot in July's 2014 Calgary Folk Fest lineup.
“I love hanging out at the Folk Fest,” said the Calgary Folk Fest veteran who previously performed on Prince’s Island in 2009 and 2005. “I like playing Calgary because I can ride my bike down, load up my trailer, pack up the kids and hang out on the grounds.”
International fans will have an opportunity to see VanGaalen perform live in September as the musician is scheduled to play shows throughout Europe and New Zealand.
