Travelling Mabels excited for Strathmore gig

Times Reporter     

 

The Travelling Mabels, based in Calgary, have finally found they’re in for a gig in Strathmore and couldn’t be more excited to hit the stage. 

“We’ve wanted to play in Strathmore for a long time,” said Lana Floen. 

She and her husband Keith have played gigs in the past in a couple bars in town with their group, but were looking for an opportunity to bring the Mabels into town. Keith is the bandleader for the Mabels; he takes care of booking, setting up, tearing down and also plays keyboard and accordion with the band.  

“It’s just so close, and every time we’ve been to Strathmore the people are just so awesome and I just feel that we’d have a good little following out there,” said Floen.

The Travelling Mabels consists of the Floens and Eva and Suzanne Levesque. The four had all been musicians in the same area for about 20 years, the Levesques had a family band and Floen and her husband had a band, so when each would have nights off they would go and see the other group play. 

“We just always admired each other musically so we sort of met that way, through the music industry,” said Floen.

Then about six years ago Suzanne was up for the Player of the Year award for the CCMA’s, and Floen went with her to the awards.

“When we were out there, there was a Royalty Records party and they had asked us to get up to sing and we had never sang together before, but we did,” said Floen. 

“By the time we got down we had three cards and we thought ‘oh my God, I think we have something here.’ So it was really cool and we’ve been working on it ever since.”

The past six years have been amazing for the band which Floen said is best classified as having a country folk roots sounds. They have released two CDs and are currently working on a third, and are getting busier and busier with tour dates. 

The Strathmore Musical Arts Society contacted the Mabels to come to town for a show this October. The show will be held at the Strathmore Golf Course. Tickets are $40 and will include dinner and the show. Tickets can be purchased at PJ’s Appliances, Assist Business Centre, Pro Water Conditioning or online at www.strathmorearts.com. Derek Gavey will be opening for the Travelling Mabels.