The Seahags

Would you like to know some facts about The Seahags? April Nechvatel asks. "Our average age is 27.5 and two of The Seahags have kissed."

These facts, though not-related to music, capture the lighthearted spirit of the Seahags, a six-piece rock band from Saskatoon. Nechvatel first assembled the band as a folk group, a collection of women interested in playing folk music on traditional instruments. A boozy night our led to the addition of a drummer, which forced Nechvatel to buy herself an electric banjo. She is glad she did.

"We were having too many issues playing places where we wanted to play, " she says. "Venues for acoustic bands are very limited. We wanted to play in bars at the beginning, but we were way too quiet." Rather than play acoustic music to a loud bar crowd, Nechvatel and her bandmates plugged in, turned up, and transformed The Seahags into a blistering riotous grrrl-influenced alt-country outfit. Although they do the odd country weeper, most of their songs -- originals and covers -- are played at breckneck speed in the tradition of many fine garage rockers.

"Good energy," Nechvatel says of the average Seahags show. "We have a good time and we just do whatever we want. I know sometimes people are a little thrown back by it, but it's tons of fun." And while the Seahags are best seen in a crowded rock club long after the clock has passed midnight, Nechvatel has discovered that being in an all-girl group has its downsides.

"We do run into issues at venues where they like us to play first," she says. "[They] always put guy rock bands at the end of the night." Which is ridiculous, because the Seahags do everything a good rock band should: play fast, play loud, and play hard.

Their latest record, Good'n'Greasy, is a perfect example. Each song is emblazoned with the band's stamp. A large part of which consists of Lauren Tastad's manic fiddling and even the slower songs have an edge to them. Which is exactly what Nechvatel wants.

"I have no problem with being a rock band composed of women," she says. "I like that. I like to break down those barriers. That's what I like in music."

Written by Alex J Macpherson
- The Verb

Would you like to know some facts about The Seahags? April Nechvatel asks. "Our average age is 27.5 and two of The Seahags have kissed."

These facts, though not-related to music, capture the lighthearted spirit of the Seahags, a six-piece rock band from Saskatoon. Nechvatel first assembled the band as a folk group, a collection of women interested in playing folk music on traditional instruments. A boozy night our led to the addition of a drummer, which forced Nechvatel to buy herself an electric banjo. She is glad she did.

"We were having too many issues playing places where we wanted to play, " she says. "Venues for acoustic bands are very limited. We wanted to play in bars at the beginning, but we were way too quiet." Rather than play acoustic music to a loud bar crowd, Nechvatel and her bandmates plugged in, turned up, and transformed The Seahags into a blistering riotous grrrl-influenced alt-country outfit. Although they do the odd country weeper, most of their songs -- originals and covers -- are played at breckneck speed in the tradition of many fine garage rockers.

"Good energy," Nechvatel says of the average Seahags show. "We have a good time and we just do whatever we want. I know sometimes people are a little thrown back by it, but it's tons of fun." And while the Seahags are best seen in a crowded rock club long after the clock has passed midnight, Nechvatel has discovered that being in an all-girl group has its downsides.

"We do run into issues at venues where they like us to play first," she says. "[They] always put guy rock bands at the end of the night." Which is ridiculous, because the Seahags do everything a good rock band should: play fast, play loud, and play hard.

Their latest record, Good'n'Greasy, is a perfect example. Each song is emblazoned with the band's stamp. A large part of which consists of Lauren Tastad's manic fiddling and even the slower songs have an edge to them. Which is exactly what Nechvatel wants.

"I have no problem with being a rock band composed of women," she says. "I like that. I like to break down those barriers. That's what I like in music."

Written by Alex J Macpherson
- The Verb

The Seahags

Seahags: what a great name. Thankfully, the music behind the name is just as sweet. Well, maybe ‘sweet’ ain’t the right word. More like boot-stompin’, rootin’ tootin’, heart-breakin’ and ass-wuppin.’ Their EP Gospel explores the powerful sounds of gospel music, without paying too much attention to the religious notions behind it. Sure, you’ve heard some of these traditional sounds before, but by adding haggard, fuzzy guitars and embracing the straight-up personality inherent in gospel music, they’ve truly made it their own. - Planet S Magazine

The Seahags

Seahags: what a great name. Thankfully, the music behind the name is just as sweet. Well, maybe ‘sweet’ ain’t the right word. More like boot-stompin’, rootin’ tootin’, heart-breakin’ and ass-wuppin.’ Their EP Gospel explores the powerful sounds of gospel music, without paying too much attention to the religious notions behind it. Sure, you’ve heard some of these traditional sounds before, but by adding haggard, fuzzy guitars and embracing the straight-up personality inherent in gospel music, they’ve truly made it their own. - Planet S Magazine

Appeared on CTV February 23/2012 for an interview and live acoustic performance in support to G O S P E L album. - CTV Morning Live

Imagine gospel music brewed by a coven of friendly witches and you've very nearly captured the Saskatoon band The Seahags.

The band began playing "low anxiety" gigs at birthday parties and retirement homes in rural Saskatchewan as an acoustic act performing traditional folk tunes. One year later they were bored of folk so they went electric, adding a fiddle player and a drummer; who began learning her instrument two weeks before joining the band. The six-piece's collective love of a good time has turned them into a popular party band.
"We know that when people come it's not necessarily because they're amazed by our musical stylings," said Riki Yandt, the band's lead singer and guitar player. "We're just a bunch of haggard drunk women who just like to play out of tune. We're good entertainment."
The group loves Saskatchewan, cats and small-town thrift stores. The six-member band includes two nurses, two social workers, a shipper/receiver, and a baker; who combine a rock band rhythm section with traditional five-part harmonies, banjo, electric mandolin and fiddle for two-stepping fun. They have distinctly do-it-yourself ethos, with riot grrrl influences running concurrently with their old-time country leanings.
Last year, they piled into their mint green minivan to tour all over the province and to Alberta, self-released a short record and plan to put out a six-song gospel record in January. They've got plans for a full-length record in the spring and recently shot a music video. This is in addition to the many shows they are asked to play in Saskatoon each month.
"It just snowballed," said April Nechvatel, the group's banjo player. She and Yandt met for the interview over coffee and they laid out some of their plans for the band, which incude winning a Juno award for gospel album of the year.
"We'll go on stage and eat cheesecake, for sure" said Yandt. "We'll be dressed in our witch costumes" said Nechvatel.
Their offbeat humour and friendship-first approach is what gives The Seahags their spunky appeal. The band prefers playing BYOB house shows or bar gigs with a $5 cover charge (several members are also university students), and are jonesing to play a wedding dance. In case this happens, they've learned Fishing in the Dark and hope to add Chattahoochee and Shania Twain covers to their repertoire.
"We're going to lose all our fans," said Nechvatel.
"No way," Yandt replied.
- Bridges (Star Phoenix)

Imagine gospel music brewed by a coven of friendly witches and you've very nearly captured the Saskatoon band The Seahags.

The band began playing "low anxiety" gigs at birthday parties and retirement homes in rural Saskatchewan as an acoustic act performing traditional folk tunes. One year later they were bored of folk so they went electric, adding a fiddle player and a drummer; who began learning her instrument two weeks before joining the band. The six-piece's collective love of a good time has turned them into a popular party band.
"We know that when people come it's not necessarily because they're amazed by our musical stylings," said Riki Yandt, the band's lead singer and guitar player. "We're just a bunch of haggard drunk women who just like to play out of tune. We're good entertainment."
The group loves Saskatchewan, cats and small-town thrift stores. The six-member band includes two nurses, two social workers, a shipper/receiver, and a baker; who combine a rock band rhythm section with traditional five-part harmonies, banjo, electric mandolin and fiddle for two-stepping fun. They have distinctly do-it-yourself ethos, with riot grrrl influences running concurrently with their old-time country leanings.
Last year, they piled into their mint green minivan to tour all over the province and to Alberta, self-released a short record and plan to put out a six-song gospel record in January. They've got plans for a full-length record in the spring and recently shot a music video. This is in addition to the many shows they are asked to play in Saskatoon each month.
"It just snowballed," said April Nechvatel, the group's banjo player. She and Yandt met for the interview over coffee and they laid out some of their plans for the band, which incude winning a Juno award for gospel album of the year.
"We'll go on stage and eat cheesecake, for sure" said Yandt. "We'll be dressed in our witch costumes" said Nechvatel.
Their offbeat humour and friendship-first approach is what gives The Seahags their spunky appeal. The band prefers playing BYOB house shows or bar gigs with a $5 cover charge (several members are also university students), and are jonesing to play a wedding dance. In case this happens, they've learned Fishing in the Dark and hope to add Chattahoochee and Shania Twain covers to their repertoire.
"We're going to lose all our fans," said Nechvatel.
"No way," Yandt replied.
- Bridges (Star Phoenix)

follow link - Star Phoenix

follow link - Star Phoenix

The Seahags, Saskatoon’s sassy musical sweet-tarts, like to classify themselves as ‘old-timey country garage’ with a honky-tonk/grunge edge. These busy bees have played over 30 shows in the past year in Saskatoon, rural areas, and in houses and venues across the province and Alberta.
Riki Yandt and April Nechvatel, the original Seahags, have come a long way since commiserating over a break up two years ago. They’ve since quadrupled their roster, plugged in and started rocking the hell out.
“We had been friends, but after I broke up with my girlfriend at the time, April kind of became my person to whine to,” joked Riki, lead guitarist and homemade stompbox player. “We got to talking about music one day and had this crazy idea to start a band, so we did it!”
Soon after, the duo became a trio by adding mutual friend and mandobird wonder Kayla Hummeny. In the fall of 2010, drummer Brenda Jackson was added to the mix. The band is rounded out with bassist Joanna Graves and fiddle-player Lauren Tastad.
The Seahags started off playing a few folk classics, and although these girls love their acoustics, they felt like they needed to move on.
“We did some open mic nights, and then got shows playing old folks’ homes and greenhouses,” said banjo player/vocalist April.
“In 2010 it felt like something was missing, and wanted to change from acoustic to electric. We just want to always keep evolving our sound. We added Brenda, who knows, well, everyone, so we were able to get a ton more shows. Joanna was a great addition. We were also very lucky to add Lauren to the mix. That’s why we made her dress up as Jesus for Halloween, ‘cause she totally saved us.”

Riki credits the success of the band on a few different things.
“We’d be a party band for sure,” she said. “But we focus on being entertaining and just having a great time with our music. And we’ll pretty much do any kind of event; as long as we can all make it. And we’ll always play for cheesecake, beer or food.”
One of their favourite shows out of many was playing a secret house show with one of their favourite country bands, One Hundred Dollars on Halloween.
“They told us they liked us, which was a huge compliment because they’re our favourite,” said April. “Things like that, and seeing people sing along to our songs at shows kind of blow us away!”
2011 also saw the ‘Hags first EP, and they’re currently completing their gospel album. Yes, a gospel album.
“We found gospel, not God with this album,” said April. “It’s more about the style than the lyrics or actually the religious aspect of it. The stage dynamic with gospel music is really cool, with lots of call-and-answer themes and a bluegrass feel. There are a couple traditional covers, and a couple songs that question religion for sure. It’s not your typical gospel album, psychedelic and haggard would be two words I’d use.”
Their goals for 2012 include hopefully doing a summer tour (as long as they can secure a reliable and affordable tour van), a music video and a full-length album in spring.
Their fans tend to have as much fun (or more) than the ‘Hags do.
“I really don’t ever stop smiling when I come to one of their shows,” said Rich Taylor, superfan and sometimes sound guy. “They have such a blast on stage and that energy spreads to anyone who sees them perform. They are easily one of my favourites from Saskatoon for sure!” - Ominocity

The Seahags, Saskatoon’s sassy musical sweet-tarts, like to classify themselves as ‘old-timey country garage’ with a honky-tonk/grunge edge. These busy bees have played over 30 shows in the past year in Saskatoon, rural areas, and in houses and venues across the province and Alberta.
Riki Yandt and April Nechvatel, the original Seahags, have come a long way since commiserating over a break up two years ago. They’ve since quadrupled their roster, plugged in and started rocking the hell out.
“We had been friends, but after I broke up with my girlfriend at the time, April kind of became my person to whine to,” joked Riki, lead guitarist and homemade stompbox player. “We got to talking about music one day and had this crazy idea to start a band, so we did it!”
Soon after, the duo became a trio by adding mutual friend and mandobird wonder Kayla Hummeny. In the fall of 2010, drummer Brenda Jackson was added to the mix. The band is rounded out with bassist Joanna Graves and fiddle-player Lauren Tastad.
The Seahags started off playing a few folk classics, and although these girls love their acoustics, they felt like they needed to move on.
“We did some open mic nights, and then got shows playing old folks’ homes and greenhouses,” said banjo player/vocalist April.
“In 2010 it felt like something was missing, and wanted to change from acoustic to electric. We just want to always keep evolving our sound. We added Brenda, who knows, well, everyone, so we were able to get a ton more shows. Joanna was a great addition. We were also very lucky to add Lauren to the mix. That’s why we made her dress up as Jesus for Halloween, ‘cause she totally saved us.”

Riki credits the success of the band on a few different things.
“We’d be a party band for sure,” she said. “But we focus on being entertaining and just having a great time with our music. And we’ll pretty much do any kind of event; as long as we can all make it. And we’ll always play for cheesecake, beer or food.”
One of their favourite shows out of many was playing a secret house show with one of their favourite country bands, One Hundred Dollars on Halloween.
“They told us they liked us, which was a huge compliment because they’re our favourite,” said April. “Things like that, and seeing people sing along to our songs at shows kind of blow us away!”
2011 also saw the ‘Hags first EP, and they’re currently completing their gospel album. Yes, a gospel album.
“We found gospel, not God with this album,” said April. “It’s more about the style than the lyrics or actually the religious aspect of it. The stage dynamic with gospel music is really cool, with lots of call-and-answer themes and a bluegrass feel. There are a couple traditional covers, and a couple songs that question religion for sure. It’s not your typical gospel album, psychedelic and haggard would be two words I’d use.”
Their goals for 2012 include hopefully doing a summer tour (as long as they can secure a reliable and affordable tour van), a music video and a full-length album in spring.
Their fans tend to have as much fun (or more) than the ‘Hags do.
“I really don’t ever stop smiling when I come to one of their shows,” said Rich Taylor, superfan and sometimes sound guy. “They have such a blast on stage and that energy spreads to anyone who sees them perform. They are easily one of my favourites from Saskatoon for sure!” - Ominocity

The Seahags
Any given conversation I’ve had with a Seahag about The Seahags usually ends with them downplaying their band – if this ever happens to you just gently humour them. The Seahags are stompy, aloof, sassy, scary and wickedly talented, which are qualities I tend to look for in a woman anyway. Win-win! Plus I got to hear some recent, unreleased recordings so I already know that their next album is going to beat you with a wooden spoon. - Ominocity

The Seahags
Any given conversation I’ve had with a Seahag about The Seahags usually ends with them downplaying their band – if this ever happens to you just gently humour them. The Seahags are stompy, aloof, sassy, scary and wickedly talented, which are qualities I tend to look for in a woman anyway. Win-win! Plus I got to hear some recent, unreleased recordings so I already know that their next album is going to beat you with a wooden spoon. - Ominocity