Sled Island Festival Series: Les Gigantiques Interview Conrad Montana

Send us Fan MailConrad Montana (Les Gigantiques) on Sled Island, Calgary’s Music Scene & a 20-Year-Old Album Finally ReleasedDarren Scott of The Sonic Collective continues the Sled Island series with a conversation featuring Conrad Sawatzky (Conrad Montana of Les Gigantiques), a longtime Calgary musician who has been active in bands including Anxious Poets, the Shinolas, Cripple Creek Fairies, and The Deadly Skulls. Conrad shares his musical beginnings, his role in local preservation efforts like the Rat’s Nest Recording Society, and his early connection to Sled Island through Zach Peshack and Pop Montreal. He recalls standout Sled memories (Guided by Voices, Television, Yo La Tengo, and more), highlights Calgary venues supporting live music (Loophole, Blocks, Palomino), and discusses what makes Sled unique, including its diversity and discovery-focused playlists. The episode also covers Les Gigantiques’ newly released album—recorded 20 years ago, rediscovered by Trap One Records—now streaming, with vinyl coming in August and a release show August 23 at Blocks.https://www.instagram.com/lesgigantiques/00:00 Show Intro01:08 Sled Island Series Setup02:13 Guest Conrad Montana04:12 How We Met04:48 Conrad Music Origins07:12 Preserving Calgary Tapes09:08 First Sled Island Connection10:50 Favorite Sled Memories12:53 Calgary Venues Today14:43 Day In The Life17:03 What Makes Sled Unique20:17 Les Gigantiques Album Story22:32 Sound And Stage Energy24:44 Tour Plans And Sled 202626:15 Local Band Shoutouts28:24 Advice For New Musicians29:34 Show Plug And Farewell30:57 Host Wrap Up32:44 Subscribe And Closing CreditsThe theme music for The Sonic Collective is Dust by Les Gigantiques from Calgary. Our thanks to the band for letting us use and feature their music. Be sure to check them out. https://www.instagram.com/lesgigantiques/Support the show