Great music is built on great listening. Here are the artists who've shaped The Threads' sound, fired their imagination, and earned permanent rotation on their turntables — from global icons to local Edmonton legends you should absolutely know about.
The DNA of virtually every rock band that followed. The Threads absorbed the Beatles' genius for melody, studio experimentation, and the art of the three-minute song — then filtered it through prairie grit. If you need an explanation of why The Beatles matter, we can't help you.
Edmonton's own. Giv'R embody the kind of full-throttle commitment to the live experience that The Threads respect deeply — a band that leaves absolutely everything on the stage every single night. Pure YEG energy, no safety net.
Masters of the maximalist spectacle and the emotionally devastating pop song in equal measure. The Lips proved you can be weird and accessible, cosmic and deeply human. Their fearlessness to experiment — and to mean it — is something The Threads carry into their own work.
Architects of the alt-country sound that made heartbreak sound cinematic. The Jayhawks' gift for vocal harmony, weathered melody, and songs that age like good whiskey is something The Threads have always chased. Tomorrow the Green Grass is a desert island record.
Jason Lytle's band made lo-fi records about technology, loneliness, and broken machines that somehow feel more emotionally resonant than most stadium rock. The Sophtware Slump is a masterpiece of quiet devastation. The Threads understand exactly why Grandaddy matters.
One of Canada's most powerful voices — literally and figuratively. Edmonton's own Celeigh Cardinal brings raw emotional honesty and soulful folk-country storytelling to every performance. Juno nominated, deeply respected, and an artist that makes The Threads proud to call Edmonton home.
Beyond their core influences, here's a look at the broader world The Threads pay attention to — local Edmonton venues, fellow musicians, community leagues, and the odd TV show that makes long tour drives more bearable.