The Current

Great Music Lives Here ®
Listener-Supported Music
Donate Now
Live From The Current's Studio and Events

The Rural Alberta Advantage perform in The Current studio

  Play Now [21:22]
The Rural Alberta Advantage - Runners in the Night (Live on 89.3 The Current)
by MPR
The Rural Alberta Advantage - On the Rocks (Live on 89.3 The Current)
by MPR
The Rural Alberta Advantage - Terrified (Live on 89.3 The Current)
by MPR
Rural Alberta Advantage, Nils Edenloff
Nils Edenloff of the Rural Alberta Advantage soundchecking in The Current studio.
MPR / Leah Garaas
Rural Alberta Advantage, Nils Edenloff
The Rural Alberta Advantage's Nils Edenloff performing live in The Current studio.
MPR / Leah Garaas

While the Alberta provincial motto, the "Alberta Advantage," was done away with a few years ago, Canadian indie-rockers The Rural Alberta Advantage are still going strong. On Sept. 30, the band — Nils Edenloff, Amy Cole and Paul Banwatt — released their third album, Mended With Gold.

Rural Alberta Advantage, Nils Edenloff
The Rural Alberta Advantage's Nils Edenloff and Paul Banwatt performing live in The Current studio.
MPR / Leah Garaas

The title of the album (as well as the cover art) refers to the Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with gold, known as Kintsugi. It focuses on overcoming loss, fear, and as Edenloff points out, "dealing with the unknown." Looking at the track listing further exemplifies these ideas, with titles like "Terrified," "...On the Run," and "To Be Scared."

Rural Alberta Advantage, Amy Cole
Amy Cole of the Rural Alberta Advantage performing live in The Current studio.
MPR / Leah Garaas

The band stopped by The Current studio before Friday night's show at First Avenue to talk with Mark Wheat about Mended With Gold. They also performed three tracks from the album, highlighted by a stripped down version of "On the Rocks."

Rural Alberta Advantage, Paul Banwatt
Paul Banwatt and Amy Cole of the Rural Alberta Advantage performing live in The Current studio.
MPR / Leah Garaas

Listen to the full interview to learn about the origins of their name, thoughts on the album, and their stint as an in-house band on a TV show.

Rural Alberta Advantage, Amy Cole
Amy Cole of the Rural Alberta Advantage performing live in The Current studio.
MPR / Leah Garaas

Songs Performed


"Runners in the Night"
"On the Rocks"
"Terrified"

Rural Alberta Advantage, Amy Cole
The Rural Alberta Advantage's Amy Cole performing live in The Current studio.
MPR / Leah Garaas

All songs off the album, Mended with Gold, out now from Saddle Creek Records.

Rural Alberta Advantage, Amy Cole
Amy Cole of the Rural Alberta Advantage plays the keys live in The Current studio.
MPR / Leah Garaas

Hosted by Mark Wheat
Produced by Lindsay Kimball
Engineered by Michael DeMark
Web feature by Daniel Nass