Radio Ramblings: The power of music

By Trapper John on December 19, 2019.

SUBMITTED PHOTO TRAPPER JOHN
The Beer House is a Costa Rica craft beer bar run by a Saskatchewanian, and is a favourite of Trapper John's partly because of the music selection.

Music brings us all together. Such a cliché, right? But we see (or hear?) fresh examples of it every day. Whether it’s the crowd singing and clapping along at Canalta Centre during a Tigers game, at Athletic Park whilst hoisting a frosty beverage at a summer Mavericks tilt, or …. deep in the jungle rainforest?

I was just on a quick vacation in my favourite tropical getaway of Jaco, Costa Rica. There’s something to be said for the all-inclusive Mexican and Cuban resorts where one escapes the winter’s frigid grasp while lining up at the buffet and non-stop cerveza bar surrounded by your fellow prairie dwellers discussing the Oilers, Flames or Jets game with palm trees behind you. But I prefer taking that extra connection and making the trek further toward the equator to see my friends on the Costa Rican Pacific Beaches (note to local airlines: We could really use a direct flight out of Calgary to San Jose, just sayin’.) It’s a bit more of an adventure (yes, there were wild crocodiles in the river near our hotel) and surfers populate the waves rather than all-inclusive party boats and jet skis.

One of my favourite spots in Jaco is The Beer House, which is an all-Costa Rican craft beer bar run by a Saskatchewanian. The beer is a nice change from the local Imperial and Pilsen brands – but one of the best things about the experience is the music! This bar plays Canadian and international rock like you’d hear on 105.3 ROCK on a daily basis. Not only is this a nice change from the non-stop local reggaeton and banda, it’s a taste of home when you’re far away. Which brings me back to music bringing people together – countless times I’ve met travelers from around the globe, from Oakland to Oslo – who stumble across this little pub. They’re drawn in by the different craft wit, IPA, and stout beers and ales but also by the rock music.

I distinctly recall an air guitar jam session with a fellow traveller hailing from Italy. When the opening notes of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” wafted across the bar, our pints were hoisted and imaginary fret boards put to the test. I don’t speak Italian and he, not much English, but we bonded over a love of the tunes. And the beer, of course. Ha. And this certainly wasn’t the only time this happened. Even a local surf instructor who’s sick of the ubiquitous local dance beats drops in to hear some rock on a regular basis. The bartender (cantiñero?) even takes requests (led to an impromptu air drumming session of Aerosmith’s classic “Draw the Line” at the bar with another fellow I’d only just met.)

All this tropical musical reminiscing is making me long for the beach, but proving my point about rhythmic relations, midday DJ Park Warden and myself just tossed up the horns in our hallways upon hearing Lemmy, Dave Grohl, and Billy Gibbons’ rendition of the festive favourite “Run Rudolph Run.” Gotta love the tunes.

Trapper John is on your radio weekdays from 3-7 pm at 105.3 FM and 1053rock.ca