Happy Holidays everyone! While you're munching on some Christmas cookies take a peek at some photos from last night at the Commodore Ballroom:
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Music Video Spotlight
Okay everyone I'm sure you have all heard Coldplay's new song Paradise on the radio. They play it every half hour and the chorus is forever running in everyone's head. But have you seen the music video?? It may be the best thing I've seen all year. Especially near the ending when they find each other and start dancing.. I won't give too much away but I promise you won't be disappointed.
Click here to watch the music video for Paradise on YouTube.
Click here to watch the music video for Paradise on YouTube.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
An Evening With Jill Barber
MUSIC In Vancouver had the privilege to attend Jill Barber's performance at the Centennial Theatre on December 2nd!
I was expecting to sit in the theatre and listen to some jazz music. But Barber gave us so much more than that! I quickly came to realize that the night wasn't just about the music, but Jill's performance included laughter, heartfelt confessions, and fashion. From the audience and from Jill herself, we caught a glimpse of beautiful dresses and hairdos that served as instant reminders of earlier days of jazz. From the first moment Jill took the stage, the crowd's attention was captivated by the singer and her band, and we stayed enthralled until after she received her third standing ovation (yes, third!). And throughout the show Jill entertained us with personal stories, both compelling and, often, hilarious. As Jill once joked, she may be a "mix between Stuart McLean and Celine Dion", but her voice is absolutely amazing, and she seems so effortlessly comfortable in front of a crowd. She sang a collection of her songs that reflected her entire body of work, from frantic, toe-tapping tunes, to sweet and slow lullabies. Through her beautiful voice and music, we all followed Jill on an emotional journey.
More photos from the show after the break!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Jill Barber
This week MUSIC In Vancouver had the opportunity to talk with the stunning and talented Jill Barber!
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| Credit: Ivan Otis |
With her newest release, Mischievous Moon, Canadian musician Jill Barber feels that she's "carved out a space for [her]self," and evolved into her "own unique sound." After releasing several albums and performing for fans all over North America, it's hard to imagine Jill as a young teenager writing songs alone in her bedroom. But even now, Jill tells us, she "need[s] to be alone," in a "relaxed, self-reflective mode" when writing a new song. Inspired by artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Leonard Cohen, her jazz music reflects a style rarely seen today. And behind every song shines a strong emotional message, which, according to Jill, is exactly what music should have. She tells us that a song should be able to "become [a] soundtrack to whatever [you're] feeling," even if it differs from the artist's own feelings behind the song. But Jill tries to share her perspective through her music videos. Videos such as "Oh My My" illustrate this emotional connection, as well as her affinity for creativity, or as she puts it, her videos are a "true collaboration [where] I bring the music and the director brings the vision." But even with all of her success Jill feels a strong bond with her fans. Recently undertaking the project of learning French, Jill made "a vow to [her] audience" that she would do so to "honour [them]." And she held true to her word with her singles "Tell Me" and "Dis-Moi," which were released simultaneously and appear on her new album. She's hoping to write more French songs too. Her Mischievous Moon tour is ending this weekend here in B.C. and Jill says she's looking forward to "hunkering down and getting back to writing." Fans can look forward to another album within the next year or two.
And for more information about Jill Barber visit her website or follow her on Twitter.
Written by: Elysia Stutt
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Jill Barber Interview
MUSIC In Vancouver's Elysia had the opportunity to ask Jill Barber a few questions! Here's the complete interview:
Q: What inspired you to start writing music?
A: It was when I was a teenager and before that i'd been, of course, writing poetry, as many teenagers do. I had a lot to say as a young teenager. I was writing this poetry and my older brother started playing guitar, and I totally worshipped my older brother. So I followed in his footsteps. He taught me a couple of chords on the guitar and as soon as I could string a couple of chords together I was writing songs. Like song, after song, after song. And it was really empowering. Like suddenly I wasn't just in my bedroom putting on sad songs and listening to them and brooding over them, I was actually writing my own songs. And I found that really empowering and a way to express myself. And I was doing what my idols were doing. I was totally into music and into, especially, local Canadian indie bands. So I would go to see bands play on the weekends and I felt like I was part of that musical community by writing my own songs. So I started then and I haven't stopped.
Q: Can you describe the process you go through when writing a song?
A: It's changed over the years. I suppose I've changed and that's kind of effected my process. I need to, unless i'm co-writing, I need to be alone. I just need to be by myself, and I need to allow myself to slip into a super relaxed, self-reflective mode, where I'm not afraid to say anything out loud or just sing anything out loud. And these days I write most of my songs just by closing my eyes and opening my mouth and starting to sing. Like stream of consciousness lyrics and melodies, and just whatever comes out. It's kind of like when little kids make up songs. They're totally unselfconscious and they're just making up little [songs]. That's basically how it is for me. And I feel like it has to be that way. I'm not set about writing to any formula. I just try to allow my mind to shut off and just let the song flow out of me. It's not easy to talk about the process because it's this funny, mysterious thing, but that's roughly how it goes.
Q: How would you describe the development of your songs from album to album?
A: I think there has definitely been an evolution in sound and style. I feel like in my earlier days, with my earlier couple of records, it was more experimental, like I wasn't exactly sure what kind of an artist I wanted to be. So I was trying on different musical hats and experimenting more. I feel like with my first records I'd say "Oh this has the vibe of this kind of artist," and now I actually really feel like I'm making songs that sound like me. I feel like i've carved out a space for myself and I'm happy to live in that space and keep exploring [it] now. And of course I still take influences from other artists, but I just feel more confident and secure in my own unique sound.
Q: Is there one message or feeling you'd like people to take away from listening to your music?
A: I think what my hope is, is that my music will do for other people what music does for me. It transports me and it sets off my imagination. It allows me to get carried away, swept away in the song. I find that that's a wonderful feeling. Whenever I'm feeling blue or romantic or whatever, I put on a record and I allow that song to guide my emotions and be a soundtrack to whatever I'm feeling. And the beauty of that music is that whatever I'm feeling might be totally different from what the artist, like Ella Fitzgerald, was thinking or feeling when she was singing the song. But the song becomes mine, becomes my soundtrack. And I think my hope is that my music becomes other peoples' soundtracks to whatever is in their minds and in their hearts, whatever they're feeling.
Q: What prompted you to do a French version of your song "Tell Me"?
A: I took French Immersion as a kid but I left it behind and never practiced, so I lost a lot of my French. And as an adult I've come to regret that. I love a lot of French singers and French songs, and as a language I think French is beautiful, very sensual and romantic. About a couple of years ago I started playing more and more in Quebec, and I was playing a show at the Montreal Jazz Festival and feeling self-conscious about my French. I was so embarrassed I couldn't speak French and a friend of mine translated one of my songs for me and I sang a song in French that night and there was this lightbulb that went off. It was a turning point for me because the audience was so encouraging, and I felt so happy that I delivered a song in French. So I made a promise to myself, and a vow to my audience, that I would learn French. So for the last year or so I've been intensively studying it and I spent a month in France studying it. And I wanted, when this record came out, to make the declaration that I'm serious about learning and singing in French. So that was the song we chose to release as a single, and I deliberately wanted to release it simultaneously in French and English, to honour both my French and English fans. And it's really fun. So now whenever I'm touring in Quebec, or if I'm touring for a francophone audience, I sing in French. It's nice to have the flexibility to do both languages.
Q: So you think you'll write more songs in French?
A: Yeah, definitely. That's my goal.
Q: Do you enjoy the process involved in creating music videos?
A: Yeah, I really like making videos. A lot of the music that I make, I work on with my producer, in terms of visual imagery, so I feel like there's a lot of content there to work with from the point of veiw of our video director. It's also nice because I get to hand over the reigns to a director. It's a true collaboration of multi-media; I bring the music and the director brings the vision. And I've always worked really hands on and collaboratively with the video directors that I've worked with, but I've let them explore their art. I've worked with a few different video directors. One guy I worked with, three videos we've made together, Jonathan Bensimon, so I have a good working relationship with him. And I hope to make more videos. They're really fun to make.
Q: If you could collaborate with any artist, who would you want to work with?
A: I would love to work with Leonard Cohen. All my life I've loved him. His music has always spoken to me and he's always been a great influence on me. He's a great Canadian artist. I think to get a chance to collaborate with him would be incredible. And another guy I'd love to sing a duet with is Michael Buble. I sent him a letter actually. So I'm hoping that maybe someday we'll be singing together.
Q: What can we expect from you in the future? What are your goals?
A: With all of this touring that I've been doing this fall, I'm really getting the itch to go back and write another album. I feel like I'm collecting lots of ideas on the road and I'm looking forward to hunkering down and getting back to writing. This spring I plan to write a new record that we would probably record in the summer and release next year. So I'm just going to make another record and continue to explore my own abilities as a songwriter. [I'll] continue down the path I've set out for myself and hopefully continue to evolve and mature. And I can't say exactly where that will take me but i'm looking forward to [it].
Q: What inspired you to start writing music?
A: It was when I was a teenager and before that i'd been, of course, writing poetry, as many teenagers do. I had a lot to say as a young teenager. I was writing this poetry and my older brother started playing guitar, and I totally worshipped my older brother. So I followed in his footsteps. He taught me a couple of chords on the guitar and as soon as I could string a couple of chords together I was writing songs. Like song, after song, after song. And it was really empowering. Like suddenly I wasn't just in my bedroom putting on sad songs and listening to them and brooding over them, I was actually writing my own songs. And I found that really empowering and a way to express myself. And I was doing what my idols were doing. I was totally into music and into, especially, local Canadian indie bands. So I would go to see bands play on the weekends and I felt like I was part of that musical community by writing my own songs. So I started then and I haven't stopped.
Q: Can you describe the process you go through when writing a song?
A: It's changed over the years. I suppose I've changed and that's kind of effected my process. I need to, unless i'm co-writing, I need to be alone. I just need to be by myself, and I need to allow myself to slip into a super relaxed, self-reflective mode, where I'm not afraid to say anything out loud or just sing anything out loud. And these days I write most of my songs just by closing my eyes and opening my mouth and starting to sing. Like stream of consciousness lyrics and melodies, and just whatever comes out. It's kind of like when little kids make up songs. They're totally unselfconscious and they're just making up little [songs]. That's basically how it is for me. And I feel like it has to be that way. I'm not set about writing to any formula. I just try to allow my mind to shut off and just let the song flow out of me. It's not easy to talk about the process because it's this funny, mysterious thing, but that's roughly how it goes.
Q: How would you describe the development of your songs from album to album?
A: I think there has definitely been an evolution in sound and style. I feel like in my earlier days, with my earlier couple of records, it was more experimental, like I wasn't exactly sure what kind of an artist I wanted to be. So I was trying on different musical hats and experimenting more. I feel like with my first records I'd say "Oh this has the vibe of this kind of artist," and now I actually really feel like I'm making songs that sound like me. I feel like i've carved out a space for myself and I'm happy to live in that space and keep exploring [it] now. And of course I still take influences from other artists, but I just feel more confident and secure in my own unique sound.
Q: Is there one message or feeling you'd like people to take away from listening to your music?
A: I think what my hope is, is that my music will do for other people what music does for me. It transports me and it sets off my imagination. It allows me to get carried away, swept away in the song. I find that that's a wonderful feeling. Whenever I'm feeling blue or romantic or whatever, I put on a record and I allow that song to guide my emotions and be a soundtrack to whatever I'm feeling. And the beauty of that music is that whatever I'm feeling might be totally different from what the artist, like Ella Fitzgerald, was thinking or feeling when she was singing the song. But the song becomes mine, becomes my soundtrack. And I think my hope is that my music becomes other peoples' soundtracks to whatever is in their minds and in their hearts, whatever they're feeling.
Q: What prompted you to do a French version of your song "Tell Me"?
A: I took French Immersion as a kid but I left it behind and never practiced, so I lost a lot of my French. And as an adult I've come to regret that. I love a lot of French singers and French songs, and as a language I think French is beautiful, very sensual and romantic. About a couple of years ago I started playing more and more in Quebec, and I was playing a show at the Montreal Jazz Festival and feeling self-conscious about my French. I was so embarrassed I couldn't speak French and a friend of mine translated one of my songs for me and I sang a song in French that night and there was this lightbulb that went off. It was a turning point for me because the audience was so encouraging, and I felt so happy that I delivered a song in French. So I made a promise to myself, and a vow to my audience, that I would learn French. So for the last year or so I've been intensively studying it and I spent a month in France studying it. And I wanted, when this record came out, to make the declaration that I'm serious about learning and singing in French. So that was the song we chose to release as a single, and I deliberately wanted to release it simultaneously in French and English, to honour both my French and English fans. And it's really fun. So now whenever I'm touring in Quebec, or if I'm touring for a francophone audience, I sing in French. It's nice to have the flexibility to do both languages.
Q: So you think you'll write more songs in French?
A: Yeah, definitely. That's my goal.
Q: Do you enjoy the process involved in creating music videos?
A: Yeah, I really like making videos. A lot of the music that I make, I work on with my producer, in terms of visual imagery, so I feel like there's a lot of content there to work with from the point of veiw of our video director. It's also nice because I get to hand over the reigns to a director. It's a true collaboration of multi-media; I bring the music and the director brings the vision. And I've always worked really hands on and collaboratively with the video directors that I've worked with, but I've let them explore their art. I've worked with a few different video directors. One guy I worked with, three videos we've made together, Jonathan Bensimon, so I have a good working relationship with him. And I hope to make more videos. They're really fun to make.
Q: If you could collaborate with any artist, who would you want to work with?
A: I would love to work with Leonard Cohen. All my life I've loved him. His music has always spoken to me and he's always been a great influence on me. He's a great Canadian artist. I think to get a chance to collaborate with him would be incredible. And another guy I'd love to sing a duet with is Michael Buble. I sent him a letter actually. So I'm hoping that maybe someday we'll be singing together.
Q: What can we expect from you in the future? What are your goals?
A: With all of this touring that I've been doing this fall, I'm really getting the itch to go back and write another album. I feel like I'm collecting lots of ideas on the road and I'm looking forward to hunkering down and getting back to writing. This spring I plan to write a new record that we would probably record in the summer and release next year. So I'm just going to make another record and continue to explore my own abilities as a songwriter. [I'll] continue down the path I've set out for myself and hopefully continue to evolve and mature. And I can't say exactly where that will take me but i'm looking forward to [it].
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at the Grey Cup Festival
A few hours before the 99th Grey Cup Championship between the B.C. Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes played a free concert in Vancouver for the Grey Cup Festival! Earlier this year, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes made it to the top 3 of of FOX Vancouver Seeds! To find out more about them and to see more photos, check out our past post on the FOX Vancouver Seeds.
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| Kyle Otsuji playing the bass |
More photos from the show after the break!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Jill Barber Interview Announcement
Hey all!!
We are happy to announce that this weekend Music In Vancouver will be interviewing Jill Barber! We wanted to give you guys a chance to submit your fan questions for her. Leave us a comment if there's anything you'd like us to ask.
And don't forget to check back next week for the interview posted here!
Make sure to catch Jill's show in North Vancouver on December 2nd.
NOTE: The interview has been rescheduled for Tuesday, November 29th. Please check back the following weekend for the posted interview! Thanks!
We are happy to announce that this weekend Music In Vancouver will be interviewing Jill Barber! We wanted to give you guys a chance to submit your fan questions for her. Leave us a comment if there's anything you'd like us to ask.
And don't forget to check back next week for the interview posted here!
Make sure to catch Jill's show in North Vancouver on December 2nd.
NOTE: The interview has been rescheduled for Tuesday, November 29th. Please check back the following weekend for the posted interview! Thanks!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Grey Cup Festival Free Concerts
Hey guys!!
This year the Grey Cup Festival includes a weekend of free concerts!! Some great performers are going to be there, including some of our favourites!! Check out the concert schedule to see when bands like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Said the Whale, and Hey Ocean are playing.
See you there!
This year the Grey Cup Festival includes a weekend of free concerts!! Some great performers are going to be there, including some of our favourites!! Check out the concert schedule to see when bands like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Said the Whale, and Hey Ocean are playing.
See you there!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Free Music Alert: Young The Giant
Get a free copy of Young The Giant's Remix EP in exchange for your email and postal code!
Also check out Young The Giant's NoiseTrade page at noisetrade.com/youngthegiant and leave them a tip!
Also check out Young The Giant's NoiseTrade page at noisetrade.com/youngthegiant and leave them a tip!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
New Said the Whale EP
Hey everyone!
Make sure to check out the new Said the Whale EP "New Brighton" on iTunes! It was released today and only costs $2.29!! I promise you won't be disappointed.
Also, visit their website to listen to upcoming song releases, watch their music video for "Lines," and get a free song download!!
Don't forget to leave us a comment and let us know what you think!
Make sure to check out the new Said the Whale EP "New Brighton" on iTunes! It was released today and only costs $2.29!! I promise you won't be disappointed.
Also, visit their website to listen to upcoming song releases, watch their music video for "Lines," and get a free song download!!
Don't forget to leave us a comment and let us know what you think!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Free Music Alert: David Vertesi!
So I was just cycling though the websites of some of my favourite artists and realized that you can download a free MP3 of "Learn To Run" "Gentlemen Say" and "Mountainside" from David Vertesi's website davidvertesi.com!
Just scroll to the bottom, right click the links and click "Download Linked File."
Honestly though, you should also consider buying a physical copy of his album to support this amazing local artists! Besides, you need something for him to sign when you see him live :)
Just scroll to the bottom, right click the links and click "Download Linked File."
Honestly though, you should also consider buying a physical copy of his album to support this amazing local artists! Besides, you need something for him to sign when you see him live :)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Peak Performance Project Top 5
Hey guys!
Today the Top 5 musicians of the Peak Performance Project were announced!
Congratulations to:
Acres of Lions
Hilary Grist
The Boom Booms
Current Swell
The Matinee
For more information about all of the musicians involved and tickets for the Top 3's concert at the Commodore in November, visit the Peak website.
And congratulations to the entire Top 20! Great musicians this year and I expect great things from all of them!!
Today the Top 5 musicians of the Peak Performance Project were announced!
Congratulations to:
Acres of Lions
Hilary Grist
The Boom Booms
Current Swell
The Matinee
For more information about all of the musicians involved and tickets for the Top 3's concert at the Commodore in November, visit the Peak website.
And congratulations to the entire Top 20! Great musicians this year and I expect great things from all of them!!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Meet OPETH
Hey Opeth fans!
Want to meet Opeth and get your copy of HERITAGE signed?? This Thursday, October 13th at 7:30pm, the guys from Opeth will be at Scrape Records (323 East Broadway)!!
Enjoy! :)
Want to meet Opeth and get your copy of HERITAGE signed?? This Thursday, October 13th at 7:30pm, the guys from Opeth will be at Scrape Records (323 East Broadway)!!
Enjoy! :)
Friday, October 7, 2011
VOTE!!!
Get your vote in now for The PEAK Performance Project 2011!! And let us know who you voted for!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
CBC LIVE - Kickoff to Culture Days in Vancouver!
On Friday, September 30th (tomorrow!), CBC will be kicking off Culture Days, an annual 3 day-long celebration of arts and culture that takes place all across Canada, with CBC LIVE in Vancouver.
To celebrate, CBC is having a free festival at CBC Vancouver on Hamilton street between Robson and Georgia! All day starting at 10:45am, there will be interviews, games and contests as well as plenty of opportunities to meet CBC stars such as the Dragons from Dragons' Den and George Stroumboulopoulos! For a full schedule of CBC LIVE click here.
The night will end with Midnight Music: A Concert for Culture Days starting at 8:00pm with Stars, The New Pornographers and The Midway State!
Over the weekend, there will also be plenty of free activities for people of all ages in and around Vancouver. For a list of activities in British Columbia check out: bc.culturedays.ca/en!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Learn To Run Music Video
You all must watch the newest music video for one of my favourite songs from David Vertesi. Just like the song, this beautiful, emotionally-charged video for "Learn to Run" is so touching. Click here to watch it on YouTube.
Ps. Maybe it's just me...but does the other guy in the video look a lot like Justin Chatwin?
Ps. Maybe it's just me...but does the other guy in the video look a lot like Justin Chatwin?
Friday, September 2, 2011
Michael Pedicone Leaves My Chemical Romance
Only two days after seeing My Chemical Romance perform live, the MCRmy has been shocked by news of drummer Michael Pedicone's departure from the band. Michael confessed to stealing from the band but they are keeping details to themselves. However Pedicone has tweeted the following messages on the subject:
@Shredicone: What happened is more complicated than it sounds but I did make a mistake. It was never my intention to hurt this band or all of you.
@Shredicone: It was an error in judgement based on a whole other situation that's way deeper but this does not define me.
The band's disappointment is displayed clearly by guitarist Frank Iero as he unfollowed Pedicone on Twitter, deleted pictures of him off other media sites, and explains his disgust at Michael's betrayal of their "family". For more information in Frank's words please visit Frank's blog post on the matter. They are hoping to find a new drummer soon who will be able to perform with them for all remaining scheduled shows.
@Shredicone: What happened is more complicated than it sounds but I did make a mistake. It was never my intention to hurt this band or all of you.
@Shredicone: It was an error in judgement based on a whole other situation that's way deeper but this does not define me.
The band's disappointment is displayed clearly by guitarist Frank Iero as he unfollowed Pedicone on Twitter, deleted pictures of him off other media sites, and explains his disgust at Michael's betrayal of their "family". For more information in Frank's words please visit Frank's blog post on the matter. They are hoping to find a new drummer soon who will be able to perform with them for all remaining scheduled shows.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
BLINK 182 & MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE with Rancid and Against Me!
On August 31st, 2011, Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance co-headlined a show at Rogers Arena with opening bands Rancid and Against Me! Technically, this show isn't part of the Honda Civic Tour, but it doesn't really matter because all the bands played anyway :)
Against Me!:
Against Me! is a punk rock band from Florida, made up of Tom Gabel (lead vocals, guitar), James Bowman (vocals, guitar), Andrew Seward (vocals, bass) and Jay Weinberg (drums).
For more information about Against Me! check out their website: againstme.net.
Rancid:
Rancid is a punk rock band from California made up of members Tim Armstrong (lead vocals, guitar), Matt Freeman (vocals, bass), Lars Frederiksen (vocals, guitar) and Branden Steineckert (drums).
For more information about Rancid check out their website: rancidrancid.com
My Chemical Romance:
My Chemical Romance is an alternative rock band from New Jersey made up of members Gerard Way (lead vocals), Ray Toro (vocals, guitar), Frank Iero (vocals, guitar), Mikey Way (bass) and Michael Pedicone (drums).
We've seen My Chemical Romance live before on their World Contamination Tour and photos are available here.
For more information about My Chemical Romance visit their website: mychemicalromance.com
Blink 182:
Blink 182 is a pop punk band from California made up of members Mark Hoppus (vocals, bass), Tom DeLonge (vocals, guitar) and Travis Barker (drums).
For more information about Blink 182 check out their website: blink182.com
I just thought I'd add, for the sake of a possible love connection, the link for an "I Saw You" from the Georgia Straight. I'm the romantic, meant-to-be type, so if this guy happens to visit this blog instead of the Georgia Straight website maybe it's worth a shot because someone wants to find him. So here goes.. Someone saw you!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
CBC Musical Nooners - David Vertesi
For this hour long set David Vertesi brought along Peter Carruthers and Dan Klenner. He performed most of the songs off his album Cardiography, as well as two covers, including his cover of the Spice Girls song "Say You'll Be There". It seems like Vertesi crowds have come to expect Dave to perform that song. It was a beautiful sunny day and a great day for an outdoor concert!
More photos after the break!
Vancouver Seeds 2011 Winner
We are happy to announce that the official Seeds Winner for 2011 is Louder Than Love. Congratulations!
For more information about the band, and to download a couple of their songs for free, visit their website.
Click here for photos of Louder Than Love at a recent show.
And show them some love by following @LTLband on Twitter.
For more information about the band, and to download a couple of their songs for free, visit their website.
Click here for photos of Louder Than Love at a recent show.
And show them some love by following @LTLband on Twitter.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
FOX Vancouver Seeds 2011 and State of Shock
Every year, 99.3 The Fox holds a contest for local bands to promote new music and local artists. The winners receive a Fox Platinum Award and perform along with the top two bands and a special headlining guest. This year, the Fox organized a free concert with the top three bands, as well as past seeds winner, State of Shock, on Granville and Robson in downtown Vancouver. This year's top three are Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Head of the Herd and Louder Than Love.
Head of the Herd:
Head of the Herd is a blues rock band created by Neu (guitar/lead vocals) and Clay (guitar, harmonica, vocals). Their debut album On the House was released in 2011 and the track "Knock Me Down" was used in the highlights reel for the Rip Curl Stew 2011.
For more information about Head of the Herd, visit headoftheherdmusic.com and make sure you download a copy of their new album On the House for free!
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes:
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a metal rock band made up of Jared Hayes (vocals), Chris Champagne (guitar), Shan Robertson (guitar), Kyle Otsuji (bass) and Drew McKay (drums). Their debut self-titled EP was released in 2007 and since then they have produced their first full length album The Masquerade. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes also won first place in the Airwalk Unsigned Hero Competition in 2010 which gave them a two page spread in Alternative Press as well as a spot on the Fall 2010 Alternative Press Tour in the United States.
For more information about Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, visit their MySpace Page!
Louder Than Love:
Louder Than Love is an experimental rock band made up of Paul Lambert (lead vocals/guitar), Tyler Thompson (drums), Dano Okano (keys/vocals), Nate Parsons (guitar/vocals) and Tony Lambert (bass). Since releasing their debut album Dark Days in 2010, Louder Than Love has completed two Western/Canadian/U.S. mini-tours and released their new EP Coming Around.
For more information about Louder Than Love, visit their website louderthanlovemusic.com and make sure you download their new single "Long Road" as well as three tracks from Dark Days available for free!
State of Shock
Seeds winners from 2004, with their album Guilty By Association, State of Shock are proof that winning this title can catapult you into the spotlight. The band includes Cameron Melnyk (lead vocals), Alison Toews (bass), Jesse Wainwright (guitar), Simon Clow (guitar), and John Philippon (drums). In 2007 they released the popular "Money Honey" off Life, Love & Lies, and their new album Rock N' Roll Romance is set to be released September 20th of this year.
For more information about State of Shock, visit their new website!
Thanks for checking out our photos! Make sure to get your tickets to 99.3 The Fox Vancouver Seeds 2011 Launch Party at the Commodore Ballroom on August 24th featuring the Vancouver Seeds 2011 winners and the Trews!
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