Free Music from Dine Alone Records!

We may be easing back into those long stretches of rain that us Vancouverites are used to, but you can relive all those warm sunny days with the "Steamy Summer" Sampler from Dine Alone Records! To get the free download with songs by artists such as Hannah Georgas, Yukon Blonde, City and Colour and Library Voices click the "Get it Now" button below or visit dinealonerecords.com/sampler/.

New Songwriters' Workshop and Performance Opportunity

If you are a songwriter or an artist, you may be interested in the New Songwriters' Workshop that is coming to Vancouver. This event is on Sunday, October 21, 2012 from 12:00pm - 5:00pm at the Tom Lee Music Hall.

SCHEDULE-AT-A-GLANCE

Part 1: WHAT'S IN A SONG

Presented by: Rick Jackett, Songwriter

Part 2: MUSIC PUBLISHING & REVENUE STREAMS

Presented by: Jodie Ferneyhough & Terry O'Brien

Part 3: FILM & TV PLACEMENTS

Presented by: Barry Cole

President,

Spot Music, NYC

Part 4: SONG REVIEW & CRITIQUE

Present by: All Presenters

Admission is $40 in advance or $60 at the door. Songwriters can register online in advance at www.radiostar.ca for the workshop.

If you're already in a band, you can apply to perform at the Canadian Music Festival in Toronto. Bands can submit at www.canadianmusicfest.com or www.sonicbids.com/canadianmusicfest2013 right now for their special early-bird rate of $40 or $30 through Sonicbids. Submissions deadline is October 27th, 2012.

Free Music Alert: Martyr by Wintersleep!

Wintersleep is kicking off their North American tour in less than a week on October 16th, 2012. They will be playing in Vancouver at the Commodore Ballroom on November 14th, 2012!

Meanwhile, you can download a free copy of their unreleased song "Martyr" from SoundCloud!

Alexisonfire Farewell Tour

Remember back in August of 2011 when we told you Alexisonfire is splitting up? Sadly, that's still true, but they're getting back together for one final Farewell Tour! This is your last chance to see the band together live on stage!

The show in Vancouver is on December 17th, 2012 at the Pacific Coliseum. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Friday, September 21, 2012 at 10:00am, or you can get your tickets now at TicketLeader.ca by entering the presale code: HEARTSKULL.

I suggest getting them as soon as possible since the majority of their other shows are already sold out!

The Oh Wells

On September 11, 2012, The Oh Wells, a Vancouver based folk, indie, pop band, played a lively free show at UBC with CiTR. They had previously won the CiTR Shindig competition though Sarah is the only original member still in the band since the competition. The band is now made up of Sarah Jickling (vocals and keys), Kirby Bobyk (guitar, tambourine and drums), Chris King (bass) and Zach (drums).

More photos after the break!

It's that time again Vancouver! Get yourself downtown to enjoy FREE lunchtime concerts. With a variety of musicians playing a convenient outdoor stage, CBC Music's Musical Nooners invite you to grab a lunch and bring it out to these intimate performances that you won't want to miss. Shows run weekdays from July 6th to August 24th between 12 and 1pm.

 For more information visit their website and check out the performance schedule. Also make sure to follow CBC on Twitter and check the tag #musicalnooners for any changes due to weather.

 Get out and have (free!) fun this summer!

Dragon Boat Festival and Vancouver's Musical Instrument Garage Sale!

The Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival and Vancouver's Musical Instrument Garage Sale are two great events to check out this weekend!

The Dragon Boat Festival is free all weekend with races starting at 8am on Saturday, June 16th and Sunday, June 17th in the waters of False Creek near Creekside Community Centre and Creekside Olympic Village. Make sure you also check out the World Beat Stage which will host 10 free concerts over the weekend starting at 11am each day.

Performances on Saturday will open with Reggae On The Rocks from 11am - 12pm, Wesley Hardisty from 12:30 - 1:30, Orkestar Slivovica from 2:00 - 3:00, Ranj Singh & The Discriminators from 3:30 - 4:30 and end with Shane Philip from 5:00 - 6:00.

Performances on Sunday will open with Zimbamoto from 11am - 12pm, Pendomoja from 12:30 - 1:30, Celtic Bhangra from 2:00 - 3:00, Microbongo Sound System from 3:30 - 4:30 and this years festival will close with The Boom Booms from 5:00 - 6:00.

For more information about the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival in Vancouver check out dragonboatbc.ca/.


If you are a local musician looking to add to your collection of instruments you should definitely check out Tom Lee's Musical Instrument Garage Sale. The Garage Sale will be open on Saturday, June 16th from 10am - 6pm and on Sunday, June 17th from 12pm - 5pm at the old "Sony Store" at the Tom Lee Music Vancouver Building at 929 Granville St. Vancouver. This sale advertises 1000's of items marked down with savings up to 80% off!

For more information about the Musical Instrument Garage Sale check out tomleemusic.ca/garagesale/.


If you attend either or both of these events, please let us know how it goes and what you think!

Fête de la Musique - Make Music Vancouver!

It's that time of year again, Fête de la Musique also known as Make Music Vancouver will be hosting a free, live music celebration in Vancouver for the second year in a row! This year the event will be held in both Yaletown and Gastown to double the fun with over 300 free concerts.
Performers haven't been listed yet but mark your calendars for June 21st from as early as 2pm to 10pm, followed by after parties in local bars and restaurants.

Also, if you are a musician and interested in performing in Yaletown, make sure you sign up to participate with the Musicians Registration Form!

For more information check out makemusicvancouver.com

Ian Astbury (The Cult) Interview

Photo Credit: Michael Lavine

 MUSICinVancouver got to talk with Ian Astbury of The Cult this week in preparation for the band’s newest album. Titled Choice of Weapon and due to be released on May 22nd, this will be The Cult's ninth album. According to Astbury, the album honours existing fans and embraces new ones because “even though it’s raw rock ‘n’ roll [...] it’s also a very fresh, current sound.” Describing Choice of Weapon as “cohesive, resonant, deep, rich, brutal, sexual, cinematic” Astbury insists that the album gives Cult fans what they deserve while still managing to “break new ground,” something which he thinks is “evident in the songs.”  While noting that he hopes people will “ identify with the record and take something from it that maybe enhances their life experience” Astbury concedes that it isn’t about appealing to the masses. He draws inspiration from many sources including his travels, philosophical teaching, and other musicians. His only real goal is to “tell [his] story, experiences, events and observations.” The most important thing for someone to take away from their new songs is to “pay attention to your life; that life is sacred, that life is fleeting.” He urges everyone to “jump in” and “live life to its fullest potential.” And for Astbury this means working on developing his art, since his “life is music.” 

Photo Credit: Michael Lavine

Even though the band has been working hard on the album, Astbury still has time to imagine future collaborations, including artists from different genres coming together to create a “contemporary opera.” Collaborations are one of many experiences which Astbury believes “can only enhance [his music].” Whether from new people, situations, or self-knowledge, Astbury admits he has gained “a wealth of experience” that he believes allows him to evolve as an individual and as a musician. All of this experience has gone into Choice of Weapon, an album that Astbury finally finds deserving of his fans.

Photo Credit: Michael Lavine

Event Spotlight: Katie Herzig

Hey everyone! We want to make a special event announcement: Katie Herzig will be performing in Vancouver at the Biltmore Cabaret on May 8th in support of her latest album The Waking Sleep! Check out her tunes and buy your tickets now! Click here for more info about the event.

Photo from katieherzig.com

Check out Katie Herzig's official music video for Make A Noise after the break.

Behind Sapphire: Free Concert!

Behind Sapphire has re-recorded their latest album Diamonds. To celebrate the EP's release on April 28th, 2012, they will be playing a free all ages show on the beach at White Rock!

The show will start at 7pm on April 28th, 2012 at the Semiahmoo First Nations Bandshell at White Rock Beach! The band will be joined by Their There and Dogwood and Dahlia.

For more information about the event, check out their Facebook Page!

*UPDATE* The show has been moved to Saturday, May 5th, 2012 at 6 pm!

Free Music Alert: Wintersleep!

Wintersleep's new album Hello Hum will be released on June 12, 2012 but a free song download is available now on their website!

For a free download of "Resuscitate" from Hello Hum go to wintersleep.com/
You can also purchase the single "In Came the Flood" on iTunes

Happy listening!

The Fray with Scars on 45

On February 26th, 2012, The Fray came to Vancouver with Scars on 45. It was nice to see fans of all ages at the Orpheum Theatre to see these two amazing and entertaining bands perform! 

Check out some photos from the show after the break!

Simple Plan with Marianas Trench, All Time Low and These Kids Wear Crowns!

On February 11th, 2012, Simple Plan came to Vancouver with special guests Marianas Trench, All Time Low and These Kids Wear Crowns. The concert at Pacific Coliseum was a big hit, with fans of all four bands lining up well before the doors opened at 7pm.

Photos and more info about the bands after the break!

Event Spotlight

Friday, March 9, 2012
The Bad Plus
with opening guests The Zubot / Brooks Duo
at the Rio Theatre

Doors 7:00pm - Show 8:00pm - 19+ Only ID Required (Licensed venue)
Tickets: $35.50 Advance / $40 Door


Available at: http://www.hightideconcerts.net/, Red Cat Records 4332 Main St. (604) 708-9422, Zulu Records 1972 W. 4th Ave. (604) 738-3232 & Highlife World Music 1317 Commercial Dr. (604) 251-6964

For more info on The Bad Plus visit their website.

Quick Note

Hey all!

Sorry for the delays, but we will be posting a bunch of photos soon. Our photographer hasn't had a chance to post them yet but you can expect photos for two shows:

• These Kids Wear Crowns, All Time Low, Marianas Trench, Simple Plan
• Scars on 45, The Fray

Please check back soon for photos! In the meantime, we've posted a ton of new events.

Artist Spotlight-Phil Dickson

Hey guys! Recently MUSICinVan was contacted by Phil Dickson, a new musician who wanted to share some of his music with us. Now we want to share it with you!

Check out the music video for his single "Nothin' But The Love," off his recently released album "Play." The song was written for his fans to show his appreciation for their love and support.



You can also check out his website for more information about him and his music!

Enjoy the tunes and pass them on. Join us in supporting deserving local musicians!

And a big thank you to Phil for getting in touch with us!

If anyone out there has some music they'd like us to hear and possibly share on our website, please visit our Contact Us page and get in touch with us.

Thanks everyone!

Free Music Alert: Behind Sapphire!

One of our favourite local bands, Behind Sapphire, has released their Diamonds EP online as a free download! Make sure you share their music and keep an eye our for them in the coming year!

Said The Whale-Advanced Video Screening and Listening Party

Buy tickets now to attend a video screening and listening party of Said the Whale's new album "Little Mountain"! You'll hear the entire album before its release date and watch the music videos for each song. The event takes place at the Rio Theatre on February 25th, so buy your tickets now!!

Music Spotlight

Hey all!! To start the new year we'd like to share a song with you guys! Someone recommended it to us on our YouTube account. I listened to it and thought it was worthy of passing on to you :) Hope you like it. Leave us a comment and let us know what you think! Thumbs up or down??

Click Here to listen to the song.

PS. Thank you to everyone sending in music suggestions. We appreciate each and every one and will feature our favourites. So, fan, rep, or band member, send in those recommendations (preferably with links)!!!