Sunday, December 20, 2015

Beautiful Sounding Echoes




Folk-Pop duo, The Echos, create a hauntingly beautiful musical experience when you see them live. They have a well arranged, very current sound full of memorable harmonies, full band instrumentation, and lots of energy. It's very easy to become static on stage, especially when tied to a mic stand for the whole set. However, this duo, Nicole Broughton and Jess Cichos, (+ backing musicians), did an exceptional job of keeping people on their toes - in some cases, literally! Although the dance floor wasn't full (the event was hosted at the Roxy after all... Infamously known for packing in the crowds after the local talent plays), they had every patron in the place's eyes on them, head's bobbing and feet tapping during their set. Put this group in any slot; opening, middle, headlining or during a festival, they'll be sure to entertain!




Some of the most memorable moments of the night, for me, were when songs, "Blue" and "All is Quiet", were played. Having listened to both songs on their Soundcloud previously, I knew I was in for something Vancouver hasn't heard a lot of - well thought out, folk-pop inspired, vocal harmonies and instrumentation. I was most intrigued to hear what they would sound like with a full band behind them. Needless to say, the live interpretations of these songs far surpass the audio recordings. The quality and technical ability seem to have heightened tremendously while being performed live and accompanied by an additional drummer, keyboardist, guitarist and bassist. Another memorable moment was when the Christmas cover came out. Within seconds, every member of the band was decked in bells, hats, reindeer horns, and even a full costume switch into a santa suit on their drummer! The guitarist, throughout the set, took a few chosen opportunities to descend from the stage and rock in the crowd with those who braved the front lines of the dance floor.

All in all, it was a memorable performance. One I look forward to seeing again in the future as this band continues to grow and blossom into an even more well-oiled machine. Give them a year or two at this pace and they'll be headlining every show on the strip. For now, they were a perfect pairing to place between the other two acts of the night, Andre Chrys, and scene veteran, Taylor Skelton with his new band line-up.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

These Roads



Jake Touzel is primed and ready to drop this beast of an album. A little bit blues, a little bit country but a whole lot of bad ass! You can't help but nod your head to the pounding drums. Jake's voice just sits in your ears like a fine whiskey that your just sipping and enjoying on a cold winter night. Be sure to grab the whole album "Bad Faith" on his CD release show on December 26th at Studio Records.

Check out his Facebook page HERE. Find the event page HERE.

Cries Of Your Sins


Check out their Facebook page HERE.

Support Torrefy's New Album!


Torrefy has left the studio after having completed the recording of their second album "The Infinity Complex". In order to help us cover the cost of the mastering process and the printing of the physical albums, we have put together this Kickstarter campaign. This gives you, the Torrefans, a chance to support us directly by helping fund the post production process. In return you will be one of the first people to thrash out to your own physical copy of "The Infinity Complex", set to be released early 2016.
Your 10 dollar contribution will be equal to the cost of the finished product that you will receive hot off the press and exclusive to you. 
Playing music is our passion but it doesn't pay the bills. So, we are turning to you, our loyal friends and fans, and asking for your support.   

December Rez Blues


Our final REZ BLUEZ of the year will be on Friday, December 11th, back at the Fairview Pub.

Opening our DECEMBER REZ BLUEZ is the always fabulous DALANNAH GAIL BOWEN and OWEN OWEN OWEN, who were finalists in the 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. This dynamic duo get to the core and soul of the blues as soon as they hit the stage.

THE MURRAY PORTER BAND will close out the night with their foot stompin', hip shakin' blues. The always entertaining HELENE DUGUAY will be on bass, and singing a few memorable songs as well. We also have RICK BOULTER on wailin' guitar, with our drummer TBA.

As the Holiday Season is difficult for a lot of Young Families, Youth & Children, we be accepting donations for the Broadway Youth Resource Centre, which they will distribute to their clients. Please bring a donation of:
- Warm Clothing - sweaters, socks, etc.
- Toys for Younger Children up to age 12
- Non-perishable food items
**PLEASE NOTE: Donations can also be dropped off at SALMON N' BANNOCK on 1128 West Broadway...the best in Indigenous Cuisine!

Doors open: 8:00 pm
Music from: 9:30 pm - 1:00 am
All tickets: $15 at the door

THE FAIRVIEW PUB
898 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC

www.fairviewpub.ca

Hammer Records Relaunch - January 8th @ Studio Records



Check out the event page HERE.
Buy tickets in advance HERE and save $5!

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

A Force To Be Reckoned With!


I've seen Dragonforce a few times before, but nothing like at the Vogue. From start to finish it was a show. No drunken antics, No sour notes, no falling over. I was even surprised because there was no super fancy lights, just their amps, and good old fashioned power metal! It was so bare bones compared to previous times I had seen them. I think it suited them well as they put on a killer high energy performance! They ended their set with Ring Of Fire and just KILLED IT. Such a great cover and just the perfect way to end their time in Vancouver. 

#VancouverMusicians Ep.12 - Modern Day Poets

#VancouverMusicians Ep.11 - Dark Stone



Check out our interview with Dark Stone!


Quite Poetic


Modern Day Poets’ up beat high energy riffs, champion musicianship, and hearty stage presence make them strong dynamic performers to watch for within Vancouver’s thriving live music scene. The Roxy’s very own live sound engineer Cole, who was manning the helm presented a balanced and pleasing overall house mix, distinctly characterizing MDP’s Quiet/ Loud/ Quiet song formula. A strategy that is working very much in favour for this four piece modern day rock band. 

Make It With You by beloved Queens of The Stone Age was the only song they covered throughout their entire nine song set. Jina’s vocals opened up with robust personality on the third chorus, thanks to a healthy vocal accompaniment from bassist Ryan Z. 
With co-founder Billy McAloney on drums, this tight rhythm section dialled into what works and locked it down throughout the show. Offering brother and co-founder Bobby McAloney a perfect canvas to layer his sweeping guitar leads over one sweet lick at a time. 

Newest member and front-woman Jina Anika personally engages with the crowd, highlighting a fun and authentic stage persona. Her comfort zone seems to live within improvising and ad-libbing. Her go-go dancing background feeds this organic free-flowing body movement and is liberating to watch. The song Going got a few more people onto their feet and into the party mood. She awarded free drink tickets to the best dancers who braved the seated onlookers. This only encouraged those firmly planted to sharing in laughter and applause right where they sat. Jina then jumped off-stage during an instrumental section to dance and mingle with those who got the hint to get off their butts and join in. Not a break went by without exuding her love and gratitude for those who showed up. Thanking the humble fan-base between songs and plugging the band’s latest single This City, which is currently being supported by their first official video found on youtube. 

It was during their final song Bomb that we heard a glimpse into the raw potential of Jina’s voice. If they keep progressing at this pace, then it is only a matter of time before her vocal tone is soaring open and free with the eagles. 

What was a bit surprising however, was how they wrapped their set up on a somewhat serious, yet inspiring spoken word message, “…In this world full of hate… Change your mind. Change your self. Change your fate.”

A post performance meet and greet was a brilliant promotional opportunity to hook fans up with wrist bands containing a free download code off cdbaby.com for said single. There is much to be said for the sheer chops and business savvy of this relatively young band. Less than a year old MDP is still in their early days. With so much more to come, we’ll be watching out for this band for sure.


-Mark Writes



Monday, December 7, 2015

Ellice Blackout @ Studio Records











Danha puts the ROX in ROXY!


Danha is made up of talented, professional, passionate musicians. They always put on an incredible performance. I popped into the Roxy and it was the best I've ever heard the band. The vocals were so crisp and clear, they soared over everything. The bass was so rich and thick that you could feel it in your body. The guitar was so larger than life, I swear John Pettrucci or Steve Vai were playing. The drums were crisp that could hear every little detail in the beats. Hearing the drum solo almost made me march across to Tom Lee and buy myself a drum kit!


Check out more photos HERE. and Check out Danha's Facebook page HERE.


#VancouverMusicians is back! First up, Bridges To Royal



We wanted to start doing more interviews with bands. So we put out the invitation and had a bunch of responses! Thanks to everyone who is sharing the videos. Check out this video with Bridges To Royal!