On a chilly summer evening last week I dressed up in my best white and black (with a red accessory) and drove out to North Burnaby with my best friend in tow. I didn’t know what to expect as I was showing up at the combined birthday and EP release party of people I had never met before. Luckily my friend and I appreciate a sense of adventure and we are pros at going with the flow. Jump ahead to friendly introductions with a well-dressed bunch of musicians who were accidentally namedWintercoast (sometimes fate intervenes and in this case I think the universe sorted things out perfectly). With that began an exceptional night filled with genuine individuals, beautiful music, and my new favourite song.

I was looking forward to hearing Wintercoast play because until that point I had only heard one song of theirs, “As Time Flies By”.  I also wanted to score a copy of their debut EP Trees, Home and Better Places, which is now available by donation online. Before I had a chance to hear Wintercoast perform I was pleasantly surprised by the opening act, a four piece folk band called Dogwood and Dahlia. I have to admit there is nothing better than a house party during the summer with two live bands as entertainment. I have been listening to both of these bands non-stop since that stellar Friday night. Their music has a vintage feel with meaningful lyrics and the perfect assortment of instruments. Halfway through Dogwood and Dahlia’s performance the entire party was dancing outside on the patio as the day turned to dusk and the evening was lighted by candles and holiday lights. The dancing and incredible music continued asWintercoast took the stage in celebration of their newly released EP. I left after the music stopped because of noise restrictions with a feeling of contentment and excitement for my interview with Andrei, Sylvie, Sam, Alex, and Alberto a few days later. They really know how to make the rain go away.

Thinking back on the evening a few other moments stick out in my mind. Chocolate covered strawberries, the banana pancake fund, the Asian-Canadian guy with the fake but convincingly posh English accent, a group of us trying but continually failing at putting together glow-stick balls and an exceptional song called “Umbrella”. Do yourself a favour and listen to these bands, befriend them, and get them to play at your next birthday party. You can start by catching Wintercoast in a few weeks at the Sullivan Community Centre in Surrey on Sunday, August 28th.

Borrowed thoughts:

It has been said that a band has something special when people walk away humming their songs, and don’t stop for days. -via Greg Costello on Facebook

What I’m Listening to Right Now: Whiskey Hearts – Dogwood and Dahlia