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Music Spotlight
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Jive Talk Welcomes You to Jiveland
01 Nov 2011 by Phoebe Lim / No Comments
Self-described as “The kind [of music] that makes you want to dance around in a gold cape,” Jive Talk fuses funk, pop, rock, soul, and a bit of comedic commentary to create a music experience that everyone can enjoy. Their music is highly accessible for all ages, but proves that our generation hasn’t lost any of its funk and soul! Regardless of your musical prejudices, Jive Talk will make you want to get up on your feet and dance.
The four-piece Vancouver based band includes Nick on vocals & guitar, Jared on vocals and bass, Eric on saxophone, and Takeru on drums. They all met each other at Lord Byng Secondary, and Nick, Jared, and Eric started playing together while attending Jazz band. Nick’s fascination with funk and soul music during grade 11 pushed him to create Jive Talk with his friends, saying (jokingly, I assume) “I knew Eric was a good sax player and Jared was vaguely musical and could probably do something.”
Once Tak added his drumming skills to the already talented Jazz trio’s musical prowess, Jive Talk recorded their first EP, Welcome to Jiveland, in his basement, and released it March 14, 2010. The album contains 6 songs, including quirky titles like “Josh, the Evil Jive Destroyer” and “Chunky Funk Monkey”.
A year later, the band put out their latest EP, 123 Jump! with six all new songs, one of my favourites being “Sax Man” which seems oddly named, considering there is no saxophone to be heard, but at around two-thirds of the way through there is a sax solo that calls for celebration.123 Jump! also includes some very imaginative interactive packaging. The CD package allows you to “fold the CD case to form a stage and scan an AR code to start the band’s “live” animated performance.” And if you scan the QR markers of the inner booklet, you are able to place your smartphone over the band members’ mouths and watch the guys sing!
This up-and-coming funk-fusion band has created an innovative brand of sound that will revive the Soul in whoever listens to it. Give their music a gander and head to their bandcamp. You won’t be disappointed.
Photo from http://www.harookz.com/
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Record Review: ‘Portia’ – The Parish of Little Clifton
29 Oct 2011 by Sonia Sophia / No Comments
The Parish of Little Clifton is the project of multi-instrumentalist and Agassiz, BC native, Simon Bridgefoot. The first collective sounds to come out of this project came about with his previous EP entitled Haselnus which was released on the local digital label Cultus Vibes. His next release came in the form of a 7” entitled Septemberish which gave listeners a taste of what would be his debut full-length release with the two tracks “It’s Okay, Roseanne” and “Echo Island”, both which saw a re-release with Bad Panda Records not too long ago.Released near the end of September of this year was his debut full-length album entitled Portia, a 9-track collection of blissful electronic numbers that range from beat-heavy and complete instrumental cuts to more vocal and sample-based tracks. At times, some organic elements can additionally be heard in the mixes. The album also features some of his family and friends whom are also active in the local music scene including his sister, Hannah Flom, Teen Daze, Manitoulin (HAHA) and Bank Heist. The tracks on the album are generally light in nature with a tendency to reflect a certain Balearic aesthetic reminiscent in the southern coast of France or other southern European islands and beaches. It also seems to revolve around a discernible concept, a boyhood that encapsulates and expresses the experiences of a summertime day trip traveling to a lake or coastal island with close friends—the album artwork certainly reflects this impression.
The album opens with the rather uplifting “Higher (Holding You)”, a track which gives the listener a taste of the following tracks on the album and the overall feeling it intends to pull from the listener as the album progresses. The following tracks are coherent in conceptual fashion, with the first half bearing the lighter side of things which expresses the euphoric joy of an afternoon’s day trip. The latter half of the album features more prominent vocal work into the mix while seemingly delving into a more solemn emotional state in contrast to the expressions of a lighter demeanor in the first half. There are a myriad of standout tracks on the album, most notable include the opening cut “Higher (Holding You)”, “It’s Okay, Roseanne”, and “Firework Mirror”.
For electronic fans, this would be an excellent album to indulge in. Through and through, the album’s conceptually coherent form encompasses a wonderfully relatable expression of heightened inner bliss experienced during a certain point in life. An inclination towards nostalgic behaviour may ensue as the listener yearns for past experiences which gave them a similar sense of reassurance, joy, and hope. Give this album a spin and find comfort in its high spirits.
You can grab Portia and find more of The Parish of Little Clifton’s music over at his Bandcamp and connect with him through Facebook.
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It’s Easier to Just Call Him “Clifton”
27 Oct 2011 by Phoebe Lim / No Comments
Simon Bridgefoot is the man behind The Parish of Little Clifton, whose music can be difficult to describe but easy to listen to. Perhaps one would categorize him as part of the Chillwave phenomenon sweeping the nation (though apparently I’m not hipster enough to know this). But his music is much more than just lo-fi, ambiant noise; it’s a story of life emulated by synthesizers
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Record Review: ‘A Silent Planet’ – Teen Daze
25 Oct 2011 by Sonia Sophia / No Comments
Local Vancouver, BC musician Teen Daze (who refers to himself as simply Jamison) has been garnering international attention with his take on the emergence of the subgenre termed “chillwave”, a musical movement initially popularized back in 2009. With four other official album releases under his belt, it’s intriguing to see just how much further he can develop his sound within the subgenre of which he is so critically acclaimed for. His latest effort is the album entitled, A Silent Planet, which was released back in August 2011 via Lefse Records imprint Waaga Records, an independent label which he is currently signed to. Drawing inspiration from C.S. Lewis’ novel called “Out Of The Silent Planet”, the 6-track album not only engages in the reimagining of the novel’s protagonist and his journey into a mystical new world, but also the recreation of Teen Daze’s own experiences with the reading of the novel itself. Needless to say, his new album elicits a decipherable difference from his previous work while still managing to remain aesthetically familiar.Meandering away from the chilled, electronic dance music and conventional song structures prevalent in his previous releases, Teen Daze opts for a more minimalistic side of the subgenre, an experimental sound aimed at emphasizing ethereal, dreamy and celestial soundscapes that slowly permeate the surrounding atmosphere. A number of elements are utilized repetitively in this album; the adornment of glistening guitar melodies, serene synth sweeps, and cascading subdued vocals drenched in multiple layers of echo and reverb render the tracks as weightless as a floating feather.
At the start of the album, “Surface” takes the listener head first into its expansive and energetic nature until the second track “It Calls Me Under” calmly pulls you back down from your previous high. The following two tracks “I Fell Into The Light” and “The Harvest” are essentially some very notable ambient lullabies that lean heavily on hazy and dreamy sentiments. Nearing the end of the album, “Watch Over Me” picks up some rhythm with its more vigorous drive until the album closer “Malacandra” lulls the listener into a peaceful sleep after a mystical journey of otherworldly new discoveries.
While the album is indisputably cohesive in nature running on extensively similar aesthetics and themes, the danger lies in its potential of being too repetitive or soporific to the point of tedium and thus, labeled as an unmemorable sonic mass void of any substantial robust foundation. However, with only six tracks clocking in at around twenty-five minutes, this is hardly the case as opposed to the same release with a longer duration, which might then be a different story. The biggest success of the album would be its ability to truly evoke an emotional narrative through a sense of mystery, bewilderment, euphoria and comfort. That being said, it’s highly probable that this album won’t exceed single digit play counts. For those simply looking for a light and blissful aural experience, however short that experience may be, A Silent Planet would be the album to start spinning.
You can find more of Teen Daze’s music over at his Bandcamp or connect through Facebook and his website at www.asilentplanet.com
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Record Review: ‘Million Miles of Trouble’ – Jason and the Diatonics
10 Oct 2011 by Phoebe Lim / No Comments
It was a slightly nerve-racking first day at the Y57 radio station; I had just gotten a job as the new junior music coordinator and I was a touch too eager, arriving at the radio station early. My first mission: to be the official door opener for all the stuff going in and out of the station. That aside, I was designated to write music reviews, and it was a pleasant surprise when Jamie handed over the bright green cover of Jason & the Diatonics’ debut album, Million Miles of Trouble. Needless to say, it’s not very often I just get albums handed to me for free, so I was feeling pretty awesome.You can’t help but smile when you hear the jazzy acoustic pop on this album. If ever you need a lift, this is the kind of music to listen to on repeat. They have a fresh sound that combines the musical dexterity of Joel Mohr and Erik Olson, lovely vocal harmonies of Jason Poulsen and Stephanie Olson, and (quite frankly) adorable and relatable lyrics.
If I had to pick favourites, I would say it’s a tie between ‘Love is a Cartoon’ and ‘Right Girl Wrong Girl’. My selections aren’t necessarily the ones with the deepest lyrics or the most complex riffs, but they are the songs that got stuck in my head straight away for their cheerful tone and catchy choruses.
If you’re tired of me going on about the optimism in this album, then ‘Freakshow’ (accompanied by ‘Freakshow Intro’,) sounds like your cup of tea. As a pianist, I love ‘Freakshow Intro’ for its focus on my instrument of choice; admittedly I got chills while listening to it, but maybe that’s just my keyboard withdrawal talking. The one-minute prologue starts quiet and eventually builds up to a complex and intricate mix of creepy sounds including ominous strings, eerie voices, and a few noises I can’t put my finger on. ‘Freakshow’ itself reflects a darker but no less energetic side to Jason & the Diatonics, and is definitely worth a listen.
To hear their music and give this band some love, head to their Facebook page or their website at www.jasonandthediatonics.com
Photos from the Jason & the Diatonics Facebook Page
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Youthful Transcendance: Small Town Ghosts
27 Sep 2011 by Jamie Cessford / No Comments
When I was in a band in high school (aptly called Mourning Wood), my inspiration was Tom Morello. Big riffs, big fuzz, all the time. Other bands paid undeniable homage to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, or Blink 182, but in all reality, we were all pretty awful. We played roller rink battle of the bands, school functions, and even had a garage show once or twice. But nothing serious ever amounted from it, and it was increasingly frustrating that nobody appreciated my fat licks.
When you’re fifteen, and a musician, there isn’t much you can do. You can poorly emulate your heros, but that is about it.
Which is cool, because not much is expected from young musicians. Play at your school and local community centre. Have a hilarious band name. Worship one band intensely and steal as much as you can from them. From my experience, that is all the high school scene has to offer. And we were ok with that. This model works, because everyone that is apart of it can relate. They can create this youthful rockstar identity within the microcosm of the school social environment. For many, this validation is enough. However, this scene is hardly bliss for Ladner, BC’s Small Town Ghosts Rodin Wong, Daphne Chung, Angus Lam, Eunice Leung, and Sonali da Silva.
Instead, they set their sights on a far grander musical idealism that envelopes pop and jazz music far more mature than most high school bands. Though they admittedly draw inspiration from local acts Hey Ocean! and 2011 Y57 Battle of the Bands winner Jasper Sloan Yip, Small Town Ghosts understand there is more to music than imitation.
Essentially started on a whim, though with due inspiration from past Battle of the Bands winners Hello, Sir, Small Town Ghosts threw together what they knew, pooled their talents, and busted out a few of quick recordings to apply for the August event. For them, this was more than a chance to play with their heros, or a chance to win an incredible media package, but an opportunity to prove themselves as the legitimate artists that can contend with the best. Essentially, this show was the yard stick by which Small Town Ghosts would measure themselves. Which if you don’t remember the lineup, was a pretty tall task.
Though it is nearly indisputable that they played well enough to make a run as a band, this wasn’t enough for the group. As a collective, the band has been writing, rewriting and tightening songs to strengthen their presence. For these kids, thriving in their own scene is hardly an accomplishment; true merit is unveiled against the best. Of course, as Rodin Wang suggests, it’s only worth it if the music is good. As a team, Small Town Ghosts adamantly exercises disdain for the mainstream pop landscape, disapproving of it’s hyperbolic simplicity. For them, the real challenge is creating masterfully orchestrated songs that tantalize them compositionally, while retaining the sensibilities of their local idols.
Of course, this means waiting an excruciatingly long time for the band to approve of themselves.
But given the potential that was apparent on that late August night, they can take as long as they need.
Photo from the Small Town Ghosts Facebook Page
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Nice To Meet You, Dogwood and Dahlia
31 Aug 2011 by Jamie Cessford / No Comments
It seems as though fate really wanted Sydney Thorne and Neil Smith to start a band.
Having known each other through previous, non-music related arrangements, the gravitation of creative destiny managed to pull the two together in several settings. Eventually, the pair found themselves at a songwriting workshop at the Cultch, embracing instruction from Said The Whale‘s Tyler Bancroft. Together, armed with a stern folk methodology and florescent pop sensibilities,
Thorne and Neil formed Dogwood and Dahlia in the Spring of 2011. Since their initial conception, it has been a relentless journey through the Vancouver music scene for the pair.
With the release of their two-track EP, Nice To Meet You, the band started to make headway in the Vancouver folk-pop scene. Upon solidifying a spot in the Vancouver Folk Fest, the group gained the opportunity to meet their musical inspiration, Josh Ritter, who had also played the festival. For Neil and Sydney, it was a surreal experience be included in such high company. “We had backstage passes because we were one of the bands,” Neil explains,” and I look over and there’s Joel Plaskett chilling out, drinking a coffee”. On top of the honour of playing at Folk Fest, the band has been busy this summer playing shows frequently, including opening up for other Y57 Alumni, Wintercoast, for their EP release party last month.
While Dogwood and Dahlia aim to maintain their rigorous show schedule, they have started pre production on their debut EP. While most of Septemeber will be spent writing and recording the EP, Syd and Neil have been quite adamant that it wont affect their performances. In fact, Dogwood and Dahlia will be performing at the Media Club on September 21st with Anthropolgy of Love, Rayneman, and Katelyn Molgard.
Make sure to check them out on Facebook and on their website for more information regarding upcoming shows and any more information regarding the process of their upcoming EP, or you can check back here at www.y57.ca.
Currently Listening To: Boys and Girls in America – The Hold Steady
Photo courtesy of Gillian Ree
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Musical shenanigans, dancing under holiday lights and a band accidentally called Wintercoast
13 Aug 2011 by mallory mcleod / No Comments
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
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Lost Cities EP by The Ruffled Feathers
08 Jul 2011 by mallory mcleod / No Comments
The Ruffled Feathers re-released their debut self-titled EP in October 2010 under the new name of Lost Cities, which features six original songs by band members Charley Wu, Gina Loes, Andrew Lee, Sam McKinnon and Matty Jeronimo. I had the pleasure of interviewing the band on-air in January and you can read up on the magic we created here.
As it goes I have a crush on these wonderful people and that hasn’t change now that I listen to their album weeks later. Their sound is whimsical and is sweet to the ears. Andrew’s trumpet solos are especially delicious. But, don’t be fooled by the pleasant music these talented souls create. If you take a moment to listen closely you will realize the light melodies are the backdrop to deep poetic lyrics that cover a myriad of topics from love, to politics, to religion. There is a lot of Charlie in these lyrics. He’s pure visionary and can think up mad poetry. My personal favourite stanza is from the song “Close”, “And in the dark//You took me apart//And put me back together//Got me working’ even better than I started”. Gina’s soft voice adds to the mystical element of The Ruffled Feathers and is the cherry on top of this exceptional sundae.
If you are looking for power ballads and intense guitar riffs you won’t find it on Lost Cities. But listening to this album is akin to reading adventure stories as a child of new worlds full of talking animals, dragons and a beautiful princess in a tower, named Paloma.
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Record Store Day 2011
07 Jul 2011 by Richelle Zheng / No Comments
April 16th, 2011 was the 4th annual Record Store Day, and for many record stores local to Vancouver, it translated to live bands and superb sales.
Throughout the day, many of Vancouver’s most popular record shops played host to a magnificent celebration of the Vancouver independent music scene. Shops like Neptoon Records on Main Street and Scratch Records on Hastings housed some rather large local acts like Red Cedar, The Tranzmitors, The SSRIs, and No LA Kill and the subsequent followings that they inevitably drew.
Zulu Records, one of the stores that I had the chance to visit, hosted two local indie bands,Yukon Blonde and No Gold, for two hours after its regular closing hours. The store transformed into a densely populated music venue. As soon as I walked in the door, the atmosphere hailed down on me. People wanting to enjoy the privilege of hearing a live band play flocked around the pit. Others gleaming at the prospect of buying three records for the price of one stocked up in the backdrop of cadence.
It seemed as if the loud music blasting out onto West 4th was enough promotion for the event. One teen, Joanna, 18, was sold on this alone. “I didn’t know about the event before today,” she starts. “I only wanted to check it out because I’d heard the music while walking down the street. I don’t usually go to these types of events, but it really opened my eyes to alternative music. Overall, the atmosphere was great and it really put me in a good mood!”
I’ve definitely gained a newfound perspective in one aspect of music as well. In an era where technology can be seen as the sole portal of entertainment, I’ve come to realize that it is important to remember and still appreciate earlier forms of it. Records shouldn’t be seen as outdated or useless. Each record holds its own uniqueness and reminds us of how people enjoyed music before the age of digital downloads and mass autotune.
Clearly, the industry has changed, but I believe that when the founders of Record Store Day first drew up the idea, they weren’t thinking of how to resurrect a fading sub-industry. They merely wanted people to celebrate this art of music. And so far, it’s doing its job.
Click here to see the full photo gallery!
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Joe Given! Big Announcements! So Much Music Recap!
07 Jul 2011 by Jamie Cessford / No Comments
This month, we were fortunate of having two (count ‘em… TWO) shows!
Two show months can be slightly stressful because that means double the regular content.
But this month, no problem.
On our first show, we had potential teen heart-throb Joe Given in studio. At 17, this kid has already proven that he has keen pop sensibilities and I figure it’s only a matter of time before teenage girls are crying when they see him walking down the red carpet. With one album and a handful of singles under his belt, I’d say he’s already made his ambitions clear, so now his success is entirely up to him. And from my impression, he knows that and doesn’t intend on letting opportunity slip away.
His songs are short, sweet, and satisfyingly predictable, reminiscent of something that would probably dominate Top 40 Pop Radio. However, unlike the sensationalized, overtly tragic squabbles in love that the latest generation of Disney teenyboppers present, Joe attacks his relationships with an unwavering realism. From the tracks off of his debut record, Sideways Point of View, it is apparent that Joe’s expectations of life and love for a high school kid are not at their peak. Instead, he seems to acknowledge that his most important personal relationships will probably not develop until he experiences the real world a little more. In refraining from being over-dramatic, Joe becomes significantly more likeable.
Aside from that, Joe came off initially as shy, but after a couple of light questions, he opened up about the album, the tracks, and a few of the causes that he has supported with his music. In doing so, Joe has already attached a political message to his music, even if unintentional.
Already, he has surpassed most expectations one could have for a 17 year old.
Now, I’ll continue to play Joe’s tracks, particularily “Dance Til the Break of Dawn” (probably my favourite off of the record, as the duet with guest voalist Ginny Dunnill is just so endearing), but if you want to get some of his music for yourself, you can find him at CD Baby and iTunes, or you can purchase it at one of his live shows. Joe said he’s going to be gigging a lot, so there will be many opportunities for you to check him out locally if you’re interested!
For more information about Joe Given, including upcoming shows, check out his www.joegiven.com, or on Myspace or you can add him as a friend on Facebook!
Now, on the last show, March 29th, I made a fairly large Y57 announcement.
Stay tuned, because as promised, I’ll have all about the information about this big announcement up today!
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and no, this isn’t an April Fool’s joke.
So continue to be excited.
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The Blue Pistola Recap, Joe Given and the March 22 Show Preview!
07 Jul 2011 by Jamie Cessford / No Comments
Hey there faithful Y57 listeners!
So last time, way back in February, we had the smooth alt-pop of the Delta band The Blue Pistola.
In probably what has been one of our most interesting and jam packed shows to date, Tyler, Aric, and Kevin of The Blue Pistola gave our listeners some insight into the developing New Westminster music scene. In our interview the guys primarily focused on discussing the community developed around the artists that congregate at Q11 Studios. Some of the other artists from that community (that I hope we can get in touch with sometime!) include the hip-hop team of Spot and Ess, as well as the alt-rock enthusiasts The Shed Effect (who’s song “Hold ‘Em” has been in rotation in our playlist).
On top of that, we also got a soulful live, acoustic performance, live in studio. Now, only being familiar with their lead single (“Some People”) off of their upcoming EP, I was entirely impressed how the energy shifted into the acoustic setting. If you can, definitely check these guys out live.
They frequently post show information, and updates regarding their upcoming album on their Facebook page… so go and become a fan if you’re interested!
Anyways, our next show is Monday, March 22.
For this show, keeping with the Y57 theme of successful youth, we have youngster (and by youngster, I mean YOUNGster) Joe Given in studio.
Joe, at the age of 17, is already becoming quite an accomplished musician and is already immersing himself in the political atmosphere.
Having just released his debut full-length album Sideways Point of View, we’ll get the inside scoop as to the development and inspiration behind the album, as well as some of the causes that he has become attached to. And of course, you’ll get a chance to hear select tracks from the album itself.
Feel free to visit Joe at www.joegiven.com, www.myspace.com/joegiven, or become his friend on Facebook!
And if you like what you hear, all of his music is available on iTunes and CD Baby.
So, be sure to tune in on Monday March 22, from 7PM-8PM on 102.7 FM Coop Radio!
PS… Remember! We have a second show this month on March 29th! But of course, we’ll be previewing that on Monday!
Currently listening to: The Stage Names – Okkervil River
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