Vancouver Music Review

Magpie Waltz is the title track off Sarah Jane Scouten’s latest album. Although this Bowen Island native has relocated to Montreal there can be no doubt that she has left behind the island feel. Her folk sound is teeming with that west coast islander feel. I especially love the simple yet beautiful harmonies between her and Anna Scouten in the video.

Ruffled Feathers - Oracles by Charlotte

The Ruffled Feathers newest album Oracles came out a little over a month ago, but it took me some time to digest oracles fully. This album has much more depth than their previous Lost Cities EP. On Oracles we see The Ruffled Feathers grow into their sound. Although they don’t fit the mould of a typical indie pop outfit, there is something about the band that is wholly captivating. Gina Leows unique vocals shine throughout the majority of the album as well as the outstanding trumpet work of Andrew Lee. Charley Wu  further adds to their unique sound with his keys and mandolin. It is the interesting combination of Leows, Lee, and wW in songs such as Lead Me to Destruction as well as Blueprints of our Failed Revolution that initially drew me to the album. My two favourite tracks on the album took some more time to grow on me. Rosin and Horsehair features Lee on lead vocals and Mockingbird is Leows take on the traditional lullaby.

Verdict: The Ruffled Feathers are an acquired taste like olives or fine wines. You either love them or you don’t. We adore them! (8/10)

Eight and a Half (self titled) by Alex

Toronto’s Eight and a Half are a band made up of the remnants of Broken Social Scene and The Stills. The interesting thing about Eight and a Half is that they manage to maintain some aspects of their old projects whilst sounding completely new. The album’s 2nd track (and 1st single) “Scissors” starts things off on a heavy note but doesn’t weigh down the album. “Go Ego”, which follows directly after picks things up again on a melancholic note. Synthesizers and drums are the focal instruments in “The Turn Around” and “Wait Up”. A stand-out on the album is “Took A Train to India”; the Social Scene roots turn up in the form of wailing violins and stomping drum work. Another favourite was “Two Points”, where it sounds like the boys collaborated with M83. Quick synth loops and monotone lyrics overlap frantic drumming in this track. Album closer “My Forevers” reprieves “Scissors” with only synthesizers and an organ to bookend the record.

Verdict: If you’re looking for great new Canadian music, look no further. (8.5/10)

Headwater - Push by Jess

Headwater are a very West-coast influenced, ambient band. Picture a montage of mountains and ocean, this would be the soundtrack. With beautiful, laidback beats and guitar riffs, this music is like a vacation or a lazy Sunday to my ears. Your Love is my favourite track of the album, but the entire album is actually incredibly well written, recorded and produced. Each song is packed with beautiful melodies, each member of the band showcased for their talent at some point in the album.  Fuel the Fire and I Know show off the men’s barber-shop-quartet voices so well that I bet they would even make great acoustic tracks. The final number, All Good Things wraps the EP up like a warm blanket, it fits so well with the bands familiar sound but it adds an inspirational note and sendoff.

Verdict: Definitely worth a listen! (7 / 10)

I can’t say how excited I am for this emerging Vancouver blues & rock-and-roll band and their new EP Boo Hoo Hoo. Lead singstress and songwriter Colleen Rennison has a voice beyond her 24 years. This raw, scratchy, emotional and gripping album strikes a retro-vibe as vintage as the cover photo outfit. It starts off strong with If Anything an empowering, assertive track that makes a great introduction to the band. I can’t say there are too many uplifting tracks on the album, but Call My Name and Riseup are a great mid-album breather – plus, who doesn’t feel encouraged by a good organ solo? The final track, my ultimate favourite (one of my very faves of the moment) Boo Hoo Hoo is the swingin’, sassy, man-seeking track that the crowns the fantastic album. Complete with a 30 second reprise, it covers all the bases of a good blues album.

Verdict: If you like whiskey, smokey bars, Janis Joplin, or powerful women… I would highly recommend this EP. (8.5/10)

Vancouver funk band The Figures have recently released their debut album Action. This is hands down my favourite song off the album. I really enjoy the relaxed feel of the song. It makes me want to be sitting on the beach with a beer in hand somewhere in Central America, or at least forget about the lack of sun today. What do you think of The Figures?

Last night the Khatsahlano lineup was announced with local gems The Zolas being one of the bands I am most excited for. After the incredible success of last years Khatsalano Music + Arts Festival, it is returning for a second year of awesome street parties, patios, sidewalk sales and great music on July 21.

Be ready to rock out to music from the likes of The Zolas, Kathryn Calder, Bend Sinister Ladyhawk, Blackout Beach, The Matinee, 41st and Home, Redgy Blackout, Siskiyou, Ali Milner and more! Make sure you check out their Facebook page for more information and updates.

Did we mention that it is FREE?

Last week was the official launch of Tracks on Tracks, the rock n’ rail adventure across Canada. Tracks on Tracks is a collaboration project between Green Couch Productions, CBC Radio 3, and Via Rail in which several Canadian musicians will be joining the Green Couch team and CBC Radio 3 on a musical journey to NXNE in Toronto. The launch party featured some of our favourite Vancouver acts, The Matinee, Good for Grapes, and Portage and Main, as well as a dj set by Topless Gay Love Tekno Party.

Starting out the evening was The Matinee performing a stripped down set that featured only Matt Layzell, Matt Rose, and Geoff Petrie on stools. They started off with “L’Absynthe” which was accompanied by Layzell’s account of their trip to Montreal that inspired the song. They also threw in some new content that sounded great, especially in the intimite environment. My highlight of their set was “The Greenhill Park”. I am really excited that the Matinee will be going on the train because there are sure to be some great stories for them to turn into song during the trip.

Good for Grapes was up next. It was my first time seeing them, although I have heard much about them in the past six months. I must say, this band was one of the most energetic bands I have ever seen. Especially their incredibly tall accordion player who was all over the place. Although these guys are young they are full of potential and I really enjoyed the on stage party atmosphere that they brought with them.

Finally rounding out the set was Portage and Main. These guys have wowed me every time I have seen them live, and tonight was no different. Harold Donnely and John Sponarski make a great team and also have rounded out their sound with a fantastic band. The highlight of the set were “Rocky Mountain Wanderer” which I thought captured the energy of the band really well. I am really excited that they will be joining Green Couch on the train.

Overall it was a great start to an awesome project. I am starting to get jealous that I will be unable to come on the train because the phenomenal mix of artists that will be going across the country would be a blast to be with. Also if you haven’t checked out the IndieGoGo page, please consider helping Green Couch finance the project. There are also some pretty neat incentives to do so including some great looking t-shirts.

Vancouver singer/songwriter David Ward is playing at the Rickshaw Theatre later this week in support of his new EP Departures. Departures is just the first of three EP’s that will explore different themes and genres. Departures seeks to explore “what can be considered both the beginning and end of a journey.” I enjoy that Ward doesn’t limit himself to one particular sound and pushes the envelope that typically defines a singer/songwriter.

He will be playing at the Rickshaw Theatre on May 18th to launch his EP. Doors are at 7 pm and Ward will take the stage at 9pm backed by a 7 piece band.

Thanks to M83, I discovered this brilliant new band: I Break Horses. Their indie-pop shoegazing sound comes from Stockholm, Sweden where they have been making music since 2008. They broke into the North American market with their 2011 debut Hearts and have been garnering critical acclaim every since. M83 recognized their brilliance and asked them to support them on their tour and I Break Horses has been wowing audiences across the world ever since. They landed a spot on the bill at Sasquatch this month as well. So without further adieu…I Break Horses!

The Calgary band known as The Dudes have a reputation to be a bit rowdy. When we saw them at Live at Squamish last year and they shotgunned several beers on stage. And their last album was called Blood Guts Bruises Cuts; a fitting name as that could very easily be what is left after going to see them live. 2006′s “Dropkick Queen of the Weekend” is a bit mellower than the rest of their music and a great way to get to know the band if you’ve never heard of them before. The band will be bringing down the house (metaphorically, hopefully not literally) at The Vogue Theatre tonight.

This is the second post in our London series. We were very fortunate to be in town for record label Arts & Crafts’ showcase. Unfortunately the time conflicted with Said the Whale, so we caught the first two acts before jumping venues.

Gold & Youth: We first featured Gold & Youth about a month ago when we heard they were going to be at Sasquatch Music Festival. The band very graciously informed us that a bit of our info was inaccurate, so our apologies! The correct history is that trumpet player Doug Hamilton-Evans continues ‘The Racoons’ as a solo project to this day, following the departure of Gold & Youth. Now that that’s all sorted, onto their showcase! It’s always interesting to see what a band can do with a short set. Gold & Youth only played 6 songs but managed to get the general feeling and sound of their band across. They opened with “Little Wild Love”, the opening track from their release Beyond Wilderness. Often bands that employ the use of lots of synthesizers and loops can get weighed down and sludgy, but Gold & Youth stayed sharp and clear. A highlight of the set was “Tan Lines”, which was a bit more loud than the mellow version on the album. The harmony of male and female vocals were flawless live. They ended things off with single “Time To Kill”, which was incredible live and had a great 80′s feel to it.

Eight and a Half: Ever since Eight and a Half‘s first single “Scissors” came out, we have been big fans of their music. We were ecstatic when we heard that our schedules in London matched up! They opened up their set with “Wait Up”, which threw us a bit as you’d think they’d open with well known “Go Ego”. But it worked very well! Dave Hamelin did not seem to care that the venue was small; he jumped around with his guitar and gave 100% to the set. After “Go Ego”, the band launched into the synth frenzy of “Two Points”. Liam O’Neil thoroughly impressed us with keyboard skills as he played 3 synthesizers with ease, whilst also manning several other electronic loopers, computers etc. The highlight of the set was “Scissors”; the already incredible heavy-synth song was taken to the next level with an incredible drum outro thanks to the talented Justin Peroff. After “Took a Train to India” and “Walked into Diazepene”, the band closed with “Oh My Head”, ending with even more synth glory. We’re very much looking forward to seeing Eight and a Half again soon.

Unfortunately photos will be delayed until Jess returns from Uganda. Keep checking back!