BC musicians
New wiki site puts spotlight on Canadian music
The Internet age has helped propel Canadian music into the spotlight in recent years, with everyone from rising superstars such as Drake and Justin Bieber to up-and-coming indie bands getting a boost from online platforms and social networking sites. But fans searching for a central online resource for Canadian music were out of luck until [...]
The lowdown on the Vancouver International Jazz Festival
The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival (June 25 to July 4) celebrates its silver anniversary this year and, aside from a bigger budget and more venues, in temperament it hasn’t changed a lot from its inaugural year in 1986. It still offers a smorgasbord of music for all tastes: established, big-name acts (George Benson, Chick [...]
You Say Party carries on under new name
Abbotsford, B.C. band You Say Party has dropped the “We Say Die” from their name after the death of drummer Devon Clifford. The dance rockers announced the change on their website Tuesday, saying they have spent several months re-evaluating their future since Clifford’s death. Clifford died of a massive brain hemorrhage after collapsing on stage [...]
Vancouver: The jazz festival brings us together in a shared experience
Celebrating its silver anniversary this year, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival is not even half the age of the venerable Monterey and Newport jazz festivals, but it has gained such prestige in the past 25 years that it stands with them as the best in the world. When it began as part of Expo 86, [...]
Revelstoke: Summer street entertainment series starts this weekend
Revelstoke’s annual summer street entertainment series is starting once again, bringing many artists to Grizzly Plaza this summer. The series starts on June 27 and it runs until August 29. The series will be featuring over 30 musicians from all over B.C. Local band Sister Girl of Revelstoke is excited to perform once again at [...]
Vancouver: Byrnes back for VAMS video: Shore 104 FM emphasizes its commitment to project
Shore 104 FM is filming its second VAMS video today. VAMS is the Vancouver Adapted Music Society, which was established in the 1990s by Sam Sullivan and David Symington, quadriplegics who wanted to play music. Last year, the newly running Shore 104 FM sponsored its first VAMS video, Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released,” featuring [...]
Folkies can submit CDs for awards
The Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMAs) is accepting submissions until Friday, July 2. Canadian folk, roots and world musicians can submit their recordings released between June 15, 2009 and June 14, 2010, for the sixth annual CFMAs. The awards, which celebrate and promote Canadian Folk Music in all its forms, will be handed out at [...]
B.C. acts well represented on Polaris Prize longlist
Well, the results are in. After more than a few gruelling weeks of pondering, listening, discussing, debating, relistening, voting, re-re-listening and revoting for my top picks for this year’s Polaris Music Prize, the 2010 longlist for the prestigious award was finally revealed Thursday. Needless to say, a quick glance will show just how strong a [...]
Bowen Island: There are two Bowfest contests to enter
The date for this year’s Bowfest is August 28 and various organizers and committees are busy working to ensure that the Safari-themed event will be a memorable one. The singer/songwriter contest was a big success last year. There were many contestants who submitted high quality musical compositions that showcased the wealth of local talent. It [...]
Fort St. John: Local music hits the streets
Riding the bus becomes entertainment on Wednesday, when Fort St. John kicks off its very first “Music that Moves You.” From 7-9 p.m., some of Fort St. John’s most talented musicians will be serenading passengers on board the city’s buses. Mayor Bruce Lantz says the event will reaffirm Fort St. John’s position as ‘Music Capital [...]
Festival hits economic high note: Annual gathering of jazz artists and fans generates big bucks for local business
Twelve-year-old Gordon Grdina had already decided to be a musician when he attended his first Vancouver Jazz Festival, so there was no way the event could be life-changing. But the rapturous experience told him he was heading in the right direction. The young Vancouver guitarist gazed in awe as his local musical heroes huddled onstage [...]
Courtenay: Music meets business during conference
For those who want to know more about the music industry or get tips from industry professionals on how to better produce their own music, distribute and promote it, the third annual Vancouver Island Music Business Conference (VIMBC) is a four-day event June 24 to 27. A diverse group of regional, national and international music [...]
Nanaimo: Public invited to play the city
You may not know it, but the City of Nanaimo is a musical instrument. On June 12, 1:30 p.m., the public is invited to “Play the City” at Diana Krall Plaza, when the walls, sculpture and pavement will be transformed into music-like instruments and the sound mixed with recorded sounds from the core of the [...]
Peak Performance pops 2010 top 20: Music contest lures veterans and newbies alike in its second year
For some, the second instalment of the Peak Performance Project will be an opportunity for a second chance. Consider singer-songwriter Adaline, who last year finished in fourth place, just shy of snagging one of the music contest’s three top prizes. This year, along with fellow 2009 Top 20 finalists Kuba Oms and Bodhi Jones, Adaline [...]
Kelowna: Nominations open Tuesday for BC Interior Music Awards
Nominations open Tuesday for the BC Interior Music Awards to be held in Kelowna Nov. 5. Nominations can be made at www.BCIMA.org on or after June 1 and will remain open until July 31. Exceptional talent is a pre-requisite and a level of professionalism is expected, as well as specific criteria to adhere to, said co-producers [...]
