Bahamas returns to Kelowna for Gig

I actually missed the last two Bahamas shows he played in Kelowna this year, but I caught him in Ottawa opening for Wilco and he was fantastic.  Don’t miss this show!

By Pyper Geddes – Kelowna Capital News
Published: November 30, 2010 6:00 PM

Habitat is excited to announce the return of Bahamas to Kelowna on Wednesday, Dec. 8.

This will be Bahamas’ third date in Kelowna since his first at Habitat as part of the highly acclaimed Bonfire Ball tour with Jason Collett and Zeus as well as his second appearance opening for Sarah Harmer at the Kelowna Community Theatre in September.

Joining Bahamas this time around will be Toronto folk rocker Doug Paisley.

Afie Jurvanen, who performs as Bahamas, recorded his debut, Pink Strat (Nevado Records), in a cabin in rural Ontario in the winter of 2008, with his roommate at the time, Robbie Lackritz (Jamie Lidell, Feist). Many of the songs were saved up over a period of five years of touring as part of Jason Collett’s band, and then Feist’s band.

Similar to an old John Hammond or J.J. Cale recording, the production is straight-forward, simple and full of character—highlighting the storytelling and quaintness of the performances.

Though the arrangements are sparse, Jurvanen plays bass, drums, piano, various percussion, organ, slide, acoustic and nylon string guitars and his friends from Zeus, The Great Lake Swimmers, and Feist also join him on a few of the tracks.

Since the release of Pink Strat in the summer of 2009, Bahamas has performed with Elvis Costello, Sam Roberts, the Weakerthans, the Constantines, Amy Millan and Wilco.

Bahamas also received his first Juno nomination in 2010 for Roots Album of the Year.

Bahamas is currently finishing production on a second album and is embarking on their first Cross-Canada headlining tour.

Doug Paisley may come from Toronto but it would be no surprise if I found that he is originally from the Southern States.

His latest album, Constant Companion, is made up of simple acoustic and piano songs accompanied by Doug’s voice that blurs the line between country and folk.

Leslie Feist also makes an appearance on the album on the break-up ballad Don’t Make Me Wait. The album received four stars from Rolling Stone and was deemed one of the best singer/songwriter albums of 2010.

If you haven’t yet had the chance to see Bahamas live, then I suggest you won’t want to miss out on this. Afie is a talented musician who really connects with his audience and with his sly sense of humor he also tends to attract the attention of young ladies (so boys, don’t let your girlfriends go to this one alone).

Bahamas and Doug Paisley are the perfect pairing for a wintry night. Paisley will sympathize with your current dismal state of seasonal despair just to be followed by Bahamas whose lazy Sunday music will make you feel like a warm summer breeze is swaying your hammock back and forth.

Tickets for Bahamas at Habitat are $10 advance and $15 at the door. Advance tickets are available at Leo’s Video, Tweaked and Yummy Vintage Apparel or on the Habitat eStore (estore.thehabitat.ca). Doors are open at 8 p.m. with the show starting at 9 p.m. For more information visit www.thehabitat.ca.

Pyper Geddes is the assistant manager at Habitat in downtown Kelowna.

David Vertesi Releases Mountainside Video, Takes Cardiography on Tour

Music recording artist from Vancouver David Vertesi has released the first video from Cardiography. Produced by Jose Miguel Contreras (By Divine Right) and on October 26th, Cardiography is the debut solo album for Hey Ocean! member David Vertesi. David will be taking his new album on the road to Alberta for dates with Victoria’s Aidan Knight.


Watch Mountainside:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcUtKu43eHM

Cardiography Tour Dates with Aidan Knight

Nov 30 – Kelowna, BC @ Benvoulin Church
Dec 01 – Calgary, AB @ The Marquee Room
Dec 02 – Edmonton, AB @ The Haven Social Club
Dec 03 – Lethbridge, AB @ The Slice
Dec 04 – Canmore, AB @ Communitea Cafe

Cardiography sees David Vertesi poised on the brink of popularity. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better singer-songwriter pop debut from anyone this year.” Nothing Sounds Better

“Cardiography is a way to record the heart; he puts his on display not on his sleeve, but on his album’s. Vertesi’s move is gutsy and successful; his charming baritone also helps. Vertesi’s played his cards right.” Exclaim!

“Vertesi is a man with the talent and genuine spirit to make it all work. He writes wonderfully resonant melodies…and has a subtle cool voice that makes these tunes turn magical. Eleven wonderfully inventive cuts” Baby Sue

“Every year there are a couple albums that catch you off guard, the type of album that when you here it you are instantly impressed. David Vertesi’s debut solo album Cardiography is one such album.” The Broken Speaker

MP3 for “All Night, All Night, All Night”, Media Materials and More Info:  http://www.killbeatmusic.com/davidvertesi/
Listen: www.davidvertesi.com

BC Musician Mag: An issue to keep around!

The November/December issue is either in your mailbox, or in a cafe, studio, music store or venue near you. If you can’t find a copy, please let us know where you would like to pick one up.

This issue is our “First Annual Guide to Applying to Summer Festivals“.

It’s a very inspiring & handy reference for you to keep at your desk while you start to plan for next summer’s tours & travels. We’ll be posting it online soon, so for now, head to your local businesses to enjoy the look & feel of our new glossy pages! There’s nothing quite like having a fresh new magazine in your hands… (and a good cup of coffee or tea to go along with it).

Our unique cover was designed by Richard Chapman- it is a montage of Salmon, Trees, & a Horn Sculpture that was at the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival this summer.

Enjoy this jam-packed issue, and Joy Be Unto You, dear BC Musicians! Have a musical winter!

Aidan Knight Announces The Release Of “Friendly Fires” And Prepares For New Tour Dates

On November 30, Victoria B.C. recording artist Aidan Knight will release a two song EP “Friendly Fires” and will celebrate with a series of shows to round out what has been an amazing year for this emerging artist.

“a talent to keep an eye on” Chromewaves

Friendly Fires MP3 + Media Materials: http://www.killbeatmusic.com/aidanknight/

Aidan Knight’s Friendly Fire’s EP follows his acclaimed debut Versicolour, an 8 song collection of haunted chamber-folk and orchestral pop that saw him turning heads and gaining momentum throughout 2010. The EP leading up to Aidan’s second full-length is comprised of two new songs,   Side A’s “Friendly Fires” and Side B’s “Lambics”, and was recorded over 4 days with Knight’s friends and collaborators; Olivier Clements (Flugelhorn, Wurlitzer, Percussion), David Barry (Guitar, Percussion) and Colin Nealis (Viola, Bass) of The O’ Darling and Julia Wakal (Flugelhorn, Omnichord, Glockenspiel).

Where Versicolour shone with Easter Morning trumpets and whooshing noises in between notes; Friendly Fires presents a brief snapshot of his musical ambitions; blurring many of his own musical lines, yet still remaining genuine. The trumpets are still heralding, the noise is still cascading, but what strikes the listener is something subtle and different. Instead of leaving Versicolour’s palette behind, Knight stretches it in his favour both sonically and lyrically. The 24 year old Victoria native has appeared in numerous jacket credits, playing everything from spacey electric mandolin to violent, pounding hardcore drums. Knight’s ability to play with instrumentation is in top form on Friendly Fires’ playful structures and beautiful final notes.

Aidan has recorded and performed with Maurice, Counting Heartbeats, Hannah Georgas, David Vertesi, and The Zolas & shared stages with Patrick Watson, Frank Black (The Pixies), Matthew Barber, The Acorn, Valdy, Bahamas, Tegan & Sara, and Dan Mangan amongst many others. Playing his distinct brand of orchestral folk-pop in theatres, festivals, house concerts and even touring his home province by bicycle, to more and more it’s evident, he is full of potential and we’re waiting for what’s next.

Friendly Fires Tour Dates

Nov 30 – Kelowna, BC @ Benvoulin Church with David Vertesi
Dec 01 – Calgary, AB @ The Marquee Room with David Vertesi
Dec 02 – Edmonton, AB @ The Haven Social Club with David Vertesi
Dec 03 – Lethbridge, AB @ The Slice with David Vertesi
Dec 04 – Canmore, AB @ Communitea Cafe with David Vertesi
Dec 10 – Vancouver, BC @ The Vogue Theatre with Jon and Roy, Damien Jurado
Dec 11 – Victoria, BC @ Alix Goolden Performance Hall with Jon and Roy, Bahamas
Jan 26 – Prince George, BC @ The Artspace – Coldsnap Festival w/ Brasstronaut

Acclaim For Versicolour

Versicolour is a wholly treasured harmony” Exclaim!

“Oddly charming and delightfully catchy”Popmatters

“This debut is bookended by two of 2010’s best songs”ChartAttack

print/radio/digital media – killbeat music
www.killbeatmusic.com / 604 683 2124 /   http://twitter.com/killbeat

The Firetree – tonight at Old Bike Shop Cafe

Check out Austrialian band, The Firetree, tonight at the Old Bike Shop Cafe.

Time: 7pm – 9pm
Tickets: $7 @ Door
Address: 101 – 1357 Ellis St. Kelowna BC
Venue Contact: 250-861-6858

‘On fire’ Aussie band will warm up Kelowna this weekend
By Jennifer Smith – Kelowna Capital News
Published: November 16, 2010 6:00 PM

To call them a dynamic duo would be a bit of an understatement, according to the next Australian band to tour through Kelowna.

From vocalist Dale Buchan’s description of his band Firetree, he and partner Josephine Cubis will leave their mark during their first North American tour with pronouncements like: “On Fire!” plastered over reviews.

“We like to dig in and rock out and put on a show,” Buchan declares in a telephone interview from Vancouver.

Yet it’s a bit of a stretch to think of this self-described “muscular” band producing a high-energy set after listening to their sweet melodies on MySpace and a minute later he’s willing to give that The Space Between, their debut album, doesn’t necessarily reflect their live performance-style in its EP format.

Packed with ballads and love songs, Firetree’s recorded work sounds as though the Buchan/Cubis duet is all about the mellow yellow tones of the stereotypical Aussie surf lifestyle with a little down-with-government angst thrown in to keep things interesting.

The pair have been playing together since Buchan saw Cubis singing at a restaurant in Queensland two years ago and she swept him off his feet like a rogue wave steals a tourist.

It is perhaps fitting, as such, that this sun-kissed crew is currently singing the praises of Said The Whale, their favourite find among our Canadian indie bands at the moment. They picked up on their music off the Peak Performance Project website.

Their first shared stage with a Canadian crew was with Vancouver’s The Reckoners, who are described by the Vancouver Sun’s Francois Marchand as “both ‘indie’ and modern yet undeniably ‘retro.’”

They’re also undeniably the most similar act to Firetree this side of the Rockies with Christina Simpson, in her near identical blond-streaked locks, staring over at partner Ricardo Khayatte in their promo shots with a look that could have been ripped from Cubis’s own pose catalogue.

Whether the Vancouver show actually produced the ultimate romantic musical double date or not is anyone in Kelowna’s guess, but when you listen to Firetree’s itinerary for their tour—which includes shredding the season opener on the hills at Whistler and braving the Coquihalla’s snowy crests to play here and Kamloops—one has to figure there just might be something to Buchan’s contention that the pair pack a hidden punch.

To find out if Firetree has really got the fire in their bellies they describe, local audiences will not have to wait long.

Normally the band tours the Australian Coast, as they are based largely out of Byron Bay in New South Wales, but will be at The Bike Shop Café, 1357 Ellis St., on Saturday, Nov. 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. There’s a cover charge at the door.

Wingfield On Ice

RCA Presents ~Wingfield On Ice (This slice of rural life is the fifth of seven in the Wingfield series)

Beattie is astonishingly adept at transforming himself from one character to another in a matter of seconds, calling up echoes of a crotchety Walter Brennan, a gawky Jimmy Stewart or a flustered Bob Newhart
— The Toronto Star

WHEN: Wed-Sat Dec 8-11 2010 7:30PM

WHERE: Rotary Centre for the Arts- Mary Irwin Theatre

HOW: Tickets $30.00 at www.selectyourtickets.com or 250-717-5304.

Friday Live Music in Kelowna, Nov. 19th – Dozen shows to choose from!!

What shows am I missing??

Zaac Pick w/Joshua Hyslop –  The Old Bike Shop Cafe
Secret and Whisper, Oceans Apart, Inascent, and Patrick Kelly – The House
The Julie Masi Band – Cush Supper Club
Sherman Doucette – Vintner’s Poolside Grill
Trio Accord with Arnold Draper, Piano and David Brown,Bass – Mary Irwin Theatre – Rotary Centre for the Arts
Hell Raiser night – Finishymn, The Unending, Deadfall, Quartered, Odinfist – Level Nite Club
Cowboy Bob – The Minstrel Cafe
Aaron Pritchett – Our Lady of Lourdes School
Live On Brighton – Grateful Fed
Boogie Patrol w/ Rotten Dan the blues man – The Blue Gator
Paul Filek – Doc Willoughby’s Downtown Pub
Universal Juveniles – O’Flannigans Pub