Author Archives: kelownalivemusic

Parks Alive Friday – Indie Rock Showcase

Okanagan Strata Management presents….

Friday, August 13th

6:30      Feeding Erik (trio; indie rock/ pop)

7:30      Jeffery Straker & Friend (Duo; original pop)

8:30      Treelines (4 piece; indie rock)

9:45      Polar Year (trio; alternative / indie rock)

Applications Now Open: Music BC’s Compilation CD

Successful applicants will have one track included in the Music BC 2011 Compilation CD. This compilation will be made available at the MIDEM conference 2011, CMW, SXSW, and also available at various Canadian Consulates. The compilation will be available as a promotional CD only and not for sale. Applicants are advised that no royalties or
mechanical licensing fees shall be payable for inclusion on this compilation. Applicants acknowledge that Music BC Industry Association may use the compilation CD to promote BC artists to international consulates, labels, Film/TV, publishers and other music industry companies.

This program is open to all Music BC members who have commercially released an album, EP or single within the last 24 months, or within the next 3 months. A jury selected by Music BC will determine which songs to include on the 2011 Music BC Compilation CD.

For application form and eligibility requirements, please download the application by clicking here.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: FRIDAY OCTOBER 1ST, 2010 (5PM PST)

Special thanks to Cdwest.ca for sponsoring the program.

Venue Spotlight: Upcoming shows at the Minstrel Cafe

…presenting an eclectic mix of folk, roots, jazz, blues, world beat and showcase performances from international artists such as Harry Manx, Zappacosta, Stacy Earle, David Lindley and Buckwheat Zydeco. Lester Quitzau & Mae Moore.

Mon Aug 2 Blake Paul
Tues Aug 3 J.R. Shore
Wed Aug 4 Zappacosta
Thurs Aug 5 Zappacosta
Fri Aug 6 The Rowdymen
Sat Aug 7 Radio Lifeline

Mon Aug 9 Christine Macgee
Tues Aug 10 The Sherry-Lee Wisor trio
Wed Aug 11 The Sherry-Lee Wisor trio
Thu Aug 12 Flying Fox & the Hunter gatherers
Fri Aug 13 FM HiLow

Friday July 30th, Live Music Around Town

Parks Alive, Kerry Park
6:30      Leila Neverland (solo vocalist; jazz)
7:30      The Flu (3 piece band; alternative rock
8:30      Kings Without (5 piece band; roots, light rock; reggae)
9:45      Sister Speak (duo; folk)

Dragonette, 7pm. Center of Gravity, City Park
Faber Drive,8:30pm, Center of Gravity, City Park

Malibu Knights with Venice Queen, 10pm @ Doc Willoughby’s

Center of Gravity after Party with Mobadass, 10pm at Grateful Fed

Greg Sczebel at Cush, 8:30pm, $20

The Consonance at the Minstrel Cafe

The Consonance – hip hop/jazz/indie folk fusionists from Edmonton, are playing in Kelowna on July 29th @ Minstrel Cafe.

With smooth melodic lines, catchy lyrics, and danceable grooves, The Consonance captivates their audiences. The Consonance began as six jazz students from Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, meeting for a carefree jamming environment. They began writing songs and quickly formed the hip-hop/jazz band called The Consonance. Sensing great chemistry early in their song writing process, they began recording and gigging immediately. The Consonance released their first EP, “More Alive EP”, in March 2009. They have collectively made music their life and are constantly growing and changing together. The Consonance have six members from different walks of life, with six different musical backgrounds. In every song you can hear six forces working as one. Jazz, Funk, Pop, Rock, R&B, and Hip-Hop, The Consonance have combined all genres to create one that is truly their own. Along with constantly writing new material, The Consonance are playing numerous cover and original shows all over Alberta. In July 2010, they are embarking on their first Western Canadian tour to promote their first full-length album, “Come The Day”, which was recorded at the end of March 2010.

The Habitat turns 5 years old – Happy Anniversary

I can’t believe it’s been 5 years.  Wow, time flies when you’re going to see a lot of live music.  The Habitat has been a mainstay in the Kelowna live music scene for 5 years.  Back in the spring of 2005, a few months before Habitat open their doors on Leon Ave, I was blogging about shows at the Mission Hall, Knights of the Columbus hall and even The Warehouse.  Sure, there were some great shows in town, and Miss T Promotion was bringing some cool artists to the Blue Gator.  However, the shows were few and far between.  The consistency wasn’t there.  That is something Habitat has been bringing since day one – consistent top-notch local, Canadian and International artists.

I wrote a review of the Duotone Arts festival on August 3rd, 2005 where Ladyhawk and Black Mountain performed (days before they toured with Coldplay).  It’s no coincidence that the newly opened Habitat was going to provide a venue for these bands, and approximately 600 other bands in the years to come.  From Polaris Prize nominees, Juno Award winners, and I’m sure a few future Grammy nominees have all graced the stage at Habitat.

My first blog post about the Habitat was on August 30th, 2005 for an upcoming Underoath show.  Within a few months many more shows were starting to happen at the Habitat.  So I keep track of all the shows I’ve seen over the last 10 years, and with many of them being in Kelowna and many of them happening in the last 5 years, it’s no wonder Habitat has been the most commonly visited venue for live music for me and my fellow music-loving friends.  Some of the earliest performance from Alphababy (now known as Yukon Blonde and signed with Bumstead Records) took place at Habitat.  Several other up-and-coming Canadian artist that played several shows, before gaining nationwide attention included In-Flight Safety, Dan Mangan, Hey Rosetta, Pride Tiger, Tokyo Police Club, The Novaks, The Most Serene Republic, Library Voices, Rah Rah, Plants & Animals, Matthew Barber,  Pack AD, Said the Whale, illScarlett, Mother Mother, You Said Party, We Say Die and the Sadies to name just a few.  Then there was the classic Joel Plaskett performance in May of 2009 where the lucky people in attendance at this sold out show got to hear Joel tell the real story behind “Love This Town”.

Supporting local artist
Along with Yukon Blonde, there’s been no shortage of great Kelowna bands that have been playing at Habitat, maybe 3rd on the bill with a 25 minute open set, only to return 6 months later to be headlining their own show.  Bend Sinister, Kingdom Cloud, Treelines, Windborn to name just a few.  Kelowna’s We Are the City won top honours in the Peak Performance Project in 2009, a province-wide talent search sponsored by 100.5 the Peak FM.

So a big Happy Anniversary goes out to Quinn and Katrina at the Habitat, all the great staff over the years and to all the music lovers in the community who keep coming out to support live music in Kelowna!

Voted ‘Top 20 Venues in Canada‘ CBC Radio 3 Searchlight Contest
Winner ‘Best Venue Supporting Live Music‘ BC Interior Music Awards
Winner ‘Best Venue‘ Off-Centre 2006-2009

Feat. live music by Familia and Ange Alero
$10 – Limited number of tickets available – Buy yours here!
Media meet and greet: 4pm-6pm
Doors open to the public at 6pm, live music at 8pm

The Wiley Fawks Band

The Wiley Fawks Band, a southern rock group from Victoria, BC, are going on tour and kicking it off in Kelowna on Saturday July 17 at the Grateful Fed! (9pm)  This 6-piece group of guys in their 20’s raised enough money from four shows on Vancouver Island to raise enough money to buy a van to get themselves from Victoria to Winnipeg (and hopefully back home, too!)

If you like bluesy, slide guitar driven rock and roll, you’ll have a great time with this band!  The Wiley Fawks Band is touring to help promote their debut album, which is available for free on their website: www.wileyfawksband.com

The music is free, and the show will be fun, so we hope to see y’all there!