Packed and ready to go, Victoria’s Dirty Mountain have announced the release of their first full-length album, 01. Bringing together the incredible harmonies of Elli Hart and Gord Light, this eight-track recording delivers the best of Victoria’s folk-rock music scene to indie music fans across the country.

Since their first performance at a sold-out show last fall, Dirty Mountain has been climbing to the top of its own mountain and from the summit the view is incredible. With a 10-date western tour on the books and big plans for the summer it’s clear that the effort has been worth it.

Produced by Adam Sutherland (Wil, David Gogo, Vince Vaccaro) and mastered by Brock McFarlane (CPS Mastering), 01 delves deep into the struggles that people face in everyday life, whether it’s love, addiction or finding their way in the rat race.  Starting off with an unrelenting beat driven by a woman’s scorn in “Ashes,” the album weaves its way through the sounds of New Orleans with “The Undertaker” and presents incredibly personal and vulnerable lyrics in the very-relatable “Tangled Up Lies.

Heading out on the road later this month, Dirty Mountain will continue to celebrate the release of 01 throughout 2016. Together the trio will take big steps toward the opportunities that await them atop the next mountain.

For more information on Dirty Mountain, their upcoming tour and album release visit www.dirtymountain.ca.

All of the members take pride in being part of the growing communities and upbringing of the band’s hometown, and this is evident in their writing. With songs about believing in your potential, self-realization, and pursuing your dreams, these sonic trendsetters are not only skilled craftsmen at delivering great music, but they come with powerful and inspiring messages on- and off-stage. 

With the recent online release of their Back on Main EP in July of 2015, Bombargo has decided to donate all online proceeds to aid in the Northern Saskatchewan forest fire relief, to support those still affected, displaced and in need. This is just another indicator that their heads and hearts are in the right place. 

Physical copies of the album will be available in early fall 2015, when the band prepares to embark on a series of tours, eventually taking them to the West Coast early 2016. 

The band recently finished recording two brand new singles at the Sweat Shoppe in Saskatoon with producer/engineer Scott Neufeld, and have recently released a new single and video for the song, Precious Time (Lately), released late December 2015. 

After returning from the Western Canadian tour in early 2016, Bombargo is teaming up with a secret producer, to be announced on a further date, for their first full-length album to be released in the fall of September 2016.

World Community Film Festival, Kelowna 
presents the 13th annual
World Community Film Festival. 

The festival selection this year includes 29 documentaries from around the world,
with a focus on environmental, social justice, and human rights issues.
These are films that are sure to entertain, educate, and inspire!

Rising From the Ashes – Ponderosa Festival Returns in 2016

Rock Creek Fairgrounds, Rock Creek, BC

Festival founders Kris Hargrave and Kia Zahrabi confirmed today that while BC’s largest interface fire of 2015 caused the cancellation of their third installment, Ponderosa Arts & Music Festival will return in 2016, August 19 to 21, in Rock Creek, BC. The festival, called off due to safety concerns just two days before it was set to begin, was hit hard by the cancellation. Kris and Kia however, are “rallying for Rock Creek” and bringing the three days of music, art, camping, and freshness, back for another year.

“Last year’s cancellation was difficult to say the least, but it has motivated us even more to come back even stronger this year,” Zahrabi says. “Quality music, chill vibes, awesome value, maximum freshness – that’s what Ponderosa is, and this year our fans have an added opportunity to directly help a community that was hit by the worst forest fire they’ve seen in over 30 years.”

The two also continue to ensure that the event benefits and supports the community of Rock Creek as much moving forward as they have in the past. The donations from November’s “Let’s Build A House!” fundraiser at the Imperial in Vancouver will help build a new home this spring for the Winn family, living just north of Rock Creek. In addition, a portion of each ticket sold for the 2016 festival will be donated to Habitat for Humanity Southeast BC, the organization spearheading the rebuild efforts.

“People are always asking us how they can help, and well, this is it. By purchasing tickets early people not only secure their three days of music and sun for an unbeatable price, they also help give the festival the boost it needs to stay afloat while donating funds directly to the rebuild efforts in the community. It’s a win win – win.”

Early bird tickets, which include the three full days of music, camping, and parking, start at $99 per person and are on sale now at ponderosafestival.com. Early bird tickets are expected to sell out fast, and when they do, regular 3-day ticket prices will increase to the Tier 1 level of $129.

The full list of performing acts will be announced at Ponderosa’s annual Jean Shorts-themed Lineup Launch Party, currently set for early May.

VANCOUVER’S KIERAN MERCER TO RELEASE DEBUT EP HELP ME HELP YOU FEBRUARY 26

 MERCER TO JOIN MARIANAS TRENCH FOR 18-DATE CROSS-CANADA TOUR 

SOPHOMORE SINGLE ‘HEY STAY’ AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 8

CANADIAN TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

FEBRUARY 3, 2016 (Vancouver, BC) – Shooting out of the gate last year with his debut single ‘Bang Bang,’ Vancouver artist Kieran Mercer is getting ready to release his debut EP Help Me Help You on 604 RecordsFebruary 26. A six-track exploration of his trials through love and heartache, this release drops just in time to accompany Mercer on the road as he heads across Canada with label mate Marianas Trench.

Previously the front man of celebrated Vancouver group Jackie Valentine and having shared the stage with the likes of Carly Rae Jepsen and Lights, Mercer decided to pursue the journey of establishing a solo career. Leaving behind his small town roots of White Rock, BC, Mercer headed to L.A. to work with renowned producer Jon Levine (One Direction, Andy Grammer, Selena Gomez, Rachel Platten), and together they created a distinctive pop sound that earns Mercer a spot amongst some of the most celebrated acts in the genre.

An honest account of Mercer’s young foray into the affairs of the heart, Help Me Help You is not all heartbreak and sorrow. The album’s upbeat rhythm and pop-infused melodies give listeners the optimism of a young heart not done fighting. Debuting last year with ‘Bang Bang,’ a story of the all too real consequences of betrayal, Mercer began growing a following that was thirsty for more. With his upcoming single ‘Hey Stay’ set for release on February 8, fans will get a tease of the new music ahead of the EP.

Mercer will be celebrating his fresh release as he heads across Canada with fellow 604 Records act Marianas Trench. His first national arena tour, Mercer will be performing 18 dates spanning from Ontario all the way to his home of Vancouver, BC for his final show at the Pacific Coliseum.

Saturday, Feb. 13th, 2016
Al Lukas – Doc Willoughby’s Pub
Dangercat – Fernandos Pub
Fighting Orange – Vintner’s Poolside Grill
How Sweet It Is – Creekside Theatre, Lake Country
Jimmy LeGuilloux Band – Whiski-Jacks
Jon Bos – Tonics Pub
Joshua Smith – Streaming Café
Lucy Blu & the Blus Boys – Minstrel Cafe
Monica Tracey – Wine + Art
Radio Lifeline – O’Flannigans Pub
The Goods – The Blue Gator