ART D’ECCO
As the sun rises on Art d’Ecco’s critically acclaimed debut album Day Fevers (YourFace Records, 2016) the confluence of sound and spun themes of desire and isolation swirl amidst the foray of 70s era glam, neo-psychedelia and Krautrock rhythms. Written during a three year stint in the Gulf Islands of BC, and produced by Vancouver’s Jason Corbett (Jacknife Sound), d’Ecco has taken the Day Fevers record to the live stage where androgyny and theatrics collide taking audiences to stranger places. A bizarre portrayal of what happens when one is left to their own devices in the window-less room of mother nature.
CHRIS BUCK BAND
The Chris Buck Band (Royalty Records/Sony Music Canada/Sakamoto Agency) is fast earning the reputation of being the hardest working country bands in Canada. Their high energy kick stomp driven brand of rock fused country has earned them multiple BCCMA awards for Club Country Act and Group Duo of the year in 2016. Their new album Chris Buck Band was released internationally in spring 2017 featuring 4 top 40 country radio hits including “Leave Your Light On”, the club country dance sensation “Giddy Up”, “Sun Sets Down” and their #1 most added radio smash “That’s When You Know ft Kira Isabella” The Chris Buck Band is one of the hottest rising stars in Canadian country.
IMUR
I M U R (I am you are), is an East Vancouver live/electronic act with a hybrid sound influenced by 90’s hip-hop/r&b, electronic, and soul. The trio’s tasteful blend of future-bass beats and live-looped instrumental and vocal melodies transcends genre and “induces true goosebumps” (All Things Go). Recently, I M U R performed at the Bumbershoot Festival main stage, playing alongside acts like Flume, Solange and Odesza, and was nominated for Electronic/Dance Artist of the year by the Western Canadian Music Awards.
LAZY GHOST
LAZY GHOST’s psychedelic mood grooves have the crowds dancing their hearts out while their faces slowly melt off their skulls. The band’s blend of beautifully layered guitars, multiple layered vocal harmonies, and tripped out rhythms will set them apart from others and have people talking. Hailing from the snow covered Whistler, BC, Lazy Ghost bring a soulful alternative blend of talents with a sound being compared to the likes of Alt J and Half Moon Run. Fronted by Australian singer/guitarist Kyle Leeming, the rest of the band comes from southern Ontario (Evan Camm on drums/vocals, and Matt Stobo on bass/vocals.) The 2016 debut release “Waves Waves Waves Waves” coupled with their dazzling live performances has started the band’s momentum and has helped developed a rapidly growing fan-base all over the country. LAZY GHOST is currently busy wrapping up a number of fall dates, including a Music BC showcase spot at Victoria’s Rifflandia festival, and is returning to the studio to record their sophomore album in mid-September.
NINETYFOUR
Born in Scarborough, Ontario and coming from Jamaican and West Indian backgrounds, Tevin Douglas- known as ninetyfour – was influenced by the heavy rhythmic reggae, dancehall and R&B from his upbringing. Drawing comparisons to fellow Greater Toronto Area success stories Roy Wood$, PartyNextDoor and Tory Lanez – as well as US upstarts Bryson Tiller, 24hrs & Ye Ali – the burgeoning crooner remains true to the influences of his upbringing while adding in his own absorbing appeal to the modern slow jam. With his debut project It’s Yours, beign featured on Complex, Noisey, Montreality, Boi-1da.net and Hip Hop Canada, as well as his single “Off That” peaking at #23 on Spotify’s US Viral 50 chart in the short time since it’s release in December, the future is bright for ninetyfour.
RYKKA
Tucked away in the hills near Zürich, Switzerland, and the Canadian wilderness surrounding Vancouver, Rykka has found her sound. The resulting album is ‘Beatitudes’, marking a thrilling leap in a bold new direction for the multitalented songwriter. Produced by Warne Livesey, ‘Beatitudes’ towers with electropop hooks, bolstered by dazzling synths and beats made for dropping sweat on the dance floor.
THE KATHERINES
One of the most important things in our world is human connection, and this is an ethos that has guided both our personal lives and the unified front of our band. We are a family girl band from Vancouver, BC and the three of us have been carpooling to choir and dance classes since we were four years old. The project began with front-woman Kate Kurdyak playing coffee shops as a solo artist, building a songbook with a back-up band. The original band was drawn from Kate’s high school arts program with a myriad of instruments including a four-part string section. Eventually Kate’s sister and life-long friend Kaitlyn Hansen-Boucher stepped out from the ad hoc ensemble to take on a larger role in helping realize the band’s vision as “The Katherines”. As the tracks for our first record took shape, whether by flirting with the shadowy sounds of noir-N-b or the sock hop pep of ’60s girl groups, the three of us decided to come together as The Katherines. To us, music is about the expression of a particular moment. A song is a feeling, not a genre. This philosophy has led us to create a debut album that uses a variety of soundscapes to accompany a common narrative. To Bring You My Heart is the story of youth in all of its emotional turmoil. The three of us hope to continue to push the boundaries of music genres while having three-part harmonies and the voices of three young women being the common thread through it all.
VINCE VACCARO
Vince Vaccaro (born 1980) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist and record producer. He has performed largely as a solo artist, appearing both solo acoustic, and backed up by a five to eight-piece band. His musical influences include Bruce Springsteen, Ben Harper, Eddie Vedder, and Adam Granduciel. Vaccaro has played shows in Canada, Australia, and the US, sharing stages with bands such as Mumford & Sons, Temper Trap, Awol Nation, Matt Mays, Jay Malinowski & the Deadcoast, Sam Roberts Band, City & Colour, and Bedouin Soundclash, among many others. Vince Vaccaro has released nine studio albums, four EPs and several singles to date, in addition to his most recent Demo Recording which features three new songs in their rawest form. Stream all three songs here. He was born in Montreal, Quebec, and grew up in Victoria, British Columbia.
