New Destination Video Sings Vancouver’s Praises
Tourism Vancouver’s new destination film is innovative, refreshing and uses multiple platforms to send its message – and it’s unlike any promotional piece of its kind. Incorporating a local band and original song, “It’s You… Vancouver” is one of the world’s first professionally produced destination film in music video format.
The song is performed by Watasun, a Vancouver-based duo whose music fuses urban beats with traditional folk sounds. One-time buskers on Vancouver’s Granville Street, singer/songwriter Adam Bailie and percussionist Reid Hendry now record, produce and sell their own albums, taking inspiration from the city’s diversity, vibrancy and unity.
Throughout the three-minute video, the duo perform their catchy tune while making appearances in, near or atop of iconic Vancouver attractions, including the Vancouver Convention Centre roof, an Aquabus ferry and snow-covered Grouse Mountain.
Watasun Bio
Watasun is a Vancouver based music duo comprised of singer/songwriter Adam Bailie and percussionist Reid Hendry. The word ‘Watasun’ simply means ‘Life’. Their music has been described as uplifting and interactive, fusing a contemporary style of urban, world and folk music performing with an acoustic guitar, steel pan and cajon.
Together they support the new generation of DIY music artists. They each drove their respective wagons across Canada packing all their instruments and sound equipment to start a new musical chapter on the west coast. In the studio, Adam and Reid record their own albums, mixing and mastering the finished product. They sell their own publishing and manage their independent recording studios.
It has been over six years since the two met at a recording school in Mississauga, Ontario. They have recorded many albums along the way and have branched out producing for other artists too. In 2009 they relocated from their hometowns in southern Ontario to the beautiful west coast of British Columbia.
Reid and Adam continue performing their music in Vancouver, embracing a wide range of influence while interacting with people of all ages. They celebrate diversity, unity, and team building through song and dance. Their goal is to continue Vancouver’s rise as a world-renowned music hub.
During these challenging times in the music business, Watasun has managed to maintain a livelihood from the energy and sound that comes from their compact yet intriguing setup. Adam and Reid keep a fresh perspective and positive attitude toward their music careers and the future of the Canadian music scene.
Website: http://watasunmusic.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/WATASUN/212285297677
12:21 pm
Awesome city! Awesome song! I am originally from South Africa, and although that is one of the most beautiful places in the world, I am SO proud to say that I now call Vancouver home. This place is true beauty, since unlike my native country, I am actually free to enjoy its splendour without fearing for me or my family’s life!
1:50 pm
Woohoo!! What a great song and commercial on Vancouver!! Great job, Reid and Adam!! Saw their band in Acton, Ontario about 5 years ago and they still rock!! Very unique music!!
Love them!!
2:26 pm
What a fantastic video! It captures all that I love & miss about Vancouver. So nice to be reminded of home :) Great job Tourism Vancouver!!
5:19 pm
Love the video! Altho some of the shots zoomed by too quickly. Would be great if they had small titles saying what everything was!
5:26 am
Awesome video!!! Vancouver looks amazing in it, the band WATASUN is wicked!!! Good job by all!
7:15 am
Fantastic vid – very nicely done! Vancouver’s an amazing city. But ‘world’s first’ professional destination music video? Few years too late; better call the Guinness book before they go to print!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unQz4kFJ2Tg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIHdrYlnQaM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npawmHVaf-E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ylz7FEa5h1E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wKoX7iAx74
2:19 pm
I agree completely with Sean. Love Vancouver, great video but certainly not a world’s first. Thank you for the great list of tourism promo videos (LOVE Woody Gumba). Here’s another to add from Boise which they did in 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JbtIt37MB4&feature=share
2:38 pm
Yep, you guys are correct. “It’s you… Vancouver” certainly isn’t the world’s first destination music video. We spent some time digging but clearly during our search we missed the examples you’ve both shared. So maybe we’ll say our is the “world’s best” destination music video… :-) Actually the Iceland video is fantastic, so we’ll just say ours is “one of the best”.
8:00 am
The video was good but I don’t see how Watison singing Reggae represents Vancouver. A band with a more local sound would have fit.
9:55 am
We live in such a gorgeous city!
This video makes me long for summer. It’s definitely my favourite time of year here in Vancouver.
10:45 am
Sooooooo!!! Proud!!!
Cheers to you both
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7:45 am
Ah. Love Vancouver. The video really captured the best of the city.
10:31 am
These two are simply fantastic!! Amazing artists both inside and out. Wicked song and equally wicked video. Vancouver is beautiful and full of awe inspiring nature, people and destinations. Well done!!
10:12 am
As a prospective visitor Vancouver, I’d prefer to see much less footage of the musicians and longer-than-1-second shots of the city & surrounds. You’ve sold the beautiful footage of Vancouver short by zipping through it so quickly. Is this a music video for the band, or a tourism video for Vancouver?
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10:33 pm
This is a great song & video & it really showcases Vancouver’s Beauty. This is also why I plan to move to Vancouver in August too. It just reminded me why I have such an attraction to everything the city offers. Great job & I am happy this will show others what I have always known about Vancouver!
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2:07 am
We are heading to San Francisco later in the year and have decided that will travel up to Vancouver before flying back to New Zealand. This is a brilliant song & a very engaging form of video content for your site. Good work.
2:33 am
Wow!Brings back memories of our glorious holiday last year. Vancouver is a simply stunning city which stole my heart. Now this video with fabulous pictures and music has made me fall in love with it all over again- Thank you
6:34 pm
U r marvellous
5:17 pm
I love Vancouver and I always will. I do not get to the city as often as I would like. However, I get down whenever I can even for just a day or two. I love the food, the vibe, the people, the hotels. The shopping is first rate, even it it’s just the window variety.