Inside Vancouver

Musicians showcase new material at Railtown Sessions Vinyl Release

by Shawn Conner in Uncategorized on December 7, 2016

Sarah Jane Scouten plays the Fox Cabaret as part of a record release party for the Railtown Sessions this Friday night.

Every few months over the last year, a small group of musicians and music fans have been coming together at a little recording studio in East Vancouver.

The occasions have been the Railtown Sessions, intimate shows at the headquarters of local record label Light Organ. At the Sessions, local musicians have debuted material to small audiences, as well as for Internet listeners via livestreaming.

All of the Sessions were also recorded. This Friday, Dec. 9, the four acts showcased play the Fox Cabaret (2321 Main St.) to celebrate the release of a record of those songs. Scroll below to find out more about the talent involved.

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Musicians showcase new material at Railtown Sessions Vinyl Release

Psyche-rock rescue mission this weekend!

by Shawn Conner in Uncategorized on December 1, 2016

Black Mountain at Levitation Vancouver 2015.
Audrey Alexandrescu photo for thesnipenews.com.

This Sunday offers a rare chance to see some of Vancouver’s top indie musicians on one stage, in a Dec. 4 benefit to raise money for one of their own.

Black Mountain is an internationally acclaimed psyche-rock unit from Vancouver. But, as the band learned on a recent European tour, glowing 7.5 reviews from music authorities like pitchfork.com are no protection against malfeasance and theft.

On a tour stop in Gothenburg, Black Mountain were dealt a major setback when thieves made off with a bunch of the band’s gear, including synths, guitars and more. To help out, musician friends of the group are taking part in a benefit at the Cobalt (917 Main. St.) to raise money for the band.

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Psyche-rock rescue mission this weekend!

Japanese new music showcase goes girl-group crazy!

by Shawn Conner in Uncategorized on May 17, 2016

Gozen Sanji to Taikutsu is one of five Japanese bands playing the Biltmore Cabaret May 25 as part of Next Music From Tokyo Vol. 8.

There’s nothing quite like Next Music from Tokyo (NMFT). A tour that brings bands from Japan’s indie and underground music scene to Canadian audiences, NMFT is curated by a lone music fan – Toronto-based anesthesiologist Steven Tanaka. On his numerous trips to Japan throughout the year, Tanaka scouts out the best possible lineup to bring to Canadian audiences, often for the first – and, sometimes, only – time.

This latest volume (#8) features five bands, all but one making their Canadian debuts in a tour that includes four shows – two in Toronto, one in Montreal and a final night in Vancouver, on May 25. NMFT Vol. 8 include three female-fronted acts, including the return of what Tanaka calls “one of the greatest female bands of all time,” as well as an instrumental post-rock group and a dance-rock band, all for the low low price of $10. Find out more below.

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Japanese new music showcase goes girl-group crazy!

Bowie tribute act back by popular demand!

by Shawn Conner in Uncategorized on March 17, 2016

Spacejunk performing at the David Bowie Tribute at the Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver, Feb. 16 2016. Shannon Steele photo.

Space Junk performing at the David Bowie Tribute at the Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver, Feb. 26 2016. Shannon Steele photo.

In February, Vancouver bands came together to celebrate the life and music of David Bowie. One of the highlights of the night was Space Junk, a group of local musicians who performed songs from Bowie’s final album, Blackstar.

The set was such a success that Space Junk are going to not only repeat the feat but play the entire album.

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Bowie tribute act back by popular demand!