Archive for August, 2009

NEW RADIO, ALTERNATIVE STUDIOS, & A SCHOOL OF ROCK

The Vancouver Sun has an interesting 5 part series going on right now about the music scene in Vancouver. Check out some of the parts so far:
PART 1 – “The Peak, Shore and Seeds: The changing role of radio: The Peak Performance Project is committed to making B.C.’s musical talent a global phenomenon” whom VIA has A WEEKLY FEATURE ON every Sunday.
PART 2 – “Inside Vancouver’s school of rock: Nimbus School of Recording Arts teaches engineers the whole music-business package”
PART 4 – “Musical ‘secret’ space Song City sings”

Ben Stoddard is our VIDEO AND FILM editor, who for an actual job is one half of Don’t Sleep Productions as well as a VFX guy at Electronic Arts Canada.

LINKS:
- JustDon’tSleep.com
- Ben’s V.I.A. posts

THIS IS WHAT BEN’S FRIDGE LOOKS LIKE:

AND HERE’S A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HIM:

What neighborhood do you live in?
Cambie Street.

What’s your favourite thing to do in your neighborhood?
Quilchena Skatepark, Sushi Bang, Douglas Park hangs. …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

A few days before we get OFFICIALLY AWESOME @ Fortune Sound (Wed, Sep. 2), the HASTING’S SET crew celebrates its 1st year anniversary party at Fortune Sound tonight. Genuine big-ups to Chin, Omar, Jeff, Aidan, Lynn, Nina, She, L&E and the entire crew for continuing to bring the good times and dope music.

Read Vancouver’s Most Awesome: the Hastings Set
…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

While my first love is swimming in our amazing ocean (I have yet to follow Calen’s lead), there is also something super awesome about swimming in a huge pool right beside the ocean. And, well, we got 2 of them to choose from (Second Beach & Kits). I like to hit up Second Beach Pool with my lady for some after work fun. They are open for a few more weeks untill 8:30 pm, so go take advantage. There is always so much pool and so few people – especially in the evenings.

…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

Blank Cinema perform their fifth live show in Vancouver, Monday September 7th at The Biltmore Cabaret, showcasing songs from their recent release “Fickle Creatures”, an ep almost entirely written and recorded by front-man Jake Fox in his Mt. Pleasant apartment. Jake Fox “tips his hat to everyone from David Bowie and Talking Heads to Weezer and Wolf Parade”, but the individual songs were inspired by the areas rapidly expanding condo developments, working outdoors during Vancouver’s November deluge, and finding a way to make an impact on a local scene he had yet to be introduced to. Experience the songs live . www.myspace.com/blankcinema

DOWNLOAD THE ALBUM FOR FREE! – www.blankcinema.bandcamp.com

“not only a tremendous accomplishment–it’s a really good record…deeply dark and creative at times, and infectiously accessible at others.” – Snowboard Canada

“music that’s equally dramatic and apocalyptic…exceptional” – www.i(heart)music.net

“‘Fickle Creatures’ takes the listener on a journey you won’t soon forget.” – CBC Radio3

The office of Vancouver Is Awesome Inc’s non-profit is now officially powered by 49th Parallel Coffee! Huge thanks to these fine folks for keeping us stocked with inspiring grounds with which to start our mornings with.

We’ll be adding them to our official sponsors/donors page when it goes up in the next week or so but I wanted to give them a proper shout out on the blog first. Have a look through our Home Grown feature we did on them recently if you’re curious as to what their deal is. In a nutshell: they totally rule.

Local musician, Dan Mangan, is playing a couple shows this weekend at the Cultch to celebrate the release of his latest album, which you can listen to HERE (click “launch music player” on the top right).

Stay tuned for more from Mr Mangan on V.I.A. in the next little bit, in the meantime watch this video below… …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

A good excuse to get out and hit the Slourb’s tonight. A great little skate vid put together by some Okanagan rippers. Couple Vancouver heads in there as well. Chiggidy check it out..
…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>