(Unreal City)
My friend was telling me about their band. A “shoe-gaze” band from Vancouver, BC. As I sometimes don’t keep up with the trending hipster genres, I asked “shoe-gaze?” I knew it literally. I’ve always liked etymology. Especially slang or ye olde colloquial sayings. So “shoe-gaze” – I understood the demure of the word. But the shoe-gaze genre? I was into it. I wanted to know more.
NMA is now based in Vancouver, BC. The band name existed in another country to another group of musicians before the lead singer Tom, moved from the UK to Canada.
The band when I met them consisted of Tom, the lead singer. James, the bass guitar (and phenomenal podcaster of the Once More With Feeling). Luke, guitarist and leading this band with experimental riffs, as he’s done across bands in his history. And Juraj, the drummer, my friend.
I guess he’s ok.
When I heard the meaning of NMA I took part in the band’s extended family’s calculated and must-pass-our-teasing jest.
“Nothing Means Anything.” I laughed at the start in how this encapsulated East Van’s hipster persona. I said as much to the extended family and acquaintance nearby that I hadn’t introduced myself to yet. Oh hi. This was the band’s new bassist. In fact he was an NMA og from across the pond.
Needless to say I ate my words.
The amount of times I’ve thought about it since and checked my hater-being-cool stance… is more than I can count on one hand.
Nothing does Mean Anything.
Unless you’re talking about consent. Because then Nothing means No.
But ask my psychedelics physics brain… and yes… in fact nothing can mean anything.
Getting godly on you all.
NMA began as a solo music project of band leader Tom Levitt. It is a mixture of alt rock, shoe gaze, and grunge. With introspective lyrics and creative instrumentals it brings together a mix of crowds, ready to dance, bob their heads, or even start a mosh-pit. They have performed at classic Vancouver venues like Green Auto, The Cobalt, The Pearl, and The Biltmore Cabaret. Each time sharing the roster with a mix of musicians from hard rock to progressive metal.
One of the last times I saw NMA perform was at The Biltmore Cabaret. I was there standing in the back, taking photos and videos as I do, enjoying the crowd. Then a group of kids dons the floor and something miraculous began in front of me. A friendly shoulder shove here…. A playful body check there…. A mosh-pit was beginning in front of me. But watching it play out in almost a gentle fashion, these friends nudging the other to see if they were ready to get plummeted with elbows … was beautiful.
I’d later go up to the group and tell them how much I enjoyed seeing them mosh. “You should’ve joined us!!” They told me. Not yet, and especially not that night, I wasn’t dancing that night. But their entire process had me filled with joy.
Unfortunately NMA’s time in Vancouver has come to an end as their lead singer must return to our UK brethren. The band tells me they will be recording one last EP before the lead singer’s departure. So although we might not see the likes of this specific band in Vancouver for some time, we can rest assured that their music is living on, evolving, growing, and continuing to gaze at their shoes.
Find out more about NMA on Bandcamp and through the link below:
Written by Volante Matheson, Radio Arts & Entertainment at BCIT
Contact: vmatheson1@my.bcit.ca