Author Archives: Mackenzie Eide

It’s a Good Time to be an Indie Band

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Twenty years ago, the Vancouver music scene was filled with the alternative sounds of the angst filled nineties. You might have noticed that genre of music has made a huge comeback. It has never been a better time to be an indie band than the current age. All of that music is coming back into the mainstream, and it is great. We’ve come so far from the anti-synth days of the nineties and especially with artificial intelligence threatening the music world, people are turning their anger away from electronic instruments and towards generative AI.

Alan Cross is a local music historian here in British Columbia, if you recognize his name, he is a music columnist for Global News and host of The Ongoing History of Music. I had the great chance to produce an interview conducted with him, and it gave me so much insight into the music industry.

TStudio / Pexels

I was born rather late into the 2000’s and the music that came out during the years I have been alive has been mainly digital. Digital workspaces to build it, digital drums for the rhythm, midi piano notes, artificial sounds, etc. At one point, though, was a time where people treated digital instruments like drum machines as an enemy to music. There was a fear that these machines would replace the need for an actual drummer, or an actual pianist. These points were all brought up by Alan Cross and it was something I had never given much thought to.

I wonder what the big controversy was for you in music. Right now though we all live in a world where platforms like Suno are the enemy, so our synthesizers and drum machines are safe – for now.

Many artists who created music in the Indie genre are multi-instrumental solo acts. When you listen to an indie song, you’ll hear the complex layering of synthesizers, bass guitar, electric guitar, etc. For a single artist to perform their music live, they can utilize different techniques, but the source of their sound is often a digital machine. And I’m not talking about something to store the sound, I mean that the drums weren’t created on an actual kit, and they might not even own a synthesizer – it could just be midi notes played into a digital audio workspace.

The 90s are so back, but this time, we left the digital hatred behind.

The Role of Students in BC Music

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Did you know Evolution was completely student run? Besides souring the music, we create content revolving around various topics relevant to British Columbia and your daily lives. Student radio, like Evolution 107.9 is your go-to place for discovering local artists. The problem we solve as a radio station, is huge; your local bands in British Columbia deserve to be heard, and many of them self promote and self book all their shows and music. As a student run radio station, we can and will play the smaller, newer, and most experimental of local alternative rock and indie artists.

Jakub Zerdicki / Pedels

There is a place for serious news, mainstream hits, and entertainment in the radio industry. Evolution is your place for all of that and the local stuff that matters. I remember a time where I was in awe of the British Columbia local music scene, but the problem was that I did not know how to engage with it. At the time, I was too young to get inside of any venues, and didn’t know where to find the scene outside of mainstream sources like the big hits visiting my city.
You need to get off the mainstream! It has never been easier to engage with the alternative music scene. Especially now that a lot of those older indie and alternative genres of the 90s and 2000s are coming back into the British Columbia music scene.  If you hear a song you like on Evolution, chances are the band is playing a show near you soon. The local scene never rests, give us a listen, see what is out there, and become a part of something awesome.
You know that feeling you get when you hear a band you recognize on the radio, it is something like excitement mixed with a wanting for more before the song turns over to something else. Engaging with the local scene means this feeling all the time, every time. Discovering new music is an exciting thing, especially now in the downfall of debut albums with platforms like TikTok making 60 second soundbites the norm.
Once you discover new local artists, going to concerts and events becomes second nature and many doors in the industry can open. Instead of waiting months for an American or English musician to make a stop in Canada, jump in to the local scene to experience more great live music!

The Best City for The Alternative

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If you are listening to Evolution 107.9, you will hear a lot of local British Columbia bands. British Columbia is an amazing province for local and fresh alternative/indie talent. As a city in British Columbia, Vancouver has a rich history in alternative and indie rock.
Bands like 54-40, Mother Mother, Destroyer, The Organ, and one of my favourites, though not inherently alternative or indie, is D.O.A, a legendary punk rock from Vancouver. What is it about Vancouver, or British Columbia in general, that keeps producing these unique artists who make music just outside of what is mainstream?
You could also argue that alternative and indie are British Columbia’s own mainstream – these genres are a part of who we are socially and culturally. As for the culture itself, British Columbia’s music scene is “Do It Yourself” by nature. It is the perfect environment to cultivate local bands. Small venues are almost the norm, basement/house shows are practically on every corner, and these local bands are often the ones booking their own shows.

Ar Kay / Pixels

You must have noticed posters and flyers promoting gigs all over the place. British Columbia musicians are promoting themselves the best way they can – by putting out the word to other Canadians. I’ve even noticed an influx of local shows, groups, and performances being advertised on social media, the band accounts are pushed towards me on the algorithm because of my proximity to them. These little local music communities are everywhere, and so many of them are promoting alternative/indie rock or pop. Scroll through your favourite social media platform, if you’re following any music related topics, how many local groups do you see?
If you have been recommend a playlist by Spotify, something along the lines of “The Best New Canadian Hits,” you’ve probably noticed the artists populating those lists are from Quebec or Ontario. The Canadian based playlists recommend to me are all artists from those provinces, half of them are in French!
Give some of those songs a listen and you will notice how polished they sound, and notice the genre – bright pop and indie sounds. That is such a stark contrast to what we have her in British Columbia, and while indie pop can thrive here just as well. Vancouver’s music scene is so unique due to its emphasis on the ‘garage band’.

Jeremy Lee / Pexels

Have you noticed this too?

The Live Music Drink of Choice

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Summer is over and fall is approaching fast, with that; how many shows did you see over the summer?
I saw a handful: David Lee Roth, Jimmy Eat World, Shinedown, and Guns N’ Roses. These shows were all in major stadiums (except for David at The Vogue Theatre). What I find interesting is how each venue has its own unique food and drink options, I noticed that these choices even influenced how the crowd acted. I think crowd engagement can be a major factor in how you immerse yourself in the show. A venue like Rogers Arena has its own bar, whereas a place like The Thunderbird Arena has kiosks, and BC Place has concessions.

The Six / Pexels

I noticed that at Rogers Arena with the open bar, people were drinking a lot less. I think it may be because mixed drinks take a lot longer to shake and having all the alcohol behind the same bar means longer lines. You would probably rather watch the show than wait in the lines at the bar, also – a walk-up bar means unlimited liqueur to an extent, and unlimited liqueur means more trips to the bathroom. I hate getting up during a show, especially in a stadium. Isn’t it the worst feeling? Especially sitting in the middle of a row and having to collide with everybody else to make it out of the aisle. Or even worse is losing your spot standing in front of the stage.
I think the Thunderbird Arena had wine and beer,r and BC Place was fairly similar, just more expensive. I remember a concert I went to at Rogers Forum in Abbotsford earlier this spring, and they had small, mobile bars around the venue. Clearly, Rogers loves to drink. Either way, Rogers Forum was my favourite venue I visited this year. Security wasn’t as tight as Rogers Arena, and by the time we got inside half of the crowd had already drank their weight in alcohol. It didn’t help that it was a Megadeth concert, aggressive drunks are almost a given. 
You might not be a big drinker at concerts and live shows, but you can’t deny that a venue shapes how the crowd acts. It creates an important impact on your overall enjoyment.

Sundog Returns!

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You might have noticed your days getting colder and the sun setting sooner. To mark the ending of summer, the Arts Council of the North Okanagan is hosting the 4th annual Sundog Festival.

This weekend is the official launch of BC Culture Days for the lakeshore community. If you plan on making your weekend a long one, the festival kicks off on Friday with an evening party starting at 6pm. Performing on the first night will be indie folk hip-hop artist Jodie B, DJ Miss Demeaner, and headlining; Sign of Sanctuary, a local teen metalcore trio.

Starting off the party, Jodie B is known for her live looping, as a single yet multi-instrumental performer, the sound she creates is promised to captivate the audience. DJ Miss Demeanour will keep the energy moving throughout the night with a synth-infused set. She will carry the crowd through an electric experience as the sun beings to set and the music turns into something heavier. Headlining this first night is Sign of Sanctuary, led by 17-year-old Noah on vocals and guitar, Ella on bass, and 15-year-old Alex on drums. With inspirations from Evanescence and Lacuna Coil, their set is composed of high energy and heavy breakdowns.

The weather for the weekend is bright and sunny. Friday will be a clear sky with the dry landscape cooling to 11 degrees.

I recommend staying for the entire two days. It is a free community event showcasing the diversity and creativity of our alternative local scene. Beyond the stage is the Polson Artesian Market featuring local vendors who bring a vast collection of handmade goods and food. Saturday’s festivities begin at 2pm, with performances from alternative artist Siibi, reggae duo TG and J Byrd, Locarno, a Latin music project started by JUNO winner Tom Landa (The Paperboys), Queer as Funk, and headliner The Lemon Bucket Orkestra. DJ Miss Demeanor is making an appearance on Saturday night as well, if you were unable to catch her first set.

Andrius Simkus / Pexels

It is going to be a busy weekend for you at Sundog this year. If you missed it last year, I recommend attending for the 2026 annual festival to support your local bands at this free event.

Best New Canadian Releases – Early September

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How much new music did you listen to at the beginning of the month? There were so many fantastic releases in September that probably slid under your radar. Here are a few of my favourite picks that released early into the month. All of these artists come from local scenes across Canada.

Elephant Stone is a Montreal based psychedelic rock and indie group. They are led by Rishi Dhir, a sitarist who has spent 20 years blurring the lines between Western psych-pop and Indian traditional.

With your summertime ending, Elephant Stone has released ASHA, a 9-track cultural journey through sound to commemorate the time. They remind me of Tame Impala, just with a sitar as their primary instrument. This is the kind of album that probably would have sent George Harrison back to India. I love psychedelic rock, early 60’s stuff like the 13th Floor Elevators and Iron Butterfly. I think Elephant Stone has taken an amazing modern twist on the genre. My favourite track on the album is, “Fascists Killed Yer Rock’n’roll”. It is an experimental indie trip with a sick sitar solo in the middle.

Ar Kay / Pixels

Heading back to the underground, an artist I bet you have never heard of is Dresser. This alternative Canadian group is ambitious; they’ve chosen to go the album route rather than releasing singles. Tether Gladly is the newest album by the group, releasing early in the month with 7 new songs. After listening to the album, I think the strongest part about this group is their instrumentals. Each song is creative and beautifully composed; rather it be an unconventional melody or an abrupt slap of the strings, you never get lost in the music as each song pulls you back in with a creative twist on the norm. A standout track on the album is, “Palpable,” it is the longest song on the album at over 4 minutes.

I really like this group because they remind me of another underground music fixation I had years ago, the post-punk project, Killjoy & the Cutthroats. Both Dresser and the Cutthroats share a similar rhythm section and deep, booming vocals. I recommend giving both of these groups a listen for yourself.

The beginning of this month was great for album releases and honestly, I prefer an artist who is album-orientated over focusing on singles. What do you prefer? Will you listen to an album front-to-back or would you rather add a few songs into a playlist to shuffle through?

Featuring Zoe Twist

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The Fox Cabaret is a fun place to be, have you checked out their bookings for the week? A standout confirmed for October is Zoe Twist, performing on Halloween Eve, October 30th, 2026. Twist is a regular headliner at The Fox Cabaret and this time she’s joined by alternative rockers House of Glass.

If you frequent the venue, you may have seen Twist perform, but if you haven’t, I’ll break down what to expect.

Zoe Twist knows her way around a sheet of music, as a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, she has mastered the art of songwriting. Her music blends indie pop with something wild and underground. Some inspirations that can be heard in her work include Julia Wolf, Lizzy Mcalpine, and JP Saxe. Previously, Twist has hosted release parties at The Fox Cabaret. Have you ever been to a release party? Last year, Twist debuted her EP, “Wrapped Around My Finger” and since then has put out 5 singles. Her music is sweet, bright, and most importantly familiar to the Vancouver area. You can hear the rhythmic precision gained from her time at the Berklee College of Music, her sound is refined to a point of maturity which cements her status as a British Columbia local favourite.

Tainah Ferreira / Pexels

As for the venue itself, The Fox Cabaret is an independently owned venue focusing on live music, dance, parties, and more. If you haven’t seen Zoe Twist perform there before, I highly recommend giving this venue a chance. As with most venues in the area, The Fox Cabaret opens late, runs early into the morning, and is 19 plus, so act responsibly!

Maybe in the coming years you can anticipate a debut album release from Zoe Twist. If you can take anything away from her music, you can tell she takes her time with each release and with the constant touring and performing in local venues across the province, you may have some time to wait before a big release. The pay off, however, will be fantastic for the local music scene. Zoe Twist is a fresh face in the industry and will only continue to grow from her debut EP which released just last year.

Halloween is a month away and to kick off the holiday, why not go see Zoe Twist perform at The Fox Cabaret on October 30th?

Keep Your Music Local

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How many times can you see the same artist before it gets boring? For me, it depends on their stage presence, not just the novelty behind their name. If it’s a legacy band, I probably won’t be jumping on the opportunity to buy tickets the second time they come around. But it is so artist specific, I’ve seen both Guns N’ Roses and Rod Stewart, I bought tickets to Rod out of the novelty, because nobody is saying, “Let’s go see Rod Stewart!” Whereas Guns N’ Roses had massive anticipation for their tour between promotions and word of mouth.

Well, Roses sucked. They managed to play three hours of songs that all sounded the same – same bassline, same 5-minute Slash solo, same tone. Rod Stewart on the other hand, was fantastic. It was corny, but he knew he was corny. He played into the ridiculousness and put on an amazing show. It was captivating!

Angela Chacon / Pexels

If you frequent shows, you must have a similar story. Especially is the case for local bands. These groups often have a venue they frequent in town, where they build up a cult following. Building anticipation towards a performance is often the downfall of many of these big acts – it is the waiting game that gets you. I’m an advocate for keeping it local and trusting our home bands here in British Columbia.

Many venues across Vancouver are regular stops for British Columbia’s local bands. I recommended The Fox Cabaret and The Rickshaw Theatre. Both are extremely popular locations for good reasons, and I hope you experience a local show at either at least once in your life. The show doesn’t have to be a big name to be amazing, it just has to captivate you.

I find there to be a number of ways a performance can captivate me; sometimes it’s the music, sometimes the stage presence, or sometime even just the crowd’s energy can hook me. For all of the alternative bands in British Columbia, at least one of those things apply.

You can probably imagine the feeling I’m talking about because a concert isn’t just about the name on stage, it’s so much more! What was the last band you saw, did they fully captivate you?

Featuring Concrete Vehicles (FKA Computer)

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What are your plans for the night of October 8th? It’s coming up pretty fast, just another couple of weeks until we are in the full swing of Canadian fall. I recommend stopping by The Rickshaw Theatre on the night of the 8th, you are guaranteed a long and exciting evening.

Beginning at 7pm, this seven-piece powerhouse takes The Rickshaw along with three other acts. You heard that right, this band has seven members in it, all with their own unique skillsets. Synths, saxophones, a lineup of percussion; imagine the incredible show that can be put on with this many moving pieces.

The band is called Concrete Vehicles, and if you’ve been in the local scene for a while you may remember them from their previous name, FKA Computer. What kind of a show do these guys put on to need seven members? I believe they have more active members than even a band like Slipknot who were notorious for being a group of nine in their heyday.

Concrete Vehicles started out as a duo but as their ideas grew more complex and too chaotic to perform live, they realized that they needed more than just a regular band. I cannot wait to see what kind of a performance Concrete Vehicles will put on. I urge you to take the night off, cancel some plans, and just make time to see this band of seven put on the show of your life!

Victor Freitas / Pexels

With that many pieces it’s nearly impossible to stick a typical genre to their name. Concrete Vehicles takes many forms, alternative rock, indie pop, industrial, hardcore. I think you’ll find yourself satisfied with their setlist on October 8th, it’s visual and cathartic and a perfect start to the fall.

Joining them, to keep the energy fast and exhilarating, are three separate acts: Hillsboro, WAIT//LESS, and LoLa. All distinct entities in their performance, Hillsboro follow Concrete Vehicles in their visual soundscape, a team of 5 with a reinforced rhythm section and a violinist, they capture the sounds of 90s shoegaze.

WAIT//LESS move fast with a loud, precise sound while LoLa is an experimental rock group native to Vancouver, with only four singles to their name. They’re most known for their performances, creating ethereal soundscapes through distortion and synthesizers.

I have never seen a lineup this strong to come out of The Rickshaw. If you haven’t either, I suggest grabbing a ticket online and stopping by.

Featuring Shiner

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In 1997 Lula Divinia was released nationwide. Have you heard of the band Shiner? A late nineties post-hardcore band, now a refined alternative rock trio.

Lula Divinia was the band’s second album yet biggest hit, with 13 tracks and over a million streams. Their sound and energy compare extremely closely to Dishwalla, another nineties rock band most known for their 1995 album, “Pet Your Friends”.

Fans of alternative rock must check out The Cobalt in Vancouver on October 8th. Starting at 7pm, Shiner will take the stage with Fotocrime and local trio, The Aversions. If you’re not familiar with The Cobalt Cabaret, it’s one of Vancouver’s oldest continuously operating venues known for punk, metal, and hardcore. Located at 917 Main St, the venue has capacity for 250 people and is committed to emerging artists and original music.

I have never been to a local show at The Cobalt. I think that is a part of the reason why there is so much anticipation towards Shiner’s set on October 8th, it is something new and exciting for yourself and many others. Would they be able to sell out a venue like The Pearl or The Commodore? Maybe not. But they have a massive fanbase that has been with them for over 30 years who will draw attention to their set at The Cobalt.

For the local acts performing alongside them, it’s a great chance for exposure. Have you been inside of The Cobalt Cabaret, or driven past it on Main Street? It’s a great little spot that definitely has something you’re looking for inside. There are two bands starting the night off, Fotocrime and The Aversions.

Geezer Amorim / Pexels

Fotocrime are an alternative, post-punk band with 5 Eps and 4 albums to their name. A powerhouse of a trio, Fotocrime has taken a guitar-focused approach into their newest album, Security. Featured on the album are artists such as Jay Weinberg, known for his time as Slipknot’s drummer, and Barney Greenway from Napalm Death. Definitely a heavier set for the night, but an exciting show you don’t want to miss.

The Aversions are one of Vancouver’s hidden secrets, a post-punk band blending in elements from 80’s post hardcore. They remind me of Joy Division; I spent a while listening through their singles trying to figure out the familiarity behind the music.

The Aversions aren’t built around traditional rock rhythms, they’re dark, atmospheric, and energetic. I am most excited to see The Aversions play; I need to see how they play a show with music as melodic as theirs is.

Which band are you looking forward to seeing on October 8th at The Cobalt?