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Two woman from Vancouver have combined to bring a new sound, along with a new energy to the BC music scene.
Chelsea D.E Johnson and Lola Whyte have fused their passions and talents together to make some of the most exceptional soul-rock you could ever hear. They both sing while Chelsea hits the strings on the guitar and Lola uses the electric banjo.
The group uses their backgrounds of African-American and First Nations to inspire their muisic and where they want to take it. Lola said, “For us, music is a really lovely way to transcend experiences and transform them into something positive.”
With both of them having experienced some hardship in their lives, they use their instruments and voices as not only self-therapy, but also to let others know they aren’t alone in the struggle. The tone of their music isn’t somber in any way though. For the most part, it’s upbeat with high-energy that brings a smirk and a smile while talking about serious issues. This creates a distinct sound that comes from their most inner thoughts and emotions, combining it with the grit and edginess of rock and rolling in some soul.
Before they became a band, they worked together on different projects and even performed with each other. The two got along and had chemistry right of the start, which is quite evident in their music. They share some similar experience as queer people of color, but they are using their platform to show unity and inspire anyone who shares similar adversities. They’re using their music to celebrate their heritage and indentities.
“I think Chelsea and I have shared experiences in overcoming adversity, going into our past and upbringing as people of minority groups. I’m excited to share that with the world.”
Amen to that.
And thank you, because the music is just too damn good!
With the pandemic restrictions slowly lifting, we can all be a little relieved that concerts are coming back!
Live Nation has announced three concerts for Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom this winter to get us back rockin’ together instead of through a screen.
On February 5, Canadian rockers, the Trews, will be energizing the Ballroom with their lively performance. The band is made up of vocalist Colin MacDonald, guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, bassist Jack Syperek and drummer Chris Gormley. Three of their albums have hit gold while they were also recognized to be among the top 150 best- selling Canadian artists and the top 40 selling Canadian bands in Canada.
The Trews tickets : http://www.commodoreballroom.com/view-all/2022/2/5/trews
To follow that up on Febuarary 23, American pop-star, JoJo, will be on stage at The Commordore performing songs from her latest album, Trying Not To Think About It. And credit must be given where credit is due. Since her first hit was released in 2005 when she was only 14, she’s been making quality music and keeps evolving her sound.
Tickets for JoJo : http://www.commodoreballroom.com/view-all/2022/2/23/jojo
The third performance that was announced was the power-metal rock band, Dragonforce. And good thing there the last ones because there might not be a Commodore after these guys’ guitars and drums are done with it. If heavy-metal is a bit of a turn-off for you, think again. Yes, it’s heavy, but they carry beautiful melodies and rhythyms while vocalist, Marc Hudson, carries a distinct voice that counterbalances, yet compliments, the power of the chords and the drums.
Dragonforce tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/dragonforce-vancouver-british-columbia-03-13-2022/event/11005B558AC62FF2
It’s been like forever since most of us have seen a live show, so even if these may not be your cup of tea, I challenge you to take a sip. Listen to these artists and I promise you, you will enjoy at least one of them. Let the music carry your mind and take you to a different place because that’s what this art form was meant to do. And it’s always better live babayy!
Leeroy Stagger is a Victoria-based artist that has gone through his ups and downs in his life, like most of us have. Now, 10 years sober and two kids later, he’s taking nothing for granted and only moving forward.
Leeroy has been producing and writing music for more than 17 years and has 11 albums under his name, but he says he’s specifically proud of his last couple records because he “tried really hard to reach as many people as possible.” He went on to say, “I went back to vintage Bob Dylan records and records like 421 Ocean Blvd as well as The Silver- Tongued Devil to plant some production seeds.”
His music is a fusion of folk, indie, alternative, added with a little sprinkle of country and they all blend in like a perfect music-stew.
On October 11, Stagger released his 12th studio album, Dystopian Weekends. On it, he speaks on everything from greedy land developers to Christmas songs, to break ups and political ideologies. He covers everything on this album with a variety of melodies and overall sound to each song. You’ll hear some that may remind you of Bob Dylan and then some that may remind you of The Killers, but at the end of the day, it’s all therapeutic to the ears.
Due to all the COVID restrictions, touring is up in the air for Leeroy so he’s doing something a little different. To celebrate the album’s release, he’ll be livestreaming performances on November 6 and 7. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.sidedooraccess.com.
Although he isn’t going to be touring anytime soon, you can still see him live with Barney Bentall and The Cariboo Express at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, BC from November 12 to 14. Get your tickets here : https://www.barneybentall.com/tour
Two of the most popular bands from yesteryear are coming to Vancouver!
Live Nation has announced that The Offspring will be playing in Vancouver on March 3, 2022 and will be joined by good ol’ Canadian boys, Simple Plan.
The multiplatinum band from Garden Grove, California, The Offspring will be showcasing songs from their most recent album, Let The Bad Times Roll along with their fan-favourite classics.
Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland says, “This album is probably the most cathartic thing we’ve done. The messages might be dark, but at the end, what’s left is that communication is important, working through feelings is important and most of all, hope is important.”
The Offspring formed around 1984 but didn’t get their mainstream success until years later when they released their 1994 hit album, Smash. Then, in 1998 they released Americana that included their hit-single, “Pretty Fly (for a white guy)” and they’re success skyrocketed.
Simple Plan will be opening the show with some of their favourites from the past. The Canadians have a long history of quality punk-rock tunes but since 2017, the band has had to make some adjustments.
Bass guitarist, David Desrosiers, left the band in 2017 to work on his mental health. He returned in 2019 but left again just a year later. The reason for his departure was due to sexual misconduct allegations from woman on social media. He said, “ I have decided to withdraw from the band and seek professional help to educate myself and act appropriately in the future.” David then did follow those statements with apologies. He is currently not on tour with the band.
The show: at Rogers Arena – March 3.
Tickets go on sale November 5, but some presale are available right now!
A sound so massive you’ll forget it’s only two in the band. The Pack A.D. fills your ears with explosive, hard hitting beats that consists of heavy guitars along with their melodic, acid wit that compliments the powerful vocals. Singer/Guitarist, Becky Black and drummer, Maya Miller, have combined to make music that could quite literally melt your face off.
If you’re anything like me, this is a good thing. A very, very good thing.
They’re sound has been compared to legends like The White Stripes and the Black Keys but with that, you won’t mistaken one of their songs for anyone else’s; it’s just so unique and theirs. They’ve released eight studio albums and each one gives a bit of a different tone with the listener being able to notice a certain evolution to their music from album to album.
Their latest album, It Was Fun While It Lasted, was named as such because the group was deliberating if they should continue making music or move on to other passions in their lives. Well, good thing they didn’t stop because that album got them nominated for Rock Artist of the Year at the 2021 Breakout West Awards.
As they are fans of all different music genres, the duo says they get their inspiration from everything including literature and movies, which you’ll here cited in their music.
Becky and Maya have cemented their spot in the local music scene with their hard-hitting music that sounds like there’s a rock orchestra behind them, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to slow it down and change to a more reflective tone, which is on full display on It Was Fun While It Lasted.
The Pack A.D. will be playing at the Rickshaw in East Van on December 4, get your tickets here: https://rickshawtheatre.com/show_listings/the-pack-ad/
A five-piece folk-rock band from Fernie, BC has been shredding through the Canadian music scene. If you had an imaginary “music pot” and got some traditional folk music, boiled it over a Fire in the Arcade, added a little Smashed Pumpkins and topped it off with a Red-Hot Chili Pepper for a kick and some energy, you’d get Shred Kelly.
With the soulful and joyous voices of the group, mixed in with acoustic instruments that compliment their tone and rhythm, it makes listening to them very easy and very enjoyable. This is the definition of “feel-good” music and somehow has this humble, wholesome Canadian sound to it. It’s hard to explain how that is, but it’s definitely a compliment and I think when you listen, you will hear it too.
The band’s sound has been heard on radios from Vancouver to Berlin while having fans everywhere in between, which would explain their current tour around Europe.
The group from The Rockies released their fifth Studio Album, Rising Sun, in 2020 and it was in a bit of a different direction then their previous albums. This one had a little more “darkness” and more of a somberness to it due to some changes in their lives. After group members Tim Newton and Sage McBride had their first baby, just a month later Tim’s father passed away due to an illness. From the joy of a newborn to the heartache of losing your father, Shred Kelly puts all their emotions on display and gets you to feel what they feel, with only using your ears.
Be sure to check out all their socials as they have a ton of music out and I’m sure there will be something for you. They are packed with variety and just simple overall quality in sound and lyrics.
Once they finish in Europe, they’ll be in Revelstoke, BC on November 17 at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre.
Get your tickets now!: http://www.shredkelly.com/tour
Alright, alright, I know we here at Evolution are fanatics of all types of rock, but when a local rap duo is on the rise as fast as these two are, we’re here to stand behind them and promote our fellow British Columbians. It’s all about the art, right?
The Snotty Nose Rez Kids are an Indigenous (The Haisla Nation) rap-group from Kitimat, BC who are making a lot of noise in the music scene, and not only locally or nationally, but even down south and overseas. They are currently on tour in the US fresh off being named The Indigenous Artist of the Year and Rap and Hip-Hop Artist of the year at the Breakout West 2021 Awards. All that without even releasing an album this year. That’s how good their singles are!
Though they didn’t release one this year, their previous albums were received with high praise. Two of them have been shortlisted for the Canadian Music Polaris Prize (2018 and 2019) as well as for the Juno awards those years. Exclaim! listed there 2019 album, TRAPLINE, as the 7th best Canadian hip-hop album of the year.
Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce keep it ol’ school with some rough and edgy tones while also spitting out significant lyricism, making there music as powerful as it can be; they waste no words. Speaking on subjects like colonialism to pipelines, mixed with some soft beats along with some that’ll make your car bounce, this is what real hip-hop is.
Their newest album, Life After, was just released on October 22 and being an avid rock fan, I have to admit, it’s been the only thing on my playlist as of late; it’s got meaning, it’s got good lyrics, it’s got good beats and ultimately, it’s a unique piece of art-work that can only be done by SNRK.
Confidence can be a funny thing, speaking from experience. When you lose it, it seems so far away and when you get it, it’s so powerful that you can show the world who you really are.
18-year-old Vancouverite, Ekkstacy, credits confidence is the only reason he didn’t start chasing his passion for music a little earlier. I mean it’s not like he’s late, he’s only 18, but he says that having that self-doubt is what held him back, but now that he’s pushed through, he’s all in and nothing can stop him.
It wasn’t an easy road to get to that inner confidence he so needed. After his parent’s divorce, alcohol abuse and drug-induced psychosis, Ekkstacy just began writing and letting his emotions come out through his music.
Inspired by the likes of Elliot Smith, Bon Iver and Bedroom, Ekkstacy’s truly unique sound combines all the beauty of indie, post-punk and synth wave while his lyrics always come from his heart and you can feel it, which can’t be said about all music these days and that’s what true art is. He says, “There isn’t any hidden meaning in any of my songs. What I say is what I mean.”
And this is exemplified in the singles he’s released in 2021. He first released “I walk this earth all by myself” and “Uncomparable”, then he followed it up with a song that’s been getting a lot of attention online.
In his brilliant artistry, his most recent release, “I want to be by your side”, is a follow-up song to the previous two. It’s as if he is telling a tale that continuously flows through all three songs while also incorporating another Vancouver artist, Herhexx. The introspective tune will take you away in its melody and tone, as if your flowing down a calm, peaceful river with nothing but the song in your ears.
I wish I could tell you a date he’ll be intown that’s coming up but our boy Ekkstacy is making huge ripples in the music world. He can be caught performing from Brooklyn to Texas, and all the way to Berlin. Make sure to check out all his socials, especially his YouTube and stay tuned for upcoming performances. This is a show you won’t want to miss!