Keys To The Streets - Video #1 ft. Tariq "Radio Song"

For the second year Big Smoke has teamed up with Keys To The Streets to film musicians performing intimate concerts on the public pianos located throughout the city.

The first video this year features Tariq on the piano in the Strathcona community garden.

To see where all the pianos are located, click here. To see the archive of all the performances from this year and last, click here.

Here's what Adam Sharp of Big Smoke has to say about this video:
Tariq Hussain has been a huge part of the Vancouver music industry for some time now, and it’s an honour to have him open up this year’s series of Big Smoke x Keys to the Streets videos with "Radio Song.”

Between his time as a touring artist and as an active industry member he’s made a sterling effort to further the scene here in Vancouver, and seemed like a natural choice to open this project up with.

When I approached Tariq, he expressed a little concern at his piano playing skills - his ‘instrument of choice’ being guitar - but this simple and sparse arrangement jives so well with the calm mood inside Strathcona’s beautiful community garden. We shot this at 10am on a Friday, and the gentle ringing in the background from one of the community lots serves as a sweet accompaniment to this thoughtful tune.

#MusicalNooners at the CBC Plaza (August 04-07)

CBC Vancouver has released the acts performing this week for their #MusicalNooners series. All concerts start at noon and run til 1pm on the CBC Plaza at 700 Hamilton Street. Here's what you can expect:

Monday, August 3 - No concert - B.C. Day holiday

Tuesday, August 4 - Raquel Cole
This exciting young songwriter from Vernon, BC is making waves with her stage presence and compelling vocals. She divides her time between the Okanagan and Nashville and at 21, has racked up significant touring miles as well as experience singing the US and Canadian anthems for NHL hockey. 

Wednesday, August 5 - Fish and Bird
Folk music for a new generation: so fresh and yet so recognizable is the sound of Fish and Bird.

Thursday, August 6 - Qristina and Quinn Bachand 
This young, gifted sister and brother duo will leave you wondering how so much talent could be concentrated into one family. Violin, vocals and guitar with a Celtic lilt, create a feel-good sound that will make your day. 

Friday, August 7 - The Washboard Union
The Washboard Union is an authentic blend of where country and bluegrass have come and where they are headed next.  Catch this band on their way up to the next level.

VIDEO: The Elwins "So Down Low"

I look at a lot of videos throughout the year as a member of the Prism Prize jury, and this new one by The Elwins for "So Down Low" just blew me away.

I'm going to have to write a post-it note to myself to consider this for next year's ballot!

Check it out!