Big Smoke Premiers "The Vancouver Connection, Vol. 1"

Big Smoke is a brand new Vancouver-based music label, that you might recognize from it's collaboration with Keys To The Streets, has just released it's first compilation album called The Vancouver Connection, Vol 1.

The playlist features 10 tracks by Vancouver bands, including Reef Shark, Dead Soft, Woolworm, and more.

The album officially comes out on August 14th, and you can pre-order it on their bandcamp page (and save 25% when you do so!) either digitally or on vinyl, and get two songs immediately.
Take a listen to some awesome Vancouver-based music below:

#MusicalNooners at the CBC Plaza - August 11 - 21, 2015

CBC Vancouver has released the next round of artists performing 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:

Tuesday, August 11 – Van Django
Van Django honours the Hot Club of France tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli while mashing up influences of rock, film scores, and anything else that tickles the fancy of these four gifted string players from the west coast.

Wednesday, August 12 -Jordan Hart
Catch him at the beginning of his musical ascent! Jordan Hart will impress with his fine voice and pop musicality.

Thursday, August 13 – Savvie
Savvie is a new group with a new record produced by Matt Rogers (Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer). Led by vocalist and songwriter Savannah Leigh Wellman, Savvie's sound is meticulously crafted with swelling and seductive vocal lines and multi-layered grooves.

Friday, August 14 - Tonye Aganaba 
Inspired by Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, Tonye Aganaba has travelled the world making music. Her soulful voice, wicked guitar chops and magnetic stage presence defy category. 

Monday, August 17 -  Hanggai
They're back!  Beijing's Hanggai returns to the Musical Nooners stage after their enormously popular show here in 2013. They build an intoxicating mix of Mongolian folk music, including throat singing, with rock. Rave reviews on the festival circuit this summer make this a must-see event. 

Tuesday, August 18 - Twin Bandit 
Intimate folk/roots with strong harmonies and original songs - that's Twin Bandit featuring Hannah Walker and Jamie Elliott.

Wednesday, August 19 – Sister Speak 
These regional finalists in CBC's Searchlight talent competition bring a grounded energy, strong vocals and compelling song writing to their audiences every time they step on stage. With roots in both BC and California, they create a serious west coast vibe. 

Thursday, August 20 - Bodhi Jones
Bodhi Jones is the sound of the singer/songwriter today - fresh takes on stories from the heart.

Friday, August 21 - Mariachi Los Dorados
This all-star collection of musical talent plays the finest of Mexican traditional music, with their own unique northern twist.

Artist of the Week: Head of the Herd

After a year off from playing shows in Vancouver, and from doing much else other than slaving away over a brand new record, Head of the Herd are back in town and headlining the Red Truck Brewery Parking Lot Concert Series this weekend. They've had their share of jetsetting after recording  Birds on the Roof in the middle of the countryside in Wales, in Georgia, and at home. More than just a the music, the record is interwoven with memories, strange stories and challenges. 

"We did the drums in Wales," Neu Mannnas explained to me over the phone. "We had this guy we were working with. We did 5 songs with Ian Davenport. We had the drum set from OK Computer, so I was like 'I want to use these!' The studio is in the middle of the countryside in Wales, they had the goddamn piano that Bohemian Rhapsody was recorded on. You just walked into the room and that piano had a presence. But right outside there were Welsh cows walking around."

There's definitely something about being far away from home that heightens the senses and makes every day a surreal experience. Mannas elaborated, "We were in the middle nowhere. No distractions. You're in the moment. You just wouldn't approach things the same way at home." The trekking around and chasing down producers paid off, in Manna's opinion. "We didn't do what was easy or cheap - we did expensive and difficult. So many bands get caught in the grans system... figure out what you want to do first, and make that. Beg, borrow, steal, light fires! We were so committed that we would do whatever it took to get it right."

If you're a fan of the band or just want to have a good time, come on down on Saturday to Red Truck. Don't expect the HOTH of past albums though, or you'll be dissappointed. "We went out of our way to make this sound different - shake it up," tells Mannas. Besides the pre-order, very few people have actually heard the music. "We kept it under tight wraps because we wanted people to hear it how we wanted them to hear it," elaborates Mannas. If a beautiful Saturday outdoor festival in an East van parking lot with lots of fresh beer is how the band wanted fans to hear the music, then they picked the right event. 

Birds on the Roof is available on iTunes or you can wait for the in-store release on September 25. Check out the debut single, "Live for Love", on Soundcloub.

Tickets for the Red Truck Parking Lot Concert Series are available here for $35.