Mercy Years is a Vancouver band you will like.

Born out of Vancouver’s coffee scene, Mercy Years is a collaboration from parts of British Columbia, the Canadian Prairies and London, England. Euphoric melodies and driving rhythms reflect their expansive origins; hints of the UK post-punk scene are melded with Cascadian indie-rock textures resulting in a stirring wall of sound.
The initial spark was an answer to a Craigslist ad for musicians in autumn 2009. Then came a failed attempt at formation, leaving guitarists Nick Russell and Adam Sharp to assemble a collection …

Nerd Fest Returns for its 2nd year of showcasing that the world of knights and dragons is more than fantasy, it’s the new cool!
 
Nerd Fest, a night of medieval fantasy returns to Vancouver on November 19th at the Rickshaw Theatre with local folk metal clans Scythia, Eye Of Odin and Celestial Ruin. Scythia will be headlining the fest as they have just released their second studio album “…Of Exile” last month to rave reviews and have topped the Canadian college loud charts at #1.
Fantasy metal won’t be the only entertainment …

The Vancouver International Fringe Festival is a huge event with tons of content, with over 700 productions it was impossible for me to check out everything. But I did check four plays that involved music… and dance…and acting…and visuals. Check out the photos, videos and review.

‘For You’ by Pennan Brae

‘For You’ is from Pennan Brae’s 3rd release, ‘Early Rise’. Directed by Tim Cash of ‘Far From Earth Films’, the video was shot in Redmond, Oregon in the Fall of 2011. Pennan Brae is a singer-songwriter from Vancouver, BC.

Now in its 27th year, the Vancouver Fringe Festival has become British Columbia’s largest theatre festival. Running for 11 days, showcasing 89 artists, and spanning 25 venues, the Fringe presents over 700 productions on Granville Island and around Vancouver. With 12 site-specific theatre shows and a free outdoor stage with live music, the Fringe will be the place to be come September.

The official album release party is taking place this September 4th at the Media Club. Guests and long time friends include: Northcote and Eli Hilberry. Doors are at 9:00pm and advance tickets are available online at ticketweb.ca. Advance tickets include a complimentary copy of the new album that can be picked up upon arrival. You can also check them out on September 16th in Victoria at the Studio and on September 17th in Courtney at the Bridge Lounge. Expect to have fun have with Run River’s introspective, lyrical rock music that’s sure to keep your feet tapping.

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Diamond Dancer is comprised of long-time friends and lovers who have traded in their dysfunctional hardcore punk rock past for twinkly guitar hooks and heartfelt vocals.

The band encapsulates a throwback indie, ’90s emo revival feel – tropes of somber music accompanied by a shy narrator singing seriously about mundane problems.

Some have named Diamond Dancer “true emo”, as well as one of the first “twinkledaddies” from Vancouver (and possibly Canada.)

I was first musically introduced to Melissa Auf der Maur in 1994 when she became the bass player for the band Hole. I was 16 and very excited that she was in my favourite band not only because she was a young rocking bass player (she was only 22 when she joined) but because she was Canadian, hailing from the great city of Montreal.

Melissa’s music career started to take off in the early 90’s when she met Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) after a Pumpkins show in Montreal when she apologized for her friend who had heckled him and thrown a beer bottle at the band while on stage

Vancouver-based rock-reggae group Redeye Empire released their 4th album “Last Chance For Sunshine” on July 1st, 2011. To celebrate the release of their new album, Redeye Empire hit the road for a series of Album Release shows in BC and the USA.

“We’ve been on tour for 2 months doing a square of the continent. But favorite shows…NYC and LA are always great, Long Beach especially. Our show in Charlotte, North Carolina was my favorite because we played with a band called Brain F that I really love. Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Oakland, Gainsville, Ann Arbour, Chicago, SF. It all kind of bleeds together now. This was an interesting tour.”

My favorite thing about The Get Down is their ability to effortlessly switch genres in their music and this album brings an unexpected surprise by breaking new ground for the band with hip hop. They have the ability to go from rock to reggae to a country feel and beyond.

Get both Christa Couture’s new EPs Free or by donation.

Natalie Pa’apa’a got the crowd as excited as humanly possible bringing us into a frenzied riot of pleasure and dancing. A musician with the message of ONE LOVE Natalie Pa’apa’a and Blue King brown are an inspiration. If you ever get the chance to check them out, do it! You will be glad you did and you will leave the show feeling like you were just part of something unimaginably great.

PNE Star Showdown is a province-wide talent search. The competition will showcase performers from all around the province. This year’s new intensified format will incorporate four days of competition with daily prizing for first, second and third place.

This year’s PNE Star Showdown will be hosted by The Beat 94.5 with $10,000 in prizing plus over $22,000 in New Image College Scholarships! The new program also increases the group size so a performance group of 8 people can now enter.

To celebrate Vancouver’s 125th birthday, the City of Vancouver will host a free, family-friendly arts and entertainment extravaganza on the weekend of July 8-10, 2011 (Friday to Sunday)