Ever since I discovered music videos on late night MTV as a restless youth in small-town Iowa, I have always wanted to escape and delve into the music scenes depicted by my favorite bands on the TV screen. I first ran away to Minneapolis and felt at home for seven years hiding within the walls of its venues including, The Cedar Cultural Center, First Avenue, and more. Then, I ventured off to discover other musical homes in Glasgow, Omaha, Seattle, Portland, and most recently, Vancouver, B.C. A quick jaunt across the Washington border leads you to the Canadian “City of Glass” that reflects a relentlessly talented and supportive music scene.
Singer-Songwriter Jody Glenham states, “Before living in Vancouver, I had never played in a band before. I mean, I'd been playing and writing since I was a kid. But no one ever asked me to play in their band. When I moved to Vancouver, You Say Party and The Organ were well-known bands. The idea of women playing in bands wasn't foreign here and almost immediately, I started getting asked to make music with people. It was really incredible. There's a blurred line between genres here. The scene is inclusive and for the most part extremely supportive of one another. We're out here on the west coast all alone (in Canada) so we gotta be!”
Meg da Lena of BB agrees, “I appreciate the amount of badass female identifying musicians and creators we have here! The scene feels very inclusive, supportive, and actively working together to create safe spaces for everyone. There’s so much diversity and inspiration here.”
In terms of Canadian geography, Vancouver lies isolated on the West Coast making it hard to tour the rest of the country. Despite being 142 miles from Seattle, Vancouverites (and all Canadians) have to acquire expensive work visas to play any gig in the US.
“Every city is tough to live in right now, Vancouver included. The renter wage gap is ridiculous, rehearsal spaces aren’t cheap, and venues are constantly in flux. Geographically, our closest major Canadian cities take 11 hours to drive to, or cost >$200 in ferry fees.” describes Dustin Bromley, drummer of Jock Tears. “I feel like those struggles influence the types of music that come out of the city, and can motivate Vancouver bands to push harder with what they have.”
Vancouver venues are often in danger of closing down due to rapid development and most recently, the infamous Cobalt (watch The Fauxbault Documentary about the Infamous Cobalt) abruptly closed down this past March. Despite the disappearing spaces, Vancouver’s music community always finds somewhere to play. So grab your passport and cross the border to check out these essential venues in Vancouver to see up and coming local artists:
“The Biltmore has long been a Vancouver institution but the Fox has changed their programming in the last year or so and put a lot more focus on local bands. Their 4x4 showcases and willingness to take chances on new acts give new bands a place to aim for. The Sunday Service which is an improv show with some of Vancouver's best comics also happens there weekly and it's the best way to end a weekend.” ---Justice McLellan (Blue J, Harlequin Gold, Mesa Luna)
The Biltmore Cabaret reopened in 2007 as a live venue housing essential dance nights and has remained an essential place for local bands to showcase new work.
Red Gate is a non-profit art gallery that provides accessible studio space for emerging local and visiting artists of visual and sonic expertise. You can often see a vast array of bands for a small cash cover at the door.
This cozy space in East Vancouver is a great gathering space to grab a drink surrounded by old photographs and a large vintage map of the city. They often host small, intimate shows that make you feel at home.
New venues in Vancouver often appear in the shape of cafes, garages, and even Planetariums.
“I love DIY venues for everything that they do for the music scene in this city. All ages shows create a more inclusive dynamic to show environments and are so important. Teenagers need something to do for fun, just like the rest of us. I see lots of younger kids putting on shows more and more with time and that gives me lots of hope. Places like: Red Gate, Toast Collective, The Matador, Black Lab, and Thor's Palace.” - Lauren Ray (Jock Tears)
FRANKIIE - “Dream Reader”
This dream-surf outfit recently signed to Paper Bag Records and will unveil their new album, Forget Your Head, on September 20th.
Sam Tudor - “Wading”
This singer-songwriter crafts cinematic folk that lyrically singe you.
Crack Cloud - “The Next Fix”
BB - “Drowning”
BB is the rippling rock project of Bella Bébé and Meg da Lena (formerly of Jo Passed) who are currently recording a full-length and this is on their X 7-inch.
Minimal Violence - “June Anthem”
Minimal Violence is a collaboration between A. Luk and Lida P. who recently dropped their high-octane techno full-length, InDreams.
DJ Cheryl Waters Celebrates Canada Live on Air, July 1 from 10-2 PM
The Vancouver post-punk quartet share the second single from their forthcoming album Club Nites, out June 7th on Mint Records.
The Vancouver punk quartet's debut album is 18 minutes of hysterical and endlessly catchy punk music with a sometimes blistering, sometimes melancholy feminist spirit.
