Arts Revelstoke’s new initiative is showcasing, promoting, and connecting more than 20 emerging artists from across the Kootenays.
Kootenay Sounds is a project that’s been in the works at Arts Revelstoke since January, 2023. A production team from the local organization hit the road to engage with artists from around the region by showcasing four bands from six Kootenay communities at iconic local venues and capturing it on film. The production team was led by Revelstoke’s Francois Desrosiers of FD Productions. The project was supported by grant funding from Canada Council for the Arts.
“The captivating performances have been transformed into high-quality videos that showcase both the artists and the picturesque beauty of their communities,” said Arts Revelstoke in a press release.
Venues featured in the project include the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre, the Nelson Innovation Centre, the Trail Beer Refinery, the Golden Civic Centre, Fort Steele Heritage Town near Cranbrook, and the Fernie Arts Station.
“Kootenay Sounds will provide much-deserved exposure for these talented bands and generate new opportunities for their growth and success,” added Arts Revelstoke. “By connecting and showcasing these unique communities through the universal language of sound, Arts Revelstoke aims to strengthen the cultural fabric of the Kootenays and foster a thriving arts scene.”
The 24 artists featured in Kootenay Sounds, as well as the original songs they performed for the project:
- Revelstoke - May Davis shares her sultry track “Ocean Side,” psychedelic-rock group Rainbow Calculus with “1848,” dynamic duo SiFi Beats feat. Willoway delivers “The Way You See Me,” and blues act Al Lee’s “Always a Reason.”
- Golden - Buddy Wackett & the Floorwalkers entertain with “That Old Song,” Oh November presents “Not Every Soul” and “Keep Me From The Darkness,” and Ricky Diamonds, former top-tier lounge singer, performs 8“Your Way.”
- Fernie - Charles Benjamin performs “Highway 1,” Cats in Heat with “She Didn’t Like Punk,” RedGirl’s infectious track “100 Steps,” and Chungus performs “Underground.”
- Trail - Stubbs and The add a touch of humour with “Ma Tondeuse à Gazon,” Alissa Arnason with the track “Lighthouse,” TruckVanCar’s track “Backyard” and Peter Reed’s evocative “When the Angels Come.”
- Cranbrook - Wild Honey with the track “Let’s Be Cowboys,” Leather Apron Revival performs “Black Cats & Ladders,” Heather Gemmell with “NorthStar Turnin,” The Parsons with “Hard Hill To Climb.”
- Nelson - Poppy and the Pea perform “Deep Dive,” Tenise Marie’s “Calm in a Crisis,” Adrian Wagner & Shawn Fisher with “Impulse,” and Sarah Orton captivates with her track “You.”
The videos will be available on Arts Revelstoke’s YouTube page on June 1. Visit artsrevelstoke.com for more information.
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