Blog

(July 5th, 2017)

Live Review of Nimbus Nights at The Roxy - Summer Seventeen - July Edition feat. Officer Trip, John Hubcap, and Secondhand Habit!

Written by Nick Oostyen

Keeping with the historic rock legacy of The Roxy Cabaret, this last Nimbus Nights at The Roxy went off with a bang! The sweltering summer heat that night set the stage perfectly for such a hard hitting lineup. 

Opening the evening was the youthful three piece Officer Trip, who brought raspy and riffy southern vibes throughout their set. A clever mixing of changing time signatures, straightforward blues rock and heavy overdrive effects set the tone for much of their party-praising lyrics and stage presence. Slow and groovy bass lines set the foundation while lead vocalist and guitarist Taylor Vespers raspy and grungy delivery grabbed and held the attention of the entire room for the duration.

John Hubcap was up next, bringing a comedy punk and classic rock blend that is equal parts groove meditation and sarcastic observation. Taking some clear influence from the legendary Frank Zappa, leading man Travis Arnold crafts silly and witty quips and jabs alongside the progressive and chugging instrumentation. Grill Slingerpaints the picture of a hot day at the end of the barbecue while 20 Dollars ended the set with a scathing cost vs. value comparison set in the most hilarious of stop/start vocal delivery.

As our power closers we featured the self described “high voltage rock” quartet Secondhand Habit. Changing gears slightly from the previous act, Secondhand Habit takes the desert/southern rock energy and adds some cali-punk and surf flavours along with a mild dash of mid 2000s emo delivery, in the best way. Punky tracks such as From the Ashes and Three Times a Charm mixed with the sarcastic and low end heavy Evil Twin, on which bassist James Bowbrick and lead/guitar Jesse Turner exchanged instruments, (to the crowd’s pleasure and confusion), made for a very engaging experience. The last two tracks of their set ensured the night was ending with a bang. The chugging and sludgy tracks Defcon and Steam Powered leaving long lasting impressions on casual viewers and seasoned industry vets both.

Come join us tomorrow for the next Nimbus Nights at The Roxy, our final one of this summer (banner displayed below), featuring Rebel Priest, Porcelain Sky, and Honest and The Crow!

RSVP to the Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2310639199162041/.

(July 6, 2017)

Nimbus + Business Class Records presents...

Lane Curtis' "BeGoodBeGreat" Single Release Party at The Media Club on Wednesday, July 12th!

Join us in celebrating the debut release of Lane Curtis' single "BeGoodBeGreat" which will be dropping on Bandcamp this Wednesday, July 12th (Apple Music, iTunes, and Spotify release date TBA). This new summer track will be the very first hip-hop release in the history of Business Class Records!

Lane Curtis consistently brings a refreshing honesty & grime-ridden energy with double-time deliveries. His music can contain witty word-play and straight forward aggressiveness, continuously engaging audiences, seizing every moment possible.

This summer jam was produced, mixed, and mastered by producer B.Morales who has had several credits to his career in the hip-hop music industry including Grammy award-winning group Digable Planets, Elephant Man, Jon B., The Rascalz Red1 & DJ Kemo, Craig Smart, and Grammy award-winning producer, Chin Injeti. As a collective, collaborative project from the Nimbus School of Recording & Media network, this single was engineered by Nimbus students Jack Marko, Colleen Venables, Luke Williamson, and assistant engineered by Iman Keshavarzi, Charles McCarthy, and Ryan McKinnon. Allan Rodger is featured on drums & bass, and sassy, smooth vocals were flawlessly delivered by Kentya Kurban of Stella Soul.

This single release party will include special guests: 

KxK
Soundcloud.com/KxK

Wynona
Soundcloud.com/Wynonaaa

Too Tall & Diemention
Soundcloud.com/princetootall Soundcloud.com/Diemention

and DJ’s:
Barlee
Soundcloud.com/Barlee
Jack Marko
Soundcloud.com/JackMarko

Tickets: $10 Advance, $13 Door (available at Beat Street Records)

Location: The Media Club (695 Cambie Street, Vancouver, B.C.)

Doors: 8:00pm / Show: 8:30pm

19+ Event

Click HERE to RSVP on Facebook.

Nimbus Nights at The Roxy with Stephanie Standerwick, Modern Day Poets & Taboo Queen - LIVE REVIEW

Written by: Max Asper

Rock ‘n’ roll’s past and future were on display at last Wednesday’s Nimbus Night at the Roxy, where Taboo Queen, Modern Day Poets, and headliner Stephanie Standerwick played to a rowdy audience. Each band brought a taste of the rock music from the 80s and 90s, making for a night that was heavy on the jean jackets and Guns n’ Roses shirts.

Taboo Queen took the stage first, lead singer Mandy Cee blasted into “When I’m With You,” a catchy original song featuring groovy, but heavy guitar riffs. Up next was, “Whiskey and Guns,” a classic, sexy rock track with empowering vocals and a driving beat. It was clear that this band was adept in having a good time, and the good times did roll as they proceeded to play a cover of “Along the Watchtower” that would have made Jimi proud. Taboo Queen ended their set by getting folks dancing with blues standard, “Sweet Home Chicago,” and lastly, “What A Feeling,” during which Mandy took her jacket off and let her hair loose, offering thankful concert goers a real rock experience.

The heavier sounding Modern Day Poets (MDP) played next. Front woman Jina Anika added a punk flare to the band’s 90s motivated grunge rock sound, which made for a set clearly inspired by the likes of Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam. The band played originals “This City” and “Jim” to open, which very early on told the audience that lead guitarist Bob McAloney knew his way around a guitar, offering up shredding solos and riffs at will. MDP then slowed things down a bit, playing the rolling, more bluesy “Blacktop,” which exploded towards the end, showing off the band’s spontaneous and engaging stage presence. The band’s set concluded with a few heavier instrumental, psychedelic tracks that were pounding but still catchy. MDP are obviously very talented musicians, and combined with Jina Anika’s ability to entice audiences, the sky’s the limit with what these folks can do.

The room quieted down, and the crowd thickened in anticipation for headliner Stephanie Standerwick and her band, which included Music Industry 200 student Matt Noble. Stephanie took the stage and, in a whirlwind of hair and limbs, belted out her first track, “Home,” a ballad about life on the road, before going into the sexy, upbeat “Do You Love Me.” The set continued with many more 90s inspired rock songs, some more sultry, and some more over the top, but throughout the night the one constant was the audience’s collective amazement at Stephanie’s vocals.

The singer has a rare ability to make any space, no matter how small, feel like an arena – she made the Roxy feel like Wembly, all while channeling the style of legendary rockers like Joan Jett and Robert Plant. The crowd wasn’t satisfied with the band’s full performance, they demanded an encore, and Stephanie and her band mates didn’t disappoint, bringing the house down with Led Zeppelin’s “Rock And Roll” – a fitting end to a great night of performances at the Roxy.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Nimbus Nights at The Roxy with The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, Destructive Interference and Johnny and the Titwhistles

Written by: Corey Dupont

Vancouver, B.C. - It was the night of April 4th , 2017, and the students of Nimbus School of Recording & Media’s MIND (Music Industry) 200 class put on their fourth and final #NimbusNight of their term at Nimbus. Killing it on the Roxy stage this Tuesday night was Johnny and the Tit Whistles to start off the night. Destructive Interference following, with The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets finishing it off with a strange yet entertaining and impressive performance.

Nimbus’ own Zach Savard was the emcee for the evening, starting the show off with a few jokes before introducing Johnny and the Tit Whistles, who came “straight out the East Van bottle depot.” They kicked it off with their upbeat, high-intensity song “Johnny’s Not Here”. The crowd was minimal but the band had no shortage of energy. Perhaps a little too much energy as a guitar was destroyed on stage and the venue nearly shut the show down early. After a brief warning, they kept on rocking, playing a song called “I Hate Rats” and a few others before exiting the stage.

Next up, the Destructive Interference took the stage after a few more jokes from Zach Savard, with a rad red bass with blue lights lighting up the right side. They played their songs “Eye of the Storm”, “Eleanor”, and a few extras due to the show being ahead of schedule. They were a lot more in your face and fast-paced than the previous band, with catchy hooks like “F*** you, I Won’t Do What You Tell Me” and “Despite All My Rage, I’m Still A Rat in a Cage”. By the end of their performance, the crowd was greater in numbers and presence, and was ready for the wacky headliners of the night.

Dressed in black robes and viking horns, the Chilliwack-based rock band, whose music consists of homages to the works of H.P. Lovecraft, The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets entered the stage after a final introduction from our emcee of the evening. The crowd was roaring. They enjoyed the occult comedy and the soft, easy to sing along to songs such as “You Fool! Warren Is Dead” from their upcoming album The Dukes of Alhazred and many others. The stage presence was great. The use of a cowbell and the red horn was even greater! They are entertainers in the truest form.

It was altogether a wonderful end to a Tuesday night on Granville and grand finale for the MIND 200 students’ era of #NimbusNights at The Roxy. The progress made by the class from previous nights was undeniable. We want to thank everyone involved, and we wish all the best to the future students, bands and to The Roxy.

Peace & Love,

Corey Dupont.

Nimbus Nights at The Roxy with Etheria, My Mother The Carjacker, and Martian Flytrap

Written by: Shania Coombs

Vancouver, BC  –  It was not your typical Tuesday night in Vancouver, with three local acts Etheria, My Mother The Carjacker, and Martian Flytrap dominating The Roxy stage at the third “Nimbus Nights” of the year. The event, held March 7th, 2017, undeniably inhabited the audience with the sounds of rock and roll and possessed them to get up on their feet and move around from start to finish.

Martian Flytrap took the stage as the first openers of the night, and immediately caught the room’s attention with their unique and diverse fashion sense, from the blue spiked hair to the cheetah print pants, fans could tell they were in for a treat. The group proved just that. Starting off their set with the song “T-Rex”, the performance had no shortage of energy, with the front man – a dead ringer for Keith Flint (make sure to look him up), jumping around every square inch of the stage and interacting with all the fans. Mid-way through the set, the band enhanced their rock & roll persona by introducing the saxophone and trumpet into their production, an unusual pairing for the genre. From the non-traditional elements and their ambitious stage presence intertwining, it just goes to show that The Flytrap knows exactly what they are doing, and they do it oh so well!

Continuing the night of rock was My Mother the Carjacker, kicked off their set with a must do ritual, a casual team “AAHHH!” into the mics – ya know, to warm up those pipes. The Danger Polka champions then began with their song “Buff, The Celestial Reindeer”, which gave off influential vibes from bands such as System of a Down and Queens of the Stone Age. The trio, that consists of one of Nimbus’ very own, Matt Noble, never failed to enlighten the crowd. From their clever lyrics, innuendo song titles, immaculate musical skills, to their stage banter, there was a continuously light and airy feel to their heavier rock edge. When it came to the last song of their set, they surprised everyone with a GREASE throwback. They simply turned “Summer Nights” into their very own with some revamped lyrics, allowing it to project a whole new meaning. It is safe to say that My Mother the Carjacker has an incredible way of making their talents look effortless, leaving everyone in awe.

Etheria took center stage to wow the audience one last time before Tuesday’s “Nimbus Nights” came to an end. The three musicians—including current Nimbus student, Jack Thomas—delivered an impressive array of original heavy metal tunes with influential lyricism, displayed in their song “Acceptance”. One thing that left everyone breathless was the outstanding ability that each of them had with their instruments, along with their impressive group dynamic. The band noticeably inspired a contagious string of head banging throughout the crowd, particularly when a fellow female vocalist was invited on stage. The four of them took everyone all the way back to 2001, with a cover of Jimmy Eat World’s smash hit “The Middle”, turning the crowd into a sea of nostalgia, ending the night on a perfect note.

A massive thank you to all of the artists for making this a “Nimbus Night” to remember! We appreciate all of the family, friends, and fans who cheered these bands on endlessly throughout the night. Make sure to keep an eye out for more details on our next show on Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 at The Roxy Cabaret.

ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY Zach Savard

Don’t forget to check out the bands’ social media pages below for more information on upcoming shows and releases:

Etheria: https://www.facebook.com/EtheriaBand/

My Mother The Carjacker: https://www.facebook.com/mymotherthecarjacker/

Martian Flytrap: https://www.facebook.com/martianflytrap69/

February 7 - Nimbus Night @ The Roxy

Written by Angus Maude

The night started with a bang. Raincity Shakes, a four-piece rock band from Vancouver, took the Roxy stage on Tuesday night with a sound somewhat reminiscent of early 2000's pop-punk. They played a multitude of original songs starting with “Take A Pill,” a song that was instantly able to grasp the audience’s attention by showcasing the lead singer’s incredible vocal skills. He was passionately powering his way through every lyric, providing, what felt like, a raw grit and loveable rasp in his voice. What came next did exactly what it was supposed to do; outdo the opening song. “Long Weekend” supplied just the right amount of teenage-angst-inspired lyrics sung over a heavy hitting guitar driven instrumental that, when paired together, somehow offered both a dose of nostalgia and a breath of fresh air.

The following act, Princess Kenny, led by the respected Nimbus legend, Lucius Blackworth (aka Travis Dean), took the stage and rocked it. They played mostly original songs with the occasional Nirvana cover and a wicked rendition of Twenty-One Pilot’s ‘Heathens’. The distorted guitar riffs and thick bass licks playing harmoniously over the gut-punching drums created a bedding for Blackworth’s gritty lead vocals.

The final band, Sound of The Sun, approached the stage and instantly appeared to be quite a unique presence. Three young women all equipped with microphones, one with a guitar, one with a piano and the other with a bongo drum. Despite the fact that they didn't quite fit in with the genre provided by their opening acts, they still managed to attract eyes and ears as they finished the show off with what felt like a calming exhale.

Fertile Future's Fundraiser - Live Show Review

Written by Dustin McGhie

Vancouver, BC - The power of hope was most definitely shown in Vancouver as community and melodies filled The Roxy on Thursday, February 2nd for a special edition of “Nimbus Nights” with national charity, Fertile Future (Go to Fertile Future's Website here). With spectacular performances from the always exciting headliner, Marina Lagace and as well from the two supporting acts, the powerful vocalist, Elle Wolf, and the amazing singer-songwriter, Sam Lynch.

 Sam Lynch, an incredible talent was the first act to woo the audience with laid-back melodies and a nuanced display of emotion. As Sam played through her set, the audience was unable to drop their focus on this breathtaking singer. Keep an eye out for Sam Lynch as she is currently recording her EP and planning a West Coast tour across B.C. and Alberta.

 Elle Wolf was the second act to take the stage. Normally backed by a full band, Elle Wolf took to the stage as a solo singer-songwriter for the night. Despite being a one-woman band, she worked the room with her captivating personality and incredible vocals. Complete with original songs such as “High”, the single off Elle’s upcoming EP and a killer cover of “Reptilia” by The Strokes. Elle’s voice projected through the audience as all stood in awe.

The tantalising Marina Lagace performed a mesmerising headliner set with her amazing display of range as she hit opera-like pitches. The harmonizing backup vocals from Marina’s violinist captured the room as he paused to sing from gliding his bow gracefully across the violin strings, equally as captivating as he played. In many of her songs, she added whistling which blended with the violin with ease and made for a classic sound. Marina played an original song called “Mountain Pass”, the overwhelming imagery that came through in her lyrics, mixed with the stunning vocals and captivating violin, whisks your mind away into a mental “Mountain Pass”. Following right behind was a great cover of the Johnny Cash classic, “Ring Of Fire”. The cover did not disappoint as the crowd erupted in cheers. Closing off the night was an original song called “Salty Peach”. I'm not going into great detail about this song’s lyrical content, as I’m sure you have ideas running through your head already. The final song was the cherry, nay, the peach on top of the night.

 The entertainment level of the evening exceeded expectations with a mixture of performances. As all the performers finished up, the crowd resounded in delight, making sure to show their gratitude for not only the artists but also for Fertile Future’s great community work. I have so much appreciation for all the acts who played this fundraiser; without them, this night would have not been such a success. Without knowing the importance of fertility preservation prior to their treatment, many young Canadians are left infertile with few options, so with each sound of change hitting the bucket, that's one step closer to a better future.

Nimbus Nights at The Roxy with The Great Atlas, Michael Averill and MARC-E - January 11, 2017

Written By: Rachael Schroeder

On January 11th, 2017, the first Nimbus Night of the year was held at The Roxy Cabaret. As the first act was getting ready for their set, people began flowing into the venue for good drinks and to see the live music Vancouver had to offer on a Wednesday night.

The Great Atlas, a duo containing violin (Joey), guitar and vocals (Cole), went up first to perform and got straight into playing after a comical anecdote about not liking small talk banter at a show. Throughout their entire set, the violin interlaced itself gracefully and eloquently with the vocal melodies never getting in the way only enhancing the strong musicality already found in their songs. By the second song in their set, they had captivated the crowd and filled the room with their honest, heartfelt songs. Cole’s dynamic vocals carried the stories in each song along with his great pitch and controlled break, while Joey played wonderful counter melodies and diversified how he was playing; the plucking of the violin in the second song, for example, was a lovely surprise, and a tasteful way to end the song. They saved their favourite song for last, ‘War’.There was an unexpected cheerful disposition in the beginning of a song called ‘War’, but the contrast was intriguing. The melodies were engaging, the violin inflections were compelling and the song contained great rhythm despite the absence of any traditional percussive instruments. Cole hit the high note of the last chorus with passion, power, and emotion; a wonderful finish to a strong set.

Next up, Michael Averill graced the stage after his introduction which included an inside story about how he literally walked across Canada in his latest tour. The first song began with a great guitar riff and cheery energy; an awesome way to kick off the set. Michael was performing solo with his acoustic guitar and stompbox (a pedal used to emulate a kick drum), and his strong story-based lyrics and playful banter filled the room. His vocals were smooth with fantastic tone as he sang his song “Play Your Heart Out” with passion. Each of his songs had their own story, and each story was captured by delightful lyrics that caught the audience’s attention. In the middle of the set, he played a song that was about the misfortune of mismatched socks done in a Newfoundland style folk melody; the whole audience enthusiastically sang and clapped along as he expressively performed his tune a capella. It should be noted that he stayed in key effortlessly the entire time, a feat that displayed his outstanding music skills. After the jolly and lighthearted song about socks, he invited Joey from The Great Atlas to accompany him with the violin; it was a wonderful collaboration. Even with a set full of strong songs, his last song stood out the most stylistically. He played slide guitar excellently, with superb execution and groove; it added a whole new feeling and was a great ending to his set. During his entire performance, it was clear Michael has taken the time to hone his craft as a musician and storyteller.

Our headliner, MARC-E, was next and last to perform. The talented vocalist and guitarist was accompanied by Matt Diamond, who played keyboard, tracks from their laptop (included drums, bass and synth) and electric guitar as well. Throughout his performance, MARC-E displayed great confidence and a sense of self in his soulful singing and incredible guitar skills. In his second song, he had his accompaniment, Matt, take the spotlight and showcase his rapping skills, as well as invite Mic Flont from Seattle’s OTOW Gang up on stage to show off his rhymes also; both guests were rhythmic and performed excellently. The entire set had a chill vibe, laid back tempo and set a wonderful atmosphere for the evening that allowed the audience to just kick back on a Wednesday night. It was interesting to see a derivative of soulful music delivered and expressed in a modern way with pre-recorded tracks and modern elements fused with a familiar blues style guitar and vocal melodies.

Big thank you again to all the artists who played their hearts out and to everyone who came out and supported them. Our next show is February 2, 2017 at The Roxy Cabaret.

For more information about the artists, here are their web pages:

The Great Atlas: facebook.com/TheGreatAtlasMusic/

Michael Averill: michaelaverill.com

MARC-E: marc-e.net

(Sept 9, 2016)

Vancouver, B.C. - The first Nimbus Night of the fall semester happened this past Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at The Roxy Cabaret on Granville Street in Downtown Vancouver. The musical lineup booked by Nimbus' in-house record label Business Class Records featured a wide range of musical genres and showcasing several Nimbus students and alumni. Many familiar faces and new faces to the monthly Tuesday ritual--students, staff, and strangers--came out to support their local music scene.

Rocking ripped jeans and an old school Canucks jersey, Jake Hope of Nyhla Records kicked off the night along with his DJ accompaniment, Masherman. His voice resounded through the Roxy room in light, angelic form, starkly contrasting against the dark, mellow beats that Masherman laid out on the soundscape. Jake Hope's style drew comparisons to a West Coast JB. "The Beibs of the West." (His fans could then be called Hopers. Like Beliebers, get it?)

Mikaila Tombe was next up. A previous BCR label head and Nimbus alum, Mikaila was certainly no stranger to the Roxy stage. She  started off her set with a tune that got even the bartender literally bopping, which was of course a good sign. Her folk-pop musical style had hints of blues, jazz, soul, and R&B, and her gleaned her guitar skills and vocal range effortless. After introducing her “lovely, handsome bandmates,” she told the crowd, “This is kinda like the sassy song out of my set, it’s called 'Lady Killer'."  Mikaila then covered two familiar songs, including the classic, “Hit The Road Jack”. Her voice was sultry and smooth, yet powerful a far-reaching. 

Alt-Rock band REND, who just moved to Vancouver from Edmonton, finished the night with a bang. The band's lead singer, Carol-Lynne Quinn, was absolutely electric in her performance. She blew the crowd away with her incredible vocals (jaws were literally dropped). Carol-Lynne also pulled out a REND kazoo (sold with merch at REND's shows) and did a mini solo with it during their cover of Foster The People’s “Pumped Up Kicks”.  (Apparently the kazoo comes out at every show.) This edition of Nimbus Nights will now go down in history as "Kazoo-sdayTuesday."

Be sure to check out all of these amazing artists online, playing at future shows in the community, and be sure to come out to the next Roxy Show on Tuesday, Oct. 4th! 

Written by Francesca Cammarata

Nimbus Nights at The Roxy with Trashcan Panda and Better Proposals - August 2nd, 2016

Written By: Brendan Pryde

Once again, on the first Tuesday of each month, Nimbus School of Recording and Media hosts Nimbus Nights at The Roxy. It is an event that showcases amazing local talent where those who come can have some drinks and enjoy the various live sets that are being played. This show on August 2nd was slightly different from other nights, as only two acts were scheduled to perform.

         The first act that played was Trashcan Panda. Something of interest to note, is the fact that the lead vocalist of Trashcan Panda was a former Nimbus student. On the topic of the lead vocalist, while he did not come across as one of the most seasoned of vocalists, he certainly possessed a lot of power in his voice. He was loud and not afraid to show it and that made the entire set eclectic and energetic. Every band member from the guitarist, bassist and even the drummer made use of the stage and moved around as much as they possibly could. While Trashcan Panda played many original tracks, they mostly performed covers. The two covers that stood out were their Guerillaz cover and their Beatles cover. Trashcan Panda did a stellar job opening up Nimbus Nights at the Roxy and it lead perfectly into the second act.

         The second act of the night was Better Proposals. From Calgary and Winnipeg, Better Proposals is a 3-piece band that plays garage rock with elements of grunge and pop. Two of their members of the Vancouver-based band, Social Smokers. Their performance was really solid, and while I do admit that Trashcan Panda held my attention more and captivated more people, Better Proposals was able to get many people to get up and dance. The vocalist in particular needs a bit more experience, but for Better Proposals first live performance they still did a great job on stage at The Roxy. Their mixture of original songs and recognizable covers certainly made up for a lack of a third act.

         Overall, despite not having three acts, the Nimbus Night at The Roxy went very well. Trashcan Panda had a wild and moving performance, while Better Proposals kept it going and had everybody in the dancing mood. 

Nimbus Nights at The Roxy with Liam Priddy, Ian Cromwell and Red Bird Orchestra - July 5th, 2016

Written By: Brendan Pryde

On July 5, there were three acts that performed at the Nimbus Nights at The Roxy. The first of the three was Liam Priddy, who opened for those just entering the Roxy. Liam had a very soft and warm voice that melded nicely with the sound delivered from his acoustic guitar. The most memorable and notable performance from him was his cover of Major Lazer’s “Lean On”. He did not perform it alone however, as he had another friend provide the female vocals of the song with him. It was a very unique take on an otherwise very electronic track.

The act that followed after Liam Priddy was Ian Cromwell. He had excellent stage presence. Once he really got into his music it caught the attention of everyone in the room. Ian would provide the beat by playing one aspect of a song and then would loop it and build upon it by adding more layers. For example, he began one of his songs by slapping his bass guitar. Most who were watching him did not think twice about him doing so, but once he looped it, everyone was amazed on how the song continued to shape. The fusion of multiple instruments captivated each person in the room, most notably when he played the violin. Not only that, but his vocals that helped form his smooth rnb and funk tracks were distinct and powerful and it really resonated. His set contained a solid mixture of fast paced, energetic tracks, to softer, layered emotional ballads. In particular, the final three songs were exceptional, enticing many to get up from their chairs and dance.

The final act that performed that night was the Red Bird Orchestra. If I were to choose two words that encapsulated this group in two words, it would be dramatic and unique. Red Bird Orchestra is comprised of three members, with one of them being a former Nimbus student. Their music was an unreal blend of old school sounds, such as keyboard and synth and very stylized, dramatic vocals with other modern aspects found in rock music masterful percussion and guitar. When I mean dramatic, I certainly mean dramatic in every way shape and form. The pianist could not even contain himself in his chair as he masterful played the keys.  Come to think of it, there is no genre that perfect defines this group. There are elements of jazz, funk, rnb, rock, pop, so many elements in fact that Red Bird Orchestra could be the beginning of the creation of a new sub-genre.  Every song they played was filled to the brim with emotion and vigor and had filled the room with so much energy. Red Bird Orchestra is really a sight to witness and an act that definitely needs to be seen live if ever given the chance.

Overall, July 5th’s Nimbus Night at The Roxy, was no exception regarding showcasing Vancouver’s best local live musical acts. The structure and flow of all the performances was particularly something to take note of as well. Liam Priddy opened up the night which allowed for Ian Cromwell to liven the room and have Red Bird Orchestra bring everything together.

Mikaila Tombe from Business Class Records Interviews Liam Priddy

BCR sits down with current Nimbus student and artist Liam Priddy, to talk about his new release "Silver", his experience at Nimbus, and more! 

Nimbus Nights at The Roxy with Annie Becker and Guests - June 7th, 2016

Written By: Max Sepulveda

The second installment of “Nimbus Nights” at The Roxy, produced by the new wave of students from Nimbus School Of Recording Arts, featured headliner Annie Becker, with supporting acts Rachael Schroeder and Stephanie Ratcliff.

Stephanie Ratcliff first took stage, on what seemed to be a slow night, but as her music resonated through the doors of The Roxy, more and more people began to trickle in. Her heavy and heartfelt lyrics shined a light onto her struggles with depression, as well the battle against addiction fought by those close to her. Although some of her lyrics were dark, she maintained an uplifting atmosphere with bright humour between songs, hooking the crowd and gluing them to their seats. Her final song of the evening was her brand new single “Hold Me Tight”, a fun and upbeat song, which left a lively vibe among the crowd.

The second act of the night was Rachael Schroeder, an 18 year old singer/songwriter currently enrolled at Nimbus. Rachael caught me off guard with her astonishing voice, which held properties shared by some of the best singers to date. Her voice was smooth, powerful, and well maintained with great control over the many nuances in her voice. Her music combined aspects of both blues and lounge music, while giving sweet and serene atmosphere. Partway into her set, she stunned the crowd with a cover of “The Shadow Of Your Smile”, from the movie “The Sandpiper”, leaving the crowd eager for the remainder of her set.

Before the show even began, Annie Becker captured my attention during her soundcheck. Hours later, my anticipation was finally over as she took center stage solo, with only her guitar.  Her voice was strong, cutting, and quite dynamic, working well with her jazzy chord progressions on the guitar. Even by herself, through the use of percussive slaps on her guitar, she carried the rhythm, achieving a whole and complete sound. About halfway into her set, the drummer and violin player joined in, further developing Annie’s already unique sound.  The drums were solid, securing the backbone of her music, while the violin added dynamic texture accentuating the build ups and controlling the tension. Song after song, people were getting more and more into the performance, but remained in their seats.  Noticing this,  Annie coaxed a group of people into leaving their seats and taking to the floor, where they danced for the rest of the evening.  During her last song, all while playing guitar, Annie thanked everyone for coming out, as well as Nimbus and The Roxy for putting on the show.

Nimbus Nights at The Roxy on May 10th, 2016

“Presented by BCR, The Roxy, and Nimbus School of Recording and Media”

Musical Fundraiser with proceeds going to the Red Cross in relief of the Fort McMurray Fires.

The very first "Nimbus Nights" of the new summer semester, hosted by BCR and Nimbus School of Recording & Media at The Roxy, proved to be one filled with immense talent and spirit. This particular Tuesday night's draw was centred around the Fort McMurray fires that had recently displaced tens of thousands of residents from their homes. BCR and Nimbus students came together to take initiative and participate in the relief efforts by putting door proceeds from the show towards the Red Cross.

The Roxy venue started to fill up as the night progressed and the two feature indie rock bands, Civiliana and Bridges to Royal, kept the crowd jamming and thrashing in their seats.

The first band for the evening's roster, Civiliana, a trio led by front man Calen Trentini, who doubled as drummer and lead vocalist, was an example of Vancouver indie rock at its finest. It was a refreshing sight to see the front vocals coming from the rhythm section--something rather uncommon at Nimbus Nights. The group’s set was well-rehearsed, playing a number of tracks that were unreleased and some material so fresh it hadn't been named at all. Civiliana displayed a creativity and diversity by not only working with just 3 members, but by incorporating a synthesizer into their routine as well. Standing out in their set list were the tracks “The Party Song” and “The Trench”.

Bridges to Royal was the second and final band to hit the stage and suffice to say, never had there been a more perfect fit for The Roxy than these guys. Bridges' style was a mixture of southern, classic rock, combined with some cool new vibes from the Vancouver rock scene. Band members donning sunglasses and with wavy, long hair, the 80's and 90's rockstar styles and sounds were in full effect. The crowd really got to moving, grooving, and singing along to Bridges to Royal’s cover of the famous Aerosmith song, “Sweet Emotion”. The band played a fantastic set, and the audience was amazed to learn their band had only rehearsed twice with their bass guitarist.

Both bands were seemingly flawless in their performance and displayed enormous class by donating 100% of their earnings from the show to the Red Cross in support of the fires which have taken the city of Fort McMurray, Alberta. For more heart, soul, and Rock & Roll from your Nimbus and BCR friends, come out to the next show on Tuesday, June 7.

(April 6th 2016)

 Nimbus Nights- Chapter 6 Ft. Kin Kanyon, Elle Wolf and Marina Lagace

Written By: Daniel Kay

 The 6th installment of Nimbus Nights at the Roxy Cabaret presented by Business Class Records and Nimbus School of Recording and Media featured yet another talented group of local artists and bands. The night was kicked off by Singer/Songwriter Marina Lagace, followed by the indie west coast artist Elle Wolf and closed out by an energetic performance of psychedelic power pop by Kin Kanyon.

Marina Lagace eased us into the night with her voice of a Disney princess and soulful acoustic guitar that for a solo performance, filled the room. It took a couple of songs for the room to warm up, but the audience began to engage. She brought some more exhilaration with her 3rd song “Fishwife”, which was complemented by a tongue-twisting chant that encouraged the crowd to chant along. While, “Life is so fine” had a beautiful whistle that sounded like it could have been a mocking bird.

Started out with soothing harmonies and lullaby like guitar chords, Elle Wolf and her band went into a raucous build-up that made you tap your feet with their first song of the night. The performance was complete with poetic, funny, yet introspective songs about everything from love, heartbreak and the unknown. At one point they seemed to be so in tune with each other that they appeared to be in a trance. The last song of the set “Into Eyes” was dark and eerie, filled with harmonies that made you want to look to someone for a hug.

Kin Kanyon brought the energy from the very first hit of the drum and strum of the strings in a nice change of pace taking the show to another atmospheric level in a power pop ballad. In the second song of their set they broke out in their signature psychedelic sound. Singer Dan Rocque, brought a swagger to the stage as he strutted and used every bit of his voice. At one point they took us through a journey with a scuzzy surf rock like track that had to get your head banging. One song you could’ve sworn was a Pink Floyd track if you had your eyes closed, while another was reminiscent to a story told in Lou Reed like fashion. With a solid set of songs and taking into consideration how well they play live, Kin Kanyon has a bright future with music that should resonate with the stoner culture of Vancouver. 

(March 22, 2016)

Nimbus Nights - Chapter 5 ft. Sarah Jickling & her Good Bad Luck, Cozy, and Oliveye

 Written By: Patrick Ocampo

 On Tuesday, March 15th, Business Class Records, Nimbus School of Recording and Media, and The Roxy Cabaret hosted its fifth instalment of Nimbus Nights spotlighting local singer-songwriters: Sarah Jickling, Cozy, and Oliveye. This particular evening was a special edition of Nimbus Nights, with an all-female lineup, celebrating International Women's Day.

Oliveye started off the evening showing off her strong vocal skills with her song, “Her Story.” On her song, “Misery Undo,” Oliveye showed off her sweet guitar skills along with her already impressive vocal range. Be sure to watch out for her new EP, Come Undone, coming out soon!

Nimbus' very own Cozy made her triumphant return to the Roxy stage starting off her set with a tongue-in-cheek women's empowerment rap, “WWW.” A strongly voiced young artist on the scene has both serious, and seriously-funny, songs. “If You Ever Get a Sunburn,” is always a crowd favourite with its hilarious crowd-call-backs about sunburns where the sun doesn't shine. Cozy ended her set with her brand new song, “Famous,” revealing not just her vocal and rapping skills but with her ukulele playing.

Sarah Jickling and Her Good Bad Luck, ended the night with her signature indie synth pop songs. Her first song, “Cry Baby,” was full of strong vocal melodies, cool synth sounds, and an awesome violin solo. “Dear God, the Universe, and Everything,” interestingly incorporated trombone which flowed nicely throughout, accentuating Sarah’s sassy style. Her Robin cover of, “Whose that Girl?,” was injected with violin and made the song very much Sarah’s. Throughout the last part of her set, Jickling implemented her theme of bipolar awareness with her song, “This Time.” Be sure to look out for Sarah Jickling and her Good Bad Luck's upcoming album, When I Get Better, coming out this summer produced by Nimbus alumni, Harley Small.

Overall, this was a great night showcasing some very talented women from the Vancouver area. Be sure to catch our next instalment of Nimbus Nights at The Roxy on Tuesday March 29th ft. Kin Kanyon, Elle Wolf, and Marina Lagace! J

(March 8, 2016)

NIMBUS NIGHTS – Chapter 4 ft. Coldwater Road, Zack Kleisinger and Mikaila Tombe

Written by: Michael Widjaja

The fourth “Nimbus Night” event on March 1st at the Roxy Cabaret was headlined by Coldwater Road together with special guests Zack Kleisinger and Mikaila Tombe.

This Tuesday night live music event is hosted fortnightly by music business students from Nimbus School of Recording & Media in collaboration with promoters from the Roxy and Granville Entertainment Group.

Mikaila Tombe started off the night with an easy-listening cover of Jack Johnson which pleased the crowd with her welcoming vocals. The current music business student at Nimbus then proceeded on to play a medley of two sassy songs, Why Don’t You Do Right and Hit The Road Jack. The two songs was creatively arranged which further illustrates her talent as a musician. A series of original songs such as, Lady Killer and Sundays was also performed before she rounded her set off with Corinne Bailey Rae’s Put Your Records On; which was definitely a crowd-pleaser.

Next on the docket was Saskatchewan native Zack Kleisinger, a blue-eyed soul / prairie folk-rock singer-songwriter playing some original blues, soul tunes. His first song of the night was I was Your Drug, which had a catchy hook and empowering lyrics. Zack then managed to get a rise of laughter from the crowd while describing how his song Anne was written. Apparently Anne was a friend of Zack’s and had requested that he create a song about her while propositioned to take a photo of Anne’s new nipple piercing. Zack’s unique sound and vocals were out in the open for all to see as he ended his set with a song that had been recorded at Nimbus School of Recording & Media entitled Baby Come out Tonight.

The headliners for the evening, Coldwater Road, got off to a bumpy start with a shrieking feedback sound from one of the guitars, but the band quickly regained their rhythm and kicked it into gear with a couple original songs such as Hot Balloon, 7 Letters, and Toast. The folk band who had participated in the 2013 Peak Performance Project continued to sway the crowd with their melodious music and story-like lyrics. By the end of the night, the audience seemed pleased with their performance and cheered excitedly as Coldwater Road ended their set with Photograph and Drive.

The upcoming “Nimbus Night” (Chapter 5) at The Roxy will next Tuesday, March 15th with an all-female performing lineup consisting of Sarah Jickling and Her Good Bad Luck with special guests Cozy and Oliveye. This special edition “Nimbus Night” has been curated in celebration of International Women’s Day, spotlighting some of the best female musical talent this city has to offer!

We hope to get you dancing with us then!

RSVP on the Facebook event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/196492684047027/?fref=ts

(Feb. 9. 2016)

NIMBUS NIGHTS - Chapter 2

Written by: Larisa Sanders

This past Tuesday, on February 2nd, in collaboration with The Roxy and Business Class Records, Music Business students from Nimbus School of Recording & Media hosted their second bi-weekly event at The Roxy, “Nimbus Nights.” The evening brought about a high-calibre showcase complete with a diverse roster of 3 talented local acts, Gina Loes, The Spheres, and HAWKING.

Starting off the night, Gina Loes graced the stage and captivated the crowd with her familiar yet matchless songwriting. Her unique sound had an air of youthfulness while rooted in contrasting wise tones.  As she swapped between guitar and ukulele, Gina’s voice floated effortlessly alongside her accompaniment on the drums. After a full set of original songs, Gina ended her set with a cover of Archie, Marry Me by the Canadian band Alvvays, whose dreamy pop genre mingled perfectly with the folky airiness of Gina’s style.  A great start to the night!

Next up on the bill were The Spheres who brought us into a swirling 80’s dance party. Along with quality musicianship, the band came equipped with a great sense of humour. In the middle of one of their songs, lead singer of the band, Max Szentveri, broke out into social commentary. Max expressed his qualm with the dairy industry, randomly remarking on the inconsistency of cheese prices between stores. He commented, “I’m not talking about fancy cheese, just cheddar. You go to one place and its $5 others its $9. I just don’t get it.” Each of the band members seemed fully immersed in their experience performing on stage, and the crowd seemed to share in their enjoyment.  

Last to tear it down, HAWKING hit the stage, picking up the momentum for the night. The guys broke out with their hit Books on Tape and set the tone for their high-energy and emotionally engaging set.  Given their heavy touring experience, the band seemed right at home on stage, commanding the crowd’s reverence right off the bat. After showcasing their bangers from their first self-titled EP, they gifted the crowd with a sneak peek of some of their newest material. HAWKING’s first LP is yet to be released next year. Stay tuned!

Our next “Nimbus Nights” is coming up next Tuesday on February 16th. The night will feature Matt & Sam’s Brother, Rafael Rico and 45 Spacer. Come by, say hi, and experience some live local music with your friends at Business Class Records!

RSVP at: https://www.facebook.com/events/146924175689132/.