Date Posted: July 9, 2011
Print Edition: July 8, 2011
By Amy Van Veen (The Cascade) – Email
On Saturday, July 9 local music fans will have the opportunity to experience the sounds of home and support one of the Lower Mainland’s fast-rising bands, Kodiak Nightlife.
Consisting of Jason Sylvester, Jacqueline Bartel, Nick Fengler, and Brad Ross, this group invites fans to share with them in the monumental celebration of the release of their first CD, Beast Like Me. With two opening bands, this event is sure to be a treat and, bonus, it’s actually local.
Formed in March of 2010, Kodiak Nightlife brings together four talented musicians who have either previously been in bands or had been working on their own. For those wanting to know the inspiration for their name, a cloud of intrigue surrounds that query, leaving only true fans privy to the origins of this bear in the night.
The band itself, along with Jon Anderson of Buena Vista Audio, produced and mastered all of the tracks which were recorded in “several different spaces,” says bandmate Nick Fengler; “Nimbus studios, The Hive Creative Lab, as well as various bedrooms, basements, rehearsal spaces, bathrooms, and church sanctuaries.” A lot of hard work and dedication to the music supports the creation of their debut album; this combined with the collaborations for each individual track only scratches the surface of what makes Kodiak Nightlife stand out.
“What makes our band different is that we are not trying to be mainstream, but we are not trying to be alternative either,” says Fengler. “We just play music that we like and use what tools we have to make it sound unique. If it’s the ‘less is more’ approach when arranging songs, or focusing on male/female harmonies, or even just mixing all of our musical influences – which range from hardcore to pop and everything in between – we feel that it’s something a little different, a little special.”
The two bands opening that night will be Cruel Young Heart (CYH) and The Hot Moonbeams (THM). The former recently played with Kodiak Nightlife and Peak Performance Project finalist Bend Sinister in April. “[CYH] are really good guys, hard-working and honest, and a super fun live show.” UFV’s own THM was recommended by the editor of Ion Magazine and friend of the band Trevor Risk, who had previously been involved in recording with them.
When asked what fans can expect from the July 9 show, Fengler says, “Fans can expect a great show from all three bands. THM are getting ready as this is their first show since the winter and CYH is always upping the ante – think lightshow – and as for us, we will be ending the night with a solid set of full energy rock, playing our new album Beast Like Me in its entirety, as well as including a few strategic covers.”
They’ll be performing at Venue (Langley Vineyard – 5708 Glover Road) with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. Those interested can pre-buy tickets from the band’s Facebook page for $10 or buy them at the door for $12. The album will be sold at the release party for $10.
With so much talent in one room on this one night, it would truly be bestial for local music aficionados to miss this show.
