VIBE MANUAL
SITKA 101
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1.1 Planting the seed
he name SITKA derives from the mighty SITKA Spruce, a tree naturally drawn to the rugged shorelines of Western Canada; the company was founded by two Canadian Surfers who were likewise drawn to these coasts. The seed was sown in the fall of 2002 when Rene Gauthier and Andrew Paine, with their shared passion and vision for making surfboards, decided to take their hobby out of the garage and offer a new option to the local surfing population: SITKA Surfboards was born. It was not long after the iconic SITKA spruce tree design was branded onto their first custom-made boards that customers began requesting clothing to accompany their new surfboard. Sitka is a collective of like-minded individuals; a lifestyle brand designed by the sea and woven by a common thread. At the centre of our collective consciousness is a reverence for our environment – both the natural and urban worlds that we have created for ourselves. Sitka is a product of these environments, in which we find ourselves so at home. We’re found wandering the peaks and valleys of the mountain passes; trekking the low lying coastal trails of the Jaun de Fuca; drifting through the swell of the Salish Sea; wandering the rainy city blocks of the urban commute; and, submersed in the warm lakes of the British Columbia summer. And, if you’ve found yourself in these places; places where the fog clings to the trees and the ocean breathes salty breath on your face, remind yourself that there is no bad weather where there’s good clothing. And, for that, Sitka has got you covered.. Currently, SITKA soft goods are sold across Canada and the world in skate, surf and snow shops, fashion boutiques and other like-minded retailers.
Currently, SITKA soft goods are sold across Canada and the world in skate, surf and snow shops, fashion boutiques and other like-minded retailers. SITKA also runs three flagship stores – the store and cafe at 570 Yates St. in Victoria, the shop in Vancouver at 1864 West 4th St. and our latest shop at 6 Osborne St. in Newmarket, Auckland.
THE SITKA VISION & MISSON STATEMENT
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2.1 Vision
o become a globally recognized clothing, surfboard and skateboard brand. With an emphasis on quality and the creativity of the SITKA Family, SITKA is committed to sustainable growth on three levels: economic, social and environmental. 2.2 Mission Sustainable Operations: SITKA will incorporate the triple-bottom-line approach into all areas of its business: it will take into account not just the economic consequences of our actions, but the social and environmental implications of the business as well. Top Quality Products: SITKA is committed to the continual improvement in quality of all of its products. Creativity: The SITKA family aims to be creative in all activities. Family Atmosphere: SITKA’s structure, environment and internal systems will continue to promote a ‘family’ feel, reinforced by our committed and happy staff. Great Reputation: SITKA will continue to endorse business practices and foster relationships that promote the admiration and respect among consumers and industry players both locally and abroad. Global Growth: SITKA will gain recognition and market share in the international community.
SITKA
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
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3.1 Sustainability
irst and foremost, Sitka’s key values are derived from our reverence for the natural world. As such, our business model is an extension of these values with a keen emphasis on environmental and social responsibility. While we understand these are two loosely coined terms, we strive to consider them in all of our business decisions. We are striving for a ‘sustainable business model’ but we’re not all of the way there yet, and neither is the textile industry.
3.3 Environmental Initiatives From a quick glance at any of SITKA’s catalogues, it is obvious that SITKA reveres the natural environment - after all, the company logo is an old- growth tree. What may not be as evident are the day-to-day choices we make to do our part in helping the planet.
SITKA is proud to be involved with and to support numerous organizations that aim to protect the environment and bring awareness to issues affecting the health of our ecosystems. A few of the organizations Do we think we’re perfect? No way. But, we’re comthat SITKA supports are the Surfrider Foundation, mitted to changing and adjusting as we learn new the Ocean Gybe Expedition and Sustainable Coastthings. lines. The Surfrider Foundation’s mission is the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches Do we believe that we’re doing our part to advance through a powerful activist network. Sitka supports technologies and push the envelope of alternative and promotes their events and initiatives through textile manufacturing? Yes. donations and getting people involved. Ocean Gybe is a global sailing and surfing expedition designed We believe that Sitka is cut from a different cloth than to promote ocean conservation and protection durmost other brands on the market, both metaphoriing a circumnavigation of the globe over a three-year cally and literally. In the interest of complete transpar- period. SITKA is proud to be in- volved with this ency, the following provides a look into Sitka’s values incredible environmental adventure, and continue to and provides some reasons for the decisions that we support them now that their journey is complete and have made at the core of our business, as well as some they share their findings with the world. Sustainable of the daily decisions we make at a more micro-level. Coastlines aims to protect coastlines and does so with their sleeves rolled up by organizing small and large 3.2 Daily Decisions scale groups of people to clean the coast and inform SITKA uses efficient shipping options, heats with the public of the necessity of doing so. bio-fuels, uses biodegradable bags, encourages its customers to make use of reusable bags, prints on re- SITKA’s target customers have a vested interest in the cycled materials, and reduces or recycles the waste we health of the planet and are becoming increasingly produce. Even though we are striving towards a green concerned. They gravitate towards companies that way of living, there is always more that can be done. share these concerns and are making purchase deciWe are committed to continue to make choices that sions based on the environmental practices of probenefit the environment. ducers. 3.4 Social Initiatives We realize that the choices we make affect more than just our business. Our decisions have an impact on the employees who work for SITKA, our customers and society as a whole. The social implications of our choices are considered whenever we make a decision, no matter how big or small.
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3.5 Overseas Office
he majority of brands source their clothing through a large network of trading companies. This means that many companies are unaware of who is producing their wares or the working conditions under which their goods are produced. Unlike many brands, SITKA has chosen to establish a team and office in China. This is the only way that SITKA can ensure that the workplace standards of their producers are just and fair. The China team is involved in the custom millwork of SITKA clothing and the selection of fabrics that perform well and have a lower impact on the planet, such as organic cotton and bamboo. This allows us the peace-of-mind in knowing that the factories we work with uphold the highest workplace standards and can ensure that issues with quality issues are identified early in the process. 3.6 Charity Support We all feel very fortunate to have a roof overhead and clothing on our backs. Millions around the world are not this lucky and we feel it is our duty as a clothing producer to do a more than your average company. SITKA has donated clothing to diverse organizations, such as World Vision. SITKA has also encouraged the charity of their customers by offering discounts in exchange for donations to the Mustard Seed.
SITKA is involved with several other social initiatives, including Power to Be, who’s mission is to enrich the health, education and quality of life for vulnerable youth, adults, families. We contribute to Power to Be and other charitable organizations by donating product, participating in various events and by adding a charitable aspect to many of our events/sales. Each SITKA store and wholesale territory has a monthly budget to donate product to worthwhile causes to help them advance their mission. 3.7 Supporting the SITKA Family With the growth of the surfboard, skateboard and clothing lines, an ever-expanding family of employees, athletes and artists extended concurrently. SITKA does not sponsor ‘names’; it sponsors people. The team consists of individuals that are role models in their respective communities, big or small. These role models set positive examples of how to live and enjoy life. SITKA is passionate about giving back and is proud to support these artists, musicians, performers and athletes.
SITKA also does everything that we can to support our resident artists and musicians. This includes hosting art shows and concerts and featuring these artists in various promotional materials and advertisements.
CLOTHING & FABRIC PRODUCTION CHOICES
4.1 Production 101 ou will find that our customer’s will frequently inquire where SITKA clothing is manufatured and you need to make sure that you have a good answer to this question. SITKA customers are intelligent, educated, consumption conscious cosumers and they will expect you to have some insights into our corporate policies and business practice SITKA has not chosen to make policy decisions based only on the bottom line – but rather the triple bottom line.
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The truth is, most SITKA clothing is manufactured in China for the main reason that it gives us access to the Chinese fabric markets, which allow us to mill our own fabric blends and mixes. We do not consider the fact that some of our clothing is manufactured in China a bad thing. If we didn’t manufacture our clothing in China, we would still need to mill our fabrics there, and ship them to Canada as raw fabric. We aim to have our production facilities as close as possible to where our fabric, hardware and fixtures originate, in order to reduce the environmental impact of shipping. The truth remains that many other countries simply do not have the infrastructure to produce cutting edge, custom fabrics. For many years, China has been the best place in the world to produce our garments – the skill, quality and workmanship was unmatched by any other country in the world. Now, some countries are catching up to China and in our effort to continue to improve our business, we’re exploring our options. Some of our pieces are now produced in India where new fabric technologies are quickly advancing and environmental standards are becoming concrete and easy to track. We’re also very happy to have found some production facilities right here in Canada that are producing special runs of pieces for us, and we hope to produce more goods in the homeland as Canadian manufacturers become more competitive within the international fabric and production market.
Fabric is the tool we carve, paint and create with. It’s at the heart of everything we make. You will find that customers will frequently comment on our sweatshirts and other fabric blends – they are some of the most comfortable and softest fabrics in the industry. Most companies buy their fabrics ‘off the shelf ’ choosing from the array of what’s already on the market. Not us. We need fabrics that go beyond the norm, in multiple areas. Our designers work closely with our fabric suppliers to push the design envelope forward and create new more sustainably produced fabrics that can deliver the highest levels of technical performance as well as the finest hand, texture and drape. And we’re not done yet. Currently, we are using unique blends of cotton, organic cotton, polyester, bamboo and Tencel in our lines. And, we continue to look for ways to drive the development of sustainable fabrics into the future, for our own use and industry-wide. 4.2 Organic Cotton Conventional cotton is the most pesticide-intensive crop grown in the world today. Roughly 1/3 of a pound of agricultural chemicals goes into producing one conventional cotton t-shirt. More than 10 percent of the world’s pesticides and almost 25 percent of the world’s insecticides are used to grow conventional cotton. We strive to employ organic cotton whenever it is feasible. Currently, most of our t-shirts are 100% organic cotton and cotton/bamboo blends.
4.3 Bamboo amboo is used extensively throughout our line in many of our t-shirt and top blends. Bamboo is naturally grown, without assistance from man. It also thrives naturally without using pesticides or fertilizers.
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4.5 New Developments Just when we think we know what we’re talking about with regards to fabric development, the landscape changes. The process of creating fabrics that cause less harm and meet our high standards is ever-evolving. Going forward, we’ll continue to examine our decisions around what fabrics we create and how, evaluate new and emerging options, and evolve our practices in ways that can further our efforts to reduce the impact of our products, and our business.
As the fastest growing plant in the world, bamboo grows to its maximum height in about 3 months and reaches maturity in 3-4 years. It spreads rapidly across large areas. Because of this, bamboo is known to improve soil quality in degraded and eroded areas We are committed to building a company that keeps of land. Bamboo is also cut, not uprooted, so it helps environmentally conscious decision making a cornerwith soil stability and can grow on hillsides where stone of our business. other crops are not viable. In addition to this, bamboo has minimal water requirements – mostly just precipitation, and its yield is 10 times great than that of cotton per acre. Bamboo also provides more co2 conversion to oxygen over the same square footage of trees. This is because Bamboo grows so fast, and closer together; it is resilient stuff and grows very easily. Bamboo also has numerous functional benefits including an excellent ability to absorb and evaporate sweat, thermal control abilities/breathability, a 98% reduction in UV activity reaching your skin and antistatic properties unmatched any other fabrics. Benefits considered, we are aware some recent research has shown that the benefits of using bamboo fabrics have been in question as of late. Without going into the details of this debate, at this point we still believe that the benefits of using Bamboo outweigh the drawbacks. As with our policy of constant change, we are committed to reviewing research as it becomes available and adjusting our manufacturing as required. 4.4 Tencel Tencel is a cellulose finer made from wood pulp. The fabric is processed through a closed loop spinning process, meaning that almost all of the solvent used to process the fibre into a fabric is recovered and reused. The dying process of the fabric can be harmful to the environment if not closely monitored, and we work with our producers to use the best available options.
SITKA CLOTHING PRODUCTION/PRICING
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5.1 The Production Cycle
he Production Cycle of a SITKA product has three phases: design, sample making, and production. This process occurs twice a year in overlapping cycles; while the production phase takes place during the Fall/Holiday season, the samples are being created for the following Spring/Summer season. 5.2 The Designers Sitka’s design team is currently run by Jessica Matthew for womenswear and John Hillifer for menswear. Both have a natural ability for seeking the latest trends and adapting them to appeal to the SITKA customer. 5.3 Clothing Pricing SITKA’s pricing strategy is based partly on the cost associated with the product in question but also on what the market conditions will allow for. SITKA has chosen the higher road when it comes to the cost of the clothing it produces; high quality, vibrant fabrics that have less impact on the environment. It is not cheap to use bamboo, Tencel and organic cotton due primarily to the fact that not that many com- panies are using it yet. SITKA feels that it is important to be a first mover in using these fabrics to keep with our triple bottom line approach and the philosophies behind it. This fabric choice has not only allowed SITKA to charge a premium over the budget brands but makes the clothing very appealing to the consumer as well. Shoppers can get an item that costs the same as high end fashion-forward pieces in the industry while getting a product that is more in line with their increasing concern for the environment and social issues.
SURFBOARDS 7.1 Design urfing and surfboard manufacturing have been the core of SITKA since the seed was sown back in 2002. We are extremely blessed to live where we do, not only for the natural beauty, but also for the diversity in the surf setups and consistent waves that we enjoy through the better part of the year. This also makes for a great place to refine surfboard shapes since they can be tested on everything from racing points, slabbing reefs, mushy beach break and everything in between, all in relatively close proximity. This coast is a constant inspiration, evidenced by our surfboard and clothing design.
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Over the years, SITKA has developed an all-encompassing line up of boards that have been refined to cover the spectrum of surfboards to match any surfer, with the right equipment for the conditions they wish to challenge. With new technologies and trends constantly evolving, the design team must stay on top of what is happening in the industry and apply the latest design techniques to allow the surfboard line up to continue to evolve. The core designs are constantly refined through team rider testing and customer feedback with computer-aided design. Computer software allows for changes in the shape or dimensions to customize any shape to match the needs of the customer. 7.2 Shaping Over time, the hand planer has slowly been replaced by the shaping machine and computer-aided design. This new technology means that proven designs can be replicated with incredible accuracy and small adjustments can be made to further refine the shape. The shaping machine has not limited the customization process either. Any shape can be either designed from scratch or small adjustments can be made to design file to match the needs of the surfer.
When Clark Foam closed in December 2005, it became apparent that the surfboard industry was changing dramatically due to a decrease in the supply of raw surfboard materials available in North America. This forced many of the larger surfboard manufacturers to resort to offshore production, which lowered wholesale prices for surfboards. While this is great for the consumer in terms of price, it changed the way that average surfboard was made from a custom piece by a local craftsman, to a mass produced item coming off of the newest surfboard shaping machine. These boards are often referred to as pop-outs and are often made by people with no connection to surfing. SITKA chose a different route from the larger competitors and chose to maintain the ability to offer custom surfboards of the highest quality. Sitka surfboards and all other brands of surfboards in our shops are made by surfers for surfers. After a very successful relationship with UB Surfboards in Brazil, in 2011 Sitka moved its board production to California. Working with our own production team and collaborating with renowned shaper Jay Novak allows us to continue to progress our shapes. The side benefit of this move is a decreased environmental footprint and the ability to provide custom shapes in a shorter amount of time. The majority of SITKA Surfboards performance shapes are now created using a computer aided shaping machine, SITKA has the ability to produce custom boards built to incredibly accurate specifications and then ensure they are finished to the highest level by the hands of a master craftsman. However, upon request for unique projects, Sitka can arrange to have a board shaped 100% by hand differentiating us from our largest competitors.
7.3 Materials
7.4 Glass
s with every aspect of surfboard production, the materials used are constantly changing to increase performance, durability and sustainability. The surfboard blanks used by SITKA are of the highest quality and range from lightweight performance blanks to solid triple-stringer longboard\ blanks. SITKA experiments with many different materials. As with surfboard design, different materials suite the needs of different surfers. Some require a board that is light and snappy for high flying aerials, while others want a board that will be durable, and others still, want a board to be have a little bit of extra weight for glide. The wooden stringer that gives strength and flex properties to the board is another area for experimentation that can completely change the way that a board will perform.
Fiberglass thickness and placement varies to match the specific board being produced. This ranges from light and snappy for top performance surfers to thick and strong to help a longboarder glide. Need something stronger to travel around the world with for a few months? Any board can be glassed to your personal preference to create your own balance between strength, weight and flexibility.
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7.5 Fin Systems “Fins have an important affect on how a board rides and it is integral to match the right fins with the right board, surfer, and conditions. We are constantly testing new fin placements to give different dimensions to the way the boards ride.
The most common material combinations that we use The latest fin placement development involves a configuration of 5 detachable fins allowing the rider are the traditional, polyurathane/polyester and the to choose between using 2, 3, 4, or even 5 fins; more modern XTR epoxy System. each choice offers a unique feel. This gives the surfer the ability to adapt one board to perform well in Many people favor the polyurathane/polyester conmany different conditions. Furthermore, changing struction method because of having used them for many years, their flex pattern and for the simple steps the size and shape of the fins allows for even more adaptability. to repair a damaged board. The two most common fin systems are used by Sitka, XTR is an incredibly light, strong and durable board and they are Future and FCS. that is resistant to yellowing. It has become the construction of choice for many of our team riders and is also environmentally friendly in two important ways. First, the epoxy is non-toxic. Secondly, the boards last longer, resulting in fewer boards in the land fill, which also saves consumers money! However it is sensitive to heat and cannot be left in cars or direct sun in hot climates. In Canada though, this is not an issue.
Skateboards
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8.1 Design
ITKA uses its skate team for feedback in developing a line-up of shapes and concaves to match different types of skating. The dimensions are constantly changing as trends come and go and different aspects of the sport change in popularity. We’ve worked with different local artists to create deck graphics and produce seasonal series updates. 8.2 Production Folk Skateboards produces SITKA’s skate decks. Located in Vancouver, BC, Folk creates custom shapes and graphics for the local skate community. Folk boards are made from 100% Canadian Maple and bonded with the industries leading environmentally friendly agents.
Our Target Customer IT’S YOU, IT’S US, IT’S YOUR FRIENDS
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ITKAS aims for the same type of customer whether it is in one of our flagship stores, an independent retailer, or an online shopper. The typical SITKA customer is really just you, your friends and your friends’, friends. You’ve been chosen as a SITKA employee because you embody the ideals that our brand endorses. Maybe you surf, maybe you skateboard, maybe you’re into fashion or just into the action sports scene in general. You’re one of our staff members because you are our customer. SITKA’s primary target customer is between the ages of 16 – 30 and is both male and female. These customers align with our views on sustainability, are interested in social and environmental issues and enjoy outdoor pursuits. They are also typically highly educated – pursuing or completing post secondary educations. When not at work or school, this group is hanging out with friends, listening to music, staying active and looking for adventure – just like you.
Our Team
SURF, SKATE AND BANDS Surf Noah Cohen: Noah is a true BC born-and-bread surf prodigy. Born and raised in Tofino, BC and keeing company with the likes of Peter Devries, Noah is poised to take the surf world by storm. Leah Oke: No one can claim to be a Sombrio local like Leah. Literally born-and-raised on the beaches of the South Island, Leah is a fixture in the South Island line-ups. And, she’s ripping harder than all of the boys. Reid Jackson: Reid is colorful character from Tofino, BC. When he’s not getting rad on the peninsula skating and surfing, he’s working on his videocasts called Semi Gnar. Check them out on our website.
Skate Chris Haslam: Haslam has travelled the world skateboarding, living in many different places. Now, settled in Vancouver, he brings his creative skate style home. He now also helps design his own mini-collection for Sitka. Brett Stobbart: Stobbart is a true class act with an aptitude for guitar strumming and whiskey drinking. His laugh is intoxicating and his ollie’s legendary. Having grown up in Victoria, Brett has since relocated to Vancouver many years back although he still holds true to his island roots.
Sheldon Meleshinski: This one eyed gravedigger originates from BC’s northern capital of Prince George. However ,Vancouver has been his hometown for many years now. When it comes to skateboarding, Christian Moutinho: Christian is SITKA’s Brazilian import, surf team manager and big wave charger. That he is simply a natural. Christian has been surfing his whole life shows in his fearless approach to heavy water waves like Teahupoo Zach Barton: Zach originally from Sidney BC, made and Pipeline. Watch out for him in the line-ups. He’ll the move to Victoria when he was 16, spending most of his time at the Princess Mary and Vicwest snake ya! skatepark. He then moved to Vancouver when he was 18 to live in the attic of the Pender Beach house. Peter Devries: The past 24 months have also been exceptional for Pete, and aside from the competitive Colin Nogue: Colin is probably one of the nicest guys accolades, most notably his win at the 2009 Oneill in skateboarding. A Calgary transplant now living CWC, he has been featured on the cover of Surfer Magazine and starred in Taylor Steele’s “Innersection”. in Vancouver, the always stylish Colin, lives to roll whether it’s on his motorbike or skateboard. New to the SITKA team and definatly one to watch! Arran Jackson: As is the case with big brother Reid, Arran draws much of his inspiration for surfing through his interest in film, music, and art. His background in skateboarding is instantly apparent in his surfing, and his go for it approach in bigger waves and in the skatepark often see him taking either some brutal poundings or often making the wave of the day.
Fabian Merino: Fabian Merino was born on Vancouver Island but moved to Chile when he was just a young lad. He has since returned. After making himself a known local at the skatepark, he had earned the nicknames “Faps” or “Fidaps”. Jess Atmore: Atmore hails from the northern trough of Alberta. While spending much of his youth in Fort Saskatchewan he finally made the move to Edmonton with his parents. After having lived in Vancouver for nearly 4 years, Jess retired to Vancouver Island where he is currently working as a greens keeper at a golf course in Sooke.
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Bands
urrent Swell: Vancouver Island based band Current Swell is 4 guys on a mission. Scott Stanton, Davers Lang, Louis Sadava, and Chris Petersen have a unique style of music that is deeply rooted in folk and blues, reggae inspired, and rock driven. The musical recipe is equal parts praire and coastal, blending a couple of acoustic guitars, a lap slide, harmonica, drums, bass, and 3 vocal mics. This formula amounts to a tightly polished act and is pushing the boundary of what people know as “new” music. Jon and Roy: Based out of Victoria, B.C., Jon and Roy consists of members Jon Middleton (Vocals, guitar) Roy Vizer (drums, percussion) and Ryan Tonelli (Bass). The trio has released two albums titled ‘Sittin’ Back’ and ‘Another Noon’ and Jon has a solo disc titled ‘After a Trip’. A new album is in the works due out in early 2010. Hey Ocean: Often described as one of Canada’s best up-and-coming acts, Hey Ocean is a young band with an extraordinary talent for blending various musical styles into a brand of infectious pop that is uniquely their own. Together, Ashleigh Ball, David Beckingham and David Vertesi have created a musical repertoire that cannot be ignored – be it on radio, television or your neighbor’s iPod, Hey Ocean will soon be everywhere. Topless Gay Love Tekno Party: Topless Gay Love Tekno Party is a six-piece hooker pop powerhouse. THE PARTY combines the frivolous with the serious political agenda of mobilizing everyone to truly celebrate your birthday. Artisans of Party, or simply, “Partisans”, TLGLTP have taken off their knickers and made a canon ball sized spash in the Vancouver Indie music scene. Opening for local acts Hey Ocean and DRMHLLR, as well as far away and foreign bands such as Natalie Portman Shaved Head, Hollerado, and Grand Analog, THE PARTY always brings the glitter and the glamour.
Humans: Peter Ricq and Robbie Slade, otherwise known as Vancouver’s electro-folk outfit, Humans. When Peter and Robbie met 2 years ago, it was not an obvious musical union. Robbie came from a Roots, Reggae background and favoured belting out folksy ballads, while Peter spoke in bpm and got his musical start djing at Montreal underground parties at the age of 19. After meeting at an art show in Vancouver, the two were compelled to work together and five months later, their first recording was born. Sun Wizard: A newly formed four-piece rock n’ roll band from Vancouver, BC. Their debut E.P was literally sweated out over four sun drenched days at the peak of last summer’s heat wave. Recorded at The Hive Studios by college rock auteur Colin Stewart, (Black Mountain, Sleepy Sun, Gigi, Ladyhawk, etc) the E.P was subsequently mixed by the equally talented Dave “Rave” Ogilvie (Sloan, Marilyn Manson, Skinny Puppy, NIN, etc) at Mushroom Studios. Tahuna Breaks: Since their beginnings in January 2005, Tahuna Breaks have always been a band built upon a simple philosophy- the love of music. With an open mind and an adventurous spirit, unafraid to mix genres and musical stylings- their ‘anything goes’ and sometimes unconventional approach is governed only by two criteria: passion and energy.
We’re Not Perfect and Neither Are You, But it’s OK Now that you understand what we’re all about, we encourage you to involve yourself in our decisions making. We’re not perfect – we know. We’ve made mistakes in the past - we’ll admit it, - but we’re committed to learn from our screw-ups. We’re always striving to better our business practices and it’s up to you to help us do so. So, we encourage you to question us, challenge us and do your part. We are just a big family at SITKA and consider every one of our family members a true resource to the company. We believe it is important that we listen to our staff and encourage you to voice your questions, comments and concerns – it’s the only way we can ever truly make a difference.