LOCAL EVENTS AND MUSIC
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JER BREAKS:
Finding the Future page 16
Midsummer’s Dream page 20
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local events and music
THE
betterISSUE 06
04 06 Crones 08 Sean CasavanT 10 Evan Bichon & Colby Graham 16 Jer breaks 18 Prince George Cougars 20 Midsummer’s Dream 22 SPCA 24 Michael Stanyer 26 britt meierhofer Sufey Chen
Turning Towards the Sun
Keeping up with the Crones
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Blood, Sweat & Bass
2015 Canada Winter Games Hopefuls
Finding the Future
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10 16 20
20th Anniversary
Music Festival
Animal Instinct
The Community Builder
Goodnightmare
Available on-line at:
www.pgcitizen.ca or thescenepg.com
General Inquiries ‹ 250-562-2441 Publisher ‹ Colleen Sparrow Editor ‹ Neil Godbout Reader Sales ‹ Alan Ramsay Director of Advertising ‹ Dave Smith Founder/ Promotions Executive ‹ Norm Coyne Graphic Designer ‹ Candice Rosenbaum Writer ‹ Charelle Evelyn
Ahhh spring…is that spring? We have some exciting things in this issue for you, as the beat rolls on into what we hope is spring. Huge thanks to the UNBC Timberwolves for modeling at the Northern Sports Centre for our ever popular fashion photo shoot. Also, by the time this issue hits the streets, you will notice the official Scene PG boxes around the city. Just another step in the long list of making sure that we reach as many of you as possible with news about the arts and entertainment mix in PG. Enjoy! - Norm Coyne Scene PG
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ON THE COVER: Photo Credit: Sarah Hamilton, Le Beast Photography MARCH2014
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TURNING towards the sun By Charelle Evelyn
There isn’t a day that goes by where Sufey Chen – a petite powerhouse quick to praise and generous with her laughter - doesn’t find something to be grateful for. Last year, a month spent in Maui learning how to be a yoga instructor was an experience that Chen says changed her life.
“Before I found yoga yes, I was a massive overachiever, but then I was kind of burning out and yoga really taught me to slow down, be in the moment and enjoy life,” she said. “At the end of the day, that’s all that really matters, right? Enjoying the time that we have, appreciating nature and community.”
Now back in Prince George, community members already familiar with the child prodigy who was enrolled in UNBC at age 16 and, among dozens of other pursuits, created the annual variety show P.G.’s Got Talent, are clamouring for Chen’s brand of energetic effervescence. And after receiving a start-up grant from Community Futures, Chen has entered the world of yoga entrepreneurship to give it to them, especially her favourite students – kids. “I believe very strongly in the importance of childhood,” she said, adding the most valuable tools children can learn are how to relax, focus and stay healthy. But those are lessons for everyone, especially in the crush of holiday season stress. Even if it’s only for 10 minutes, Chen advises everyone to take time off every day. When she does it, Chen said she uses that time to remind herself how blessed she is. “It’s easy to forget,” she said. “Be selfish,” Chen encouraged. “Build up an abundance of resources, then you can give to others.” Chen shares her joy at sufey.org. Visit her blog for yoga practice, poetry, recipes, photography and more. PHOTO CREDITS: Ned Tobin & Gurinder Paul 4
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sufey chen
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Keeping up
with the
It’s a labour of love, but Nathan Kelly doesn’t have sky-high goals for fan-favourite band Crones. Rather, the leader of the group that has become a Prince George staple over the past years, is happy with continuing to make music he loves with people he enjoys. “We don’t have grand aspirations,” said Kelly, who founded the band about two years ago with a desire to give his solo Crones compositions a fuller life. What the membership of Crones does have is the musical ability and versatility to tackle a broad swath of tunes. Alongside Kelly, band members Britt Meierhofer, Landon Hilde, Chris Dibbens and Cal Hilde aim to have new songs prepped every time they take the stage.
“It’s great to have other people that have similar views on music,” said Kelly. Those views are being put together this year to record a new album that Kelly says he hopes will be released this spring.
PHOTO CREDITS: Jesse McKinnon 6
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keeping up with the crones’
Crones’ By Charelle Evelyn
The new EP will be a follow up to last fall’s Retreat, available digitally through Bandcamp. And though he is the group’s chief songwriter, Kelly said everyone has their hands in the mix. “I really enjoy the collaboration.” Being able to bounce ideas off other musicians can only make the work stronger. For Meierhofer, Crones allows her to flex her collaborative muscles outside of solo act Goodnightmare.
“It allows for that social performance…it’s really fun to play in a band because you bounce energy back and forth off each other on stage,” she said. “We’re all easy going – there’s no divas in Crones.” Keep an eye out for Crones’ latest release at crones.bandcamp.com or on Facebook.
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bass “It’s not like some cocaine-andhookers-all-the-time rock star life,” laughed Sean Casavant. Better known in the music world as dubstep DJ Downlink, Casavant knows better than anyone that it takes more than a Beatport account to make a successful run of it in the electronic music scene. And a lot of that work goes unseen by the audience who might only think he makes his living from that period of time he spends in front of them DJing. “No I’m at home working at least 9 to 5 every single day,” he said. “I’m at home, in my studio by myself drinking tea, making music most days. I don’t even have time to play any Halo.” But put away the tiny violins, because Casavant isn’t complaining. “It’s a very busy life, a lot of travel but you get to do cool things.” One of those things was to record and tour with Korn and more recently as part of Destroid, a three-piece bass music band that put Casavant along with fellow B.C. DJ Excision and KJ Sawka into full-body robot suits that put Daft Punk to shame and have to be seen to be believed. “We were consciously looking forward as we did it,” Casavant said of Destroid. “We thought, what is something that hasn’t been done in this way?” It’s that looking forward and innovation that helped propel Casavant to his top-tier status, along with some good timing.
By Charelle Evelyn
“A lot of the rungs on the ladder have been filled up,” said Casavant, who’s unsure if he would have reached where he is now had he gotten into the game after dubstep had already taken off.
“I think a lot of people starting out in this business they just see the glory… they want to be famous, or on stage or feed their egos or some shit. Some people, sure that might take them to the top, but most people have to genuinely love music and love doing it.” When he started immersing himself in bass music in 2007/2008, dubstep was a rare commodity in his hometown. “It wasn’t getting much reception in Prince George.” So, he turned to the Internet, talking to people from other parts of the world and trading tunes. He moved down to Kelowna in 2009 where he still makes his home – when he’s not jetting off to the four corners of the globe – and where he launched his own record label, Uplink Audio, last year. Because the industry and genre has since exploded, it takes just as much effort and energy to stay established as it did to get there in the first place. But it’s an exertion that’s fueled by the love of music. “I would do this for free,” Casavant said.
PHOTO CREDITS: Submitted 8
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2015 Canada
Winter Games’
hopefuls
Submitted by 2015 Canada Winter Games
We caught up with 2015 Canada Winter Games’ hopefuls, Evan Bichon and Colby Graham, out at Tabor Mountain in January. Both are snowboard cross athletes and Evan is a great role model for younger athletes, like Colby, who is currently training to reach his personal best for the 2014 season. Evan is a member of the BC Snowboard Cross provincial team, who has his sights set on the 2015 Games. Clinching a spot at the 2015 Canada Winter Games will be no small feat and competing in front of a hometown crowd will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience Evan would be stoked to have.
PHOTO CREDITS: Kim Feragen 10
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2015 canada winter games’ hopefuls
Name: Evan Bichon Age: 15 Sport: Snowboard Cross Years participating in the sport: 10 Hometown: Mackenzie Favourite athlete: Too many to choose from! I would have to say all the guys on the national team, including Chris Robanski. Plus, I am riding one of Rob Fagan’s old boards! Top personal sport moment: Winning the U14 Junior National bronze medal at the first-ever Canadian Junior Nationals in Nakiska two years ago. It was a game-changer for me. Also, winning gold at Provincial Championships for the last two years and a second Jr. Nationals bronze last year was good, too. Favourite non-sport activity: I don’t really do non-sports (other than eating). I like skateboarding and fishing in the summer. What is the best part about Prince George hosting the 2015 Canada Winter Games? I have a chance to compete where I live, close to people I know.
Name: Colby Graham Age: 12 Sport: Snowboard Cross Years participating in the sport: 2 years racing snowboard cross Hometown: Prince George Favourite athlete: Nicolas Muller Top personal sport moment: Winning the Grand Nationals for BMX biking and at the same time becoming an expert ranking. Favourite non-sport activity: Downhill biking and boating. What is the best part about Prince George hosting the 2015 Canada Winter Games? Hosting the 2015 Games will give the region exposure, and give athletes in the north a chance to compete in their sport within their region.
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10 from the Northern BC
Audio Archive
Listen to The Yellowhead Cafe Wednesdays at 1pm and Sundays at 3pm to hear the best music in Northern BC, as told by Prince George treasure Karl Domes. To contribute local music to the Northern BC Audio Archive, email Karl at kdomes@cfur.ca. For an up to the minute feed of what’s playing, check out cfur.ca and click on the Last. fm toggle. [OR- vist http://www.last.fm/user/cfurradio ]
Artist Album Dawn Boudreau
Tinge Of Tangerine
Floored Songs Fergivner Fueled by Ignorance Tears Lost Cause 34 Lost Cause 34 Mamaguroove Resistance Is Fertile Maureen Washington B.O.P. Navaz
Onsu - The Other Side
Out of Alba Mounatins Of Gold Skincell Relapse & Recovery Stutterfly Hollow
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SCENE STYLE Top left – Sydney Hall | Middle left - (left-right) Sydney Hall, Tyson Hunter, Georgia Lahti, Tofa Fakunle, Sidney Roy | Bottom left – Tyson Hunter 14
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location: northern sports centre | clothing available at extreme & one boardshop
Top right – Sydney Hall | Middle right – Sydney Hall | Bottom right – Carly Corrado | Centre – Tofa Fakunle photocredits: trevor moore & christos sargiogos
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JER BREAKS:
Finding the Future By Charelle Evelyn
Part of growing up is learning that what you thought you wanted when you were young isn’t necessarily what will make you happy. P.G. native Jeremy Breaks was already on what most people would call a successful run. His band Redgy Blackout was a consecutive Peak Performance Project contender that got some airplay on Vancouver and college radio stations Canada-wide, earning him and partner Scott Perrie a following. “You’re going to hit a peak,” said Breaks, on a break from touring at his Vancouver home. When you reach that peak, he explained, one of two things is going to happen: you’re either going to go over the edge and things are really going to pick up, or you’re going to stay stuck at that point. For Breaks, it was the latter.
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helps steer “I think everything we do in life going to go” us in whatever direction we’re ’re really good, you “We had people telling us ‘you everything sounds guys are writing awesome songs, for me to think great’ but there was no real hope successful group.” it was going to become a really rate ways in December Redgy Blackout went their sepa six-year run. 2012, calling it quits after a own path in the his e carv Now, Breaks is set to g a song writer, bein of goal a music industry, with successful sideman. session musician as well as a elf back on the road. To that end, he has found hims front man Dallas This time touring with Default solo country Smith as part of the band on his town April 12 to home his in venture. He’ll be back s for Florida Georgia play CN Centre when Smith open Line. helps steer us “I think everything we do in life g to go,” said in whatever direction we’re goin ing the U.S. with tour er summ Breaks, who spent last ine surrounding a Smith and experiencing the mach that was making big band like Florida Georgia Line waves. of music was His foray into the country side ks, who started Brea . mmon unco unexpected, but not spot for the out as a rock guy, held a soft artists like Hank of ings styl traditional country Williams and Waylon Jennings. r his band Floored A season spent tree-planting afte music and he broke up exposed him to more folk wielded to great picked up the banjo, which he success with Redgy Blackout. re Mumford and Sons “I think I picked up a banjo befo it was beautiful.” existed,” he laughed. “I thought down, Breaks is When things with Smith settle to work on his own ce chan the looking forward to output. being around all “Success is nice and it’s nice I enjoy doing that, but I’m also an artist and of doing them,” he things just for the enjoyment around with friends said – even if that’s playing sed to be in the at a café. “I feel sincerely bles be in all these position I’m in right now. I can erent rooms and different scenes and playing diff ces… but sometimes having lots of different experien c.” you miss playing your own musi
PHOTO CREDITS: Sarah Hamilton
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20 TH ANNIVERSARY Prince George Cougars by James Doyle
2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the arrival of the Prince George Cougars. As part of the celebration, Prince George was chosen to be a part of Scotiabank’s Hockey Day in Canada on January 18th, a day which saw 13 hours of live, coast to coast, hockey coverage on CBC. The Cougars helped create a memorable day for fans, young and old, including face painting and a sign making station for the kids. Legendary Vancouver Canucks goalie, Kirk Mclean was also in attendance signing autographs prior to the game and he also took part in the ceremonial face off. Unfortunately, the Cougars lost both games but even with the losses that weekend, it was nice for this fan to see the building full again and I am sure the other 4042 fans in attendance would agree with me. These past 20 seasons have brought a lot of joy to fans, players and personnel alike. The most memorable season for the Cougars was PHOTO CREDITS: James Doyle
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20th anniversary | prince george cougars
2006-2007, which saw the team sweep the Kamloops Blazers and take out the top ranked Everett Silvertips in six games, losing to that years WHL champion, the Vancouver Giants. I was at that 6th game in Prince George and in all my years of hockey, I have never been in an arena that was so loud. The atmosphere was electric. As a fan of the Cougars and of hockey in general, I will never forget being in the arena that day and being a part of something special in the community. Let’s try and bring that feeling back to the CN Centre. We are extremely fortunate to have access to the best junior hockey league in the world right in our backyard and we get to, and have gotten to, watch future NHL stars early in their careers such as Zdeno Chara, Dustin Byfuglien, Dan Hamhuis and the late Derek Boogaard. Gather your friends and family and make a night of it. Some of my favorite memories with my daughter were at a Cougars games. Hope to see you at the rink. Go Cats Go!
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s l o o f t a h e b w , s l Lord these morta
n lle Evely By Chare
“The lunatic, the lover, and the poet are of imagination all compact.” – William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In speaking to Dave Mothus, Chad Bohanan and Karm Manhas, it’s not entirely certain who fills which role. But it takes the imagination of all three plus a cavalcade of committee members and other volunteers to put together one of Prince George’s most transcendent events. Midsummer’s Dream returns this July 18-19, offering up what’s known as an outdoor transformational music festival, featuring artists ranging from international DJs to local vocal talents and dancers. The 19+ event expands to an extra afternoon this year, beginning on the Friday and going all night through the end of Saturday. For that time, the festival’s space located next to the Prince George Airport, is
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transformed into a space haven of music, dance, art and positive vibes.
“Culture is what it’s about,” said Mothus, who’s proud of the fact that the festival can draw crowds of up to 500 people and they’ve never had any fights or police intervention (other than a couple of RCMP officers dropping by last year to watch in amazement at how the event was handled). “Everybody who comes, they get along, they harmonize. And that, in Prince George, is probably one of the most exceptional things anybody can hope for.”
midsummer’s dream music festival
~ “I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was.” ~ The Prince George festival was sparked by a memorable experience Mothus had at Shambhala nearly a decade ago and he wanted to recreate that same feeling of togetherness and inclusivity back home in northern B.C. Now in its eighth go-round, this is only the third year the local event has used the transformational festival model – and it’s one that organizers seem to be the most content with. The model is one that includes educational elements such as workshops and artisans. “Ultimately, the event itself is a cultural medium for us to pass a message of personal, social transformation,” said Manhas. “By us living it, we are being more in tune with nature… and how can we change ourselves by living our social relationships and living that as an example.” This isn’t something to just go and watch, agreed Bohanan, with the element of participation rising from the ground floor. The collaboration to make Midsummer what it is requires buyin from organizers, volunteers, attendees, performers, artists, vendors, etc. “The whole system… it’s all co-created,” he said. The sense of community extends to after the festival wraps up for the summer, with a portion of the proceeds going to a selected charity. In years past, money has been donated to causes ranging from the local SPCA to helping fund a young Cystic Fibrosis patient’s travel to medical attention in the Lower Mainland. For ticket information, find Midsummer’s Dream on Facebook. And pick up the next issue of The Scene PG for more on this year’s festival.
PHOTO CREDITS: Christos Sargiogos
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ANIMAL INSTINCT Art Show Fundraiser
Animal Instinct Saturday, march 8, 2014
On March 8th in the Atrium of the Two Rivers Art Gallery is “Animal Instinct,” a silent auction art show fundraiser for the BC SPCA North Cariboo District Branch. 7pm-9:30pm. Featuring 11 local artists from Prince George, 100% of the night’s proceeds will be given to our local shelter. Come see some amazing paintings, mixed media artwork and other animal inspired pieces. Admission is FREE! There will also be a bar for our 19+ guests. Here are the amazing artists that will be there. Callista Vagt: Pencil Drawing Callista grew up in and around PG and has been drawing and painting since she was young. She found over the years she preferred the company of animals over most humans and is grateful for organizations like the SPCA.
Natasha Plumridge: Painter Natasha was born and raised in British Columbia on a farm on the Fraser River just outside of Prince George. She has always been surrounded and inspired by nature. Her incorporation of bold colours take her pieces away from the everyday and into the domain of the unconscious imagination. Ultimately, her work is about exuberance and the joy that comes from creating, sharing and celebrating art.
Stacey Herlehy: Painter A local Realtor with a true love for animals, Stacey enjoys spending spare time creating canvases for SPCA fundraising. Drawn to mixed mediums with pops of vibrant color, she hopes to inspire others to use their own creative energy to contribute to their passions.
Christine Follweiter: Medium: Acrylic on Canvas. Style: Abstract. Christine’s paintings are expression and hobby turned obsession. She paints with her hands, pallet knives, rulers and scrap pieces of wood. She loves the interpretive diversity of abstract painting.
Magda Partyka: Painter Magda has lived in Prince George for 20 years and was born in Poznan, Poland. She has been painting for 15 years in acrylic and watercolors, and has begun to paint with oils in the last few years.
Amie Stoltz: Painter & Digital Amie has been designing, painting, and creating works of art since she could hold a paint brush. She has allowed her adventures and the characters she meets to inspire the quirky, grunge style she is known and admired for. Her favourite mediums to work in are acrylic, digital and watercolour. With every piece she pushes to learn, not only about her craft, but herself as well.
Shelley Dougall: Perler Bead Artist Shelley has been crafting for over 25 years and enjoy all types of mediums from stained glass and viking wire weaving to perler beads and chainmaille. When she is not working or spending quality time with her family she is searching and planning her next project.
A silent auction fundraiser for the BC SPCA North Cariboo District Branch, featuring local prince george artists.
7PM to 9:30PM in the atrium of the Two River s Art Gallery Free Admission.
For more infomation search FaceBook For Animal Instinct Art Show
Fundraiser.
Rebecca Halsall: Painter Rebecca Halsall is a fourth year English undergraduate student at the University of Northern British Columbia, with a lot of love for her two cats and two dogs, two of which came from the SPCA. She practices character sketches and illustrations in her spare time and likes to spoil her dogs Link and Odin the rest of the time.
Eirrn Fylon: Pencil and Charcoal Artist Eirrn is the artist and owner of Velvet Lead Designs. She is a self-taught pencil and charcoal artist and strongly believes that the talent of art comes within a person’s skills applied to their passion. She has been practicing drawing and creating pieces professionally for 2 years now. Aside from my daily Job at Integris Credit Union , I spend hours engulfed in the realm of” doodling” and love to design and create pieces that will encapsulate a diverse audience. She has sold and donated pieces internationally to the National Pet Coalition of Canada, War Veterans USA, Wheeling Warriors of the North, A Bid for Change, and her pieces have been sold across the world as far as the Czech Republic, Mexico, and Italy
Leah Coghlan: Graphic Design Artist A graphic designer for 13 years, she was the proud recipient of the Advertising Award in the Prince George Regional Arts and Cultural Awards 2012 for her branding campaign for Craze Hair Design. During the day she works for TELUS and in her off hours runs Pint Sized Design and is a member of the SPCA Community Council.
Don’t miss this exciting event that supports our furry companions in need! For more information, find the event on Facebook.
PHOTO CREDITS: Jesse McKinnon 22
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Builder When Michael Stanyer says he likes to keep busy, it’s kind of an understatement. “I tend to always have a lot going on,” said the photographer/ videographer/graphic novelist/business owner.
In 2009, Stanyer co-founded Alchemist Studios, a photography and video studio that eventually found its niche doing real estate photography. At the same time Alchemist was getting up and running, the graphic artist was getting The Counterfet off the ground – a collaboration with painter Eric Johnson. Putting his English literature degree from UNBC to use, The
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By Charelle Evelyn
Counterfet melds still photography and watercolour painting to depict stories based on Renaissance work The Faerie Queene. The latest on Stanyer’s plate is last year’s development of NorthBC. ca – an online repository and community for videographers north of Quesnel. But it’s not just YouTube North – the site is more about bringing filmmakers together. “Most other places have some sort of film association,” said Stanyer. “We sort of have that here through Northern BC Tourism, but not to the extent of what I’d like to do organizing local videographers.” Stanyer said he’d like to see the site become a gathering place where people can discuss techniques, projects and how to pool resources to do more elaborate shots or obtain a special piece of equipment.
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“It seems as if there’s a lot of demand for different types of niche video work now and it’s important to have some sort of association even so that you can advise people entering the market as to what sort of niche they might want to get into or specialized gear they might want,” Stanyer said. “I don’t think we’re really at the point in our market where people are competing a whole lot to do video work. It’s more of us saying ‘I sure wish someone else had a specialized piece of gear and was specialized in using it.’”
PHOTO CREDITS: Jesse McKinnon
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GOODNIGHTMARE: ~ What dreams may come ~ By Charelle Evelyn
Had she stuck with pharmaceutical science, Britt Meierhofer’s dreams definitely would have been murky. But by ditching the traditional career path, Meierhofer has found solace in Goodnightmare – her twoyear-old solo project.
“Writing music and singing is something I have a real passion for,” said Meierhofer, who ditched the “practical” path two years in at the College of New Caledonia to enroll in Selkirk College’s music program. It’s a decision she made firmly and without looking back. “It felt right,” she said. “There was no hesitation at all.” After her schooling in Nelson, Meierhofer went south and explored the musical landscape in Montana and toured the United States for eight years before returning to Prince George in 2012 and looking for a new solo form of expression.
“I wanted to build a sound that would carry,” she said. Now armed with guitar and pedal looping gear, Meierhofer has turned herself into a one-woman pop-folk band with Goodnightmare. The name is a callback to her sister’s childhood nighttime salute. “That combination of words resonated with me,” she explained. “My lyrics are somewhat dark, as far as lyrical content goes… but they’re still sweet and they’re still girly.” But Meierhofer didn’t want to be just another girl with a guitar. With the pedals, she’s able to incorporate percussive elements into shows, bringing her full, lush sound into her live performances. It’s a method that raises eyebrows. “I’m really encouraged by how interested people are in how I put together songs,” she said. Goodnightmare is hitting the road on a B.C. loop this spring, armed with a brand new EP, Inner Alarm. The release will be celebrated with a show at Nancy O’s on Tuesday, March 4 at 8 p.m. Follow Britt Meierhofer at goodnightmaremusic.com or like Goodnightmare on Facebook.
PHOTO CREDITS: Trevor Moore 26
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