The life of a musician is never an easy one.聽
It is a career choice that鈥檚 fraught with many unseen pitfalls and the promise that only a chosen few will actually 鈥渕ake it鈥� in the industry.聽
It is a constant and nagging gamble that your creativity and talent will be able to support you and sustain your lifestyle on its own.聽
And it is the same for every musician and performer trying to make a name for themselves, whether they live in a big metropolitan centre like Vancouver or a smaller community such as Squamish.聽
However, despite this narrow, unmapped and often heartbreaking path, countless performers and players make the run for success, trusting in their talents and believing their musical dreams can indeed come true.聽
麻豆社国产has birthed several acts that are currently working hard to make names for themselves in the industry and they鈥檙e finding that success, to varying degrees.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a busy year,鈥� said Danielle Sweeney, vocalist for Lovecoast.聽
鈥淲e released a new single called The Floor, which we premiered on Victoria radio station The Zone 91.3 in April while they were featuring us as their band of the month. Now we鈥檙e working on our next release and playing when we can.聽
鈥淥n December 2nd we鈥檝e been selected to play the Whistler Film Festival鈥檚 music showcase with Music BC, which we are really stoked on, and of course coming home to 麻豆社国产is always one of my favourite things to do.鈥�
Lovecoast also plays at the Knotty Burl in downtown 麻豆社国产on Dec. 3.聽
Formed in 2013, Lovecoast is a five-piece soul/pop band that originated in 麻豆社国产and quickly garnered fans and critical acclaim with a debut EP called Chasing Tides. Soon the band was playing gigs such as JUNOfest 2016 and earning acclaim.聽
Although now based in Victoria, Lovecoast still owes a lot to Squamish, said Sweeney.
鈥淟ovecoast was born in Squamish,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e were West Coast kids who were truly inspired by our surroundings, so the influence found its way into our band name.聽
鈥淲e also had so much support from the community from the get-go that it really pushed us to pursue our passion and take it beyond the community. I鈥檓 thankful every day for that push 麻豆社国产gave us.鈥�
And while Lovecoast hasn鈥檛 lost any momentum (even after losing 麻豆社国产founding member Scott Verbeek), another 麻豆社国产band has been on a bit of a forced break, despite its own success.
鈥淲e are on a bit of a hiatus,鈥� said Dentville鈥檚 Darcy Cavanah.聽
鈥淲e won鈥檛 be gigging again until about the spring.鈥�
The five-piece band has had to put its dreams on hold while singer Nadine McNeil recovers from an illness; a reminder that real life often gets in the way of dreams.
鈥淏ut, we are still writing in the meantime,鈥� he said. 鈥淲riting is a big part of what we do.鈥�
Formed in 2014, Dentville鈥檚 progressive country-rock fusion garnered acclaim when last year its songs placed among the top 10 for the CBC Searchlight project, an initiative seeking out Canada鈥檚 best new artists.
鈥淭hat was pretty good for a bunch of rookies,鈥� said Cavanah.聽
鈥淎nd we were up against bands with veteran players, too. But we are going to make a hard run at it again shortly, when Nadine recovers.鈥�
As with Sweeney, Cavanah said 麻豆社国产is both a supportive community for musicians, as well as an inspiring place to make music.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 help but be inspired by a place like this.鈥�
However, being a musician in 麻豆社国产also has its drawbacks, he said.
鈥淲ith the real estate prices here, it is very hard to find a rehearsal space,鈥� Cavanah said.聽
鈥淚t is especially hard if you have a full drum kit because you want a place where you can just come in, turn everything on and start recording and working.聽
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 want to have to set up and then take down your kit all the time. So we have had to rehearse at people鈥檚 houses.鈥�
Another problem facing local acts is the lack of venues. This, however, appears to be changing.
鈥淲e are planning to play a few shows at the Knotty Burl,鈥� said Kate Kurdyak from The Katherines.聽
鈥溌槎股绻鷑eeded a club venue, and I think it will be great for local bands.鈥�
The Katherines are an alternative-pop trio made up of Kurdyak, her sister Lauren and a childhood friend, Kaitlyn Hansen-Boucher.聽
Formed in 2015, The Katherines already has four singles (Cherry Lips, Tomorrow, Primitive, Better Off Now) and released five music videos (including their track "You" which was featured on Orphan Black).
鈥淲e are also finally releasing our debut album,聽To Bring You My Heart,聽on January 13th,鈥� said Kurdyak. "鈥淲e are finally releasing our debut album on January 13th,鈥� said Kurdyak.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long time coming, and we are planning a lot of release shows, including one at the Knotty Burl.鈥�
She said the 麻豆社国产area has had an effect on her music.
鈥淚t totally has,鈥� she said. 鈥淓specially Quest University (where she studies) and the community up there. I hike up to see the Chief and Howe Sound, and write down what鈥檚 in my head. It鈥檚 been a big influence.鈥�
But there have also been drawbacks to living in such a small town.
鈥淵ou do have to go to Vancouver if you want to make a career,鈥� she said.聽
鈥淭here is a lack of industry here in 麻豆社国产for musicians.鈥�
However, Cavanah said places like Sound & Soul Studios are starting to fill that gap in industry resources, offering audio engineering and sound recording services.
鈥淚t is good to have a place like that in 麻豆社国产for musicians,鈥� he said. 鈥淓veryone knows that place and it does make a difference having a studio in town.鈥�
Despite the challenges to making it in the music industry, both past, present and future, each band has retained the confidence and drive to overcome these obstacles and sustain themselves through their talents.
鈥淗onestly, my only goal is to make music and put food on the table鈥� said Kurdyak. 鈥淚f I can find a way to sell my music enough to live鈥� that鈥檚 the dream.鈥�
