October Performers | Video Overview

by Michael Donley
We're very proud to be bringing a strong Canadian October line-up! (Sumner Brothers, Rococode, The Crackling, Sunparlour Players, Kalle Mattson, Reuben and the Dark, Maurice & Matthew de Zoete). Look through videos from all these artists and take in some shows this month - online or live in person at the cafe. As always we've featured video highlights on our site from live shows you may have missed.
Have a great month!

The Sumner Brothers - SAT. OCT. 6th (early show)
The Sumner Brothers have opened for such acts as Sean Hayes (San Francisco), Hillstomp (Portland), The Deep Dark Woods (Saskatoon) and have shared the stage with Vancouver heavies C.R. Avery & Rich Hope. They tour regularly in Canada, the United States, and U.K. They have just released there 4th full length record "I'll Be There Tomorrow".
Tickets: FREE SHOW
Time: 7pm (PST)


Rococode - SAT. OCT. 6th (late show)
Very sorry, due to unforeseen circumstances Rococode had to cancel this show.
And as all things begin and end with the music, Rococode has set to making exciting new pop.  Their debut album Guns, Sex & Glory is a little bit dark.  A little bit playful.  A little bit scary.  A little bit thoughtful. All whipped together with the help of Mother Mother’s Ryan Guldemond (co-producer), Andrew Braun (co-producer), engineer extraordinaire Shawn Penner (Mother Mother, Hannah Georgas, Elias) and mixer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Polyphonic Spree, The Walkmen).
Tickets: $10 available @ Streaming Cafe
Time: 10pm (PST)


The Crackling - SAT. OCT. 13th
Kenton Loewen has seasoned himself as a touring musician having been on the road exstensively since 2000. Known mostly as a drummer (Dan Mangan, Mother Mother, Gordon Grdina Trio), The Crackling is his work in songwriting and his focus in guitar.
Tickets: FREE SHOW
Time: 7pm (PST)

Sunparlour Players w/guest Kalle Mattson - THURSDAY, OCT 18th 
Known for their intense celebration of a live show ("a must see!!" - CBC 3) the Sunparlour Players continue to bring their unique sound to the masses. Come out and see for yourself.

In the three short years since Kalle Mattson began writing songs, he and his band have grown from a Dylan-influenced solo act into a full on experimental folk-rock quintet. With two full-lengths already under his young belt, and a video for “Thick As Thieves” from the his second album “Anchors“ with over 1,000,000 views.

Tickets: $15 available @ Streaming Cafe
Time: 8pm (PST)



Reuben and the Dark - SAT., OCT 18th 
Reuben and the Dark is the newest project from Calgary's Reuben Bullock. The quartet weaves together sounds and vocal harmonies that create an unexpected texture that finds ways of translating the confusing language of emotion into song and melody; sounding simultaneously ancient and uniquely contemporary. Recently brought to London by Mariead Nash (Manager of Florence and the Machine/Blood Orange), the band has returned from Europe with a new release in tow. Multi-instrumentalist Scott Munro (Chad van Gaalen, Ghostkeeper), drummer Distance Bullock (SAVK, Bring Fire), and guitarist Shea Alain round out the ensemble.
Tickets: FREE SHOW
Time: 7pm (PST)



Maurice w/ Matthew de Zoete - SAT., OCT 27th 
Maurice - Sometimes from bad luck or circumstance, amazing opportunities and transformations can arise. This is much the case for Maurice, a man, and a band, born and raised in Victoria BC Canada. From a major label signing, lofty expectations, and working closely with producer David Foster in Hollywood, to tumult and shattered dreams, out of a mishandled career path and naivety, Jean-Paul Maurice was able to pick up the pieces of a misdirected career path and take his music and art into his own hands.

Matthew de Zoete - Imagine Nick Drake cheering up a bit and living long enough to work with Beck, and you have an idea of how Matthew de Zoete sounds on his new album Colour Film. Produced by Les Cooper (Jill Barber, Good Lovelies, Meaghan Smith) and graced with beautiful harmonies by Julie Fader (Sarah Harmer, Great Lake Swimmers), Colour Film displays the confidence and strength of a young man hitting his stride.
Tickets: FREE SHOW
Time: 7pm (PST)

Sunparlour Players “AC/DC visits Little House on the Prairie”

by Malcolm Petch

It’s hard to convey the refreshment it gave me to open up the Sunparlour Players website and see among the ever-present (ad-nauseam) social media icons on their homepage (you know: facebook, twitter, myspace, youtube, itunes, yada yada) a green symbol amongst the others labeled “BERNARDIN”. The best part? The link really was to the home-canning company (apparently they make there own jam...no joke!).

That iconography is, in itself, an adroit snapshot of the larger Sunparlour experience. Labeling themselves as alternative folk or punk folk act, Sunparlour Players exist more in the indescribable outer rim of indie acts who escape description: Macleans magazine described them as “AC/DC visits Little House on the Prairie”, but I’d say they’re more like “Julie Doiron visits Snailhouse” – definitely more experimental and fun than AC/DC, and a lot less formulaic than Little House on the Prairie!

Check out the SP music on Bandcamp. The EP “Sunparlour Preserves” is completely worth the 11 and-a-half minutes it takes to listen through. It’s well worth clicking on ‘buy now’ and naming a price that will leave some cash in the band’s collective pockets. And, of course, you’ll see by the name of the album (and the last track) why they have a “BERNARDIN” icon on their home page.

The photos of Yanni on their facebook page take the experience even further.

SP take their name from the Ontario region nicknamed “Canada’s Sun Parlour”, an area where SP songwriter and founding member Andrew Penner grew up.  Besides songwriting, Penner contributes his skills in the areas of lead vocals, guitar, bass, banjo, bass organ pedals (Geddy Lee influence noted), percussion, and kick drum. Michael Rosenthal, the other founding member, is not to be outdone: he brings drums, glockenspiel, banjo, backing vocals, keyboards and bass to the mix. Both Rosie and Penner come from Ontario, and Sunparlour Players make their home in Toronto.

While the band delight in arranging their own gigs in any location from barns and backyards to theatres and clubs, they certainly don’t shake a stick at opportunities to tour or perform with other acts, including gigs with Blue Rodeo, Mumford & Sons, and Plants and Animals.
When SP hits Streaming Café on October 18, they’ll be sharing the intimate stage with Kalle Mattson, another Ontario singer/songwriter who is blazing upward in sonic recognition not only in Canada but around the world.

Propelling his music and his name globally since this past November, Mattson’s music video “Thick as Thieves” has received on-air and online attention from media giants including Time Magazine, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Much Music, and CBS News. The National Post, in commenting on all this attention, highlighted Mattson as one of five musicians poised to breakout in 2012.

The video for Thick as Thieves, created for only $250 in materials (and tons of hours of careful work) showcases the history of the world in stop-motion animation. That’s an ambitious goal in any genre.
As a Dylan-inspired solo act who has now grown into a full-on experimental folk-rock quintet show, Kalle Mattson has only been writing songs for three years. But it is pretty clear that he’s found something he’s good at: his 2009 debut album “Whisper Bee” garnered two Northern Ontario Music Award nominations and a Top 100 placement in the Billboard World Song Contest. Album number two, “Anchors”, won the award for Group Album of the year at the afore-mentioned NOMA, and earned Mattson the 2011 SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Award. There was even a song placement on the TV show Degrassi.

“Lives In Between” is Kalle Mattson’s newest release, an EP featuring a new lineup and a new sound, and it came out in the spring of 2011. Mattson and crew have been touring the EP extensively while working on a full-length project also due out in 2012.
Both of these Ontario acts are impossible to capture in words. Their music needs to be heard to be appreciated. (That sentence is in the passive voice; let’s try that again: You neeeeed to hear their music!!). The Streaming Café website has links to the bands’ websites, where you can hear their music first-hand, and SC is honoured to be able to present both groups live and in-person on October 18th.

If you’ve ever been to Streaming Café (596 Leon Ave, Kelowna BC), you’ll know how hard it is to find a seat when there’s good live music in town! Plan to get here in plenty of time to catch Sunparlour Players and Kalle Mattson – and in fact, if you buy your tickets ahead of time you’ll be guaranteed a spot (if it’s not already too late…).

Of course, out-of-towners and those unlucky enough to miss the ticket sales will be able to catch the music online, and will even be able to ask questions of the artist via our innovative tweet-your-questions setup. But you’ll want to be here in person…

8:00 p.m. on October 18 at Streaming Café. You’ll be glad you showed up!

Rococode: Guns, Sex and Glory

by Malcolm Petch

Very sorry, due to unforeseen circumstances Rococode had to cancel this show.

Guns, Sex & Glory. No, that’s not a promo for a new movie, nor is it the life-plan for a New York gang leader wannabe. Guns, Sex & Glory is the debut album from Rococode, a Vancouver-based ensemble that tours Eastern Canada as much as it does Western Canada.

Interestingly, the folks of Rococode describe themselves as ‘an evolving band of three Vancouver musicians’, yet all their publicity shots show four distinct members. That’s pretty efficient evolution.

The video for their song “Weapon”, posted on August 30, does a good job of capturing the essence of Rococode’s music. There’s an underlying darkness in the visual theme that supports the lyrical content of the song, yet the whole thing is wrapped in a robe of accessible and strong pop music that is engaging and enjoyable right from the start. Shades of  California pop bands slip through the track on occasion – in a good way.

Truth be told, all of Rococode’s videos are masterful and engaging. It’s clear these guys – or, rather, lady and gentlemen – know what they’re doing both with their music and with their visuals.

Dig a bit deeper, and it’s easy to see why the music seems so well constructed: it actually is well constructed. Laura Smith and Andrew Braun, founding members of the band, met at a Jazz school where, among other things, Andrew graded Laura’s Music History papers and played support in her solo project. And every bio that includes mutual time at a Jazz school is usually reflected in quality music.

As Laura and Andrew started collaborating more and began recording, the solo project transmogrified into something more like the Laura and Andrew Band (they even referred to themselves as LAB). Shaun Huberts (bass) and Johnny Andrews (drums) joined the line-up to help lay down tracks during early recording sessions after crossing paths with Andrew at a Victoria wedding where they were all faking their way through providing jazz background music. “The evening was highlighted by a 45-minute muzzak-inspired rendition of ‘Girl from Ipanema,’ ” says Andrew. “It was love at first note.” Andrew started bringing Shaun and Johnny in as backing musicians with Laura every once in a while, and when LAB started recording it just made sense to use Shaun and Johnny to round the tracks out.

Huberts and Andrews already had a good gig as bassist and drummer with Tegan and Sara, however, so when their LAB sessions in the studio ended they headed out on a T&S/Paramore tour while Braun and Smith were finishing up in the studio.

“When Shaun and Johnny came back [from their tour with Tegan and Sara] and we started to play live shows it was quickly apparent that it was a project they also wanted to be invested in,” says Andrew.  “We all came BACK to the studio after a long hiatus and recorded two (and a half) more songs… including Weapon… to finish up the record.” Braun says it was obvious to all four of them that they’d settled into being a band.

Rococode credits producer Ryan Guldemond with having the biggest and most obvious influence on Guns, Sex & Glory. Like Shaun and Johnny’s inclusion into the family, Guldemond’s role came about after a chance meeting one day. That serendipitous street encounter morphed into a significant time of pulling apart the songs Andrew and Laura had written, piecing the arrangements together, and really shaping the sound for the band.

The final results of the whole recording project literally speak for themselves, and Laura, Andrew, Johnny and Shaun have been touring their album together from even before it was released. Johnny and Shaun still have to split their time between their work with Tegan and Sara and their time with Rococode – but get them in the right place at the right time, and the music comes together!

That music will be coming together here at Streaming Café on October 6. And for all those who have ever thought to themselves, “Man, why are the shows so early at SC?”, you’ll be glad to hear that for this rare occasion Streaming Café will be hosting Rococode at the special showtime of 10:00pm Pacific time! Yes, that’s right: ten o’clock in the evening.

Rococode. In person. Intimate setting. Rare opportunity.

Cafe Art Display: Kristen Amy Cresswell

We are very happy to be displaying some amazing works on our cafe walls by the talented Kristen Amy Cresswell . Her art will be showcased for the next month, so come down and take them in. Visit Kristen's  facebook page for more information on her art.

BIO
Kristen Amy Cresswell was born in 1986 and raised in the Dutch dairy-farming community of Southern Ontario. In 2006 she made the move to Kelowna, BC where she now calls home! Living in two beautiful provinces has been a key inspiration to what she creates.

She has always found art in the things around her. A few of her earliest memories include making dandelion crowns during a baseball game, braiding strands of straw into little dolls, and drawing on her brand new jeans in ink during the ride home on the school bus, which her mom didn't quite appreciate as much as Kristen enjoyed doing it. Creating art has always been a vital part of her life.

Kristen is a self-taught artist who isn't afraid of colour. She pairs bright & bold colours with sharp clean lines. Her current fascination is with sunlight and how it affects the colours we see. The lack of light voiding the subject of colour, and the light during different times of day sometimes changing the colour itself! The result is beautiful, full-of-life, spectacularly coloured paintings.

This year, Kristen has shown her work at both Bean Scene coffee shops in January and May, at Art In The Park in August, at the Riot On The Roof event in August and now at Streaming Cafe for September.

September Performers | Video Overview

by Michael Donley
To start off the fall we've got an epic month of indie music, featuring a couple amazing mid-week performances along with our Saturday night shows. Have a look through videos from this months performers and take in some shows - online or live in person at the cafe!
If you missed out on a show, have a look through clips from hundreds of our past shows.

Raleigh - SATURDAY, SEPT. 8th 
Raleigh's lush composition draws on the finer elements of earthy folk and chamber pop with delicate melodies that hold the whole thing together. Cello, guitar, drums, and boy - girl duets weave through dynamic, newstyle prog-folk resulting in a sound that has been described as "a more thoughtful, elegant indie", and "dynamic, quirky folk." All three members have spent time playing with illustrious company, including Woodpigeon, The Dojo Workhorse and The Dudes.
Tickets: FREE SHOW
Time: 7pm (PST)


Krief - THURSDAY, SEPT. 13th
Guitarist for The Dears, Patrick Krief made his frontman mark with his solo project Black Diamond Bay. The April 2012 release of Hundred Thousand Pieces (Pirates Blend), presented the Montrealer at his finest, with beautifully heartbreaking, cinematic arrangements, and soulful lyrics and songwriting. Though Krief performed almost everything himself during the recording of the album (drums, piano, keys, bass, guitar, percussion, and vocals), he takes to the stage with a full band during his live shows, kicking his ornately instrumental music up a notch, creating a fuller, rocking sound, jam‐packed with soul. Have a look at Krief’s online concert series for a little taste of his music live off the floor.
Tickets: $12 available @ Streaming Cafe
Time: 8pm (PST)


Dogwood and Dahlia - SATURDAY, SEPT. 15th
Dogwood and Dahlia, hailed as “Vancouver’s youngest poet singers,” have captivated the Vancouver indie folk scene since their formation in the spring of 2011. With two EPs under their belt (“Nice to Meet You” in May 2011 and more recently, “The Sea” in December 2011,) the band is excited to meet new people, see new places, hear new music and get people dancing as they tour this summer, before returning to Vancouver to record a full length album in early 2013.
Tickets: FREE SHOW
Time: 7pm (PST)

Zaac Pick - SATURDAY, SEPT. 22nd
When Zaac Pick sings about the inconstancy of time, you can’t help but believe he has the experience to back it up. The Vancouver singer-songwriter brings an older-than-his-years wisdom to every melody his new four-song EP, Whitewater.  2012 has seen the Whitewater EP nominated for a West Coast Music Award for Best Solo Roots Recording, the title track added into regular rotation on CBC 3, and the accompanying video on MuchMusic. With a cross-country tour behind him, Zaac is currently working on his first full-length album.
Tickets: FREE SHOW
Time: 7pm (PST)



Michael Bernard Fitzgerald - THURSDAY, SEPT. 27th 
There’s a lot to love about Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (MBF). His sweet, approachable disposition gives way to an undeniable confidence onstage. He is a man who can break hearts playing solo with an acoustic guitar and in equal measure, make venues soar with full backing bands, choirs and dancers. From his modest first show at a tiny folk club in 2005, to the heights of Virginfest, touring the country with Hey Ocean and playing shows with the likes of Stars, k-os, and a fall 2010 Canadian tour supporting Lights, the course is now charted for Michael to embark on his next musical journey; the release of his new record in the spring of 2012.
Tickets: $10 available @ Streaming Cafe
Time: Two Seatings - 7pm (Early Show) + 10pm (Late Show)



The Jon Cohen Experimental - SATURDAY, SEPT. 29thh
The Jon Cohen Experimental is the brainchild of Montreal musician & songwriter Jon Cohen. Having been a key member of such diverse and popular bands as The Dears, The Social Register and many more, Jon formed his own group in the spring of 2006 as a response to over a decade of service to the prolific Montreal music scene. Arming himself with looper pedals, drum machines, casio-like keys, a bass guitar and trippy projected visuals.
Tickets: FREE SHOW
Time: 7pm (PST)