Vancouver Singer-Songwriter Larissa Tandy Releases New Single DRIVE

WATCH/SHARE VIDEO HERE

Vancouver musician Larissa Tandy discovered that songwriting inspiration can come from the most unexpected places when she was writing her new single ‘Drive’, out today on all digital streaming platforms. 

"I wrote 'Drive' in East Nashville with my friend, Texan songwriter Van Darien,” says Larissa. “Another friend had set us up to write together, and this was the first day we met. I sat in Van’s living room tuning my guitar, and she brought me an iced coffee to which she had added coconut flavoured La Croix. I was so confused and fascinated by it, I was taken with it! The moment felt almost psychedelic. And when my mind finally came back to the room we were sitting in, Van was playing a C chord and singing the word 'drive' over it. I asked her, 'where is she driving?' and the song started to unfold. While we were writing it, I was imagining Roy Orbison singing it, because I love him and I’m always trying to write for the way he sings."

'Drive' follows the release of 'Sirens' (released on May 21st) and is the 2nd of 3 new singles to be released from Larissa Tandy this summer. The next single, ‘No Fun’, comes out on July 30th. 

From her humble beginnings in rural Australia, raising herself on stolen Aretha and Patti Smith records, Larissa has mined her difficult life for potent stories and spun them into songs that made their way onto radio in America, the UK, and Canada. Within a few short years, she has doggedly beat a path for herself, touring relentlessly across Canada, Australia, and the US, and playing official showcases at Kansas City’s Folk Alliance, and Nashville’s Americanafest. Her debut album, The Grip, was released in 2017 and spent 4 months on the US Americana charts, reached #2 on the Canadian college radio chart, and attracted praise from almost every corner of the globe. Awards followed, namely the prestigious Nashville Songwriter Residency, which Tandy used to carve out a place for herself in Nashville’s competitive writing scene. Tapped by artists for her tough affect and muscular writing, she jagged a number of cuts in her first year in the game, which secured chart positions in Australia and the UK. 

Larissa Tandy's new single ‘Drive’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more info, please visit larissatandy.com

---

FOLLOW LARISSA TANDY:
Website | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube 

MEDIA TOOLS:
WATCH/POST Larissa Tandy's 'Drive' video HERE
STREAM/POST Larissa Tandy - 'Drive'  HERE
WATCH/POST Larissa Tandy's 'Sirens' video HERE
CLICK HERE for biography + high-res press photos 

Vancouver R&B/Hip-Hop Musician Babylung Releases New Single FUNNY INNIT?

2nd Single From New Album Out July 30th
STREAM/SHARE HERE

ＢＡＢＹＬＵＮＧ · Funny Innit?

Vancouver R&B/Hip-Hop musician Babylung digs deep into his past with his anthemic and celebratory new single ‘Funny Innit’ out today on all digital streaming platforms along with the visualizer premiering at 7PM (PDT) on his YouTube. ‘Funny Innit’ follows the release of ‘Betrayal’, which came out in May, and is the 2nd single from his forthcoming album To Live And Die In Surrey (out on July 30th).

“‘Funny Innit?’ is a song reflecting on my juvenile delinquency, now as a young adult with a redemption story to tell,” says Babylung. “I recently drove past the Surrey Police Department and remembered having to meet monthly with my probation officer when I was 13. Passing by there, now having traveled the world thanks to music, graduating, and working in the music industry, I knew I’d come too far to end up in that dark place again. I’m college-educated, musically gifted, alive - everything I wasn’t supposed to be. Funny innit?’”

For Babylung, ‘Funny Innit’ is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to reflecting on his past. On To Live And Die In Surrey (TLADIS), he psychoanalyzes the ego death of his destructive youth and the birth of a new identity found in love, passion, and purpose. The album reveals Babylung’s inner dialogue, touching on his dark past as an at risk youth, his search for meaning as a juvenile delinquent, and the passionate pursuit of his new found life in music. Babylung reflects on his journey, now with an understanding that his past only empowered him to discover his true creative destiny. 

“To Live And Die In Surrey was a big creative step for me because the majority of it was produced by me,” says Babylung. “In the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdowns, collaborations were limited so I wanted to develop my production and musicianship. I played guitar, bass, piano, arranged strings, and sang harmonies. I think overall this album helped me to truly find my sound not only as an artist and songwriter but also as a producer.”

With R&B instincts, gospel roots, and hip-hop tendencies, Babylung digs deep into the soul to create music both unequivocal and honest. With production sonics reminiscent of the early 2000s Timbaland & JT era, hybrid Rap/R&B vocals like Anderson Paak, and the varying spectrum of lyricism which ranges from the introspection of Billie Eilish and the youthful energy of Brockhampton, Babylung unintentionally hones the characteristics of a genre-agnostic artist. You can find him on an R&B playlist with Bryson Tiller, a Pop playlist with Khalid, or a Rap playlist with Drake depending on the song and mood. His tender voice and soothing lyrics have reached over 285,000 listeners globally with over 1 million streams and has been featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday (Canada/Philippines), Just Vibing, and R&B Favourites playlists.

Babylung’s new single ‘Funny Innit?’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more info, please visit babylungmusic.com.

---

FOLLOW BABYLUNG:
Website | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube 

MEDIA TOOLS:
STREAM/POST Babylung - 'Funny Innit' HERE
WATCH/POST 'Funny Innit' visualizer HERE
CLICK HERE for biography + high-res press photos 

Edmonton Musician Robin Cisek Releases Debut Album DELICATE MINDS

STREAM/SHARE HERE

They say you have your whole life to write your debut album and Edmonton alt-pop artist Robin Cisek has done a lot of living in her 20 short years on this earth. And those experiences - good and bad - shine through on Delicate Minds out today on all digital streaming platforms. 

Celebrating resiliency and the strength of mental health survivors, Robin Cisek's 6-song debut addresses issues around speaking about mental health, anxiety, addiction, perception of mental illness in society, gaslighting, and trauma. Her album is an ode to those dealing with mental illness and a celebration of their strength and resiliency. 

"Delicate Minds was inspired by how our minds work," says Robin. "My aim for this project was to create an album that was cohesive both in subject matter and sound. Mental health is complicated; there are so many things that can affect it and it is universally known and experienced. So why isn't there more conversation and why is it taboo? I wanted to create this music to show people with mental illness that they are not alone. It is so crucial that we keep talking openly about mental health to create a society that accepts mental illness and supports healing."

On Delicate Minds, Robin also pushes boundaries by challenging the idea that pop songs can’t be evocative. Robin shows her dedication to creating music that has a profound meaning while being melodic, catchy and listenable. Through her new music she discusses the deep meanings and emotional aspects of mental health while infusing her lyrics and sound with hopefulness, and a positive outlook on the future.

Robin’s inspiration comes from her own experiences and her Indigenous heritage (Métis), which takes form in music through her alternative beats and lyrics. Her previous singles received critical praise, in addition to being played on radio in Canada and internationally. Her 2019 single, 'Waiting on You' claimed the #1 spot on XRP radio countdown and the Indigenous Music countdown and remained for 24 weeks.

Her latest singles 'Speak To Me' (released on May 21st) and 'Sirens'  (released on June 4th) have continued the buzz, receiving plenty of notice at Canadian radio and music blogs/playlists. 

Delicate Minds is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit robincisekmusic.com.

---

FOLLOW ROBIN CISEK:
Website | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram  | Twitter

MEDIA TOOLS:
WATCH/SHARE Robin Cisek's 'Speak To Me' lyric video HERE
WATCH/SHARE Robin Cisek's 'Sirens' lyric video HERE
CLICK HERE for biography + high-res press photos 

UNINTERRUPTED Is Back + This Time It's On The Move!

Launching on July 7th at the Museum of Vancouver
Register now at uninterrupted.ca

Forget Shark Boy, this summer the public art experience that will have everyone talking is all about salmon. UNINTERRUPTED, the outdoor cinematic spectacle that lit up Vancouver’s Cambie Bridge in the summer of 2017, is back and on the move. And because the world is much different in 2021, this time the experience is in Virtual Reality.  Not just any VR - synchronized, outdoor virtual reality for small audiences.

The site-specific work that thrilled residents and visitors alike is now swimming in 3D and touring cities throughout Metro Vancouver in VR.  Starting in July, UNINTERRUPTED will be presented at various outdoor locations. No need to own a headset - one will be provided for you. The event is designed so audiences of twenty can be immersed in the experience together, while apart. UNINTERRUPTED brings a little community connection back - safely -  to local neighbourhoods after a long year of pandemic restrictions.

UNINTERRUPTED maps the extraordinary migration of Pacific salmon on a city bridge in a unique 30-minute visual and sound experience. With visual poetry, it inspires audiences to reflect on the intersection of urban life and nature. It’s the heart of the river delivered to the heart of a city - and now in more cities than ever. 

Seeing is believing. Click here to see a video clip of what you’ll find in the goggles. 

UNINTERRUPTED on-location VR showings launch on July 7th - 11th outside of the Museum of Vancouver for a 5-evening run with 4 showings every evening. The production will then move to the Shipyard Commons in North Vancouver and then outdoors at the Burnaby Art Gallery.  Each audience member is fitted with a VR headset and seated in a swivel chair in order to enjoy the 360-degree experience. Seating is distanced and outdoors, and all equipment is sanitized between showings with ultraviolet light used to clean the sensitive equipment.  

The event is still free but seats must be booked in advance, online booking is now open at uninterrupted.ca.

The Uninterrupted project continues to evolve through the creative collaboration of director Nettie Wild, producers Betsy Carson and Rae Hull, editor Michael Brockington and a diverse team of artists and media specialists. A committed network of sponsors has made the summer tour possible and helped to ensure the event remains free to the public. 

More locations and dates will be announced throughout the summer. Sign-up at uninterrupted.ca for the most up-to-date information. 
 

JULY 7th - 11th - VANCOUVER, BC - MUSEUM OF VANCOUVER (ON GARDEN PATIO)

JULY 14th - 24th - NORTH VANCOUVER, BC - THE SHIPYARD COMMONS / LONSDALE QUAY

AUGUST 3rd - AUGUST 13th - BURNABY, BC - BURNABY ART GALLERY (ON VERANDA)

We gratefully acknowledge that UNINTERRUPTED was filmed on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), Hupač́asath and the Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band of the Secwepemc Nation.

---

FOLLOW UNINTERRUPTED:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 

MEDIA TOOLS:
WATCH/SHARE video clips of UNINTERRUPTED HERE
DOWNLOAD high-res photos HERE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jen Fritz | Fritz Media
Email: jen@fritzmedia.ca

The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival Announces 2021 Headlining Acts

2021 festival runs Sept 2 - 5 + will host in-person audiences for free outdoor shows on Saturday, Sept 4th

The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival is excited to announce the headlining acts for the 2021 festival, which will be held from Thursday, September 2nd to Sunday, September 5th. The four-day festival will include free outdoor performances on Saturday, September 4th in front of the Fort Langley Community Hall and live-streamed and in-person ticketed shows each evening. Ticket packages for streamed shows are on-sale on Saturday via fortlangleyjazzfest.com. 

Here is the 2021 line-up of the headliner streamed ticketed shows:

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd - HIP-HOP/JAZZ SHOW

• Red Haven

• Kyprios

• XL The Band

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd - BLUES SHOW:

• Kenny Blues Boss Wayne

• Brandon Isaak

• Jim Byrnes with special guest, Candus Churchill

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th - JAZZ SHOW:

• David Restivo Trio

• Vince Mai Band

• Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th - R&B DANCE PARTY:

• Big City Soul

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th - SOUL/GOSPEL SHOW (CO-PRESENTED WITH MUSIC HEALS):

• Dawn Pemberton

• Dee Daniels

“We’re excited to bring our jazz music fans a combination of online and live performances featuring local musicians and musicians from across BC,” said Dave Quinn, artistic director for the festival.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic forced live music events to shut down last year, the festival carried on with our first live-streamed format,” said Quinn. “Then earlier this year we moved the festival forward from July to the September long weekend due to ongoing province-wide COVID-19 restrictions. After navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic for the past year, it will come as no surprise that our theme for the 2021 festival is the power of music and how music heals.” 

Music Heals Canada joins the festival as a charity partner and co-presenter of the Sunday Soul Gospel show this year. Tickets to the Soul Gospel show will be by donation to support Music Heals’ mission to raise awareness and funds for the healing power of music and the festival’s youth initiatives (Rising Star, Jazz Education Workshop and supporting up-and-coming youth performances). Music Heals is a charitable foundation that supports a wide range of music therapy services in communities in BC and across Canada.

“Music Heals is thrilled to be the charitable partner of the 2021 Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival,” said Taryn Stephenson, Music Heals Director of Brand Partnerships and Sponsorships.

“Prolonged social isolation due to the pandemic has caused a major spike in mental health related issues such as depression and anxiety. But despite all odds, the world found a way to keep the music alive. From live streams, to outdoor concerts, to mobile stages on the back of pick-up trucks, musicians continued to bring people together through innovative ways. We have seen first hand how music brings people together - even while apart. And now as the world begins to open up we are looking forward to celebrating the resilient, unifying, healing power of music in person.”

Festival Title Sponsor, Odlum Brown Limited notes, “Our core values are to give back where we live and work and to be an integral part of our community, and we are very pleased to be part of the festival once again.” Paul Donaldson, Branch Manager, Director and Portfolio Manager at Odlum Brown Limited added, “With organizations like the festival, we are more connected and I can’t think of a better event to bring us all together.”

The 2021 Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival will announce more additions to the festival in the upcoming weeks. Here are a few of the highlights: 

THE 2021 RISING STAR JAZZ MUSICIAN AWARD
The recipient of the 2021 Rising Star Jazz Musician Award is Amber Tsang, a 5th-year music student from Capilano University.  As a young vocalist emerging into the Vancouver jazz scene, Amber combines her classic inspirations such as Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker with her contemporary influences to deliver her fresh take on time-honoured standards. Amber aspires to encourage representation and equality with her music for young women of colour in the Vancouver jazz scene. As a recipient of the award, she will be performing with her trio at this year's festival. 

THE INDIGENOUS JAZZ FUSION CONCERT
The Kwantlen First Nations group, Stomi:x Shweli (Warrior Spirit) and jazz trio,Triology will perform in a commissioned, unique Indigenous jazz-fusion concert that will be streamed to viewers around the world on Saturday, September 4th at 6pm. The concert will feature the performance and interviews with Warrior Spirit and Triology artists on the making of this video by former CBC radio host, Mark Forsythe. This concert is presented by Kwantlen Polytechnic University and supported by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, proudly representing the Port of Vancouver.

JAZZ EDUCATION WORKSHOP 
A full day in-person jazz education workshop for BC high school and college musicians on Sunday, September 5th, 10am - 4pm. The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival is giving BC high school and college musicians the chance to enhance their skills, industry knowledge and relationships to thrive in the music industry, through the 2021 Jazz Education Workshop The workshop is supported by the Province of BC and BC Touring Council.. Register here.

Look for more exciting announcements about the 2021 festival in the next few weeks. There are a variety of ticket options available for the festival this year, including streaming packages and streamed single tickets for headliner shows. Tickets for in-person shows will be available in mid-July. Visit fortlangleyjazzfest.com to see all available options and ticket packages. 

---

ABOUT THE ODLUM BROWN FORT LANGLEY JAZZ & ARTS FESTIVAL:
Established in 2018, the Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival is a not-for-profit organization whose mandate is to enrich cultural life in the Fraser Valley by bringing emerging and established jazz acts and visual artists to Fort Langley. The annual festival is typically held over the last weekend of July and draws thousands of residents and visitors to the streets of the community.

The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival is funded by corporate and government supporters, including: the Government of Canada, SOCAN, FACTOR, BC Arts Council, BC Touring Council, SoundON, Province of BC, First Peoples’ Cultural Council, Township of Langley and corporate sponsors, Odlum Brown Limited, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, ConWest Group of Companies, Kane Shannon Weiler LLP,  SpaTru, San Group of Companies, and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, proudly representing the Port of Vancouver.

FOLLOW THE ODLUM BROWN FORT LANGLEY JAZZ & ARTS FESTIVAL:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

MEDIA TOOLS:
DOWNLOAD high-res photos and logos HERE
WATCH/SHARE the 2020 Best of the Fest video HERE