Sarah Jickling Premieres New Single + Announces Release of Debut Solo Album on July 14th

Watch Premiere of 'This Time' Live Video @ The Revue

Vancouver, BC - Sarah Jickling, neurotic songstress and theatrical front woman of pop-rock band The Oh Wells, is taking to the stage on her own as Sarah Jickling and Her Good Bad Luck and will be releasing her first solo album When I Get Better on Friday, July 14th. When I Get Better documents Sarah’s mental health issues and is a candid portrayal of her ongoing struggle with debilitating anxiety and bipolar disorder. The first single ‘This Time’ explores the difficulties of maintaining friendships and romantic relationships while living with a mental illness. Click here to watch the acoustic live video and album teaser premiering today at The Revue.

Sarah Jickling’s new solo project pairs the unbridled emotion of her voice with synths and loops, and graduates lyrically from high school daydreams to honest accounts of a chaotic young adulthood. On When I Get Better, Jickling paints an honest picture of the past few years of her journey to recovery, and explores what it means to “get better” when living with a chronic mental illness.  

"The songs on this album were written because I needed them," says Jickling. "I write songs to sort out my own emotions, to tell the truth about what I am going through, and to turn my illness into something positive. I didn't intend to write an album, I just wrote songs when they came to me. In the end, I realized that all of the songs led me to this place of acceptance. I learned to accept my illness, and make peace with what it means to have bipolar disorder. The album is called When I Get Better because it was through songwriting that I realized there is no "better," that recovery isn't a straight line, but that there is beauty in that."

When I Get Better will be released in tandem with a mental health themed zine co-written by Jickling and illustrator Amelia Butcher. The zine was created as a way for Jickling to poke fun at her own emotional instability, while also sharing the coping tools that she finds helpful with her audience.

"The zine is called 'It's Okay, A Guide For Human Beings' and I wrote it as a reminder to myself and others that no one is perfect," says Jickling. "We are all struggling in different ways, but there are things that we can do to make things easier. I was inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement from the 90's, when bands and fans would create handmade zines to give out at shows. At that time, those zine started conversations about intersectional feminism. I think that right now, there is a bit of a mental health movement going on, and I like the idea of creating little works of art to spread awareness and ideas." 

Based in Vancouver, Sarah Jickling is a strong local advocate for mental health awareness and has opened up about her mental illness on radio, local television, podcasts, blogs and at live speaking events. She can also be found performing her new sound and sharing her personal stories with ReachOut Psychosis, a program created by the BC Schizophrenia Society that tours high schools across BC educating on psychosis and early psychosis intervention. 

Sarah Jickling's new album When I Get Better will be available on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services on Friday, July 14th. For more information and the most up to date tour schedule, please visit: www.sarahsgoodbadluck.com.

SARAH JICKLING AND HER GOOD BAD LUCK >> UPCOMING TOUR DATES
July 13 - Vancouver, BC - The Emerald (Album Release Show)
July 15 - Victoria, BC - Copper Owl

SARAH JICKLING - WHEN I GET BETTER  TRACK LISTING
RELEASE DATE: JULY 14th, 2017 (Independent)
1.  You Let Me Down
2.  Anything That You Want
3.  Repetitive
4.  Untitled
5.  Lullaby
6.  I'm Not Broken
7.  When I Sing
8.  This Time
9.  When I Get Better

 FOR MORE INFO: www.sarahsgoodbadluck.com
Twitter: @sarahjickling
Instagram: @sarah.jickling
FB: facebook.com/sarahsgoodbackluck

MEDIA TOOLS
WATCH/POST - When I Get Better album teaser trailer here
WATCH/POST 'This Time' acoustic live video here
STREAM/POST 'This Time' album version here
READ the 'It's Okay, A Guide For Human Beings' zine here
CLICK HERE for album art + high-res press photos (Photo Credit: Nelson Mouellic)

Rococode's YOUNG ONES EP Out Today Via Marquis

"Vancouver’s Rococode genuinely captivate with their singular musical aesthetic, an infectious marriage of classical synth-pop, quasi-hip-hop beats, layered
with male-female ideological dichotomy.”
- BlackBook

Vancouver, BC – Vancouver’s Rococode inject hook-laden songs with lush synth textures and duet vocals, resulting in an infectious sound. Today, the duo of Andrew Braun and Laura Smith releases the Young OnesEP, which debuted earlier this week at Blackbook. 

Co-produced by Caleb Shreve (Phantogram, Bear Hands, Tegan and Sara) and Jon Siebels (Eve 6, Switchfoot, Dreamers), the six song set highlights a musical chemistry by fusing Braun’s exploratory tendencies with Smith’s razor-sharp pop sensibilities.

Stream / Download Young Ones EP:
Spotify | iTunes | Apple Music | Amazon

The fuzzy low end of “A Love That You Will Never Know” is dark and menacing, yet the cloudburst chorus is pure sunshine, while the swaggering title cut centers on an unforgettable wordless chorus. 

But it's standout single “Is It Real”, set with acoustic strums against euphoric, pitch-bent synths, that ties it all together with Earmilk saying, "Filled with the duo's signature lush beats, layers of ethereal synths, and detached boy/girl vocals, 'Is It Real' is the perfect example of Laura Smith and Andrew Braun's knack for stripped down electronic pop."

Enjoy / Share “Is It Real” Video:
https://youtu.be/6srTkdaM5rs

http://rococode.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Rococode
https://twitter.com/rococode
https://www.instagram.com/rococode/

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MEDIA TOOLS:
Download Rococode high-res photo HERE (Photo Credit: Lynol Lui)
Download Rococode high-res album/single art HERE

Declan O'Donovan Announces Release of New Album on June 2nd + Premieres New Video

Watch Premiere of 'Down To The Bottom' on LiveInLimbo.com

Vancouver, BC - Yukon-based singer/songwriter Declan O'Donovan is excited to announce the June 2nd release of his new album Broken Sky with the video premiere for the first single 'Down To The Bottom', exclusively at LiveInLimbo.com. O'Donovan is touring in support of the album, starting with a string of dates dates overseas that kicked off with a show in Berlin last night, and has Western Canadian dates coming up in June. See below for full tour details

Broken Sky is the follow-up to Declan O’Donovan’s self-titled debut album, released in 2012. The sophomore release was recorded with Juno Award-winning producer Jean Massicotte (Patrick Watson, Adam Cohen, Lhasa) at Studio Masterkut in Montreal and features members of Patrick Watson including: Robbie Kuster, Mishka Stein, and Joe Grass; and Brad Barr from The Barr Brothers. All music was written while Declan was living between Whitehorse, Toronto, and Montreal from 2014 to 2016.

 “Jean gave my songs a landscape to live in and explore," says O'Donovan. "He brought with him a sound and an approach that gave every note warmth and direction, and he gracefully coaxed out incredible performances from everyone involved, making the songs simultaneously grounded and unrestrained."

With a European and UK tour dates underway and Canadian dates coming up right after, it's safe to say that O'Donovan will be spending much of 2017 on the road. Following the dates in Western Canada, the next stop will be Japan in late July which will include a performance at the Fuji Rock Festival with more Canadian dates coming up in the fall. It's a busy year of touring and that suits O'Donovan just fine: "I don't really have a home, and with the exception of a piano, most of my belongings fit into a suitcase. I'm quite happy to just live on the road for a while." 

Declan O'Donovan's Broken Sky will be available on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services on Friday, June 2nd. For more information and the most up to date tour schedule, please visit: www.declanodonovan.com


DECLAN O'DONOVAN UPCOMING TOUR DATES
May 11 - Berlin, DE -  Madame Claude
May 12 - Offenbach, DE -  Hafen 2
May 13 - Cologne, DE - Lichtung
May 14 - Essen, DE - GoldBar
May 16 - Dresden, DE - Blue Note
May 17 - Hamburg, DE - Spielbudenplatz
May 18 - London, UK - Green Note
June 22 - Whitehorse, YK  - Yukon Arts Centre (Album Release Show)
June 23 - Vancouver, BC - Wise Hall
June 25 - Chilliwack, BC - Tractor Grease Café
June 26 - Salt Spring Island, BC - Tree House Café
June 28 - Duncan, BC - Duncan Showroom
June 29 - Victoria, BC - Northern Quarter
June 30 - Port Alberni, BC -  Char’s Landing
July 1 - Cumberland, BC - Studio Live
July 4 - Kamloops, BC -  Riverside Park (Evening Concert Series) 
July 5 - Salmon Arm, BC - Marine Peace Park
July 6 - Penticton, BC - Dream Café
July 7 - Atlin, BC - Atlin Arts and Music Festival
July 8 - Atlin, BC - Atlin Arts and Music Festival
July 9 - Atlin, BC - Atlin Arts and Music Festival

DECLAN O'DONOVAN - BROKEN SKY TRACK LISTING
RELEASE DATE: JUNE 2nd, 2017 (Independent)
1.  Let It Rain
2.  Down To The Bottom
3.  Broken Sky
4.  Reckless
5.  Burn It Down
6.  The Boatman
7.  Something To Run Away From
8.  Keep Me In Mind
9.  When I Wasn't Looking
10.  Out Of Mind

 

FOR MORE INFO: www.declanodonovan.com
Twitter: @declan_odonovan
Instagram: @declan_odonovan
FB: facebook.com/declanodonovanmusic

MUSIC BC LAUNCHES PHOENIX TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Building a Robust Contemporary Music Sector in British Columbia
with Tailored Professional Development

Vancouver, BC - With support from Creative BC, FACTOR, Ryan Beedie and Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, Music BC Industry Association is pleased to announce the launch of the PHOENIX Training & Professional Development Program as part of Music BC’s How-To Series.
 
The PHOENIX program was developed to help BC music industry professionals navigate the ever-changing music industry landscape with its evolving business models, income streams and priorities. The program is designed for time-poor, mid-career music professionals, who want to optimize their business models for growth, offering participants the opportunity to work with experienced mentors and advisors. A board of industry experts will review and select the small group of PHOENIX 2017 participants. See below for information on how to apply.

Based on a successful program operating in Australia and New Zealand, PHOENIX will incorporate two residential workshops with the first workshop taking place near Vancouver from August 13-16, 2017. Six music and business advisers, including Terry McBride from Nettwerk, will work with participants on their leadership skills and business models. A blended teaching approach incorporating face to face and self-directed learning will be used. The objective of the program is to encourage participants to consider the development of new business models and income streams and develop their business as a stable, sustainable and growing enterprise.

“PHOENIX is a progressive and very effective professional development program,” said Music BC Executive Director, Alex Grigg.  “The program challenges participants and gets them to rethink the way they work. A similar program has had great results in Australia and New Zealand. Alumni there report that it not only changes their businesses for the better, but their lives as well.” 

“I’ve been a mentor on the program in Australia and I can tell you that it really does change lives,” added Terry McBride.  “I’m looking forward to now offering this great opportunity here.”
 
"We are pleased to be a part of the PHOENIX program,” said Dr. Andrew Gemino from Beedie School of Business - SFU. “We look forward to working with Music BC on this exciting project to help advance BC’s music industry beyond our borders.”

PHOENIX will provide participants with practical business guidance. It will include a comprehensive review of the different business models found in the contemporary music sector, as well as deep analysis of each business model brought to the lab. Advisers and mentors are drawn from both the music industry and the business world, to give participants a range of perspectives on possibilities and ways forward. The work becomes more personalized for each participant as the workshops progress. Psychology sessions are incorporated to give participants tools for working more efficiently and achieving better work/life balance. Resilience, time and behavioral management are also topics that will be covered in the program.
 
The PHOENIX application form and guidelines are available from Music BC’s website: www.musicbc.org. The application deadline is: June 2nd, 2017.

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Overview: 
The PHOENIX program is based on an Australian program designed and delivered by strategy consultant Mariel Beros. It has made a substantial positive impact on the business acumen and skill levels of Australian music industry participants, while also building professionalism in the sector.

Culturally Canada, Australia and New Zealand share similar characteristics, as do their contemporary music industries. They have similar industry strengths and challenges, having an exceptional pool of talented artists but small domestic markets which can limit their reach. To succeed in this new era of constant disruptive technological and social change where music fans are moving from ownership to access, music industry professionals need to adopt a growth mindset. Strong business and interpersonal skills are now essential.

About Music BC: www.musicbc.org
Music BC is a not for profit association serving the for profit and nonprofit music industry, including artists from all genres, industry professionals, service providers, studios, promoters, venues, festivals, producers, agents, managers and educational institutions. Music BC is a member based organization that provides the industry at large with information on the state of the industry, trends, funding & educational programs and resources.

 About Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University: www.beedie.sfu.ca
Since the creation of Canada's first Executive MBA in 1968, the Beedie School of Business has championed lifelong learning, productive change and the need to be innovative as we deliver research and teaching that makes an impact. We are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and have received the EQUIS Quality award from the European Federation for Management Development (EFMD). AACSB and EFMD are globally recognized accrediting agencies for business schools. Less than 1% of business schools worldwide have earned both of these accreditations.
 
Undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. programs demonstrate a spirit of innovation, flexibility and relevance.  Supported by extensive partnerships with public, private and not-for-profit organizations, our goal is to produce broadly educated, enterprising and socially responsible managers capable of making lasting contributions to their communities.

The Beedie School of Business operates on all three SFU campuses, with:

• over 3,800 undergraduate (BBA students) in Burnaby and Surrey
• over 700 MBA and graduate students at the Segal Graduate School and at the Surrey Campus
• non-credit programs at the director, executive and management-levels
• a thriving Ph.D.program

ROCOCODE TO RELEASE YOUNG ONES EP ON JUNE 16 VIA MARQUIS

LYRIC VIDEO FOR SUBLIME SYNTH PALETTE "BRUTAL" OUT NOW

"Equal parts sophisticated, uptown, polished, pop princess and downtown, grunge prince"
- Interview Magazine

“Rococode are an absolute gem"
- Noisey

Vancouver, BC - Vancouver’s Rococode is Andrew Braun and Laura Smith, who infuse their hook-filled songs with lush synth textures and duet vocals, resulting in an infectious sound that Andrew calls, "a marriage of our contrasting personalities.” The Young Ones EP highlights this musical chemistry by fusing Braun’s exploratory tendencies with Smith’s razor-sharp pop sensibilities. Rococode will release the Young Ones EP on June 16 via Marquis Artists.

The EP’s rich synth palette and exotic aura is on full display in the lyric video for "Brutal", which juxtaposes sublimely ascending vocals with darkly buzzing synth bass and knotty rhythms. Laura’s airy tone floats over the heaviest track on the record, trying to cope with inner turmoil and stay grounded in the midst of chaotic times in the outside world. 

The band says, “In the end it’s about trying to be a good person in a tough time.”

Enjoy / Share “Brutal” Lyric Video:
https://youtu.be/6n73uckZGAI

The Young Ones EP’s six tracks were composed largely during a collaborative songwriting retreat in Los Angeles. “We wrote songs in kind of a hip-hop way, using samples as opposed to a chord progression or a riff. We were writing around a vibe or a hook or a sound,” says Smith. Co-producers Caleb Shreve (Phantogram, Bear Hands, Tegan and Sara) and Jon Siebels (Eve 6, Switchfoot, Dreamers) helped to nurture the band’s catchiest inclinations.

Following the L.A. session, the duo fleshed out the arrangements during a residency at the National Music Centre (NMC) in Calgary. They were given access to the NMC’s extensive collection of vintage synths, which Braun excitedly describes as “the most ridiculous collection of instruments ever assembled.” Back in Vancouver, they polished off Young Ones at Monarch Studios.

Standout single “Is It Real” sets acoustic strums against euphoric, pitch-bent synths, while swaggering title cut “Young Ones” centers on an unforgettable wordless chorus. The fuzzy low end of “A Love That You Will Never Know” is dark and menacing, but the cloudburst chorus is pure sunshine.

“Young Ones is about trying to maintain a youthful feeling throughout your adult life,” Smith says. “It’s about trying to keep things light in the midst of so much heaviness.” Whether on album or during ecstatic live performances, this is Rococode’s ultimate goal: to find escape in music and make their way out of the darkness. 

Young Ones EP Track List
1 - Young Ones
2 - Why Do I
3 - Is It Real
4 - Brutal
5 - A Love That You Will Never Know
6 - Can’t Get Enough

http://rococode.com
https://www.facebook.com/Rococode
https://twitter.com/rococode
https://www.instagram.com/rococode

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