Show Alert: The difference between real and show

Said The Whale
Wed., Aug. 28
The Magic Bag ~ Ferndale
w/ Royal Teeth

Photo from saidthewhale.tumblr.com

What will Camilo the Magician bring to the Magic Bag? How about Barbara-Ann (yes, an homage in spirit to that Barbara Ann), songs that pay homage to the spirit of Vancouver ("Black Day in December") and a preview of songs from his creators' upcoming new album, Hawaii.

After opening for Stars earlier this year, Said The Whale return to the Detroit area as headliners on their continuing quest to win America. Their earnest and often poetic pop has listeners singing "I Love You," and proves: Said The Whale is the difference between real and show.


They play the Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids Thurs., Aug. 29.

Photos: Said The Whale @ Majestic Theatre 3/22/2013

Said The Whale return to Detroit.

 

 

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Show Alert: Whales sighted crossing the Detroit River

Tues., Apr. 17
PJ's Lager House, Detroit - $8
Said the Whale with Chains of Love and Sam Bradley

If for some reason you couldn't cross the border last night for their Capitol Theatre show, the Whales are coming to you. If you like your alt pop with strong hooks, harmonies and earnest, clever lyrics, then you'll love Vancouver's Said the Whale, as they return to the Detroit area, this time with a new album, Little Mountain in tow. See if you hear a nod to an 1980s Detroit favourite in one of Little Mountain's singles, "Heavy Ceiling."


You'll hear more than a nod to Detroit from fellow Vancouverites Chains of Love. Led by singer Nathalia Pizzaro, the sextet have perfected an authentic, yet contemporary take on the 1960s Motown sound. They've already had three tracks in rotation on CBC Radio 3, including "In Between," from their Dec. 2011 7-inch record.

Photo by Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Show Alert: A Whale of a Show

Mon., Apr. 16
Capitol Theatre, Windsor
Said the Whale with Chains of Love
Tickets available through the Phog Lounge; $15 advance, $20 at the door
Early show; doors at 7 p.m., music at 7:30 p.m.

Said The Whale      Photo by Russ Gordon

Juno award-winning Said the Whale return to the area after their October show in Pontiac. Touring in support of their new album, Little Mountain, the Vancouver band are known for immensely likeable harmony-driven alt pop.

Chains Of Love    Photo by Patrick Fraser

Chains of Love are at the forefront of the retro trend coming out of Vancouver with their 60s soul revival.

Winning America: CBC Radio 3's first documentary - National debut

What does it take for a Canadian indie band to make it in the States? That's the topic addressed by Winning America, the first documentary produced by CBC Radio 3. Airing Sat., Apr. 7 on CBC-TV (9 a.m. PST/noon EST), it follows the ups and downs of Vancouver band Said the Whale as they look for the elusive recipe to success in the U.S. Directed by Brent Hodge, the documentary is funny, poignant and has a message for any band, anywhere, hoping to beat the odds and make it big. If you missed them last October when they played Pontiac, it's also a great way to "meet" the band before they play Windsor's Capitol Theatre on Mon., Apr. 16 and PJ's Lager House on Tues., Apr. 17, with fellow Vancouverites Chains of Love.

Show Review: Said The Whale - We Are The City

Canadian indie shows coming through Metro Detroit can be a lot like rare bird sightings. They happen with little warning and appear at odd times. Most people aren't even aware of the event. Some people see them and don't know the significance. But for a few, getting a glimpse of the Vancouver whale warbler or the Kelowna mourning dove and hearing their songs is something special.

We're kidding about the birds, but the bands are real. On Sun., Oct. 16, Vancouver's Said The Whale and Kelowna, BC's We Are The City flew into town for their first visit to Michigan at the Crofoot's Pike Room, earning a spot on our top shows of 2011 list.













We Are The City had a fly-by last March when they played Windsor's Phog Lounge. This time the band-- Cayne McKenzie at the mic and keys, Andrew Huculiak at the kit and guitarist David Menzel-- brought their forte/piano, creative, progressive alt pop to Pontiac. We love McKenzie's agile, Broadway musical vocals and the variety of their songs . Some have jazz inflections, some are just fun, some are thoughtful; some are just bites of musical bliss like "Dark/Warm Air" (with Huculiak taking a turn at singing).

Whether Said The Whale is winning America remains to be seen, but they'd won us over even before "Emerald Lake, AB," became our NXNE 2010 theme song. In 2011, they won over Juno voters to take home the New Group of the Year award; their video for "Lines," an homage to the movie Back to the Future, was voted Best Video by CBC Radio 3 listeners in the 2011 Bucky Awards. The band is personable, engaging and earnest, on stage and off. So are their irresistible songs that frequently evoke a strong sense of place ("Mermaid sits on a tide-washed rock in the harbour..."), and robust harmonies led by heartthrob Tyler Bancroft's appealing tenor to Ben Worcester's grainier counterpoint.

As the band prepares to release Little Mountain, the much-anticipated follow-up to their debut LP Islands Disappear, in March, whale-watchers will be happy to know the band is returning in April with not one, but two dates: Apr. 16 at Windsor's Capitol Theatre, and Apr. 17 at PJ's Lager House in Detroit. No binoculars required.

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Show Alert: Said The Whale w/ We Are The City @ The Crofoot

Sun., Oct. 16
The Pike Room at The Crofoot, Pontiac
Doors at 5 p.m
 
Sometimes getting a band to come to your city is as simple as asking. More often it involves a lot of waiting, hoping, near-misses and then, finally, when you least expect it-- Camilo the Magician steps in and suddenly there is no difference between real and a show.

"I need to see where you made that card go..."

Every Sunday the Crofoot features a lineup of Metro Detroit bands playing the Pike Room with an early door time of 5 p.m. "We got a call from Said The Whale's agent looking for a date in Detroit," said Chad Nicefield, talent buyer for The Crofoot. "We already had our local show going on in the Pike, and our Eagle Theatre and the ballroom were too big, so they agreed to combine the local acts and their tour package."

"Watch my eyes, put a coin in my hand now and squeeze real tight, I'll make both sides heads..."

The results bring the intelligent, picturesque alt pop of Juno award-winning Said The Whale (Vancouver) to the Detroit area for the first time ever, along with the spare yet expressive alt rock of  We Are The City (Kelowna). Our review of We Are The City's show at Windsor's Phog Lounge in March remains our third most-viewed post; read (and hear) more about Said The Whale, the subject of CBC Radio 3's first documentary, here and here.


Local bands opening for Said The Whale and We Are They City:


Sean Earle
Trey Simon
Suitable Paradise
Kisses For Charity
Armour The Lion
 

Everyone Wins: CBC Radio 3 documentary airs all weekend

 Winning America, CBC Radio 3's first documentary, debuted Jul. 23 on CBC TV in British Columbia only. Now everyone can follow Vancouver band Said the Whale on their recent U.S. tour and explore what it takes to break into the market on the other side of the border. The documentary is available for a special online screening this weekend only (ending on Sun., Aug. 21 at 11 p.m. PST/2 a.m. EDT) on CBC Radio 3. View it here.

Trailer from the documentary:

Winning America: CBC Radio 3's first documentary premieres Jul. 23

What does it take for a Canadian indie band to make it in the States? That's the topic addressed by Winning America, the first documentary produced by CBC Radio 3. Airing on CBC TV BC (only, unfortunately) on Sat., Jul. 23, it follows the ups and downs (including the now famous "Jacked in the Sac" and mustard incidents) of Vancouver band Said the Whale as they look for the elusive recipe to success in the U.S.. hoping to leave their day jobs behind and devote themselves to music full-time. We had the distinct pleasure of viewing the documentary at a screening this past weekend. Directed by Brent Hodge, the documentary is funny, poignant and has a message for any band, anywhere, hoping to beat the odds and make it big.

Winning America premiere Facebook page.




Said the Whale Live Performance Video: