Peak Performance Project Year Seven: Top Three

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This is it. The final year of the Peak Performance Project. Now in its seventh year, 102.7 The Peak and Music BC have picked one last top 12. Are giving away three last giant novelty cheques. Are throwing one last party. 

And today, we found out who will be receiving those giant novelty cheques. All 12 bands went through months of hard work, going to a "rock & roll bootcamp", playing in the series of showcases at Fortune Sound Club, putting on a fundraiser for a charity of their choice, and writing their "final report" marketing plan.
So here they are in no particular order, the 2015 Peak Performance Project Top Three! 

JP Maurice
Bed of Stars
Van Damsel

You can catch the big finale on November 19th at the Commodore Ballroom, where we will find out who takes the first prize of $102,700 (and second place of $75,000; and $50,000 for third).

Pre-PPP Chat with Smash Boom Pow

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As the Coppard brother's of Smash Boom Pow were getting ready for their last rehersal before their Peak Performance Project showcase tomorrow, I (Jess) called them up and asked them a few questions. I promise my theme for interviews is not brother bands - it's just a coincidence that so far I've had 2 in a row - who knew that the PPP would become a family affair? Their music is a raw hybrid of garage and electric dance, and it excites me so much to see the duo perform tomorrow on their undoubtedly explosive set they've been building. Here's how our conversation went.

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Shows of October

As the fall rolls along, the shows just keep coming. October looks to be another packed month, and here are the five(ish) shows I'm looking forward to most.
And I'm posting this a few days early to make sure enough people know about....

October 1st: Dirty Three at the Biltmore
You may know them from their work with Nick Cave, but Australian trio are back for their first album in seven years. The instrumental Towards The Low Sun is dense and chaotic and brilliant, and I can't wait to see how it translates live. 

 October 19th: Big Sugar w/ Wide Mouth Mason at the Commodore
Reprising their Big & Wide tour from last year, the two iconic Canadian blues rock bands team up once again to storm the Commodore. They've also got Ontario's The Balconies in tow, who I've heard about for a while now and am looking forward to checking out.
It's their first of two shows, which is good because the second night conflicts with...

 October 20th: Royal Wood at the Rio Theatre
I haven't had the chance too see Royal Wood live before, always missing the shows, and I can't think of a better venue for him than the Rio Theatre. 

 October 24th: Matt Mays at the Commodore
It's been a few years since Mays has been through Vancouver, but I was lucky enough to catch him during NXNE in June, and he was better than ever. Now that his new album, Coyote, is out 
Of course, it's a tough call when on the same night is...
October 24th: Bahamas & Jason Collett at the Rio Theatre
This one is going to be hard to miss. Last time I saw the two together was during the Bonfire Ball with Zeus, which is still one of my favourite shows. I may yet try and figure out a way to at least see Jason, then run over and see Mays at the Commodore...

October 27th: Aidan Knight at the Rio Theatre
Much like Royal Wood, the Rio just seems like it will be the perfect venue for Mr. Knight. The show is just in time for his new album, Small Reveal, which is one of my most anticipated albums of the rest of the year. 

 And of course, the Peak Performance Project is still running at the Red Room through the month. With three showcases left, we'll still hear from Maurice, Dominique Fricot, Portage & Main and many more. The first two showcases have been pretty swell, so don't miss them.