Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

MARIA IN THE SHOWER
http://www.mariaintheshower.com

Maria in the Shower brings together music and theatre in an inspiring romp through North American musical history. With innovative arrangements that honour tradition yet look boldly forward, the band creates a remarkably diverse tapestry of blues, balladry, folk and jazz. The result is a show that is both raw with intensity yet polished with a strong sense of craft and purpose.

Born showmen, Jack Garton and Martin Reisle are guaranteed to have an audience rapt, dancing, or both throughout each performance. While remaining the closest of collaborators, the difference in approach between Reisle and Garton causes a creative tension that is exhilarating to behold. Jack, one of Vancouver's most exciting young theatre artists, often acts as mise-en-scene for the group, creating dazzling theatrical backdrops that explore clown, mime, shadowplay, lighting effects and video interaction. These aesthetic explorations frame Martin's graceful and ground-breaking songs in a way that is often bone-chillingly beautiful.

In turn, Reisle's work as a composer and arranger has found perfect musical expression within the talented and capable hands of the band. Shifting with ease from uptempo swing to sensitive folk ballad, or energetic samba to subtle waltz, the rhythm section of Brendon Hartley and Todd Biffard stir up infectious grooves like a well-oiled machine.

With a strong songbook and energy to spare, this young band of creative minstrels are quickly leaving in their wake a trail of devoted fans eager to hop into the shower with Maria again and again.



ROLLAWAY
http://www.myspace.com/rollawaytheband

Rollaway has seen a number of changes over the last few years that have landed them in the heart of East Vancouver. With roots deep in the red dirt of Georgia from whence its founders Benton Roark and Peden Young hale, fate brought them first to New York City in 2001. It was during a three-year stint here that the band came into its own, playing regularly in the downtown dives and Brooklyn clubs and finally releasing its debut self-titled album in 2003. After recording their sophomore record The Rollaway B-Sides, Rollaway disbanded when Mr. Roark left to study composition in Vancouver. Written and produced by Benton Roark, recorded by Ryan Pfleger with the original New York band (including Peden Young, Seth Fruiterman, Moppa Elliott, and Luke Fasano), and mixed by Adam Biggs in Vancouver, The B-Sides (released in 2007) is an EP that brings together the various influences of southern rock, blues, jazz, country, and folk into a style reminiscent of classic outfits like The Allman Brothers and The Band, and more contemporary groups like My Morning Jacket and Blue Rodeo. With a new line up made up of Roark, the occasional Young, expats Adam Jones (bass), Adam Tryczynski (lead guitar), Brian Nesselroad (drums), and Sarah Wolfman (supporting vocals), and BC native Martin Reisle (pedal steel, Fender Rhodes, and banjo), Rollaway is back on the scene with a new record in the works of material that shows the influence of the Western Canadian roots sound.

DIEGO ZARAGOZA
http://www.myspace.com/diegozaragozamusic

After playing with many Vancouver acts, including 'Suzy' and 'The Savannah Leigh Band', Diego Zaragoza releases his debut solo album, Defy.
Featuring: Diego Zaragoza - Vocals, Guitar / Jeremy Holmes - Bass / James Meger - Bass (recordings) / Mike Ardagh - Drums / Tim Tweedale - Slide Guitar.