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

Event Description

Nominated for a 2018 JUNO Award (Blues Album of the Year)! Brandon Isaak's affinity for the rawness and spontaneity of the blues is second to none, as anyone who has had the privilege of being a part of his audience will tell you. He brings a firebrand style of guitar as well as incredibly stirring vocals that truly has to be witnessed to be appreciated! He is VERY much in the moment as he rips it up, and we know you'll be impressed with the caliber of showmanship within his performance of songs & stories by this great Canadian artist.

After many nominations by The Maple Blues Awards, (Canada's national blues awards) this Yukonion guitar slinger finally won his first Maple Blues Award last year for (Acoustic Act of the Year). This year he received a MBA nomination as Guitarist of the Year. Most recently, his collaboration with Tim Williams and Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne has garnered a 2018 Juno Award Nomination for Blues Album of the Year.

Blue Moon Marquee is a Gypsy Blues band born of the wild rose foothills of Alberta. A.W. Cardinal (vocals/guitar) and Jasmine Colette a.k.a. Badlands Jass (vocals/bass/drums) write and perform original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps or grooves. Colette, the rhythm section, not only commands the upright bass but also brings the swing with her feet on the kick drum, snare and high hat, all while singing harmonies. Cardinal is of the screaming and hollering blues ilk with distinctive thick and smoky vocals that barrel out like a raging bull. His guitar crackles with the swinging energy of jazz tinged blues.

Appreciated for their authenticity, Blue Moon Marquee have been nominated for a Maple Blues Award as best new artist of the year, 2016. Their songs have a heavy dose of atmosphere and texture with a penchant for poet characters and gritty settings. It is this connection to the working class that draws so many people to their music, crossing many of the usual genre, age and cultural bounds. Most importantly, they make every song their own. After years of playing together, the group has developed a distinct, personal voice that can be heard in each song. The result is an infectious mix of early blues, jazz, country, and popular songs with a contemporary and relevant feel, which is highly listenable and great for dancing. Blue Moon Marquee's passionate performances and smoldering onstage chemistry is their trademark, and the way Colette's tones lift A.W.'s mystique is something that enthralls audiences from back room bars to festival stages to the velvet seated theaters.

www.brandonisaak.ca
www.bluemoonmarquee.com

Advance tickets $20 at Ivy's Bookshop, the Oak Bay Recreation Centre and online at www.beaconridgeproductions.com
$25 at the door

Please note The Upstairs Lounge is a licensed restaurant, doors open at 6 pm for dinner service, the concert starts at 7:30 pm