#festivalseason - Atmosphere Gathering 2017 might have been the most joyful festival of the year.

August 30, 2017 by Blake Morneau in Reviews

The people behind the Atmosphere Gathering have built something truly special and unique in the increasingly large and saturated festival world. In the heart of Vancouver Island, nestled in the midst of the Comox Valley, they've built a festival that is part folk festival, part rave ala Bass Coast or Shambhala, part yoga/health/body festival ala Blessed Coast, an interactive arts festival – the breadth of art contained in the relatively small park is astonishing. And on top of everything, Atmosphere Gathering is all-ages to boot. Maybe more than ever in my life, I thoroughly enjoyed the presence of children, running around oblivious to everything but the immediate need for more fun, more dancing. Their energy was absolutely infectious and helped to power me through an incredible weekend in the soft, grassy embrace of Cumberland's Village Park.

The creative spirit of that youthful energy was on display everywhere you turned in the small, but never crowded (!!!) area. Paintings were on-going works of art, changing each time you passed by. The Elixir Temple was dispensing all variety of remarkably healthy beverages, created with a seemingly-endless array of fruits, veggies and spices. People of all-ages, suited up in a harness to help them climb safely, piled milk crates impossibly high throughout the day. There was a misting station that looked like an octopus! A strong selection of local vendors brought their most colourful and creative wares. And the musical performers all brought their best stuff, delivering some of the finest sets I've seen this summer in by far the most intimate festival environment I've experienced. Each provided highlights that hold up to anything else I've seen this year. These are some of those highlights.

#festivalseason - Atmosphere Gathering - Eclectic grooves and community vibes.

April 24, 2017 by Blake Morneau

Nestled right in the middle of beautiful, tiny Cumberland, BC in Comox Valley on Vancouver Island is one of BC's music festival gems, The Atmosphere Gathering. It's a place where community can flourish, a family-friendly camping festival that's quickly established itself as one of the most sonically diverse musical events this side of the Rockies. It seems like an oxymoron, but the Atmosphere Gathering is a laid-back rager – perfect for those who wanna dance in the day and get to bed at a reasonable hour, or those who wanna dance their faces off late into the night. If you're looking for the perfect cap for the summer festival season in BC, there aren't too many better choices than Atmosphere. Last week the festival released its first line-up announcement, featuring 20 acts, live and electronic, crossing genres but keeping its roots in rhythm and groove. There's a lot for a music-lover to get excited about but here are the first four acts that jumped out to my groove-seeking soul.

Atmosphere Gathering takes places Aug. 18-20 in Cumberland. Tickets and more lineup details HERE.

Applecat

I had heard and seen the name Applecat popping up at events all over the West Coast, until I finally got the chance to see her incredible set at Rifflandia 2016, here in Victoria. I hadn't heard anything like it and I don't think I have since. It was an enthralling set of dense, earthy bass music that at the time I couldn't describe. Frankly, I still don't think I can do her music justice. It needs to be experienced. All the Soundcloud tags say “dubstep” but her music is more atmospheric, theatrical and sexy than any dubstep I've ever heard. It's impossibly deep and shadowy sounding music – I imagine that if smoke pouring through a keyhole could make music, it would sound like Applecat. The worldbeat flourishes she uses to pepper her music help her beats stand out, leap out of the speakers with an intensely unique flavour.

Pleased to have been invited to play Rifflandia Festival 2016 big love to the venue, the dancers, atomique productions and everyone involved. T'was one hell of a time. *tracklisting to follow shortly*

Slynk

I've lost count of how many times I've seen Slynk. I've also lost count of the number of times I've been utterly impressed with Slynk. (Take this, for example, from the first ever time I saw him rock the party.) Over the last few years he's evolved from his Ghetto Funk roots, adding more and more influences and weapons into his arsenal. Just stroll through and sample his already ridiculous output from 2017 – a hard hitting drum 'n' bass track “People Get Up” (w/ Granular Sumo), a straight-up old-school hip-hop track “So Cool” (w/ Illvis Freshly), the ultra-slick nu-disco groover “Disco Operator,” to name just a few – and you'll get a glimpse of the scope of the good homie's many talents. On any given night a Slynk set will traverse a staggering array of genres, but it'll always be funky and bouncier than a trampoline. There's a strong possibility of this being the most straight-up fun set at Atmosphere this year. Do not miss this.

I'm a disco operator. Talkbox hype! Download Free Here: http://hypeddit.com/track/sc/mj26d4 WAV & FLAC: https://slynk.bandcamp.com/album/disco-operator

CloZee

Hands down, CloZee is the most exciting glitch-hop producer on planet Earth right now. Her tracks and mixes are sure-fire body-movers, across the board. The French producer is an expert at mining for the deepest of grooves. There are few DJ sets I've seen that have engaged me so quickly and easily. Watching her engage with the music as she moves and sways behind her midi-board, pounding out those groovy, thumping, tribal beats is something indescribably special. Her debut performance at the legendary electronic-Mecca Shambhala was the most captivating thing I saw at the festival last year, a set that I've been sending to anyone who will listen. Pick an EP, a single, a mix...it doesn't matter. If it's got CloZee's name on it, either your body is swaying or your head is bobbing. If you listen to CloZee, you will move.

Here is my set at Shambhala 2016, on The Grove stage. To play at this festival was like a dream! Thank you so much everyone who came party with us and who made this moment one of the highlights of my tour. Also thanks to the amazing artists featured in this mix! <3 Free download! - Dropbox: https://db.tt/eNmxMWz5 - Toneden: https://www.toneden.io/clozee/post/clozee-shambhala-2016-mix-the-grove TRACKLIST: CloZee - Entering The Grove ** (00:00) CloZee - Apsara Calling (04:08) CloZee - Diabólico (07:10) Zephyr - Camouflage (mashup with Weval - Intro) (11:34) Maximus MMC & FAB - Switching Lanes (13:55) CloZee - On The Riverbank (17:13) Axel Thesleff - Red Sun (18:28) Jumo - Aléa (20:12) DROELOE - Arazu (22:08) Otist Reading - When I Need To (CloZee Remix) (23:38) VOLO - Moai (25:53) CharlesTheFirst - Versicolor (27:00) TBBT - Drummer Boi (CloZee Remix) (28:43) Deft x Tehbis x Touchy Subject - Sesame Street (32:07) Technimatic - Cold Shoulder (CloZee Remix) ** (34:00) Ratatat - Loud Pipes (CloZee Remix) (36:37) Ibrahim Maalouf - Maeva In The Wonderland (CloZee Remix 2.0) ** (40:56) CloZee - Revolution (AMB Remix) (43:38) CloZee - Revolution (45:53) Barbatuques - Baiana (CloZee Remix) (48:11) CloZee - Inner Peace (50:45) CloZee - Koto (52: 21) CloZee - Red Forest (56:04) Technimatic - The Evening Loop (CloZee Remix) (57:52) Ivy Lab - Ubane (1:00:40) Skrude - Raw (1:02:00) Creaky Jackals - Take It Low (1:03:00) Subp Yao - Sum Sum (feat. dOOp) (1:04:18) Zeke Beats - Meltdown (1:05:32) Secret Recipe - Interstellar Symphonies (CloZee Remix) (1:07:09) Jumo - Désert (edit) (1:08:54) CloZee - ID ** (1:09:50) Axel Thesleff - Bad Karma (1:12:27) CloZee - The Path To Heaven (CharlesTheFirst Remix) (1:14:03) CloZee - The Path To Heaven (1:15:24) CloZinger - Sinking (1:17:32) CloZinger - Kara Sou (1:19:29) Copycat - ITSUM (1:21:10) LiL FiSH & CloZinger - Ghina (1:22:06) CloZee - Release Your Fear ** (1:25:05) O R I O N - Aeviternal (1:27:00) ROBOTEK - The Good Part (CloZee Remix) (1:28:27) CloZee & VOLO - Soul Search (1:30:56) ** = unreleased Original picture used for artwork: http://www.joffreyphoto.com

Astrocolor

In life and in music, I am a big supporter aggressive weirdness. Hence, I'm a big supporter of Astrocolor. I mean, how many times do you become aware of a band because they put out an album of all-original Christmas music? A Christmas album that sounds great at any time of year? What even is that? The Victoria outfit makes live, vibrant yet atmospheric dance music, perfect for those of us who enjoy the rhythms of electronic music but the engagement that comes from watching a live band. This is an enormously talented group of cats together making utterly unique, completely enthralling and ridiculously slick dance music.

#festivalseason - Once again, Tall Tree is coming at your ears hard.

April 02, 2017 by Blake Morneau

Over the past 7 years, Tall Tree has risen to the top of BC's endlessly growing list of bloody awesome music festivals. Over here on Vancouver Island, up on Brown's Mountain in Port Renfrew, in the clouds, overlooking the world below like the gods themselves, Tall Tree has split the difference between laid back alt-rock festival and balls-to-the-wall rave, creating one of the most unique festival experiences around. Vancouver Island runs at a different pace than anywhere else in the province, nay, the country, and Tall Tree exemplifies all the facets of what makes being a music fan here on the Island so fucking great. Be as normal, as weird, as chill, as wild as you want...ON A MOUTAIN.

On a lineup as deep as ever with local favourites (And past 5 Questions guests) like Mat the Alien, SkiiTour, and Pigeon Hole, Tall Tree has expanded their reach further than usual to pack their roster more full than ever. Here are the first six acts that jumped out to my eyes on my first look through the lineup. Get after it, good people.

Shapeshifter NZ

As I struggle to find myself a solid foothold on the vast mountain that is drum 'n' bass, Shapeshifter has found their way into my life like some kind of blessing from the headphone gods. The New Zealand 5-piece play relentlessly pretty liquid drum 'n' bass, throwing in heavy dollops of soul and dub reggae. Their live shows have garnered them sell-out, large-scale tours around their home country and spots at legendary festivals like Glastonbury. Highlighted by the ethereal but earthy vocals of P. Digsss, Shapeshifter's engaging live DnB opens up the genre to a whole new level of accessibility. It's important work, helping new aural seekers uncover the intense mysteries of this powerful form of music.

#festivalseason - "Tall Tree was pretty fun. I guess," he said sarcastically.

July 05, 2016 by Blake Morneau in Reviews

The setting of a festival is of the utmost importance. Think of all the memorable festival experiences you've had and how each festival's setting added, morphed or amplified the music in a way that you couldn't predict. Maybe you made it through the wasteland of Bonnaroo, or soothed yourself in Old Man Rivs at Shambhala, or felt the cozy community of Atmosphere Gathering or <insert your amazing festival memory here>. No matter what memory of your surroundings you have, it's probably a safe bet that you didn't wake up to this every morning. Welcome to Brown's Mountain.

#festivalseason - Five Acts You Gotta See at Tall Tree 2016

May 28, 2016 by Blake Morneau

Celebrating its 7th birthday this year, Tall Tree has become one of the highlights of the West Coast festival calendar, bringing together the best musical offerings from the Coast and beyond, giving equal highlight to live instrumentation and DJ music. Their set-up of two stages at each performance area – so a DJ can start right away in a proper booth as soon as the live band has finished and vice versa – is a perfect way to keep the celebration going non-stop, and frankly something I’m surprised I haven’t seen more often. Nestled up on the top of Brown's Mountain in Port Renfrew, BC, Tall Tree caters to those festival goers looking for the huge party vibes of the biggest festivals but don't want to have to deal with the crushing onslaught of huge crowds. The smaller-than-usual head count makes sure that if you do things right, there will be almost no strangers left around you by the end of the weekend. I’m here to help you find the best grooves while you're up there, partying in the clouds.

Grab tickets and check day-by-day performance schedule over at the Tall Tree site!

JackLNDN

Tall Tree is a music festival dedicated to the best music the West Coast has to offer, but the self-described “electric disco man” is from half way around the world, hailing from the city that gave him his name. Any fans of dancing should be thrilled that the folks at Tall Tree made an exception for the reigning champion of happy house music. I stumbled into his set at last year's Shambhala Music Festival and fell instantly in love. It's nigh impossible to listen to the sweet disco that JackLNDN plays and remain in a bad mood. He gets the body and soul moving.

SNE005 - Out now on Ultra! Vocals: JackLNDN www.facebook.com/jackLNDN www.twitter.com/jackLNDN @jackLNDN MMXV

Shad

When talking about this lineup after it was first announced and mentioning Shad, I had two different people respond with, “The guy from CBC?!” This is unacceptable. Shad is an affable, competent radio host but brother might be one of the finest rappers Canada has ever produced. With each subsequent album, EP or guest appearance, Shad further cements his place among not only our most important rappers, but as one one of our country's most important and accessible artists. If this was a just world, we'd all be bumping Shad's deeply thoughtful, fun, positive raps from every speaker available. At a festival that doesn't feature a large amount of hip-hop, the chance to see such a top-flight talent can't be missed.

Shad: http://www.shadk.com DJ T.LO: http://www.soundcloud.com/tlomusic Download (MP3): http://bit.ly/1nenkGT

Kytami

If you're like me – living on the west coast, consuming an endless diet of live music – you've probably seen Kytami more than once. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen the violin phenom and I've also lost count of the number of times I've been impressed with her mastery of that strange, scary instrument. And if you haven't had the privilege of seeing her high energy, violin-laced EDM barrage, you're in for a real treat. In the last couple of years Kytami has ascended to seemingly peak power, delivering drum 'n' bass ('n' violin) so tasty and powerful that even I, famous non-lover of drum 'n' bass, can't help but dance my face off to.

Single from album to be released early 2016 www.kytami.com www.facebook.com/kytami Produced by Phonik Ops and Beatsmith www.facebook.com/phonikops www.facebook.com/djbeatsmith

Bousada

Whether he's pounding beats or growing beets, Bousada is all about using the energy around him to create strong communal vibes and go-for-broke dance parties. A current activist and former farmer, Victoria transplant Graeme Bousada has carved a place for himself in the West Coast music scene in a very short amount of time. His performances are joyous dance parties that get grooves pounding deeply and asses shaking furiously. Bousada himself dances with impressive vigour as he pounds out his organic electronic beats manually, bridging the gap between performer and audience, fostering the sense of community that comes with the best live music.

www.bousadamusic.com

Moontricks

The idea of sex at a music festival makes me cringe. The heat, the sweat, the dirt...I could go on. But, my weird neurosis aside, you can't go wrong with music built for sex at a music festival and if there's an act at this year's Tall Tree making sexier music than Moontricks, I have failed to see it on the lineup. The duo's ultra groovy funk-for-romantics beats are melded together with live guitars and harmonica that help ground the music and give the proceedings a real organic feeling that makes Moontricks accessible to both electronic fans and those who are still in the Realm of the Live Band. Find your lover, platonic life partner or even a willing stranger to share in the hip-winding joy that Moontricks is sure to deliver.

BANDCAMP: bit.ly/homebcamp BEATPORT: bit.ly/homebpt iTUNES: bit.ly/homepitunes SPOTIFY: bit.ly/homespfy --------- Westwood Recordings is proud to present the debut release from Moontricks. Having taken the westcoast festival circuit by storm this summer, the duo comprised of producer NOG and guitarist/banjo player Sean Rodman, have redefined the link between live and electronic music. Their patented Moontrickery is a welcome addition to the Westwood roster and we couldn’t be more excited to bring their signature sound to the masses. Soulful instrumentation, effortless grooves, and deep basslines have become a Moontricks trademark across their debut 5-track “Home EP". Special guests MC Dash and producer Metaphoracle also join the record for two special collabs and guaranteed maximum vibes.