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Time: 8 p.m

Cover: none

http://www.thetouristcompany.ca

An Acoustic Evening with The Tourist Company.

Join the CBC Searchlight Regional Champions from Vancouver for a night of clap along beats, intricate slower melodies, and infectious harmonies as the duo perform new tunes from their Space Race EP.

It’s been less than a year since the release of their debut album Brother, Wake Up, but that hasn’t even crossed the mind of Vancouver progressive folk band The Tourist Company. The group embarked on their first tour in the fall of 2013, with the original trio of Taylor Swindells (vocals/guitar/trumpet), Jillian Levey (vocals/percussion/glockenspiel/keys), and Brenon Parry (drums/percussion) expanding with the addition of a new member: Guatemalan-born, and Mexico/Oregon-raised bassist and multi-instrumentalist Josué Quezada. With their new ensemble complete, the band left audiences across Western Canada stunned at this fully developed, confident band that boasted infectious harmonies, intricate slower melodies, and clap-along beats.

The Tourist Company have heard their newfound fans’ desire for new tunes and answered with SPACE RACE EP. Harmonies swell, drums roll and surprise you at every turn, and the tunes are varied, yet catchy. Lead single “Irrepressible Future” showcases the band’s confidence in expanding their sounds beyond simple acoustic guitar driven folk music with the addition of glockenspiels, strings and surf-rock electric guitars.

Part of the band’s exploration with new sounds is thanks to the EP’s producer, respected singer-songwriter Jordan Klassen, who brought his whimsical sonic qualities to the table to compliment Taylor’s strong songwriting foundations. The EP also gave Jillian the chance to fully embrace her role as a vocalist with “One Giant Leap”; a playful tune that will undoubtedly be stuck in your head after one listen. “Vostok 1” plays out much like the space race itself as it starts off excitedly before taking a step back, then slowly builds to a large crowd chanting finale. “They’ve Got Us On Our Heels” is the perfect example of the Klassen-Swindells collaboration; an emotive piece that encapsulates the bleakness and desolation of the Cold War era.

Much like the theme of their EP, the band has their sights set high. 2014 has seen their visibility rise as they were voted Regional Champion for Vancouver in CBC Music’s Searchlight competition, and recently were announced as one of 12 bands in this year’s Peak Performance Project. Armed with a new member and their new EP, The Tourist Company are eager to introduce themselves to you. Whether it be through your stereo, your headphones, onstage, or face to face, expect to be meeting them soon.

-Alex Wyder, 2014