Happenings on the Scene – Seeing a bright future for Seeing Colour

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/11/2010 (5603 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Earlier this year I had my first chance to catch Brandon’s Seeing Colour in action when they delivered a dynamite set at the Vic Inn’s Imperial Ballroom during the benefit for Haiti.

My first impression was they’re a fine young band, with clear vocals, youthful energy and arrangements that seem far beyond their years.

Nine months since that show, they’ve played a handful of more shows and managed to write and record their debut disc. That in itself is quite impressive, though even more so when you include the fact that they’re all full-time students, most of whom also hold down part-time jobs. To achieve what they have in such a short time frame is commendable.

Upon first listen most may be surprised that the players are all still in high school! Dylan MacDonald (guitar/lead vocals), Conan Mickey (guitars), Marley Williamson (bass) and Jonathan Smith (drums) have been making music together for the past couple years. Though they may lack experience in playing years or stage hours, their advanced development is clearly evident in their attention to detail within the songs on their debut disc entitled "Pulse."

In fact, their musical maturity is noticeable right from the first few bars of the lead off track ("Gasoline"). This soulful composition mixes in a basic guitar riff accompanied by a straightforward yet sweet horn arrangement. Though uncomplicated, it sets a perfect tone when placed over top the slick, laid-back drum groove.

Your heart rate will beat higher when "Pulse" slams right into track 2 ("Change"). This acts as a perfect transition for the EP disc that most should find highly listenable as it cruises right along. Though the lyrical content can get a tad melancholy at times, the musical dynamics are all there to keep things interesting.

Speaking of interesting highlights, you’ll dig the quick guitar, piano and sax solo breaks that jump out of "Make You Wonder," a track that suggest this group of young players have done their homework under the guidance of musical director Dale Normandeau.

The disc was recorded right here in the Wheat City, produced by Mike Posthumus at the long time local singer/guitarist’s Garageland Studio. Posthumus also provides backing vocals along with Dylan’s younger sister Katie MacDonald. Extra musical accompaniment was provided by David Naylor (keyboards and trumpet) and Mitch Stanton (saxaphone).

All compositions on "Pulse" are singer/guitarist MacDonald’s. It’s a five song EP that will leave you wanting more. You can pick up your very own copy of this impressive debut when Seeing Colour plays the West-End Community Centre (north of Fleming School) this Saturday evening (Nov. 27).

Help support the local music scene by purchasing your tickets for this CD release party. Tickets are only $10 plus you get a free CD when you purchase tickets in advance (available at Ted Good Music, Princess Dental and Total Eye Care). Food and beverages will be available as well as T-Shirts and other merch. CP Express will open the show.

 

Extra Happenings this weekend:

 

* Clancy’s:

 

Friday, Nov. 26 — The Dust Rhinos

 

* Houston’s Nite Club:

 

Friday — Misty Street

 

* Lady of the Lake

 

Tonight — Brandon’s Sebastian Owl take to the stage to provide the musical entertainment at Lady of The Lake.

 

Friday — Get into an evening of hip shakin’ blues with the Shelley Lynne Hardinge and The Majestics.

 

Saturday — Tom Downden plays through the supper hours from 6-8 p.m. The heat will rise as the volume is cranked when Take With Audio hits the stage for the late evening sets.

 

* The 40:

 

Tonight — The Michael Cain band

Michael Cain has mostly been known as a New York-based pianist, keyboardist, and producer, working with artists such as Jack DeJohnette, Meshell NdegeOcello, Pat Metheny, Ravi Coltrane, and Dave Holland, among others. Most of the band’s music is written by Cain, who is a faculty member at the Brandon University school of music, and contains his usual eclectic sensibilities, combining elements of jazz, rock, funk, and folk music into a unique blend of very personable, danceable, and satisfying music.

 

Friday and Saturday — Dagnabbit: Dance the night away with a great blend of tunes from two steps and polkas to MOR standards and more.

 

* The Parth:

 

Saturday — Vancouver’s Versus The Nothing are putting on their "Black Gloves" and venturing across Canada for third consecutive tour, stopping in Brandon Saturday at Parthenon Pizza(555 34th St.) w/ guests.

VTN are currently prepping for their highly anticipated 2011 release of their "Black Gloves" EP, a followup to their 2008 "Let It All Come Down" that saw an astonishing amount of commercial placements with Mazda, Tom Green’s 2009 movie "Shred or Be Ridden" and SEGA’s "Soundtrack for Vancouver 2010" — the Official Video Game of the Olympic Winter Games — plus a handful of others that have followed since.

Living on the road for the past two years in their converted shuttle tour bus in promotion of "Let It All Come Down", Versus The Nothing has only known the road as home and plan on continuing to do so as the band’s motto is clearly stated in their name.

"It’s just another day on the job, can’t see ourselves doing anything else. We owe a lot to the fans that come out, support VTN and keep us on the road!" says vocalist Ross.

 

FUTURE HAPPENINGS:

 

* Houston’s:

 

Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day and Brandon University World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and Houston’s Night Club present the third annual BAND-AIDS concert and fundraiser social.

WUSC is raising funds for a campaign called Bikes for AIDS. Bicycles, especially if outfitted with a stretcher, can be of great assistance to those living with HIV and AIDS in Malawi. Through Bike for AIDS, WUSC local committees are fundraising to purchase bikes and bicycle-ambulances while also raising awareness on HIV, AIDS and MDG No. 6. The wheels are already in motion — help to keep the momentum going in the fight against HIV and AIDS!

BU WUSC is gathering up a fantastic lineup, which will be released ASAP. Tickets are $5 and are available at BU. Call or text 761-7467 or email buwusc@gmail.com. Groove Kitchen was the first band signed up for this as of press time.

 

* WMCA:

 

Sunday, Dec. 5 — Rita MacNeil’s Spirit of Christmas with special guest Frank Mills

 

Frank McGwire is a radio personality and booster of the music scene in Brandon and Westman.

» franko1@mts.net