Ottawa Life’s Festival City Series is back! We'll provide a unique look at some of your favourite events.
We’ll go beyond the music with artist interviews, volunteer profiles, concert reviews and spotlights on
the tastes, sights and sounds of the festival season.
Your city! Your festivals and events!
Like a good sunscreen, Ottawa Life has you covered.
Photos courtesy of artists and RBC Bluesfest
Continuing our series of amazing local artists, we talk to another five amazing local acts to see why they'll excite you and who excites them.
The Jivewires
Where & When:
Saturday July 15 @ Bluesville Stage, 4:30 p.m.
How would you describe your music in one sentence:
"The Jivewires are the missing link between swing and rock 'n roll"
How did you start:
We wanted a musical style that would allow for some jazz content while allowing for humorous social comment.
What can people expect from your show:
A high energy show with excellent musicians performing original, fun music in an interesting retro style.
What makes you stand out:
The Jives do original music inspired by early R&B artists like Louis Jordan & Louis Prima, horn based music with a satirical edge and jazz improvisation.
What artist are you most excited to see at the festival:
Pink, Mellissa Etheridge, Rebecca Noelle
Tribe Royal
Where & When:
Thursday July 6 @ Claridge Stage, 6 p.m.
How would you describe your music in one sentence:
A mix of modern and vintage inspired rock with elements of folk and Americana. In alternate words, an industry writer states
How did you start:
Chris and I knew each other from our childhood neighbourhood, and formed a duo back in January 2014. Bram was added to the mix in February and Mike completed the lineup in April. From then on out it's been lots of performing, recording and travelling.
What can people expect from your show:
lots of energy and an all around good time!
What makes you stand out:
We have our own specific writing styles within the band. We lean towards melodic songwriting and vocal harmonies. We touch on many genres and people tend to like the variety.
What artist are you most excited to see at the festival:
Sam Roberts Band (we are onstage right before them!)
PINE
Where & When:
Saturday July 15 @ City Stage, 3:00 p.m.
How would you describe your music in one sentence:
Powerful and emotional vocals paired with modulated guitars and a dynamic rhythm section.
How did you start:
Darlene started it with another one of her friends as a duo. Darlene sang while Christina played acoustic and sang. They decided to make a full band and record. I ended up going to the studio to help produce guitars and joined the band. Joey joined in between the first 2 short EP releases. Andrew and Peter joined right as we started writing our newest EP over a year ago.
What can people expect from your show:
Giant waves of melody and emotion to move you and rhythmic undertow that will get you moving.
What makes you stand out:
We don't sound like any 1 or even 2 or 3 bands or genres. The sum of our parts is something difficult to categorize.
What artist are you most excited to see at the festival:
Tom Petty! Wish we were in town for A Tribe Called Red!
Harea Band
Where & When:
Tuesday July 11 @ Bluesville Stage, 6 p.m.
How would you describe your music in one sentence:
A Sexy and energetic fusion of neo-soul, pop, and disco.
How did you start:
Harea Band formed in the dusty practice rooms of Carleton University's music department. Drummer Mike Giamberardino and I (Alex Harea) hit it off instantly and starting playing gigs around Ottawa pretty quickly with bassist Andrew Richer. That was in 2013. Four years later Harea Band is a six piece dance music machine that fills clubs all across Ontario.
What can people expect from your show:
At a Harea Band show you can always expect very dance-y, feel good music, that usually goes without saying. We always bring the energy but we also try our best to create a unique and personal connection with every audience.
What makes you stand out:
Harea Band music covers a broad musical spectrum, meaning our set lists don't really get stale. We really try to showcase our versatility through our music and try to keep shows engaging from start to end.
What artist are you most excited to see at the festival:
So so so excited to see Anderson .Paak and also Montreal's own Busty and the Bass!
Blve Hills
Where & When:
Thursday July 6 @ Black Sheep Stage, 6:30 p.m.
How would you describe your music in one sentence:
Slam a couple of beers and watch the clouds with your favourite person.
How did you start:
I moved to Ottawa after finishing school in London Ontario. I got a job at Urban Outfitters and worked for 3 shifts till I quit so we we could make it to our first show which was in Toronto in December 2014.
What can people expect from your show:
People can expect to witness a group of 4 friends who love each other sweat it out on stage with our dad bods and rip the occasional pair of pants.
What makes you stand out:
I think the fact that we don't really take anything too seriously really shines with our fans. We're just some dudes who really enjoy playing tunes together.
What artist are you most excited to see at the festival:
Tom Petty without a doubt. Stoked to see him in the festival atmosphere. 50 Cent will also be jokes. Hopefully he's got some Vitamin Water for everyone.
Blakdenim
Where & When:
Saturday July 15 @ Claridge Homes Stage, 6 p.m.
How would you describe your music in one sentence:
Funky, raw, smooth, energetic and unique.
How did you start:
We started as a group with a common interest to create music that makes people dance as well as think. Our first bit of recognition was being in the finals of the LiVE 88.5 Big Money Shot.
What can people expect from your show:
Tons of energy, dancing, crowd interaction and to experience a unique blend of hip-hop.
What makes you stand out:
Our stage energy and the catchiness of our music what makes us stand out. We have songs that make you dance and songs that make you think while blending different genres seamlessly with hip-hop.
What artist are you most excited to see at the festival:
So many different acts to see it's really hard to pick one. As a band we were happy to hear about the addition of Anderson .Paak.
