Aquitania

Luke from Victoria staples Immaculate Machine saddles up his own project & the results are some pleasant pop with a healthy dose of whimsy. The lineup for Aquitania is an ever-evolving thing at the moment, so there’s no telling who’ll roll on stage with Luke. For fans of Belle & Sebastien.
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The Blue Violets

Many will recognize Coral Osborne (of Atomique Production) on stage with Blue Violets. Along with her sister Kandle & pal Louise, they spew a dirge of shoegazey psych rock not unfamiliar to fans of Black Mountain & Black Angels. Osborne’s eerie vocals add a healthy dash of Mazzy Star to this often epic amalgam of riffs & mood.
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Bogus Tokus

Those slightly miffed at the seemingly thin presence of anything nearing what you would call “metal” hath no fear! Bogus Tokus are here. Mapee of Pride Tiger & Colin McKill (formerly of Fine Options & Lord Beginner) encrust the spine of this riff behemoth with licks so tasty you won’t be able to refrain from wagging your tongue around. To quote the band, they play “light to medium thrash”. Rockin duder.
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Colourbook

It’s safe to say that Colourbook are Ditch’s favourite local band. Staples in the Old Life Records stable, they manage to encompass all that is good about music in Victoria in 2009; they’re occasionally messy, always melodic & insanely fun to watch. High energy emo/indie/anthem/dancing awesomeness. They’re going through some personnel changes currently, so the lineup they sport at RIFF09 might be fresh – don’t miss out! They’ll hopefully be playing new material as well (new album is in the works)…
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Donkey Dong

AKA Thomas Shields of Run Chico Run. But this is a far cry from his duo’s complex, quirky pop structures… Donkey Dong is Shields in Techno mode. A big analog synth fan, Shields brings a schwak of sequencers & keyboards to the stage & proceeds to create a swirling vortex of trickling melodies with thrumming propulsion. Taking influence from Detroit & Berlin, Donkey Dong is an exciting new Victoria project… NOT TO BE MISSED!
check out tunes on SoundCloud

Espionage

The ‘Nage is rock & roll in it’s purest, distilled form. We’re talking AC/DC, 10cc, Yes. Riffs & balls. No fucking around. Forget that the lineup features former members of now legendary Victoria bands, just know that there are moments during ‘Nage sets where you will look around bewildered, hoping for someone to snap you out of the daze that the band’s riffs have smacked you upside the head with. “Power” trio? More like “rip your face off” trio. Download Python Octagon, their entire first album for free here (click “music downloads”).
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Johnny & The Moon

Dante DeCaro’s folk/roots project Johnny & The Moon sauntered many into a cute little love affair in 2007; the self titled debut released on Kill Devil Hills was a pleasant surprise, littered with simple but affecting acoustic numbers spiced with the odd traditional reinterpretation. Live, J&tM are a bit more of an ensemble, rockin’ cast, with DeCaro usually joined by his pals from Listening Party.
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Jon & Roy

Jon & Roy are a local Victoria group that peddle the melodic wares of island life with simplistic beauty. Classic roadtrip music, these guys have huge support from Vancouver Island’sa surf community… check out what the buzz is about.
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Krlz

Will McFarland is a stand up cat to say the least. As part of Victoria DJ duo BNGZ & KRLZ, he brought blog-electro to dizzying heights in Victoria, keeping the skinny-jeaned sect flailing & sweaty. NO SRSLY & DE BASHMENT are legendary Victoria weeklies & KRLZ is a major reason why. From ragga-electro bangers to head-caving dubstep, the dudes got frickin’ chops!
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Ookpikk

Dan Goldlovitch is a CFUV DJ & one of Victoria’s most discerning music enthusiasts. His Ookpikk project explores the realm of electronica that manages to balance composition & structure with the kinetic results of simpler dance forms. The result is a heavily textural, melodic mesh that keeps everyone moving. Post-post-IDM for geeky Techno peeps or for casual folk looking for rhythm.
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The Racoons

The Racoons are kinda like a big deal. They’ve had a great 2009 so far, playing packed shows in town & developing a pretty dedicated swath of folks who swear they’re Victoria’s next peeps to blow up. They’re a versatile indie-rock band, at times sounding like Wolf Parade, others like TV On The Radio. And apparently they do it up proper live. Their debut EP, Islomania is out now!
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Techromancer

Yep, being named after an Anime-themed Sega Dreamcast game is no small feat, but when you generate the silky, glacial dance party that this Victoria duo are capable of, who cares. Calli B (formerly of Beasts & Superbeasts) hooks up with Andrew Juurinen & the results are somewhere between electro & punk & pop. Think Karen O of the YYYs making out with Daft Punk while listening to Bowie. MOVE!
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