Expect some R&B grooves with indie-pop attitude coming your way. Lovecoast, a band headed by Squamish native Danielle Sweeney, will be returning to town for a show at the Brackendale Art Gallery on March 25.
“It’s going to feel like I’m playing at home,” said Sweeney, who sings for the group. “It’s going to be very personal.”
The performance comes just before the band decides to hop into the recording studio with producer Tom Dobrzanski, who has snagged a Juno nomination for producing Little Mountain by Vancouver rockers Said the Whale.
Sweeney hopes the Brackendale show will help fund their upcoming album, which is getting some help from government arts programs FACTOR and the BC Music Fund.
Those who have already seen Lovecoast will have something new to look forward to.
“There will be some brand new ones that we’ve never played before,” Sweeney said.
During the performance, the band will be playing songs they plan on recording.
Sweeney says their new tunes will stick to their indie-pop R&B roots, but will have a different air.
“I think it’s just a maturity thing,” said Sweeney. “Yes, we are still R&B, we are still soul, we are still pop. But maybe this sounds to some people a bit different.”
The group has also put more focus on writing radio-friendly material, whereas before the emphasis was on writing for live performances, she said.
Speaking of new things, the band has also added a new member.
Sweeney says guitarist Matt Aasen brings energetic performances to the group, courtesy of his previous experience playing in metal bands.
Long-time band members will also be joining Sweeney on stage.
Andrew Fraser will be laying down bass lines, Jesse McNeill will be grooving on the drums and Phil Hamelin will be playing the keyboard and trumpet.
The band got their start studying jazz at Vancouver Island University and they’ve stayed in touch long enough to form a band, which has been going strong for four years.
Their new album is expected to be recorded and released by this fall.
Catch them at the Brackendale Art Gallery on March 25 at 8 p.m.
