It’s exciting times for Squamish band Lovecoast.
The group’s debut EP dropped earlier this month, its first official music video hit the web and the band members are about to hit the road to tour Western Canada starting on Friday (Nov. 7).
And Squamish residents will get a chance to experience the hometown band up close and personal at the Howe Sound Brew Pub on Saturday (Nov. 8).
The EP, titled Chasing Tides, is the next logical step for the group, said lead singer Danielle Sweeney. She added that the album would have never been possible without the support of the group’s friends and family.
Lovecoast launched an Indiegogo campaign to help fund the album earlier this year and despite falling short of their goal, the band and supporters managed to cover the difference and make Chasing Tides a reality.
“We’re all fortunate to have incredibly supportive parents and amazing people around us,” Sweeney said. “We weren’t aware of all the people that wanted to listen to our album and just how many did. It was awesome to see and we’re really stoked to get it out there in a way we never have before.”
Lovecoast worked with Juno-nominated producer Tom Dobrzanski on the EP and Sweeney said it was a thrill to collaborate with him.
“We were stoked to get to work with him and we took a different step with this album,” she said. “We’re all jazz natured and our older stuff has lots of hints of jazz, but this album is more geared towards the adult alternative scene.”
She said following the addition of bassist Andrew Fraser and drummer Jesse McNeill to the original twosome of herself and guitar player Scott Verbeek, the group’s sound has evolved.
“Now we have four members and there are two more brains collaborating and also our producer Tom, so it was a lot of fun,” she said. “Everyone owns their own instrument and does their own part. We work off each other really well.”
Dobrzanski said he had fun working with the band.
“Working with Lovecoast was one of the smoothest sessions I’ve been a part of,” he said. “Everybody was a total pro on their instrument, and Danielle has a one-of-a-kind voice. I look forward to watching all of their success and can’t wait until we get to work together again.”
Sweeney said she loves all five of the songs on Chasing Tides but one sticks out.
“I really like the second song on the album called ‘Our Days,’” she said. “It’s a bit slower but has a little bit of a Joni Mitchell singer/songwriter vibe to it. I love all the songs and I’m excited for everyone to hear them all.”
Sweeney and the group also enjoyed creating and releasing its first official video for the song “One Night.”
“We went all over Vancouver to film it and we didn’t have much money for it, so instead of making this super-produced video, it just has a lot of personality,” she explained. “We wanted to get across who we are as a band and it was awesome. We hung out and drank beer all day and it was a lot of fun.
“I can imagine most music videos are a little more stressful to make but we chose to be pretty chill about it.”
The upcoming tour this month sees the band perform in nine different cities in BC and Alberta, including several places they’ve never played.
“I’m super-excited for the tour,” Sweeney said. “I personally booked it all so I’m excited just to get on the road so there’s no more planning. It’s our first time in Alberta and Kelowna so we’re looking forward to it.”
But one of the first stops is here in Squamish, a show that Sweeney thinks will be a highlight of the tour.
“It’s one of the nights I’m most excited about because it’s the Brew Pub and they have the best beer,” she said. “We want to encourage anyone who knows Scott or I to come out. It’ll be a fun night and we want to entertain and have people dancing. We don’t even know how to express our appreciation for the support we’ve received from Squamish.”
Lovecoast hits the stage at the Howe Sound Brew Pub starting at 10 p.m. on Saturday. For more details on the group, visit www.lovecoastmusic.com.
