The life of a musician is never an easy one.
It is a career choice that’s fraught with many unseen pitfalls and the promise that only a chosen few will actually “make it” in the industry.
It is a constant and nagging gamble that your creativity and talent will be able to support you and sustain your lifestyle on its own.
And it is the same for every musician and performer trying to make a name for themselves, whether they live in a big metropolitan centre like Vancouver or a smaller community such as Squamish.
However, despite this narrow, unmapped and often heartbreaking path, countless performers and players make the run for success, trusting in their talents and believing their musical dreams can indeed come true.
Squamish has birthed several acts that are currently working hard to make names for themselves in the industry and they’re finding that success, to varying degrees.
“It’s been a busy year,” said Danielle Sweeney, vocalist for Lovecoast.
“We released a new single called The Floor, which we premiered on Victoria radio station The Zone 91.3 in April while they were featuring us as their band of the month. Now we’re working on our next release and playing when we can.
“On December 2nd we’ve been selected to play the Whistler Film Festival’s music showcase with Music BC, which we are really stoked on, and of course coming home to Squamish is always one of my favourite things to do.”
Lovecoast also plays at the Knotty Burl in downtown Squamish on Dec. 3.
Formed in 2013, Lovecoast is a five-piece soul/pop band that originated in Squamish and quickly garnered fans and critical acclaim with a debut EP called Chasing Tides. Soon the band was playing gigs such as JUNOfest 2016 and earning acclaim.
Although now based in Victoria, Lovecoast still owes a lot to Squamish, said Sweeney.
“Lovecoast was born in Squamish,” she said. “We were West Coast kids who were truly inspired by our surroundings, so the influence found its way into our band name.
“We also had so much support from the community from the get-go that it really pushed us to pursue our passion and take it beyond the community. I’m thankful every day for that push Squamish gave us.”
And while Lovecoast hasn’t lost any momentum (even after losing Squamish founding member Scott Verbeek), another Squamish band has been on a bit of a forced break, despite its own success.
“We are on a bit of a hiatus,” said Dentville’s Darcy Cavanah.
“We won’t be gigging again until about the spring.”
The five-piece band has had to put its dreams on hold while singer Nadine McNeil recovers from an illness; a reminder that real life often gets in the way of dreams.
“But, we are still writing in the meantime,” he said. “Writing is a big part of what we do.”
Formed in 2014, Dentville’s progressive country-rock fusion garnered acclaim when last year its songs placed among the top 10 for the CBC Searchlight project, an initiative seeking out Canada’s best new artists.
“That was pretty good for a bunch of rookies,” said Cavanah.
“And we were up against bands with veteran players, too. But we are going to make a hard run at it again shortly, when Nadine recovers.”
As with Sweeney, Cavanah said Squamish is both a supportive community for musicians, as well as an inspiring place to make music.
“You can’t help but be inspired by a place like this.”
However, being a musician in Squamish also has its drawbacks, he said.
“With the real estate prices here, it is very hard to find a rehearsal space,” Cavanah said.
“It is especially hard if you have a full drum kit because you want a place where you can just come in, turn everything on and start recording and working.
“You don’t want to have to set up and then take down your kit all the time. So we have had to rehearse at people’s houses.”
Another problem facing local acts is the lack of venues. This, however, appears to be changing.
“We are planning to play a few shows at the Knotty Burl,” said Kate Kurdyak from The Katherines.
“Squamish needed a club venue, and I think it will be great for local bands.”
The Katherines are an alternative-pop trio made up of Kurdyak, her sister Lauren and a childhood friend, Kaitlyn Hansen-Boucher.
Formed in 2015, The Katherines already has four singles (Cherry Lips, Tomorrow, Primitive, Better Off Now) and released five music videos (including their track "You" which was featured on Orphan Black).
“We are also finally releasing our debut album, To Bring You My Heart, on January 13th,” said Kurdyak. "“We are finally releasing our debut album on January 13th,” said Kurdyak.
“It’s been a long time coming, and we are planning a lot of release shows, including one at the Knotty Burl.”
She said the Squamish area has had an effect on her music.
“It totally has,” she said. “Especially Quest University (where she studies) and the community up there. I hike up to see the Chief and Howe Sound, and write down what’s in my head. It’s been a big influence.”
But there have also been drawbacks to living in such a small town.
“You do have to go to Vancouver if you want to make a career,” she said.
“There is a lack of industry here in Squamish for musicians.”
However, Cavanah said places like Sound & Soul Studios are starting to fill that gap in industry resources, offering audio engineering and sound recording services.
“It is good to have a place like that in Squamish for musicians,” he said. “Everyone knows that place and it does make a difference having a studio in town.”
Despite the challenges to making it in the music industry, both past, present and future, each band has retained the confidence and drive to overcome these obstacles and sustain themselves through their talents.
“Honestly, my only goal is to make music and put food on the table” said Kurdyak. “If I can find a way to sell my music enough to live… that’s the dream.”
