Pacific Sound Radio (James Olson)

There has been plenty of great music to help get us through this pretty crummy year.

This week we wrap up 2020 with our annual celebration of our favorite local, Canadian, and international releases with help from our special guest Justice McLellan.

Justice is a musician, producer, and podcaster most well known as the driving force behind the indie rock group Blue J and the post-punk project Mesa Luna. This year, Justice started his own Vancouver music podcast called The Department of Justice featuring a number of artists that we have featured on the show. His show is also available on most streaming platforms and we would highly recommend that you check it out.

Bratboy are a power trio who play a snappy and fun blend of early punk, surf rock, and 60s pop while incorporating an eye-catching visual style throughout their music videos, photoshoots, and on-stage attire.  

The group has played with international touring acts including Amyl and the Sniffers and Starcrawler along with local groups such as Dead Soft and Woolworm.

Bratboy’s debut record Bratworld arrives spring 2023.

Thank you to Pearson Instruments for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Brad Pearson, luthier & guitar tech in Vancouver, at pearsoninstruments.ca.

Holy Felix is the latest musical project of vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Felix Roberts.

After playing in a handful of bands and previously releasing music under the moniker Rabbit Hole, Roberts has reinvented himself as the hard rock heretic Holy Felix. His first round of singles along with his fiery live performances have created an undeniable buzz in the Vancouver music scene with his upcoming debut record titled 7 promising to be an apocalyptic revelation.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Join James and Travis as they kick off the first Pacific Sound Radio episode of 2020 with Elle Wolf.

Elle Wolf is a galactic synth pop artist who has shed her folk rock roots and has embraced the sounds of the future.

Listen in as we chat Tim Burton's underrated classic film Ed Wood, cheese wheel accidents, tour tattoos, and more!

Taylor Swindells and Brenon Parry of Tourist Company return to Pacific Sound Radio for the latest edition of Quarantine Edition.

Tourist Company are an indie pop rock duo with a sweeping, cinematic sound and arena sized ambitions. After lyrically and musically exploring the wonders of outer space on their last two releases, the group has returned to earth with what could be their most volatile and explosive record to date, the fittingly titled St. Helens.

Slightest Clue are a rising alternative rock quartet characterized by eclectic musical sensibilities, creative business savvy, and electrifying live energy owing to the distinct personalities of each of their four members.

Listen in as we talk with Malcolm McLaren (vocals/guitar) and Hannah Kruse (vocals/bass) about the band’s evolution from a bedroom project into a full-fledged band, their self-described misfit persona, their latest EP Carousel, and more.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Michaela Slinger is a singer/songwriter who plays a joyful, finely crafted, and panoramic style of pop music in the vein of contemporary greats like Carly Rae Jepsen and Taylor Swift. Her new album is titled This Can’t Last Forever.

Fresh from her first major North American tour, Michaela is an artist on the rise in the Western Canadian music ecosystem. Her first record Panorama was an honorable mention on our Best of 2021 episode and we had a lot of fun talking about creative growth, artistic earnestness, her latest release, and tales from the road.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Francis Arevalo is a rapper, producer, and community organizer who explores personal struggle and growth through introspective lyrics and smooth delivery over soulful and uplifting beats. 

Together we chat about his debut full length LP Heatcheck, his approach to production, basketball, and more.

Thank you to 12TH ST Sound for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Anthony Cenerini’s recording studio in New Westminster at 12thst.ca.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

King Bob is the stage name and musical project of one Jackson McDonald.

Drawing inspiration from the melodic punk and alternative rock acts that dominated the late '90s and early 2000s, King Bob has established his reign as one of the most exciting new artists from Vancouver Island having played a string of sold out shows in Victoria and beyond.

His debut record Rookie explores the downtrodden yet naively optimistic exploits of a man searching for meaning in the face of the absurdity of adulthood and modern life. 

Join His Majesty and your host James Olson as they explore the multi-generational cultural impact of Green Day, lament the loss of the Hartford Whalers, debate the merits of concept records, & more.

James and Travis get funked up with Tayo Branston, drummer and leader of the hulking, high energy heavy funk act Five Alarm Funk. Listen in as Tayo talks the band's upcoming seven studio record Big Smoke, the band's 15+ year legacy, their reputation as one of the best live acts in Vancouver, and collaborating with the one and only Bootsy Collins.

The Bankes Brothers are a modern roots rock band who have quickly established themselves as an exciting international touring act.

Morgan Bankes (vocals/guitar) and Carson Cleaver (lead guitar) join us to talk the development of the band’s soul and punk rock inspired sound, cutting their teeth as a cover band on Vancouver Island, and tales from the road.

Once More With Feeling is a new series made by James Olson, producer Felix Fung of Little Red Sounds, and a talented videography team. Available now, only on YouTube with new episodes every other week.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

James and Travis are joined by Stevie Moonboots of the psychedelic rock act The Orange Kyte to talk about the music scene in his hometown of Dublin, what even is psychedelic music, and the band's sophomore release Carousel.

Rong are a three-piece rock group who play a “heart-on-sleeve, tongue-in-cheek” brand of punk.

The band’s recently released debut record Wurst sees the group expand and refine their fiery, riff driven rock sound.

Listen in as we talk about the band’s roots as a Dookie-era Green Day tribute act, the best parts of recording Wurst, ventriloquist dummies, and more.

Thank you to Pearson Instruments for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Brad Pearson, luthier & guitar tech in Vancouver, at pearsoninstruments.ca.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

We’re back and we’ve made some changes to bring you a better show!

On this first revamped episode, we’re talking with IAMTHELIVING and Teon Gibbs. Iamtheliving (a.k.a. Rian Peters) is a singer/songwriter and dancer with roots in soul and contemporary R&B 

Teon Gibbs is a rapper/songwriter/producer/community organizer and together they have joined forces, bridging the gap between a variety of music styles on a fresh and funky collaborative EP titled JNGL. 

When quarantine measures went into effect in Canada around mid March 2020, the live music industry had to close down for what has proven to be an indefinite amount of time.

Multiple news sources have reported that  over 90% of indie music venues in Canada will not survive unless they get financial assistance from the government.

On this episode, we’re joined by Mo Tarmohamed who is the owner and general manager of the Rickshaw Theatre in East Vancouver to talk about the current situation facing independent Canadian music venues and what you the listener can do to help.

Louise Burns is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who has received consistent critical acclaim including multiple Polaris Prize nominations over the course of her 20+ year career. 

On her latest release titled Element, Louise takes her synth pop sound in a more meditative and atmospheric direction reflective of a need for healthy escapism.

Thank you to Pearson Instruments for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Brad Pearson, luthier & guitar tech in Vancouver, at pearsoninstruments.ca.

Thank you to 12TH ST Sound for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Anthony Cenerini’s recording studio in New Westminster at 12thst.ca.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Soft Plastics is the latest musical project of vocalist/guitarist Carey Mercer who is most well known in Canadian music circles as the songwriter and visionary behind the Polaris Prize nominated art rock act Frog Eyes. 

After concluding Frog Eyes after an impressive 17 year run from 2001-2018, Carey and his collaborators look to broaden their musical horizons as Soft Plastics with the release of their fascinating and unconventional debut record titled 5 Dreams. 

Travis Goeres of the psychedelic pop band Ponytails returns to Pacific Sound Radio to talk the tricky business of social media promotion, the band's upcoming debut record, and the staggering depth of music talent in Vancouver.

James Olson is joined by special guest host Mark Lingelbach of Lambsbreath to chat with Emily Molloy.

Emily Molloy is an up and coming singer/songwriter known for her raw vocal talent and electrifying on stage personality. She has had the chance to play Canadian Music Week, the Rockin’ River Fest, and Pemberton Music Festival and was the winner of the 2015 Whistler Music Search. 

Born in the midst of the pandemic and featuring seasoned veterans of the Vancouver metal scene, Carcosa play a punishing and technically impressive brand of deathcore inspired by the likes of The Acacia Strain and Brand of Sacrifice.

The band dropped their first full length record Anthology this year and have already amassed a faithful following thanks to their savvy use of platforms like YouTube and Tik Tok.

This is a group that is truly on the rise and we are honored to feature them as the first metal band on the podcast.

The History of Gunpowder are a blistering and mysterious freakout ensemble who blend jazz, blues, art rock, soul, and world music into a progressive and explosive sonic experience. 

Featuring a large cast of some of the best musicians in the Vancouver scene, vocalist/guitarist Alex Morison and company have established themselves as one of the best live acts in Western Canada with their theatrical live shows often featuring burlesque dancers, gymnasts, and performance artists.

Listen in as we learn all about the phantasmagorical history of the Gunpowder band, the process of crafting their immersive concert film/soundtrack Swallows, and more.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

As 2019 draws to a close, your hosts James and Travis team up with producer Jaeden Froese one last time as they share their favorite local, Canadian, and international releases of the year.

Along with our picks you'll learn how killer whales take down sharks, what we would name a pet pony, why Jaeden hates sandwiches, and why we don't let Travis do impressions on the air!

On this week’s episode of Quarantine Edition, we are joined by Francis Arevalo.

Francis is a rapper, beatmaker, poet, and community organizer known for his deeply personal lyrics and effortlessly smooth rhythmic flow. 

He is very involved in fostering growth and development in artistic communities in and around the city of Vancouver having been featured in the Root Dwellers Music Showcase, Locals Lounge, and Sofar Sounds. 

We last featured Francis on the program back in August 2019 leading up to his appearance at the Vancouver Mural Festival. 

His third EP The Sound of Healing is available now.

Noble Son is the musical alter ego of singer/songwriter and actor Adam Kirschner.

Over the course of three records, Adam has explored themes of mental health, love, and personal growth all while incorporating an infectious sense of humor into his lyrics and energetic live performances.

Adam’s latest release Doom was written and recorded solo in his home studio, adding a layer of intimacy and immediacy to his lyrical explorations of the anxiety of young adult life.

Listen in as we chat with Adam about growing up in For St. John, his approach to acting and filmmaking, and the underrated value of comedy in music.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

LA Solution Center is a studio project helmed by Dan Ponich who is a local producer and musician previously involved in the folk rock act Echo Nebraska and with the synth tinged alternative rock group Civiliana. 

Drawing from influences ranging from trip hop to alternative hard rock in collaboration with a variety of guest musicians, LA Solution Center is an adventurous and decidedly fun project perfect for these uncertain times for the music industry.

Daysormay are a dynamic and adventurous alternative pop group who have slowly but surely been making a name for themselves as one of the most promising musical acts to come from central British Columbia.  

Listen in as Aidan, Nolan, and Carson shine a light on their small town beginnings, how they keep pushing their boundaries as songwriters, and what's in store for their sophomore EP. 

The Broken Islands are a six piece rock band with a penchant for fusing a variety of sub genres, including shoegaze, post rock, and trip hop, together into a sound that is entirely their own.

James and Travis sit down with drummer Mitch Williams, rhythm guitarist Kurits Sheldan, vocalist/keyboardist Rachel Ashmore, and bassist Stephen Cameron to dig into the band’s expansive sound, their unique place as a bilingual musical act, their touring adventures in the United Kingdom, and more!

On this week’s episode we welcome back Laverne!

Featuring the steady grooves of bassist Pherbie Midgley, the tasteful percussion of drummer Geoff McLellan, and the fitful guitar work and raw vocals of front man Max Anderson Baier, Laverne are a refreshingly unconventional art punk unit and are one of the best kept secrets in the Vancouver underground music scene.

After dropping an impressive debut record titled Yarrow back in 2018, the band is looking to push expectations and defy boundaries with their sophomore record Lack of Vocation.

The Elastic Stars are a psychedelic rock act in the vein of genre pioneers The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, and late career Beatles. 

Colin Cowan and his band have opened for national and international touring acts including Post Animal, Wand, Lightning Dust, and Destroyer and played the HR MacMillan Space Centre for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 2019.  

The band’s fifth album MUZiK is set for release August 25 2020. 

Will Chernoff joins James for an annual tradition: the PSR "best-of" episode that ends each year. Will is a bassist and music journalist in Vancouver. In addition to now co-producing this podcast with James, Will also hosts two other music podcasts: Rhythm Changes and Jazz Office Hours.

In this best-of episode for 2022, James and Will each pick two local (Metro Vancouver / South Coast / South Vancouver Island) albums, two albums from the rest of Canada, and one album from anywhere in the world.

Honourable mentions:

James picked

• Kamikaze Nurse - Stimuloso
• Wallgrin - Yet Again The Wheel Turns (Wallgrin's PSR episode)
• Orville Peck - Bronco
• King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Ice, Death, Planets, Mushrooms, and Lava

Will picked

• Maddisun - Home is Where The Music Is
• Makadi - BRGNDY
• The Blue and Gold - self-titled (Will's review on Rhythm Changes)
• Keanu Ienco - Celestial Desire (Keanu's interview on Rhythm Changes)

Local picks:

James picked

• The This - How Does It Feel When It’s Gone? (Track: "Strike The Gong")
• Vox Rea - self-titled (Track: "I'm Free") [Vox Rea's PSR episode]

Will picked

• Amanda Sum - New Age Attitudes (Track: "Awkward Bodies") [Amanda's Rhythm Changes Podcast episode]
• Blue J - A Sign of Good Luck (Track: "I Feel Your Pull") [Justice McLellan's Rhythm Changes Podcast episode]

Rest-of-Canada picks:

James picked

• Luna Li - Duality (Track: "What You're Thinking")
• Alvvays - Blue Rev (Track: "Belinda Says")

Will picked

• The East Pointers - House of Dreams (Track: "Stronger Than You Know")
• Iskwē & Tom Wilson - Mother Love (Track: "Coal Mine") [Will's review on Roots Music Canada]

International picks:

James picked Viagra Boys - Cave World

Will picked Makaya McCraven - In These Times

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

That’s right folks, Pacific Sound Radio has hit 150 episodes!

To celebrate this milestone as the longest-running interview podcast dedicated to Vancouver music, your host James Olson is joined by PSR co-founder Jaeden Froese and local music producer Felix Fung (Little Red Sounds) to reflect on the show’s eventful 7 year run.

Listen in as we talk about the show’s humble beginnings, our stint with the Save On Radio network, weathering the pandemic, and future plans.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

If the name wasn’t a dead giveaway, SaBand (formerly The Daveed Saband) is the solo project for songwriter, guitarist, and hair aficionado Daveed Saban.

Born as a live vehicle for Saban’s self-produced home recordings, the band has developed a reputation for their energetic, humorous, and often chaotic live performances in and around the city of Vancouver.

Blending the aesthetics of bedroom pop and dad rock with the dramatic flair of classic jam and prog rock, SaBand aims to take you on a visceral and thrilling musical journey.

Dacey are a forward thinking genre mashing alternative R&B act who in their brief time as a group have been featured on a selection of high profile Spotify playlists, signed to the label Imperial Music, and have amassed a devoted following in the Vancouver music scene.

Together with Dacey Andrada and Justin Tecson, we discuss the band’s music school roots, their love for absurd viral skits, and the pending release of their psych rock masterpiece.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Midmay are a alternative R&B duo featuring Tom Shand (vocals/guitar) and Jacob Regehr (vocals/piano)

After working together in various capacities for over a decade, Shand and Regehr capture the sounds of classic soul and R&B while drawing from contemporary sensibilities and influences on their debut EP Sound in Stays.

Listen in as we talk AI, the questionable nature of posthumous music releases, the creative power of gibberish, & more.

Once More With Feeling is a new series made by James Olson, producer Felix Fung of Little Red Sounds, and a talented videography team. Available now, only on YouTube with new episodes every other week.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Credits: Hosted and produced by James Olson. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. Powered by Chernoff Music.

We dive in our Archives to bring you our interview with Missy D and Sejal of Laydy Jams.

Laydy Jams are a diverse and eclectic group with influences ranging from hip hop to funk and from jazz to R&B. 

Joshua Wood is a vocalist, guitarist, and frontman of the Joshua Wood Orchestra. Hailing from St. Catharines Ontario, Joshua Wood has been an active member in the Vancouver music scene for the better part of a decade, performing in a number of groups including the folk ensemble Devil In The Wood Shack.

His latest project the Joshua Wood Orchestra featuring producer Felix Fung and members of Sunday Morning and Wrecked Beach are set to release their debut EP titled Bad Way on August 14 2020.

Ludic are a virtuoso power trio whose modern soul sound combines elements of jazz, pop, funk, and rock in a colourful, melodic, and technically flawless package. They are some of the most accomplished musicians playing in the Vancouver music scene whose popularity only seems to keep growing with each passing month.

Ayla Tesler-Mabe (vocals/guitar) and Rhett Cunningham (drums) talk the generational influence of Guitar Hero, juggling multiple projects, and plans for their much anticipated debut album.

Palm Haze are the musical duo of Anna Wagner on vocals and bass guitar and producer/guitarist Lucas Inacio (a.k.a Flover).   

Formed in Illhabela Brazil with the band soon relocating to Vancouver BC after writing just two songs together, Palm Haze have crafted a sound that is airy, dreamy, and commanding drawing from a variety of influences including shoegaze, trip hop, and alternative rock. 

In a few short years, Palm Haze have released two well received self-produced EPs, have had their music featured on the Netflix series Northern Rescue, and have played with touring acts such as Exploded View, Shadowhouse, and The Macks and local bands including Washers, Laverne, and Sleepy Gonzales. 

Byron & Adam Slack of punk trio Invasives reflect on their unique place as one of the longest running bands in the Vancouver punk and hard rock scene, talk tales from the road, and dig into their latest release, Feel Good Live Forever.

Thank you to 12TH ST Sound for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Anthony Cenerini’s recording studio in New Westminster at 12thst.ca.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Born from the DIY music community in East Vancouver, Schwey are an indie funk unit that have developed a reputation within the city’s underground as a high energy and unpredictable live act. 

Drawing inspiration from genre greats like Parliament Funkadelic and the Ohio Players along with contemporary acts like Vulfpeck, Schwey pull from hip hop, R&B, and electro pop to create a sound that’s entirely their own.

Schwey dropped their sophomore record Schwey 2: Cyber Soul in May 2021 which sees the group take an exciting new musical direction through the incorporation of futuristic synths, electronic beats, and just the right amount of vocal fx.

For more than a decade, the psychedelic rock unit The Psychic Alliance have thrilled patrons of the Vancouver music scene with their punk rock energy, delightfully offbeat songwriting, and theatrical live performances.

Over the course of four studio albums and one, shall we say unique, Christmas album, the band has stood apart from many of their contemporaries as a fun and phantasmagorical musical act that takes their music seriously while not taking themselves too seriously.

It’s that time of year again!

2024 was an excellent year for music and marked a year of change for the show.

Join your host James Olson and guest host Catlin Nagy as we discuss our favorite releases of the last 12 months.

Catlin Nagy is a fellow music fanatic and recent Toronto transplant who has worked alongside past guests including Vox Rea and The Jins in a previous role with Vancouver label 604 Records.

Once More With Feeling is a new series made by James Olson, producer Felix Fung of Little Red Sounds, and a talented videography team. Available now, only on YouTube with new episodes every other week.

Credits: Hosted and produced by James Olson. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. Powered by Chernoff Music.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Porteau are an alternative folk duo composed of vocalist/synth player Victoria Williams and guitarist Craig Stevenson who over the course of two records have created their own ethereal, expansive sound. 

Together with Victoria and Craig, we discuss the process of emerging from their pandemic hiatus, explore the more personal and intimate direction of their latest release What I Need, and learn about their first ever tour of Japan.

Thank you to Pearson Instruments for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Brad Pearson, luthier & guitar tech in Vancouver, at pearsoninstruments.ca.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Take a drive with James, Travis, and the boys of Black Pontiac. 

Black Pontiac are a fun, freewheeling, and funky party rock band that have been a fixture in Vancouver’s DIY community since their inception only a couple years ago.  Their latest EP Ponyboy marks a confident step forward for this infectious quartet. 

On this Archive Episode, we revisit our interview with Teon Gibbs, the first hip hop act on Pacific Sound Radio.

Teon Gibbs is a rapper and producer who's sound deftly blends trap and R&B in a fashion that is both rhythmically fluid and ear catching. 

Teon joins James and Travis to discuss growing up in Botswana, his admiration for the discography of Kanye West, his collaborative partnership with videographer KB Kutz, and his thoughts on the state of hip hop.

Shimbashi Station distinguish themselves within the crowded Vancouver indie rock scene with a commitment to straightforward melodicism, deceptive instrumental complexity, and musical and visual influences inspired by Japanese culture.

Cody Clark (vocals/guitar) and Kristian Goze (drums/vocals) join us to talk the public transit related origins of the band, their creative approach to promoting their music, their debut LP Takeoff! and more.

Once More With Feeling is a new series made by James Olson, producer Felix Fung of Little Red Sounds, and a talented videography team. Available now, only on YouTube with new episodes every other week.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Credits: Hosted and produced by James Olson. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. Powered by Chernoff Music.

On this double feature Archive Episode we catch up with producer Lee Gauthier and soul singer/songwriter Krystle Dos Santos.

Lee Gauthier is a musician and producer most well known as the bassist for Victoria based indie pop band Bridal Party. His production credits include releases by Buchan Buchan, This Day Burns, Bright Boy, Hansmole, Thrift Shopper, and the Blackwood Kings. His solo material has involved the use of a Soundplane music controller, a robotic vibraphone, and digital music platforms including Abelton Live and Max/MSP. Lee is also a software developer for the music sharing platform bandcamp.

Krystle Dos Santos is a soul singer/songwriter and is the host/organizer of Underneath the Harlem Moon at the Guilt & Co. club in Vancouver. Krystle performs regularly in Vancouver with The Lovemakers and in Edmonton with the Black Mambas and was working on her third solo album at the time of recording.

Stella Soul are an eclectic musical trifecta that tastefully fuses together the sounds of pop, electronic, soul, and jazz.

Kentya Kurban (vocals), James Red (vocals/keys) and Cam Lawrence (drums/production) swing by the Pacific Sound Radio studio to walk us through the recording of their debut album Cherry St., their unique musical evolution, and more.

2021 was definitely better than 2020 and we’re cautiously optimistic heading into the new year.

Join your host James Olson and our producer Mark Lingelbach as we talk our favorite local, Canadian, and international releases of 2021.

Chris Smith & James Turner of the contemporary psychedelic rock group Meltt talk writing sessions in the BC wilderness, refining their craft, and give us a sneak peek into their upcoming 2023 sophomore record.

Thank you to Rhythm Changes for sponsoring this episode. Get the free weekly article about creative music in Canada; become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca/psr.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Madelyn Read is a country/folk artist who explores the contrast between rural nostalgia and urban hustle and bustle as a lifelong Vancouverite. 

On her debut record Concrete Country, Madelyn explores an intriguing question: “What does it mean to live in a North American city in the 21st Century?”

Listen in as we explore the challenges of life in Vancouver, her magical experience at Tiny Lights festival, ponder the prospect of cooperative record labels, & more.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

We head back to the archives for a double feature episode starring DJ Dain and Old Soul Rebel.

DJ Dain (a.k.a. Andrew Bowers)  is a Newfoundland born/Vancouver based DJ, producer, and musicologist who got his start remixing songs from video games before moving on to bootleg remixes and mash ups. He has a Masters of Musicology from Oxford University and ran his own show called “Sweet with Heat”.

Old Soul Rebel are the powerhouse duo of vocalist/guitarist Chelsea D.E. Johnson and vocalist/banjo player Lola Whyte who have blown the roof off many a venue across North America with their bold, brash, and barn burning soulful rock 'n roll. 

Haleluya Hailu is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer whose latest EP eternally, yours explores navigating friendships, relationships, and young adulthood within a contemporary pop sound that blurs the lines between hip hop, indie folk, and alt rock.

Listen in as we talk about Haleluya’s experience as the host of her own local music radio show, studying music production in Nelson BC, and more.

Once More With Feeling is a new series made by James Olson, producer Felix Fung of Little Red Sounds, and a talented videography team. Available now, only on YouTube with new episodes every other week.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Adam Mah is an electro pop artist previously known for his tenure as the vocalist/guitarist and lead songwriter for the pop/rock act Derrival.

Since blazing his own trail as a solo artist, Adam has been featured in the 2019 Westward Music Festival, the Elevate Music Project, Sofar Sounds, and has opened for local pop rockers Hotel Mira and Australian alt rock band The Rubens.

Adam’s collaborator and producer Shane Stephenson also joined us on this episode to add his perspective.

David Vertesi is a singer/songwriter and solo artist most well known as the bassist and backing vocalist for the Juno nominated indie rock group Hey Ocean.

Vertesi is also a session and touring musician who has worked with Shad, Said The Whale, Dear Rouge, and Hannah Georgas and is the executive director and co-founder of Vancouver Mural Festival.

With his third album Life Ghouls, Vertesi has crafted a moody and introspective concept record that explores all the regrets, insecurities, and weirdness of modern life.

Frankiie are a dream rock group that incorporates elements of Laurel Canyon folk, Americana, along with surf and psychedelic rock to create a hazy, ethereal sound that feels both classic and timeless.

On this episode we reflect on the band's impending 10 year anniversary and dive into their second record Between Dreams out now on Paper Bag Records.

Thank you to Pearson Instruments for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Brad Pearson, luthier & guitar tech in Vancouver, at pearsoninstruments.ca.

Thank you to 12TH ST Sound for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Anthony Cenerini’s recording studio in New Westminster at 12thst.ca.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Maddisun is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter from the rural community of Cranbrook, BC. Her second album, Home Is Where the Music Is, came out in 2022 and was featured in Pacific Sound Radio's year-end episode.

Utilizing a knack for pop songwriting, commanding vocals, and by incorporating a range of musical styles, Maddisun has established herself as an authentic and genuine emerging talent.

On this episode, Maddisun talks her time living abroad, navigating the LA music industry, a memorable summer video shoot in the Okanagan, and more.

Thank you to Pearson Instruments for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Brad Pearson, luthier & guitar tech in Vancouver, at pearsoninstruments.ca.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

On our long overdue first episode of 2022, we catch up with vocalist/guitarist/band leader Daniel James of Brass Camel. 

Brass Camel are a virtuoso rock act who play a technically complex and thrilling blend of prog rock and funk. Their next record Brass drops fall 2022.

Lazy Ghost are a psychedelic surf rock band from the world famous resort community of Whistler BC. Since 2016, the band has made a name for themselves playing sold out shows in and around Whistler and have grown a devoted international fan base thanks to successful tours in Western Canada and Australia.

The band’s 30 date North America spring/summer tour was understandably cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic so Lazy Ghost decided to redirect their energies into writing and recording a new EP.

Lazy Ghost’s next EP Hungover Hopeful is set for release on August 21 2020.

Cain Price is the latest musical project of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mat Wilkins. Through Cain Price, Wilkins blends folk and accessible pop songwriting with electronic textures to create a sound that is eclectic and otherworldly. 

With Mat, we discuss the isolation and anxiety of the digital age, what makes for the best cover song, his visually striking new music video, and more.

Thank you to Pearson Instruments for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Brad Pearson, luthier & guitar tech in Vancouver, at pearsoninstruments.ca.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Julien Lavoie is a vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist who has created a neat little niche of his own within the Vancouver music scene, playing a lovelorn and wistful blend of bedroom pop, psychedelic rock, and jazz fusion.

His much anticipated debut record Swan Dive, covers all of the stages of a breakup including the tragic buildup, the stages of grief, and acceptance all contained within a dream-like musical atmosphere

Join us as we talk about the value of art in a capitalist society, moonlighting as a standup comic, songs coming from dreams, and more.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Babe Corner are a Vancouver indie dream pop supergroup featuring members of Blue J, Club Sofa, Doohickey Cubicle, and Haley Blais.

On this episode, we chat with lead vocalist/guitarist Lindsay Sjoberg about the band's origins, the meaning of "babecore", their debut record Crybaby, & more.

Thank you to 12TH ST Sound for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Anthony Cenerini’s recording studio in New Westminster at 12thst.ca.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Parlour Panther are a rising indie rock band who combine elements of synth pop, glam rock, and R&B to create a sound that is joyful, optimistic, and life affirming. 

Their third record BLOOM sees the band expanding their lineup with the addition of drummer Jen Foster and the return of guitarist Saadi D’Hoore and sees them refining their approach to production. BLOOM is easily one of the best sounding local releases we’ve heard so far this year.

Once More With Feeling is a new series made by James Olson, producer Felix Fung of Little Red Sounds, and a talented videography team. Available now, only on YouTube with new episodes every other week.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

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What a year!

On our Best of 2023 special we’re joined by guest host Johnny Das to celebrate our favorite local, Canadian, and international releases of the past 12 months.

Johnny Das is the vocalist and guitarist for the hardcore punk unit Mediaslaves. He is also a music journalist whose work has been featured in publications including Revolver, Range, and The Georgia Straight.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

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Louise Burns is a multi-instrumentalist musician, producer, broadcast journalist, and critically acclaimed songwriter who has been twice long listed for the Polaris Music Prize (2011, 2017) and has received praise from publications including CBC Music, The New York Times, and Stereogum. Listen in to learn more about her 20 plus year music career, writing music in Dawson City Yukon, and how the city of Los Angeles inspired her new album Portraits.

Andrew Judah is a Kelowna based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer who over the course of five full length albums has fine tuned a melodic and structurally complex indie rock sound. 

Accompanied by his equally talented live band, Andrew has performed some of the biggest music festivals in Western Canada including Skookum, Rifflandia, and Breakout West.  

On this episode, we learn about the steps Andrew took to craft his latest release Impossible Staircase. 

Naoist is the solo electronic music project of drummer Ali Siadat. If you are a fan of Canadian pop rock, you would be familiar with Ali’s work behind the kit for the Juno nominated band Mother Mother.

On his recently released debut EP, Ali explores patterns and textures within a IDM framework making for a dynamic, fluid, and engaging listening experience.

Tegan Wahlgren of the art pop act Wallgrin talks the interdisciplinary dimensions of their work, facing the chaos of the modern world, and the thematic layers of their latest record Yet Again The Wheel Turns.

Thank you to Rhythm Changes for sponsoring this episode. Get the free weekly article about creative music in Canada; become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca/psr.

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Cam Blake is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and producer who has explored a variety of musical styles over the course of his budding music career.

Join us as we chat the future of art and music in the age of AI, the enigmatic wonder of Casio keyboards, and the anxious themes of Cam's diverse and disorienting new record SATISFACTION OF SAMENESS.

Once More With Feeling is a new series made by James Olson, producer Felix Fung of Little Red Sounds, and a talented videography team. Available now, only on YouTube with new episodes every other week.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

On this episode, we're speaking with vocalist Laura Mina Mitic and guitarist/vocalist Pat Ferguson of the band Carmanah.

Carmanah are a six piece act from Victoria BC who blend the traditional sounds of roots music with  modern indie rock sensibilities into a sound aptly coined “West Coast Soul.”

In their fruitful tenure as a band, Carmanah have toured and performed with the likes of Shakey Graves, Moby, kd lang, Current Swell, and Ziggy Marley often traveling from gig to gig in their van run on used vegetable oil. The band has also gained notable critical acclaim and national attention  with two of their singles topping the CBC Music charts along with earning a 2019 Western Canadian Music Award nomination for best Roots artist. 

Inspired by and deeply connected to the natural beauty of their home on Vancouver Island, Carmanah are an environmentally and socially conscious group looking to spark action and meaningful change through their bountiful song catalog and adventurous performances. 

The Golden Age of Wrestling is the new solo project of Jeff Cancade.

Jeff Cancade is a DIY electronic artist most known in the Vancouver music scene for his glitchy dance pop act Devours.

On his recently released debut record Tombstone Piledriver, Jeff has crafted a contemplative and dreamy sound which incorporates elements of Nintendo video games, film soundtracks, and choral arrangements that he has coined “glambient.”

Woolworm are a genre bending alternative rock band who's varied sound incorporates elements of post punk, hardcore, and even black metal. Vocalist/guitarist Giles Roy talks taking a more optimistic lyrical approach to the band's latest record, opening for Orville Peck, and his unlikely affinity for Coldplay.

Jody Glenham is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and DJ who has been heralded by the Vancouver Sun as a MVP of the local music scene. 

Joined by her band The Dreamers which has at times featured Polaris Prize nominee Louise Burns and drummer Adam Fink of ACTORS, Jody has cast a spell over many an audience with her intoxicating and atmospheric blend of shoegaze and dream pop. 

Some recent highlights for Jody include having her music featured on legendary Seattle radio station KEXP, performing in a female fronted Spinal Tap tribute act as part of the 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival, and headlining two sold out shows at the HR MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver, BC.

Sam Tudor is a vocalist, songwriter, engineer, and producer who has been releasing music under his own name since 2014.

His project is a DIY collective effort featuring an impressive roster of session and touring musicians from bands including Bernice, U.S. Girls, Tasseomancy, Omhouse, and Charlotte Cornfield.

On his latest record Two Half Words, Sam lyrically explores memorable and challenging experiences from the last three years of his life while incorporating a combination of electronic and organic instrumentation resulting in his most experimental and atmospheric release to date.

NADUH are a 5 piece femme hip hop supergroup composed of Tee (aka Taraneh), Jenny Lea of I M U R, Rosa Alcantara of Off Topic, Giorgi Holiday (aka Giorgi), and Larisa Marie. 

Fashioning themselves as a “spicier Spice Girls” and “the female BROCKHAMPTON”, NADUH bring undeniable energy on the three singles they have released to date, display an attention grabbing visual flair, and seem poised to become the next big thing in Western Canadian hip hop.

Jenny Banai is a gifted vocalist and songwriter whose mature arrangements and stunning live performances have drawn comparisons to the likes of Jeff Buckley, Feist, and Dolores O’Riordan  of The Cranberries.   

Banai is a winner and three time nominee of the Fraser Valley Music “Folk Artist of the Year'' award, has had her music featured on on the TV show and web series The Drive along with the CBC Radio program On The Coast.  

 She has received praise from a variety of publications and writers including Juno nominated artist and host of the Hip Hop Evolution documentary series Shad.

Devours is the main musical project of vocalist and producer Jeff Cancade.

Over the course of four albums, Devours has carved a unique niche in the Vancouver music scene with his gothic and glitchy brand of dance music pulling influences ranging from top 40 pop, industrial rock, metal, and professional wrestling.

Thank you to Pearson Instruments for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Brad Pearson, luthier & guitar tech in Vancouver, at pearsoninstruments.ca.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

Drummer Dave Taylor of the modern pop/rock act Colour Tongues talks post-pandemic touring, the creation of the band's latest release Midnight Island, and more.

Post-Modern Connection are a rising indie rock unit that combine international influences, deceptively complex song structures, and upbeat vibes to create a unique sound within the local music scene.

Join us as we chat with Tega Ovie and Georges Nasrallah about the band’s humble beginnings on the open mic circuit in Kelowna, their first forays into streaming on Twitch, and their new EP A Welcome Change.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

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Kate & Lauren Kurdyak of the noir-pop duo Vox Rea talk creative evolution, embracing musical fusion, their debut record, and more.

Thank you to Rhythm Changes for sponsoring this episode. Get the free weekly article about creative music in Canada; become a member for free today at rhythmchanges.ca/psr.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

After some time off to adjust to some pretty dramatic changes, we’re back with a quarantine friendly version of Pacific Sound Radio!

Our first guest for Quarantine Edition is Yung Heazy. Yung Heazy, also known as Jordan Heaney, is a rising talent in the Vancouver music scene having scored a viral hit with his catchy bedroom pop track  “Cuz You’re My Girl” back in 2018. His latest record I UR BOY is available now on all streaming platforms. 

This one has been a long time coming.

Peach Pit are an indie rock unit known for their jangly, up-tempo guitar work, instantly catchy melodic sensibilities, and melancholic lyricism.

Thanks to their refined songwriting, business savvy, and undeniable work ethic, Peach Pit have become one of the biggest bands to break out of the Vancouver music scene in the last decade having signed with Columbia records, toured multiple continents, and played major festivals including Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.

Listen in as we talk to vocalist/guitarist Neil Smith and guitarist Chris Vanderkooy about the band’s colourful past and bright future.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

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Janky Bungag is a Filipino-Canadian country artist inspired by the outlaw stylings of Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash.

Initially conceived as a pandemic project, Janky has emerged as part of a burgeoning and exciting Northern Country or cowpunk scene in the Vancouver music ecosystem.

Listen in as we learn how Janky got into country, his love for skateboarding, how he wound up opening for Canadian hardcore legends Cancer Bats, & more.

Thank you to Pearson Instruments for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about Brad Pearson, luthier & guitar tech in Vancouver, at pearsoninstruments.ca.

Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.

This episode we’re speaking with Jason Corbett and Adam Fink of the darkwave/goth rock group ACTORS. 

Jason is a producer and songwriter who has worked with a number of local and Canadian bands including electro dance act Gang Signs, glam rocker Art D’Ecco, and dream pop band Frankiie at his studio Jacknife Sound.

Adam is the drummer for ACTORS and has lent his talents to a number of other local acts including Jody Glenham and the Dreamers, Gang Signs, and Blue J.

Hosts James Olson and Travis Noel Have a brief but insightful chat with multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter Jordan Klassen about his next album, his complicated relationship with the "singer/songwriter" title, and his sonically versatile discography.

The Jins are an alternative pop/rock power trio who have amassed a growing national and international following thanks to their promotional savvy, engaging live shows, and refined melodic sensibilities. 

With the help of producer Dave Genn, the band’s latest album It’s A Life sees The Jins fully embrace their pop side with songs brimming with crunchy guitar work and anthemic choruses.

Listen to our Vancity Jams playlist on Spotify.

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Travis is back from his vacation in Iceland for our interview with Sunday Morning!

Sunday Morning is the brainchild of Vancouver music scene veteran Bruce Wilson. Channeling the soulful and moody spirit of acts like Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and Lou Reed, Sunday Morning are dreamy and dark rock and roll balladeers with a penchant for emotionally poignant lyrical subject matter.

James and Travis are joined by two-thirds of War Baby!

War Baby are a heavy rock power trio that incorporates elements of alternative rock, sludge metal, and noise rock in a fashion that they like to compare to “Lightning Bolt covering Nirvana covering Black Sabbath.” Over the course of their 10 plus year career, the band has played over 200 live shows and have opened for international touring acts including Royal Blood, Dune Rats, White Lung, DZ Deathrays, and Eagles of Death Metal.