Back in October we placed a song from one of Vancouver’s most respected producers and songwriters, Ryan Hauschild of Winston in the Canadian produced police drama, FLASHPOINT. His song, “Lonely” was a feature use at the climax of Season 4 – Episode 3, “Run, Jamie, Run”. You can watch the episode at CTV.ca.

Other placements in the past few months have included:

• Christopher Smith’s, “Paper Chains”, in the HBO series Less Than Kind

• Leeroy Stagger’s, “I Believe in Love”, in the closing credits of an upcoming episode of Heartland

• Patrick Brealey’s “I Don’t Want to Hear Another Love Song” and Leeroy Stagger’s “Stormy” in the new series, Arctic Air

• The Yoko Casionos, Kuba Oms, and Catlow in the reality series Dussault Inc.

Music Saves is a music video based on the Playing For Change concept, where performances are filmed and recorded live throughout various picturesque locations around Vancouver, then edited together into one song and video. The video illustrates the power of music and its potential to positively impact peoples’ lives.

In 2009, “Music Saves I” was accredited with a number of awards including the “Community Service Award” by the British Columbia Association of Broadcasters (BCAB) and the “Best Charity or Cause Related Event” Award by the BC Events Award Group. In 2010, Shore 104.3 was honored by the BCAB with the “Community Service (Large Market)” Excellence Award for “Music Saves II”.

Music Saves III once again aims to bring attention to music therapy and inspire musicians with disabilities by highlighting BC based artists, both able-bodied and disabled, performing a new version of a well-recognized song.

Performing the classic Canadian track “Oh What A Feeling” by Crowbar, Music Saves III features: Jim Byrnes (VAMS), Chin Injeti, Kyprios, Dan Moxon, Odds, Kristina Shelden (VAMS), The Matinee, Randy Ponzio, Billy the Kid, Dave Symington (VAMS), Kuba Oms, Lola Parks, Bobby Style (VAMS) and many more.

We recently worked with On Demand Production Network on a web series for BC Hydro called Energy Fix. Alongside composer, Ian Somers, we assisted in raising the production value of the series with scored music. Check out Ians work in episode one below.

Other projects with ODPN have included a campaign for Predator Ridge Resort where we sourced and licensed “Lemon Grove Avenue” by Mason Jennings. The commercial aired through the Canadian Open golf tournament.

Lindsay has also been working with some local up and coming filmmakers on a new indie feature called Do Something With Your Life, due for release on the Film Festival circuit in the near future. Check out the teaser below featuring BC favorite, Jet’s Overhead. Other artists on the soundtrack include Woodpigeon, Leeroy Stagger, Ten Suns,  and Adamantines among others.

On a social awareness theme, we have been helping director and author, Najeed Kassam, on his documentary Conversations for Change, which focuses on the youth movement across Canada. The documentary features a ton of great Canadian musical talent. You can learn more about the film at www.conversationsforchange.ca

Since April we have been holding a Friday night series called West Coast Music Sessions which showcases many independent musical acts at the beautiful Fairmont Pacific Rim Lobby Lounge. Acts like Shaun Verreault of Wide Mouth Mason, Dan Moxon of Bend Sinister, Kuba Oms, The Matinee, and Chin Injeti and The Hastings Set have all graced the stage. We have extended the series right through to December so come and join us and ask for “The Shore Thing” cocktail!

June was a busy month as we hit the streets filming Music Saves III with our good pals at Insider Films. Directed by Brian Adler with musical direction from The Odds Craig Northey, we recorded and filmed live musicians around the streets of Vancouver performing the classic Canadian track Oh What a Feeling by Crowbar. The video is the 3rd installment of the series in support of The Vancouver Adapted Music Society and the continued efforts of Canadian Music Therapists in our community. Featured artists in this years video include the legend Jim Byrnes, the always poetic Kyprios, and a variety of local up-and-comers like Billy the Kid, The Matinee, Randy Ponzio, and Kristina Shelden of VAMS. The video and behind the scenes is due for release in Oct/Nov of 2011.

In July we ramped up our efforts with our friends at Brand Live and the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society to expand our SHOREfest concert series in conjunction with the Celebration of Light to include 3 stages around the Vancouver waterfront. This year we featured 23 artists playing for fans awaiting the spectacular fireworks display in the harbor by Spain, China, and Canada. Highlights included performances by Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies fame, the wonderful gospel tones of The Sojourners, and last year’s Song Search winner, Zaac Pick.

CLICK for more photos

SHOREfest wrapped up with the big announcement of the winner of the Song Search Program at the YVR Community Stage at Kits Beach. This year’s winner was Randy Ponzio with his hit “For the People” which is now rocking regular rotation at the station. Randy also walks away with a prize pack including a $5000 gift certificate to Long & McQuade, recording time with our friends at Nimbus School of Recording Arts, a video project from Insider Films, plus an all expenses paid weekend and performance at the Rifflandia festival in Victoria. We are looking forward to hearing more from Randy. Rumor has it hip hop guru Shad recently graced the studio to drop some rhymes on some of Randy’s new songs.

Randy Ponzio accepts the Shore Golden Guitar as the 2011 Winner of Song Search!

Song Search Top 10 Finalists

Congrats to Ben Sigston, Billy the Kid, Freeflow, Steph Macpherson, The Matinee, Prairie Dance Club, Ryan McAllister, Sheree Plett and The Sumner Brothers who also made this years Top 10!

We ended up running around Vancouver with 9 vehicles including 2 prop trucks and over 60 extras. Highlights included Tai Chi masters, a 12-foot wall of umbrellas, and stylish propping of spring and fall scenes throughout the streets and parks of Vancouver. The final product includes versions of the ad for various functions of the camera.

Special thanks to the wonderful Niki Kendall for being our power co-producer and Sarah Tesla for keeping the ship afloat and the amazing crew in Vancouver for pulling the long hours to make this commercial as colorful as it is!

Special thanks to all of the locals that helped us out on the shoot including local businesses, The Cascade Room and Gene Coffee Shop.

Click HERE to see Alex’s work in this love letter to our amazing city!

As mentioned in a previous post, we’ve been working with Goorin Brothers Hats (Yaletown) store manager, Matt Clayden, to bring in a fitting musical act for his occasional store mingler. The Matinees’ Southern roots-rock sound was the perfect fit for the store and brought in more people than the store could hold.

If you have yet to check out one of these nights, you can stop by March 30th between 6-9pm and hear some new and traditional Mexican folk-rock tunes from Secret Study’s Leo Sanchez!

Location:  1188 Hamilton St

The day entailed cycling up Mount Seymour, running at Iona Beach Park in Richmond, and an interesting shower scene in a swank North Shore hotel. We’ll keep you updated when the campaign goes public!