In the final moments of a performance in Creston last August, No Island guitarist and vocalist Keith Sinclair remarked that he and his bandmates would never forget the place. So when it came time for the Vancouver indie fivesome to plan this summer’s tour, it’s no surprise that the Snoring Sasquatch was the first venue they called. The group will return there on July 5 to kick off a seven-week trek across Canada.
“Coming back here was really high on our priority list,” said keyboardist and vocalist Andy Rice. “Everyone we met in Creston was so generous and welcoming to us. It was certainly my favourite show of the tour, and I think everyone else’s as well.”
The concert also left a local crowd smitten, buzzing over the band’s unique songs, expert musicianship and engaging live show. It’s an act No Island has refined even further over the past year, adding new songs and new members as well.
“We’re really excited to introduce Jay Esplana and Max Ley, our new bass player and drummer,” said Rice. “Those guys bring a whole new energy and charisma to the music, and if we weren’t rocking hard enough before, we certainly are now.”
Saxophonist James Wilfred Martin, who started the band with Sinclair back in 2009, remains a unique contributor to the group’s sound as both a soloist and harmonic texture.
No Island’s musical style reflects a love for old and new, drawing inspiration from the classic rock era but also some more modern influences on the indie circuit.
“I always have a tough time describing what it is we do,” said Rice, “but you can expect five frontmen, two lead singers, four-part harmonies, original songs and hopefully a couple that you’ll find stuck in your head the next day.”
While the group typically plays with amplification, Rice said that they are also planning to unplug for some acoustic tunes and may even throw in a few covers.
“It’ll be an interactive show with lots of variety,” he explained. “Playing at a music-focused venue like the Snoring Sasquatch allows us to stretch out more and do some of the songs we rarely get to do in bars and clubs. With two sets, there will be plenty of time to show some different sides of the band, tip our hat to a few of our influences, and even give a little glimpse into the songwriting process.”
Tickets for the concert are $10 in advance at Kingfisher Used Books and Black Bear Books, and $13 at the door, which opens at 7 p.m.; the show begins at 8. Video and audio tracks featuring No Island can be found on their website, www.no-island.com.
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