The Left was recently chosen as one of the twenty finalists for the Peak Performance Project. The Peak Performance Project is sponsored by the 100.5 The Peak FM and Music BC.

The PEAK Performance Project is a seven-year, $5.29 million contest open to all musicians in British Columbia. The project was created by 100.5 The PEAK and Music BC to develop BC based emerging artists. Every year, twenty finalists from BC will receive an intensive, one week training program in the music business, live performance, songwriting, marketing and promotion. Artists will benefit from mentor-ships from some of the music industry’s top professionals and performers. All of these artists will have the chance to perform live in Vancouver on the PEAK Performance Stage. Of these twenty artists, the top three will be crowned as the PEAK Performers of the year and will share $275,000 in cash for career development. First place receives $150,000; second place receives $75,000; and third place receives $50,000.

Interview:

Brian: Tell us about your music and what your musical history has been.

Eric from The Left: Our history can be summed up in a couple of stories that happened early on in our career. Firstly, Eric (drummer) and Kevin (singer) were standing on the balcony outside of their dorm room at college and they saw Jeremy (bass) walking through the courtyard. They yelled down to him, “do you want to join our band?” Jeremy yelled back, “Ok.” Then they yelled, “No, like for the rest of your life! Like, this will be your main passion and focus forever!” Then, without missing a beat he yelled back, “I said Ok!”

Secondly, Kevin was meeting his future mother in law for the first time and she asked him, “if the band doesn’t work out what is your plan B?” To which Kevin replied, “I don’t have one.” She was not impressed. Then Kevin said, “I don’t have a plan B for your daughter either.”

Listen to the track Drinking About You

Brian: Tell us a little bit of how your summer went, from being selected as one of the artists to participate in the project to being selected as a finalist.

Eric from The Left: Being selected as a Peak Artist made this past summer one we will never forget. When we found out that we were selected as Peak Finalists we were obviously so excited. Through all of our experiences as a band, we feel like we’ve been preparing for this competition for years now. We immediately started brainstorming and scheduling events to line up with the project’s time line. We wanted our promotion to be strong and simple. Our aim was to be at the top of every category in this competition so there would be no reasons to not be considered as a winner. We all quit our jobs. This competition became our main focus because it promises to launch a band nation wide if not worldwide.

Brian: What has been the most rewarding aspect throughout the project thus far?

Eric from The Left: The most rewarding aspect in the Peak Project thus far has been the sense of community and support from other artists and industry professionals. We can honestly call up anybody we met through this project and talk to them as a friend; and to be friends with so many people in the same industry benefits everyone.

Brian: There are some great artists and bands and you are in great company with the list of finalists. What sets your music apart from the other finalists?

Eric from The Left: All of the artists are phenomenal and ready to move on to bigger things after this competition is over. Everyone’s sound is so different that it really comes down to personal taste. If I had to say one thing The Left has on the competition, it’s our diversity. There’s a certain comfort from having the same members for 8 years. Once you understand the tendencies, strengths and weaknesses of your band mates, it slowly becomes a little easier to have intimate moments with our audience, which is our goal.

Brian: How do you feel about The Peak, Music BC and Jim Pattison Group of Companies stepping up to assist the growth of BC musicians while the provincial government has reduced funding to many programs. This is a significant contribution of $5.29 million over seven-years.

Eric from The Left: Financial contributions to The Peak Performance Project is not all THE LEFT is thankful for from Jim Pattison. All four members of THE LEFT were privileged enough to graduate from Pacific Academy, a beautiful school he built. The music teacher at Pacific Academy, Ron Davis (Carl and Eric’s father) taught us all music. Carl met his wife at Pacific Academy and has been married for four years and just had his first child, Avery. By attending Pacific Academy, we all got to travel to different parts of the world building houses on mission trips in third world countries. This year we were selected to be a Peak Performance Project Artist. We got the honor of going to Rock Ridge Canyon in Princeton for The Peak Boot Camp where we learnt four years of music business school crammed into one week. Now we have a chance to be awarded finances to be put towards our career and this all because of him. Mr. Pattison, has greatly influenced our families and each of us. He has provided opportunities for people like us to be educated, travel the world, establish a career and even to meet a wife and for all of that we will forever be indebted to him

Peak Performance Project Sponsors:

Bodhi Jones was recently chosen as one of the twenty finalists for the Peak Performance Project. The Peak Performance Project is sponsored by the 100.5 The Peak FM and Music BC.

The PEAK Performance Project is a seven-year, $5.29 million contest open to all musicians in British Columbia. The project was created by 100.5 The PEAK and Music BC to develop BC based emerging artists. Every year, twenty finalists from BC will receive an intensive, one week training program in the music business, live performance, songwriting, marketing and promotion. Artists will benefit from mentor-ships from some of the music industry’s top professionals and performers. All of these artists will have the chance to perform live in Vancouver on the PEAK Performance Stage. Of these twenty artists, the top three will be crowned as the PEAK Performers of the year and will share $275,000 in cash for career development. First place receives $150,000; second place receives $75,000; and third place receives $50,000.

Interview:

Brian: Tell us about your music and what your musical history has been.

Bodhi Jones:

Pop / Alternative / Folk-Rock

Influences: David Gray, Ray Lamontagne, and Ben Harper

I’d like to provide companionship through my music; to let people know that I’m feeling what they’re feeling. To let them know that we’re going through these struggles together and that we’re gonna be alright, because surviving is what we do best.

In January of 2007, after the heart breaking demise of my band “Rider Jones”, I was at a crossroads in my life. I was 26, and I felt like my best shot at a career in the biz had just disappeared. It was now or never and never wasn’t an option…I knew I didn’t want to go down the band route anymore and that I wanted to go it alone but there was one catch, I didn’t know how to play guitar. I soon made my way to the closest book store and purchased “Guitar for Dummies”. Over the next six months I devoted every spare moment to learning guitar and writing my first solo EP. In July of that year I assembled a backing band and played numerous sold out shows in Vancouver. My first solo EP, “From January to June,” sold 500+ copies in 2 months and gave me the affirmation that I was heading in the right direction with both my life and my music.

I recently wrote, recorded and produced my self-titled full length album in February of 2009 and took it to the streets of downtown Vancouver (Busking 5 days a week). It was tough both physically and mentally go out on the streets day after day knowing I needed to make enough money for rent, bills, and food, but it was definitely not all bad. It re affirmed my belief in the goodness of people and that we’re all in it together. I’m so grateful for the kindness and support I’ve received from both the people of this city and its visitors. One of these visitors was Sharon Robinson, a writer/producer/and vocalist with Leonard Cohen. Sharon noticed me performing on a street corner while on a tour stop in Vancouver, she liked what she heard and I soon found myself in LA to meet with the Head of A&R at Universal. Unfortunately, though the meeting was favorable no deal was reached.

I returned home with a fire in my bones that I hadn’t felt for quite sometime. I began entering various local music contests, leading to a selection by Virgin Radio as the BC Artist of the week in July of 2009, and then much to my surprise I was selected as one of the top 20 out of more than 400 artists to be a part of the Peak Performance Project. I’m hoping to go away with $150 000 to put toward my music career!

Listen to the track In a Minute

Brian: Tell us a little bit of how your summer went, from being selected as one of the artists to participate in the project to being selected as a finalist.

Bodhi Jones: I remember hearing my name announced on the radio and being blown away, I was dancing around, yelling like a lunatic. It was awesome!

I can’t remember the last time I felt that happy. I had no real illusions of winning the competition, I just wanted to get to The Peak boot camp and learn as much as I possibly could and I did. This past 4 months has without a doubt been one of the best times of my life. I’ve grown so much both as a person as well as a musician and have met so many amazing people. I can’t say enough about this project and what it’s done for me, and the rest of the top 20. The sky’s the limit!

Brian: What has been the most rewarding aspect throughout the project thus far?

Bodhi Jones: Wow, that’s really hard, like I said this whole experience has been unbelievable. Everyone involved from the ground on up has been amazing. I guess I’d have to say boot camp was the most rewarding part; bonding with my fellow musicians, learning more about the music industry and what it takes to make it, than I ever thought possible, and being brought way out of my comfort zone. I’m truly excited for next years top 20, this has been such a gift.

Brian: There are some great artists and bands and you are in great company with the list of finalists. What sets your music apart from the other finalists?

Bodhi Jones: Well, for starters I’m just a guy with a guitar. I’m not much of a musician; I just love to write songs. Song writing is my inexpensive therapy. Nothing beats trying making sense of your feelings, turning them into a song and then letting it all out to a room full of strangers. With me, what ya see is what ya get. There’s no smoke, no mirrors, just me, with my heart on my sleeve.

Brian: How do you feel about The Peak, Music BC and Jim Pattison Group of Companies stepping up to assist the growth of BC musicians while the provincial government has reduced funding to many programs. This is a significant contribution of $5.29 million over seven-years.

Bodhi Jones: I feel blessed, grateful, and excited about what they’re doing. The Peak Performance Project is and already has made a massive impact on our local music scene. They all deserve a medal as far as I’m concerned! Politics…I don’t even want to get into the government cuts because it drives me crazy, but I will say this; If they want to keep making cuts to the arts and culture of this great country of ours, they’re gonna wake up one day in a cold, dark, barren world with no semblance of heart or happiness. We can’t keep taking artists for granted, imagine a world without, graphic design, Literature, music, film, television, and architecture…It’s not a world anyone would want to live in. I think I can speak for all of us when I say give me art, not another over paid, part time political puppet.

Peak Performance Project Sponsors:

TV Heart Attack was recently chosen as one of the twenty finalists for the Peak Performance Project. The Peak Performance Project is sponsored by the 100.5 The Peak FM and Music BC. I recently had the opportunity to interview Jason Corbett from the band.

The PEAK Performance Project is a seven-year, $5.29 million contest open to all musicians in British Columbia. The project was created by 100.5 The PEAK and Music BC to develop BC based emerging artists. Every year, twenty finalists from BC will receive an intensive, one week training program in the music business, live performance, songwriting, marketing and promotion. Artists will benefit from mentor-ships from some of the music industry’s top professionals and performers. All of these artists will have the chance to perform live in Vancouver on the PEAK Performance Stage. Of these twenty artists, the top three will be crowned as the PEAK Performers of the year and will share $275,000 in cash for career development. First place receives $150,000; second place receives $75,000; and third place receives $50,000.

Interview:

Brian: Tell us about your music and what your musical history has been.

Jason (TV Heart Attack): Tv Heart Attack released their critically acclaimed self titled debut in 2007. Since then it’s been non stop. From opening for The Killers at the Virgin Music Festival, to appearing on MTV’s Kaya, to touring across Canada, the band has been go go go. The new release Lost In The Sway with the first single AO are an even bigger leap forward for the band! “unhyphenated rock music that harks back to the stadium-fillers of prior decades, from glam-era David Bowie to grunge pioneers Nirvana” – The Georgia Straight

Listen to the track AO

Brian: Tell us a little bit of how your summer went, from being selected as one of the artists to participate in the project to being selected as a finalist.

Jason (TV Heart Attack): Going into this project I think we had some reservations but we were pleasantly surprised how educational and positive the experience has been. The camp itself was beautiful and it brought us together closer as a band which was what we needed with our Canadian tours coming up in December and March.

Brian: What has been the most rewarding aspect throughout the project thus far?

Jason (TV Heart Attack): It’s been perfect timing for us because we were just releasing our second recording ‘Lost In The Sway’. The coverage and exposure has been a real bonus but the friendships made and the overall sense of community and respect all the artists have has been a true inspiration.

Brian: There are some great artists and bands and you are in great company with the list of finalists. What sets your music apart from the other finalists?

Jason (TV Heart Attack): All the artists have something that’s going on that’s different from each other. It was fantastic to see but to me Tv Heart Attack is my life. When you listen to our music you can feel the emotions I felt and had to go through to write these songs. It’s the darkness and redemption. The love and the longing. The songs are boss and we look good doing it.

Brian: How do you feel about The Peak, Music BC and Jim Pattison Group of Companies stepping up to assist the growth of BC musicians while the provincial government has reduced funding to many programs. This is a significant contribution of $5.29 million over seven-years.

Jason (TV Heart Attack): This program is unprecedented. It’s been so beneficial for everyone involved. I can’t wait to see how much it’s going to propel the careers of the top three finalists! And this is just the first year! Imagine what the music industry in B.C. could be with the right combination of government and private funding! Thank you Jim Pattison.

Peak Performance Project Sponsors:

Adaline was recently chosen as one of the twenty finalists for the Peak Performance Project. The Peak Performance Project is sponsored by the 100.5 The Peak FM and Music BC.

The PEAK Performance Project is a seven-year, $5.29 million contest open to all musicians in British Columbia. The project was created by 100.5 The PEAK and Music BC to develop BC based emerging artists. Every year, twenty finalists from BC will receive an intensive, one week training program in the music business, live performance, songwriting, marketing and promotion. Artists will benefit from mentor-ships from some of the music industry’s top professionals and performers. All of these artists will have the chance to perform live in Vancouver on the PEAK Performance Stage. Of these twenty artists, the top three will be crowned as the PEAK Performers of the year and will share $275,000 in cash for career development. First place receives $150,000; second place receives $75,000; and third place receives $50,000.

Interview:

Brian: Tell us about your music and what your musical history has been.

Adaline: Describing my musical style has always been a bit tricky since I have a somewhat eclectic sound – I used to say “electronic folk pop”, but that always raised eyebrows in confusion. I’ve discovered it’s best to use terms others have used to describe me – I was recently dubbed “pop-noir” which I think is pretty accurate – my music tends to be on the moody, sensual side – it’s a little dark. I began playing live in Vancouver in 2005, took a bit of a break in 2007 to record my debut album, “Famous For Fire” and since it was released in April 2008, I have been touring and promoting it heavily. Music became my life once that album was sent into the world.

Listen to the track Chemical Spill

Brian: Tell us a little bit of how your summer went, from being selected as one of the artists to participate in the project to being selected as a finalist.

Adaline: I found out I was a finalist while I was in vacation in Hawaii – my brother (who plays electric guitar in my band and on the album) was getting married there, so it was the cherry on the sundae for sure! From that moment I have been working hard at gathering my fanbase and getting them ready for the biggest promotional push I’ve ever done. It’s hard when you have fans scattered on so many different social media’s. It is literally a full-time job making sure they know what is going on and what they can do to help. Since the competition is almost over, I definitely have a “push to the finish line” mentality which has really helped with my work ethic. I really love engaging with my fanbase, so this has been exciting for me.

Brian: What has been the most rewarding aspect throughout the project thus far?

Adaline: There are so many things, it’s hard to focus on one. In fact, I don’t think I can! Here are a few highlights: becoming friends with the other participants, building a sense of community within the BC Music Scene has been incredibly rewarding. Having my fans rally behind me and push for people to vote has been inspiring and wonderfully overwhelming. Meeting the music industry professionals at the Peak Bootcamp was an incredible experience and so beneficial to my career. Getting the $3500 from The Performance Project and getting to make my first music video was something I wouldn’t have been able to do on my own and I’ve had such incredible response since the video was released last week – it has become a powerful promotional tool for me. If I had to say what was the most rewarding aspect, it would be just to be involved, to be selected. There are so many musicians out there making music and trying to have their music heard. Being involved in this, getting radioplay and media exposure is invaluable. I’m very lucky.

Brian: There are some great artists and bands and you are in great company with the list of finalists. What sets your music apart from the other finalists?

Adaline: There are so many different musical styles in the Top 19 – it’s great to have such vareity. Obviously being a woman sets me apart, (there are only 5), but overall I think my music creates a bridge between pop and performance art – it’s accessible/marketable, yet creative. I also have a lot of variety in my performance – with my music I can play a solo show on piano, a pulsing show with my full band and electronics, and a show with my chamber orchestra with classical instrumentation. What stays the same is I always pour out my heart on the stage.

Brian: How do you feel about The Peak, Music BC and Jim Pattison Group of Companies stepping up to assist the growth of BC musicians while the provincial government has reduced funding to many programs. This is a significant contribution of $5.29 million over seven-years.

Adaline: I’ve been talking about this a lot lately. It is absolutely incredible to have this funding in the midst of arts cuts. Money, which would normally be associated with greed and “stuff” is something completely different to an artist. To a musician money is the possibility of creativity and freedom of expression: the possibility of making music and having it be heard. The money Jim Pattison is giving back is going to give that freedom and power to numerous BC artists over the next 7 years. With that money, we will establish BC artists in Canada and across International borders. It’s amazing.

Peak Performance Project Sponsors: