What do you get when you throw three drummers and a bass player together? You get Malcolm & the Moonlight – a lovely throwback to swingy ’60s melodies with a touch of mischief. Oh, and this band only has one drummer.  Malcolm Holt and bandmates, Ryan Betts and Daniel Knowlton, share some sass with Sad Mag dishing on the band and Vancouver music. Be sure to check out their show and EP Release on Friday, March 4th at the Astoria.

Sad Mag: Who is in the band?

Malcolm Holt: Myself, Malcolm Holt. I strum the guitar, attempt to sing, but mostly just play the fool.

Then there’s the lovely Daniel Knowlton on bass. He’s pretty to look at, but as empty as an Oklahoma grain silo after a long summers drought. Just Kidding, He’s a swell fellow with a heart of gold but a temper that puts my drunk daddy to shame. Nah, Just kiddin’ again there, my Daddy’s a swell fella too, in fact he puts ol’ Dan Knowlton to shame.

The cymbals and skins are beaten like a ten dollar gigolo on Davie by the sharpest tool in our shed of rusty hoes. That’s Mr. Ryan Betts I speak of. He’s a real shiny diamond in a sea of clams.

Adam Veenendaal picks up six on the lead guitar. He’s the most neurotic axe slinger since my gran Pappy Schlomo. But that’s really saying something cause ol’ Schlomo Bernstein was one hell of a Jew. Adam’s probably one political argument away from giving up on society as a whole, retreating into a cave, and becoming a true guru of sound and silence.

SM: How did you all meet?

MH: At a Handy man’s retreat at Cultus Lake. Adam, Daniel, and I brought our tools. Ryan on the other hand, mislead by the retreat’s name, showed up with his “tool” in hand, looking to get serviced.

SM: What’s your favourite part of working together?

Ryan Betts: Malcolm has been one of my favourite drummers in Vancouver for the last few years. He pretty much sealed the deal at the Rickshaw last year during the Quadruple Dare release party when he knocked a beer can someone threw at him clean out of the air with a thrown drumstick … and didn’t miss a beat. So, it’s great to be backing him.

MH: Thanks Ry Ry.

SM: What sorts of things inspire your music?

MH: I’m really inspired by all walks of the musical life. I grew up on the Beatles, Everly Brothers, Michael Jackson, and all the Motown greats. I cant help but have that influence me when I sit down to write. Then there’s teenage Holt that peaks his wide eyes through. If you listen close enough you might hear a dose of Hot Water Music, The Specials, and Alkaline Trio.

SM: How do you find the music scene in Vancouver?

MH: Just step out your front door and follow your nose to the smelliest part of town.

Daniel Knowlton: OKCupid.com

SM: What’s with the name?

MH: Well, it seems like lead singers don’t ever really get enough credit or attention, putting my name in the title would surely change this unjust tradition.

SM: This is quite a departure from your former band Fake Shark Real Zombie, Malcolm. What gives?

MH: After a life time of banging hollow shells wrapped in skin at the back of a dark stage it made me want to grab a guitar and take centre stage. Playing drums did the same thing, too! Hey Oh.

Damaged Goods presents: Malcolm & the Moonlight Album Release Party
The Astoria
Fri­day, March 4th, 10:00 pm
RSVP on Facebook

Photographs: Tina Krueger Kulic

Last time she checked, “you don’t need a dick to turn a mixer on.” The feisty Blondtron, a rapidly up-and-coming Vancouver DJ, joins a packed line-up of female DJs at Friday’s Utopia festival, a celebration of women in digital culture. Blondtron talks to Sad Mag about how she grew from an Ace of Base-loving wunderkind to a globetrotting DJ who shares stages with Peaches and Isis Salam—and how other women can follow suit.

Sad Mag: How did you get your start in music?

Blondtron: I think I’ve always been musical. I used to play accordion and fiddle in our family bluegrass band so it started early. I always loved all kinds of music. The first 5 tapes I owned were Ace of Base, Dance Mix ‘94, the Dangerous Minds soundtrack, Celine Dion and Bob Marley. My mom used to make mix cassettes for her boyfriends and friends so I’d make mixes for my friends. When I graduated high school I decided to go to sound and engineering school so I could learn how to produce my own music. Everything has just grown from a genuine interest in all sides of music.

SM: What got you involved in the Utopia Festival?

B: My friend Maren (DJ Betti Forde) invited me to be a part of it and needless to say, I was beyond thrilled. Maren has always been larger than life to me. She is a superwoman DJ, artist, activist party kid with a heart of gold who doesn’t take shit from anybody. She has always supported me in my music career and Utopia is just the opportunity of a lifetime! I have tried to get as involved as possible because we need events like this.

SM: Why is it important to support women in the music industry?

B: Women bring a completely different energy to music and the party scene. We need to support them to be sure of themselves and of their own power and talent. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been offered opportunities for a ‘girl DJ,’ often without even knowing what I play or what I’m capable of. If you’re only ever offered opportunities specific to being a woman you start to see yourself as just a ‘girl DJ’ for a ‘girl DJ night’. Last time I checked you don’t need a dick to turn a mixer on. Supporting women for their skills and not for being a woman is the only way we can start to make a change.

SM: What would you say are the primary challenges women face when trying to make it in music?

B: Confidence. I think we’ve just been programmed to think that boys are good at the technology stuff and bad at laundry. (Which is completely not the case. My boyfriend is fabulous at laundry). We need to inspire women to take the cables and connectors in their hands and feel confident in doing so.

SM: How can we support young female artists to take an interest in, and succeed in electronic music?

B: We need more programs in school that are technology-based. If we give everyone the skills at a young age it won’t seem so daunting later on. There are plenty of musical women, just not enough digital women and it’s something that is best understood when you grow with it.

SM: There are a lot of great female DJs playing at the evening showcase for the festival—are there any women in particular that you are excited about meeting or hearing from on Saturday?

B: So many! I’m a fan of every single artist on the roster. Isis Salam’s debut album is spectacular. I was really taken with Lynx, I’d never heard of her before the festival and when I bought her music to put in the artist compilation I mixed I was completely blown away by it. She’s crazy talented and has a great vibe. Of course I love peaches. She’s one of my idols. Sharing a stage with her is going to be so rad.

SM: I see you’ve lived in a few places around the world, and performed in a number of cities. Reflecting on Vancouver’s electronic music scene, how do you feel about your chances for success and growing your music career while based here?

B: Sadly, Vancouver is really behind in its electronic music scene. I’ve played all over the world and this city is one of the toughest. I blame a few things—the fact that radio in North America is all owned by the same corporation. It used to be illegal to own more than a few. And then we have the CRTC, which is the worst. Vancouver is hard with it’s licensing too. It discourages independent venues and makes it extremely difficult for the little guy. That being said, there are a lot of amazing people in the city that are slowly but surely building a more positive scene, Utopia and W2 being prime examples. You just have to know where to look and band together with everyone that inspires you.

Utopia Festival: Women’s Festival of Digital Culture
W2 Storyeum, 151 W. Cordova Street
Saturday, March 5
Workshops (women only) 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Evening Program (everyone welcome) 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Evening Showcase, feat. Peaches, Isis Salam and Blondtron (everyone welcome) 10:00 pm – 4:00 am

Get tickets from eventbrite.

Photo: Karolina Turek.

Do you like animals? Do you like accordions? Do you like punchy shout-rock full of attitude? Then you should go to Fang’s EP release this Friday! Barbara Adler, accordion songstress extraordinaire discusses the origins of the scrappy high-energy band:

Fang started, I guess, last year, about this time actually. My room mate, Ben Brown, is the drummer for Fang and we got asked to do a show about bears, so I wrote an accordion song about bears, and Ben said, ‘We should have a name!’ And I played in,’Yeah!’ ‘We should be a band!’ ‘Yeah!’ ‘We’ve been drinking lots of rum together!’ ‘Yeah!’ ‘Fang – that’s a stupid band name!’ ‘Yeah!’ And a year later we’re trying to write press releases with Fang as a band name.

Fang EP Release Party with Therapy
1067 Granville Street
Friday, Feb­ru­ary 25th 9:00 pm
RSVP on Facebook

Photographs: Tony Hoare

Taking you behind the scenes, manager, artist developer, and quirky Vancouverite Rockin’ Robin talks with Sad Mag about the music industry and the strange ways in which comedians like to pay homage.

Sad Mag: Tell me a bit about yourself.

Rockin’ Robin: My name is Rockin’ Robin and I am a longtime music fan (36 years of me being alive!!!) and of course I love the bass guitar. I am also a pretty important manager and artist developer in Vancouver and I tweet @bassguitar69.

I am sorry we couldn’t meet in person but I am very busy with industry stuff like hobnobbing and the internet. Everyone should read my website: http://www.RockinRob.in

SM: What bands/artists do you represent?

RR: Most of the bands! A lot of the time I do background/secret work so that the artists can remain in the limelight. If you know the band “Daft punk” and how they try to keep their identities secret, I am sorta like that but right now I am representing Chantal Kreviastuk mostly.

SM: Who are some of your favourite bands/artists?

RR: I love Led Zeppelin, obviously. In Vancouver, I love the SRRIs, Man You’re Horse, bekeeper, Lotus Child, babe rainbow shaved, and Humens.

SM: How do you find the music scene in Vancouver?

RR: The scene is filled with lots of good people who are friendly and nice. There are some of the best studios in the world like The Hive and totally great venues (I am at the Biltmore basically every night). A lot of times DJs and bands play together on the same bill!

SM: What is your goal in the music industry?

RR: A comedian friend of mine Simon King always says he is, “getting the drug to the people,” and that is what I want to do, but the drug isn’t comedy or drugs, it is MUSIC.

SM: What is the deal with all those videos of “you” on the Internet?

RR: I guess some comedians who know me are doing impression-videos of me as kind of tribute. They like my style or something. A lot of times they don’t really talk the way I talk in real life but it is ok I guess. Imitation is the sincerest form of flannery!

To see some of the artists Rockin’ Robin represents RSVP on Facebook to The SSRIS, Beekeeper, and Sidney York show at the Waldorf on Thursday, February 24th.

Instant Theatre has been a long-time fixture in the Vancouver improv scene, both teaching classes and producing shows and festivals. It also has a swell new shop on East Broadway with a Foosball table. In this Q & A, Artistic Director Alistair Cook discusses the company and what the Germans think of it. Fabelhaft!

Sad Mag: Tell us a bit about yourself.

Alistair Cook: Well, I’m Vancouver born and bred and have been producing improv for adults and high schools students since 1993. Two things you should know about me: 1) I have the ability to stare directly into your soul and 2) I have an unhealthy fascination with the movie Point Break (maybe I’m an adrenaline junkie?).

SM: What is Instant Theatre?

AC: Instant Theatre is a theatre company based in Vancouver that produces, tours and teaches improvisational theatre. Founded in 1994 and forged out of a rag tag group of improvisers from the Vancouver Little Theatre we set out to change the world of our art form. Did we? I think in a way we have—in Canada and especially on the west coast.

SM: Why did you start Instant Theatre?

AC: I wanted to produce and perform improv and at that time there was no access to the main companies in town for a bunch of grunge kids with long hair and undercuts. We also felt that an alternative comedy scene was something that could and should exist and thrive. In my four years running the Vancouver Little Theatre Alliance (and before that the Sugar Refinery and Globe Theatre) we had a lot of opportunity to co-produce with other groups and help organize the scene. I now know that the scene is ALWAYS there, it’s just that you don’t know about it when you are starting out. Facebook has changed that a little, though.

SM: Who comprises Instant Theatre?

AC: The company is not a co-op or a particular group. It is always the sum of its cast, which changes depending on the show and the time period. For a long time it was made up of Dave Morris, Taz Vanrassel, Ryan Louis Beil and myself. That particular cast toured a lot and won a lot of awards and produced some excellent shows including “the Sunday Service” that Taz and Ryan now produce and have retooled and recast into what I think is the best alternative improv show in town.

Over the years, we’ve had easily 100 cast members through our doors in various productions. On January 30th I begin working with four new casts of improvisers in our 40-person Conservatory ensemble. These performers will beworking towards monthly shows at theatres around town under the Instant Theatre banner.

SM: Tell us about the Instant Shop.

AC: It’s a t-shirt shop with a Foosball table in the front. Check it out 650 East Broadway—seriously, stop by. This month we have a special on Manhussy shirts. Check out the website for more info on workshops and shows happening all year long. All of the workshops happen at the Shop, as well, and the intro workshop IS FREE!

SM: What do you like best about improv?

AC: Perhaps I’ll quote Bhodi from Point Break: “It’s the place where you lose yourself and find yourself… it’s the ultimate rush.” Or, perhaps I’ll tell you what I tell my students, “Say it with confidence and its truth.” What’s more empowering than that?

SM: How do you find the improv scene in Vancouver?

AC: It’s hard to discuss the scene in Vancouver without mentioning that we have one improv company that is as successful as you can be, being a strictly improv-based company. The fact is, VTSL is the most successful improv company in North America with nine shows a week AND they pay their players reasonably well. For performers there is nothing like rush of having 200 people turn from silence to an explosion of laughter and VTSL is the only place in Vancouver that regularly gets that kind of improv crowd.

However, not every audience wants to see those kinds of shows all the time (variety is the spice of life, yes?) so there are also great groups that continually foster their own audiences and work together to produce great shows. The camaraderie between The Sunday Service, Bronx Cheer, UBC Improv, Instant Theatre Man Hussy and new comers Pump Trolley, Sister Act, Virginia Jack and Ghost Jail Theatre has to be mentioned. This fugitive fleet of improv/sketch companies are going to be a powerful force in the next ten years, especially if someone gets them all at the same venue, creating a real alternative destination for improv in the city.

SM: What was one of your favourite performances or moments as a performer?

AC: As of late, anytime I’m on stage with Will Minsky and Ian Rowe. Whenever I’m asked this question I always say my performance in the Berlin Improv Festival with Taz, Ryan and Dave. After the show a German audience member told me, “Your show was like sunshine in my stomach.” I can only assume this is a good thing.

SM: Any upcoming performances?

AC: We are producing VANCOUVER CAGEMATCH!!! again after a three year hiatus on February 24th. Each night will have teams battling it out in a 25- minute timed match of long form improv. All shows will feature an opening act from the Instant Theatre Conservatory ensembles and we have a spectacular opening night show February 23rd – THE CONFIDENCE MEN, a group from Austin, Texas performing a fully improvised play in the style of David Mamet. Should be f*@ing great. Well, the whole week will be f*@ing great.

Aside from all of our productions, all year long, we also produce the Vancouver International Improv Festival every fall. This year’s fest is September 26- October 1.

For more information on Instant Theatre’s upcoming shows, check out their website!

This Thursday, Bad Girl Burlesque presents the second BOOZE, SHOES, and GIRLS with TATTOOS – an evening featuring the best in Vancouver burlesque. Sad Mag sat down with the beautiful and talented Bad Girls to talk about sweepers, girl crushes, and their upcoming show at The Cobalt.

Sad Mag: Who is Bad Girl Burlesque?

Beatrix Hotter: Myself, Didi Disaster and Dizzy Little. Also known as Heather Leaf, Cynthia Weiss and Amber Lamoureux. The name is very tongue in cheek, and is partly inspired by the legendary burlesque performer, Dee Milo, whom we personally met and heard speak about the condemnation performers of her generation faced from society. These women, whom we consider heroes, were the “bad girls” of their era. We chose the name to pay a small homage to Dee Milo and so many other women and because it’s cheeky – and we like cheeky.

SM: How did you meet?

Didi Disaster: Craigslist casual encounters. Unless you want the boring truth, we worked together at a few jobs in the “real world” slinging adult beverages and/or children’s toys.

SM: What does Bad Girl Burlesque do?

DD: We produce high energy, bad-ass burlesque shows with a rock ‘n’ roll edge. We are so fortunate to feature Vancouver’s absolute best performers – and that’s not even bragging – we’re flattered that such amazing women want to be part of what we do.

SM: Do you all perform burlesque?

DD: Dizzy performs and is Bad Girl Burlesque’s PR girl, I’m the sleazy business man behind the scenes, and Beatrix acts as performer/MC/producer.

SM: How did you get started in burlesque?

DD: With a background in radio, TV and theatre, Beatrix first found her way onto a burlesque stage by being a sweeper (the cheeky girl who picks up the dancer’s discarded articles of clothing between numbers and entertains the crowd).

Dizzy was inspired by bad-ass go-go girls she saw perform at punk rock shows when she was younger. This lead Dizzy to take some burlesque classes and develop her love into a skill.

A fan of burlesque from since I can remember, I worked as co-producer of Girls On Top Cabaret Society, a troupe that worked to help DTES women’s charities.

SM: How often do you produce shows?

DD: We’re aiming for every month or two.

SM: What’s the aim of your events?

DD: Our aim is to rock your socks off! We want the audience to be genuinely excited. We want them to be aroused. We want them to be PUMPED! And seriously – what’s not to get excited about? Dance, music, comedy, theatrics, strip-tease, and all with the cherry-on-top of a body-positive portrayal of women’s bodies! What could possibly be better?

SM: Who are some of your favourite burlesque ladies in town?

DD: We are so lucky to be in Vancouver amongst an enormous amount of talented ladies! There are far too many to name but we definitely have girl crushes on Lola Frost and Spooksy DeLune.

SM: What’s your favourite thing about working together?

DD: We all get so excited to hear each other’s ideas! Every time we brainstorm, we are giddy over the creative juices that flow and the inspiration for new ideas that we bounce off each other. We really compliment each other as a production team.

BOOZE, SHOES, & GIRLS with TATTOOS
Pre­sented by Bad Girl Burlesque
The Cobalt
Thursday, Feb­ru­ary 17th 9:00 pm
RSVP on Facebook

Photograph: Matt Leaf

Valentine’s Day, Schmalentine’s Day – chase your champale hangover with Pump Trolley’s Stolen Hearts show on February 15th. Pump Trolley is a fresh-faced comedy collective of eight endearing and talented folks who produce hilarious shows at The China Cloud. Read on to learn about sunflowers, dreams, and what happens when you push just enough.

Sad Mag: Tell me a bit about yourself.

Nick Harvey-Cheetham: I am an improviser, performer and student originally from Toronto. When I was around 9 years old, I realized I was never going to make it to the NBA so I decided to pursue other things.

Ember Konopaki: I’m an improvisor from Edmonton. I’ve been doing improv for almost 8 years and only started doing sketch when I moved to Vancouver in 2009.

Tom Hill: I’m a writer, comedian, improviser, marketing guy with history in the province of Saskatchewan. I’ve spent a good deal of my life doing unusual jobs while making jokes on the side.

SM: What is Pump Trolley?

NHC: Pump Trolley (the group) is a collective of writers, improvisers, musicians, filmmakers and all-around creative folks who decided to write and perform a regular comedy show at The China Cloud Theatre.

TH: A “pump trolley” is a cart operated by two people. We’re a sketch comedy group operated by eight. Otherwise we’re about the same.

SM: Who comprises Pump Trolley?

NHC: Pump Trolley is: Warren Bates, Nik Bunting, Ember Konopaki, Nick Harvey-Cheetham, Tom Hill, Alex Hudson, Devin Mackenzie and Tegan Verheul with frequent musical accompaniment from the endlessly talented Devon Lougheed.

TH: Whole bunch of swell goofs.

SM: When and how was Pump Trolley started?

TH: Most of us started performing together through UBCimprov, where we’d been together for years. We had a real treat of a time so we took it to the streets and for six months in 2009 did a new show every week at the Cottage Bistro. We’ve since had a few beautiful members move away to pursue acting/genius- ing, and Warren and Ember moved here and joined us.We did every two weeks for a while in 2010, then dialed it in by the summer of last year and really got settled as an eight-person thang.

NHC: I still have no idea how we were able to put on a show every week.

SM: What do you like best about working with each other?

TH: We have this weird joke we’ve been making with each other where we sort of mash our hands/forearms together to mimic what I think is supposed to be two pieces of raw meat slapping together. I like that a lot.

NHC: If I had to pick my seven best friends, it would probably be the seven other people in Pump Trolley. If I had to pick the seven people I want to impress the most, it would be the same seven. This strange fusion of a trusting, open environment with a collective desire to produce strong well-developed work really lets us push our ideas to interesting places.

EK: Everyone is committed to creating great shows. People are selfless and will write pieces for other members, take creative notes, etc. Plus, they all make me laugh.

SM: What sorts of things/situations/people inspire sketches?

NHC: A lot of our ideas come from some marriage of the mundane and the absurd. At the end of the day, though, any idea that makes us more than half of us laugh is a good idea. We are a laughter-based democracy.

EK: A huge variety! One sketch came to me in my dream, another time I thought a specific line of dialogue I heard was funny so I built a sketch around it. I like taking fairly mundane experiences and trying to make them funny.

TH: I’m primarily inspired to write by needing to write when the time comes. Sure I write things down ahead of time, but when push comes to shove I’m really just squeezing my sphincter until jokes come out.

SM: How do you find the sketch comedy scene in Vancouver?

TH: We seem to be settled right into what I would call the alternative comedy scene in Vancouver. Lots of drugs. One time we were guesting on a show and the host comes up to me with a crack rock and tells me to put it in my eye. I was like “well, fuck, I guess this is Vancouver comedy.”

NHC: I think a lot of the interesting sketch and improv shows in Vancouver have a specific D.I.Y. charm. Creative people are getting together and starting their own projects left and right, not for money or fame but for the simple joy of making people laugh. A lot of sketch comedians in Vancouver are just starting to discover each other, which is really exciting.

SM: What was one of your favourite performances or moments as a performer?

EK: Anytime anyone laughs at something I come up with – that will always feel good.

TH: Nik and I did a sketch in which we enacted the full life cycle of two sunflowers. It required us to don a half dozen full-sized sunflowers of my

neighbour’s. The sketch builds up for the first half with us yelling the sunflowers’ ambitions and eventually egotistical rants, before hitting our peak and groaning our way to the floor over another minute or so. Felt pretty damn good. That, and when Devin and I hit each other in the balls for eight minutes to open our first show at the China Cloud.

SM: Any upcoming performances?

NHC: After Stolen Hearts (Feb 15th at The China Cloud), Pump Trolley’s next big show is Tuesday, April 19th (also at The China Cloud).

EK: The Sunday after Stolen Hearts we’re creating two long-form improv pieces as part of the Launch Party of the Neanderthals Arts Festival. We create an “inspiration package” for each set and base everything off of those. February 20 at the Cultch, 7pm and 9pm show times.

TH: Just come to Stolen Hearts, ok? OK!? God.

STOLEN HEARTS
Pre­sented by Pump Trolley
The China Cloud
Tuesday, February 15th 9:00 pm
RSVP on Facebook

Photograph: Rob Anderson