The Haven Social Club

Door at 7:30 pm, Show at 9:00 pm
Tickets $10 At The Door

LOTUS is an indie female band from Vancouver, BC (Canada) – formed in 2000 – currently looking to take the next step as a band. They were self-represented at MIDEM 2008 (in France) to promote the band on an international level. Their music is an up-tempo mix of lyrical realism, winsome vocals, and sleek musical grooves…the music is a fusion of “urban folk, rock, pop, and blues into one uniquely Canadian genre” (The Chief newspaper).

They have a self-produced album that was released in September, 2008. The album was recorded in Bryan Adams’ Warehouse Studio, and Lotus is currently working on their third full-length album. Lotus is a group with vision and talent that has received significant interest from established individuals. The band was approached by Warehouse engineer Mike Cashin, to record another album with him.

They also have a music video for Under The Sun, that was directed and orchestrated by J.P. Finn, (producer of X-Files). The most recent project involves creating music for an upcoming tv show on the Food Network, which will begin filming in Spring 2009.

Their debut album Better day was re-released in 2005 with national distribution. Both their albums are available at CDBaby.com and iTunes. The singles “Little Train” and “Under The Sun” are currently on commercial and college radio. The band was selected and featured in AMMA’s A’nR magazine in January 2009, which is distributed internationally. With this publication they also released their new single “Easy”.

Lotus has over 8 years of performing experience together, having played shows and festivals across BC and the US. The band has a great image and stage presence, and their music is appealing to a broad range of audiences.

The members chose the name Lotus, as in “Lotus Land” to represent their home. Lotus has many meanings – a Buddhist quote says, “lotus is the purity that come from nothing more than dirt, humble beginnings”. Historically, B.C. was nick-named “lotus land” as many people arrive with intentions of visiting, only to never return home. And so it is with Lotus.

The members of Lotus have strong musical backgrounds.

Feona, the lead vocalist, is originally from Edmonton, Alberta, and has been singing and writing since a very young age. John was in a group called Psychic Cowboys in Austin, Texas, now has a solo career as Psychic Cowboy. Elizabeth, of Victoria BC, is a singer/songwriter, who studied piano at the Royal Conservatory. Rachael was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and holds music degrees in piano and flute and learned drums while managing a music school.

Look for the band on the festival circuit, and other venues across Canada and the United States.

www.lotusbc.com

Happy‘s first show, in December of 2007, earned them a number 2 position in the best shows of the year category in See Magazine. Presently awaiting the final proof of a Video for ‘Like Quicksand’ and an EP entitled ‘Kiss. Bang.’ scheduled for release in February. Sherry-Lee is keeping the band occupied with a tour of Italy and a short tour of Eastern Canada/US.

Their music has been influenced equally by pop music, punk rock and old-time country music… immediate influences include Blondie, Dylan, the Breeders and the Carter Family. With 15 years on the scene as a bass player sherry-lee has toured North America & the U.K. playing everything from surf rock to Americana… the band showcases the songs she’s picked up along the way… Happy features some of the most sought after players in their hometown, Edmonton- all well-seasoned touring musicians and all singular in their styles. This band has a repertoire that can be tailored to fit anything from soft-seater concerts to folk festivals, to alternative clubs.

http://www.myspace.com/happyfeaturingsherrylee

Andrew Pahl released his first full length album ‘Dreams Deferred’ in the fall of 2006 on Edmonton indie label Red Knot Records. Lured to the Alberta city in 2004 Andrew found a home playing bass with local modern rock quartet Plainsay before their dissolution at the beginning of 2006. Tasked with taking his musical destiny into his own hands, Andrew assembled a collection of his best songs and recorded the bulk of the album on his own acting as artist, producer and engineer. “It was tough wearing so many hats while recording this thing,” Andrew states with a hint of contented weariness, “but it’s a role I’ve gotten more comfortable with in the last year or so. I’d literally have to say to myself ‘Okay. Now I’m the artist. What do I want to play?’ And then become the producer and ask, ‘What do people want to hear?’ Finding that balance was crucial to keeping the artistic integrity of the project in check while still providing an album that would hopefully appeal to a wide audience.”

The album’s title comes from a poem by Langston Hughes in which the author muses that putting ones dream on hold can lead to destruction. “For me this album is about preventing the self-destruction that may have come had I decided to only sing these songs to my bedroom wall for the rest of my life,” the singer concedes. From the atmospheric sway of ‘Angels After All’ to the driving rock of ‘The World Surrounds You’ to the delicate acoustic guitar and cello duet of ‘Across the Waves’ this is one album that is sure to capture you with its depth of pure emotion and longing. Mixing one part Elliott Smith, two parts Duncan Sheik and a pinch of Pete Yorn, ‘Dreams Deferred’ soars from the highest of sonic rock majesty to the whisper of a lush pop valley; all while maintaining the true artistry of Andrew’s music, an undeniable sense of melody.