January 19, 2010 SHOWCASE : Young Pacific / Familia / Tara Lett

Young Pacific (photo credit: Derek Rohde)

Act 1: Young Pacific (myspace.com/youngpacificmusic)

A band debut is a lot like a middle school dance. Remember those? The girls point and laugh on one side, the guys look down and shuffle on the other? The night gets better after each bathroom visit, coupled with a few swigs of daddy’s Beefeater, but the tension never seems to lift, does it? I’ve been to my fair share of indie-introductions, and this is all I can picture when I see that daunting gap between artist and audience. So, when a band like Young Pacific comes along and practically leaves the dance floor in shambles, it’s hard not to sit up and take notice. The band expertly fits their self-described “happy-go-lucky-indie” mould, with singer/guitarist Mike Holden crooning to melancholic perfection above breezy synth leads and a skin-tight rhythm section. “We want people to know it’s ok to dance!” declares the front man to our writers. Considering the amount of brat pack, fist-pumping enthusiasm they inspired throughout the set, I’d say these boys are on the right track.

Catch Young Pacific this Friday, January 29 at Pub 340, with guests Pigeon Park and Timothy.

Familia (photo credit: Devin Weening)

Act 2: Familia (familiafamilia.com)

Peak Performance finalists Famlia are anything but a flash in the ever-growing hipster pan. Cool threads and an even cooler swagger make for some pleasing eye candy, but the real leg-up they have on this competitive market comes from undeniable band chemistry. Understandable, seeing as the group has been playing in and around Vancouver for the past 6 years. Singer Tamara Umlah is utterly infectious, with a delightful bounce in her step I can only attribute to an innate rhythmic bond she shares with brother/drummer Cody Hiles. Lone guitarist Bronson Izzard switches flawlessly between soaring leads and reggae-toned riffage, while bassist Dwight “DJ” Abell is nothing short of lovable in his Flea-esque cadence. Truly, this is a band to look out for. Unfortunately, even our loudest cries for an encore couldn’t stop the generic house music from kicking in.

Catch Familia February 23 at the Biltmore Cabaret, with guests Ben Sigston and Fields of Green.

Tara Lett (photo credit: Derek Rohde)

Act 3: Tara Lett (myspace.com/taralettmusic)

So, I have already used the middle-school dance analogy to describe the tension between a new band and a new audience, but confidence is not an issue with this sizzling house-tart and her wrecking crew of midi magicians. Literally, the band is too attractive. Combined with a room full of gawky scenesters and their insecure girlfriends, you can’t really blame anyone for keeping their distance. I for one had a fantastic time letting my inner-gaga loose. Tara Lett’s setup is simple and sexy, with a sugar-coated punch so sweet it stings. Sometimes, when it’s 12:30am on a particularly fantastic Tuesday night, and you’re not quite ready to pack it in…a little dancing and a glossy shot of girl power is all you need. Shots of tequila are also good for that, which we inevitably purchased and raised triumphantly to Ms. Tara Lett and her frustratingly gorgeous backing band; a fitting end to a night of whimsical indie-pop.

Click here to see who’s up next at the SHOWCASE, here to learn more about GRAHAM PENCE ARTISTS presents SHOWCASE @ Republic, and here for the rest of Devin Weening’s photos from the show!

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