A group of Centre for Arts and Technology (CAT) alumni are joining forces to bolster each other's portfolios, the reputation of Kelowna’s music scene and one popular BC band’s discography.
Kim Aebly graduated from CAT in 2017 with a certificate in Studio Production. Following her time at CAT, Abely moved to Vancouver to pursue a career in the music industry where she once again ignited her hunger for education.
Photo credit: NowMediaAebly
Now on the tail end of her Advanced Music Industry Diploma program at NIMBUS, Aebly has returned to the Okanagan with the mission of supporting her fellow CAT grads and offering up an exciting opportunity for BC speed metal band, Roadrash.
“Vancouver’s scene is oversaturated which is both good and bad, so rather than stay there, I wanted to use my network, the resources that I have and the talents of the people that I know here to paint a bigger picture,” said Aebly.
Joining Aebly in the CAT studio is fellow Studio Production grad, Logan Macdonald, who will record, mix and master four tracks for Roadrash.
Photo credit: NowMediaMacdonald
Photography graduate, Summer Delichte, also contributed to the project by using her skills to capture promotional shots for the upcoming releases.
“It works out well for everybody involved and gives a chance for young professionals to shine,” added Aebly.
Hailing from Vancouver, Roadrash is no stranger to the Okanagan metal scene, often playing at local metal pub Muninn’s Post and gracing the stage at Armstrong Metal Fest.
Photo credit: Summer Delichte
“We love Kelowna and play here all the time, you have a really lovely scene here,” said Sheldon “Bare Bones”, rhythm guitarist for the band.
“We are very grateful for the opportunity, Kim and Logan have been amazing to work with, and this [studio] is a beautiful place in Kelowna,” added Bare Bones.
Photo credit: NowMediaBare Bones
Having lived in Kelowna for three years, Aebly became quite acquainted with the music scene. Since diving deeper into the promotion and artist development side of the industry, she has noticed that our little music hub is often overlooked.
“I’ve found that Kelowna gets skipped a lot so having a band like Roadrash come out here to record spreads the word around and encourages other bands to look into it, fostering the local scene in a way,” said Aebly.
“I have seen how the scene has changed over the last couple of years, and potentially getting to be a part of that by bringing outside bands in to build it up has been really cool,” she added.
Photo credit: NowMedia
In just two days the band has been able to lay down all the parts for the four tracks, working long hours in the studio.
“It has been nice and easy going,” said David Hammer, the band’s frontman.
Photo credit: NowMedia
“They take the time to ask questions and Logan is really chill, I think one of the easiest people I've worked with in the studio, he is quick and really intuitive,” added Hammer.
You can hear the brain-child of Aebly, McDonald and Roadrash very soon, as one of the songs is slated for a late April release, with a seven-inch vinyl record set to become available sometime this summer.
