Emo/shoe-gaze outfit Cloaker, are celebrating the release of their new EP I Serve… A Higher Authority at Fernando’s Pub on Friday, Aug. 23. 

The band, which is comprised of members Colton Douglas, Colton Baker, Damien Moore and Tyler Sarris have been together for just over a year, making this release their very first. 

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Frontman Colton Douglas is no stranger to Kelowna’s vast music scene, as he also holds a spot within three other bands including Stasis, Ugly and Yard Sale. However, it is with Cloaker where his true passion lies. 

“This band is like my baby, it is the exact music I want to play and a nice departure from the heavier stuff I work on with Stasis,” he said. 

Cloaker was born out of a love for music, video games and the childhood friendship between Douglas and his bandmate Colton Baker, who have been playing music together since their early teens. 

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“I knew I wanted to be in a band with Colton, the familiarity between us when we play makes everything really easy,” said Douglas. 

“[Cloaker] is both of our passion projects, it is really close and dear to both of us and we have a really good group of talented guys too, like we could not ask for better,” added Baker. 

The EP, which was released on Aug. 1, houses four melodic tracks each with its own message and vibe and that come together to create a seamless 14-minute listening experience, a quality Douglas said was intentional.

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“We brought our producer Jordan Chase seven or eight songs and we cut it down to four so it could play through with no stops in between, which is something I really wanted to do,” said Douglas.

“I think people don’t listen to a record as a whole these days, which kind of bums me out because that is all I do, so we wanted to create an experience for people to be able to just sit down and listen to it straight through.”

For those of you who are fans of the vast array of sub-genres within the modern punk and hardcore musicsphere, there really is no way you won’t dig this album. 

*Warning: Video contains coarse language, viewer discretion is advised*

Pulling elements from a wide variety of influences, the EP is one you can both sulk to and sing along with thanks to the heavier themes and anthemic choruses, making it something that can appeal to almost any music lover. 

“I think it has something for everyone in a way, it is super approachable music and I like that anybody can turn it on and listen to it,” said Douglas.

In honour of the release, the band is hosting a string of shows throughout the area with stops in Kamloops, Vancouver and of course, Kelowna. 

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For those of you who haven’t yet had the chance to catch the band, you’re missing out! High-energy and fueled by passion, Cloaker shows are fun, light-hearted and always a good time. 

You can see them and hear the new EP in full, next Friday night (Aug. 23) at Fernando’s Pub as they hit the stage Kamloops pop-punk band, Floorboards. 

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“I think it will be a really cool show, there are only two bands playing so it will be faster than most and I think it will be really kind of intimate too,” said Douglas.

Adding that he and the group are stoked to see the turnout and thankful for the support they’ve received so far.