You can catch them busking on Bernard Avenue, playing at Parks Alive and at independent venues almost every night. Their music has become the soundtrack to Kelowna, but who are they?

KelownaNow wants to get to know the hard working, up and coming artists who fill our city with groovy tunes and we’re almost positive most of you do too!

We are launching a new series called “Saturday Spotlight” where we will shine the spotlight on a new, local act each weekend, to better strengthen our musical community and get to know the people behind the music.

For our first edition, we share a local favourite. The dad joke cracking, king of indie swoon-pop, Cory Myraas, or as most of you know him, Windmills.

Get to know: Windmills

Photo Credit: Contributed

Where did the name “Windmills” come from?    

A late night conversation that posed the question, "Where outside of Amsterdam do you find traditional windmills?" Someone said, "windmills in Wisconsin," and for some reason, the imagery of a windmill constantly rotating in the wind stuck with me.

What bands influenced or inspired your music?

Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen, Glass Animals, D.D Dumbo, and so many more

How would you describe your sound?    

I describe my sound as "moody indie swoon pop". It can be melancholic, upbeat and dynamic, slow and swoony. I take influences from so many sources it was always hard to pin down the noises and sounds I started to make. So I decided I needed my own genre.

What has been your biggest musical achievement?     

I was selected as a top 12 finalist in the 2015 PEAK Performance Project, out of 400 BC bands I was 1 of 12 finalists. I've played some pretty major music festivals as well (Shambhala, Rifflandia, Canadian Music Week)

How long have you been playing music in the Okanagan?

6 years!

Why do you like the Kelowna music scene?    

The Kelowna scene seems to constantly be evolving, but at its core there are like 5 – 10 mainstay bands that have inspired so many of us to keep playing, to keep evolving, challenging ourselves to do more.

There's no one set genre in Kelowna either, we have folk and roots bands, alternative rock, indie rock, art-rock, pop, funk rock, it's this wonderful mashing together of so many sounds, and all the musicians just want to help one another. It's very rare to find.

Photo credit: contributed

What is something you currently have on heavy rotation?    

Father John Misty's latest record.

If you could open for any band or artist who would it be?    

Glass Animals, or Father John Misty, or D.D Dumbo

What is your dream?    

To tour Europe for the rest of my days.

Photo Credit: Contributed

If you could bring back one musician from the dead for a final performance who would it be?    

Jeff Buckley, David Bowie, and Leonard Cohen for the saddest and most interesting live show of all time.

Favourite local venue?

The Streaming Cafe will always have a place in my heart. Fernando's for it's down and dirty live shows, The Habitat, Doc's, I can't pick only 1.

What local band/artists do you want to shout out?     

Andrew Judah is the most underrated performer in Kelowna right now along with ICELANDIA. They both are bands I hold in high esteem and love watching succeed!

You can catch Windmills at the Men’s Voices Gala on Jan. 18, 2018 and again at Fireside Sessions on Jan. 28, 2018!

Follow along with Windmills: Instagram:@windmillskeepmoving, Facebook and Twitter: @windmillsOK

Photo Credit: contributed

What local acts do you want to nominate for a Saturday Spotlight? Send an email to savannah@kelownanow.com