Day Eight: Introducing the Performers
Meet Raphael Saadiq

You might remember Raphael Saadiq as the frontman for Tony! Toni! Tone!. In 2002, he stepped back onto the scene with a self-titled solo project, mixing old school soul with contemporary R&B. Since then, Saadiq has released five albums. His newest, The Way I see it, was nominated for three Grammys. Reminiscent of the Motown era, this music has a retro groove that makes you want to get up and dance. It sounds as though it could have been produced in the sixties.
Saadiq began, as a child, playing music with local soul groups. Also an early fan of the great Motown musicians, you can hear the influences of Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and Sam Cooke in his music. It seems the Motown sound has become an inescapable part of his artistry.
In an interview with B&S Magazine, Saadiq explains the direction of his most recent album. “The title ‘The Way I See It’ basically represents me saying ‘This has always been me. This is what I really love, and everything you’ve heard from me before has been based on the roots of this music’.”
You will not want to miss Raphael Saadiq performing at The Orpheum at 8:00pm on March 20th. For Raphael Saadiq tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or ShowTimeTickets.com.
Raphael Saadiq will be performing with Grammy award winning, soul artist, India Arie.

Find out about other great performers in town for the Olympics below.
January 14th Blogpost: Meet Phoenix
January 15th Blogpost: Meet Steve Earle
January 18th Blogpost: Meet City and Colour
January 19th Blogpost: Meet Feist
January 20th Blogpost: Meet Stars
January 22nd Blogpost: Meet K’naan
January 25th Blogpost: Meet Gomez

Day Seven: Introducing the Performers
Meet Gomez

British rock group, Gomez, burst on the scene in 1998 with their debut album Bring it On.  Praised for the unconventional mixture of blues, folk, and rock, Bring it On won the group Britain’s coveted Mercury Prize.
Contrary to the standard band formula, Gomez does not really have a front man. Instead the band has five members, with three who write, play, and sing.  According to the group, this has allowed them to explore multiple directions, and achieve a fresh sound.
Gomez has released eight albums over their ten year career. The newest, A New Tide, came out in March of 2009.
Check out, “Air Stream Driver,” from A New Tide here.
And don’t miss Gomez performing at The Orpheum at 8:00pm on March 12th. For Gomez tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or ShowTimeTickets.com.
The show will open with Canadian singer/songwriter, Luke Doucet.

Find out about other great performers in town for the Olympics below.
January 14th Blogpost: Meet Phoenix
January 15th Blogpost: Steve Earle
January 18th Blogpost: Meet City and Colour
January 19th Blogpost: Meet Feist
January 20th Blogpost: Meet Stars
January 22nd Blogpost: Meet K’naan
January 26th Blogpost: Meet Raphael Saadiq

Day Six: Introducing the Performers
Meet K’naan

Toronto based hip-hop artist, K’naan has a compelling story. He was born, and spent the first fourteen years of his life in Somalia. After fleeing with his family, he lived briefly in Harlem before settling in Toronto. He claims he draws inspiration from the “different eras” of his life.  His music addresses political issues as well as life for a person sort of in-between cultures. He mixes music from his homeland, deeply rooted in poetry, with that of western culture to create a unique afro-pop sound.
In an interview with CNN, K’naan explains his writing. “I left the war, but it hasn’t left me… I’m on the phone with it on a day to day basis. I hear what is going on. That is a constant thing for me… I still don’t feel very comfortable, and I think that’s why I write about that.”
K’naan has released three albums. His debut album, The Dusty Foot Philospher, was awarded the Juno for “Rap Recording of the Year.” He has gone on to become one of the most prominent Canadian hip-hop artists.
K’naan will be performing at The Orpheum at 8:00pm on February 25th. For K’naan tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or ShowTimeTickets.com.
The Show will open with Tinariwen.

Find out about other great performers in town for the Olympics below.
January 14th Blogpost: Meet Phoenix
January 15th Blogpost: Meet Steve Earle
January 18th Blogpost: Meet City and Colour
January 19th Blogpost: Meet Feist
January 20th Blogpost: Meet Stars
January 25th Blogpost: Meet Gomez
January 26th Blogpost: Meet Raphael Saadiq

Day Five: Introducing the Performers
Meet Stars

The Montreal based indie-pop band, Stars, is here for the drama. Vocalists, Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell deliver their songs about love and splitting up with a kind of dramatic intensity you might expect from proper actors. In fact, Campbell, in his other life has had numerous acting roles, has even directed theatre.
The band finds its sound through a mix of narrative lyrics and musical arrangement. Speaking about the album, In Our Bedroom After the War, Torquil says. “What is the darkest possible situation that I could try to turn into a beautiful pop song? That was sort of my mission with this record. If you could make horror movies that were like love stories, that would be my ultimate genre.”
The show will open with the Newfoundland group, Hey Rosetta! Known for their energized liveshows, Hey Rosetta! is sure to kick things off to an exciting start.
Don’t miss Stars performing at The Orpheum at 8:00pm on February 19th. For Stars tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or ShowTimeTickets.com.

Find out about other great performers in town for the Olympics below.
January 14th Blogpost: Meet Phoenix
January 15th Blogpost: Meet Steve Earle
January 18th Blogpost: Meet City and Colour
January 19th Blogpost: Meet Feist
January 22nd Blogpost: Meet K’naan
January 25th Blogpost: Meet Gomez
January 26th Blogpost: Meet Raphael Saadiq

Day Four: Introducing the Performers
Meet Feist

It is hard to believe that Toronto based indie artist, Feist, started out in a punk band. Growing up in Calgary, she says her first “proper gig” happened after winning a battle of the bands with her high school punk group. They opened for the Ramones at an outdoor festival.
Far from punk, Feist’s current style is sometimes folky and upbeat, sometimes soft and reflective. The combination of those sounds make up her third solo release, The Reminder. In 2007, The Reminder won the Juno award for “Best Album of the Year,” and was itunes’ top seller. I caught her on tour in Seattle for the promotion of that album, and can honestly say that she has one of the most powerful live voices I’ve ever heard.
Feist has experimented with a variety of genres, and has collaborated with all types. She recently joined up with Wilco on their newest album, Wilco, with the song “You and I.”  In addition, she was featured in Beck’s venture, Record Club. One of her longest collaborating relationships has been with Canadian songwriter and producer, Gonzales. He can be heard on her second album, Let it Die. Gonzales Piano Talk Show will be the opening act for Fiest’s upcoming performance.
Feist will be performing at The Orpheum at 8:00pm on February 17th. For Feist tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or ShowTimeTickets.com.

Find out about other great performers in town for the Olympics below.
January 14th Blogpost: Meet Phoenix
January 15th Blogpost: Meet Steve Earle
January 18th Blogpost: Meet City and Colour
January 20th Blogpost: Meet Stars
January 22nd Blogpost: Meet K’naan
January 25th Blogpost: Meet Gomez
January 26th Blogpost: Meet Raphael Saadiq

Day Three: Introducing the Performers
Meet City and Colour

Oh, the sweet sound of Canadian singer/songwriter, Dallas Green. Guitarist and vocalist for Alexisonfire, City and Colour is the solo acoustic effort from Green. The self-described “risky” side project has definitely been a success. His award-winning second album, “Bring Me Your Love,” showcases his songwriting talent while establishing him as one of Canada’s most loved artists.
From “Bring Me Your Love,” you can watch his new video, Sleeping Sickness, here.
You will not want to miss the soothing and intimate sounds of City and Colour, playing at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at 8:00pm on February 15th.
For City and Colour tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or ShowTimeTickets.com.
The show will open with indie-pop band, The Rural Alberta Advantage.

Find out about other great performers in town for the Olympics below.
January 14th Blogpost: Meet Phoenix
January 15th Blogpost: Meet Steve Earle
January 19th Blogpost: Meet Feist
January 20th Blogpost: Meet Stars
January 22nd Blogpost: Meet K’naan
January 25th Blogpost: Meet Gomez
January 26th Blogpost: Meet Raphael Saadiq

Day Two: Introducing the Performers
Meet Steve Earle

Dynamic singer/songwriter Steve Earle is one of the great storytellers in the music industry. Born in Virginia, Earle spent his formative years in and around the southern United States, represented in his twangy sound. Part writer, part actor, part political activist, Earle has a colourful resume.

Early in his career he established the term “New Country” with the pop/country style in his debut album Guitar Town. Although he has experimented with all types of music, Earle is known best for his heartfelt lyrics and rockabilly style. His songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, The Pretenders, and numerous others.

Earle was recently featured in a new series called Innovators in Music. In an interview, he said, “People knew me as the kid who took a guitar everywhere… It was Texas, and I didn’t play football. I had to find a way to distinguish myself.” As modest as he sounds, Steve Earle has definitely found a way to stand out among his peers.

Steve Earle will be performing at The Orpheum at 8:00pm on January 23^rd. For Steve Earle tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or ShowTimeTickets.com.

The show will open with Canadian indie-rock performer, Joel Plaskett.

Find out about other great performers in town for the Olympics below.
January 14th Blogpost: Meet Phoenix
January 18th Blogpost: Meet City and Colour
January 19th Blogpost: Meet Feist
January 20th Blogpost: Meet Stars
January 22nd Blogpost: Meet K’naan
January 25th Blogpost: Meet Gomez
January 26th Blogpost: Meet Raphael Saadiq

The Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad, January 22 to March 21, comprises of 122 ticketed events showcasing rich talent from Canadian and international performing arts and culture. The events come in the form of music, dance, film and theatre to name a few, and promise to deliver something for everyone. Soak up as much as you can!

You will not want to miss the great musicians that will be performing around town. Over the coming days, I will be introducing you to some of my favorites. See a full list of our featured Cultural Olympiad musicians at bottom of the page.

Up first, we have the Parisian indie rock group, Phoenix. Phoenix has four albums out. Their newest, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix received a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. Their music has been featured in movies such as Where the Wild Things Are and Lost in Translation. Their upbeat tunes are sure to get you on your feet!

Check out Phoenix performing their song 1901 at http://www.myspace.com/wearephoenix.

Phoenix will be performing at The Orpheum at 8:00pm on January 22^nd. For tickets, visit ShowTimeTickets.com.

Find out about other great performers in town for the Olympics below.
January 15th Blogpost: Meet Steve Earle
January 18th Blogpost: Meet City and Colour
January 19th Blogpost: Meet Feist
January 20th Blogpost: Meet Stars
January 22nd Blogpost: Meet K’naan
January 25th Blogpost: Meet Gomez