For some, Christmas is 🎵 the most wonderful time of the year 🎶, but for us at Rocktographers, it’s The Zone’s Band of the Month showcases. For us as partners in the Band of the Month program, we get to celebrate another year of great local music, new friendships, and a solid portfolio of band photography.
The Zone’s Band of the Month found a new home this year in one of Victoria’s most prestigious music venues, Capital Ballroom, giving bands room to strut their stuff on the big stage in front of a packed house of eager fans.
Showcase #1 featured heavy hitters from February, March, April, and June.
The night started off with the monochromatic duo, Hush Hush Noise. Eric Hogg and Lily Fawn took the stage decked out in matching androgynous outfits consisting of matching blonde wigs, drawn on moustaches, striped pants, and black jackets . . . a clear visual statement to those who were seeing them for the first time, that things are going to get a little weird.
The growing crowd was enthralled by Lily Fawn’s multi-instrumental performance, but no instrument captured their imagination like the saw. That’s right, a saw. The thing for cutting wood. The experimental indie rock of Hush Hush Noise is some of the most interesting in the city. At moments in cacophonous layers, Eric Hogg is at the centre with his guitar, balanced with delicate, subtle, and intimate moments from Lily. Watching these two share and alternate vocals and focus is a real treat that isn’t to be missed.
Watching from side stage, Allie Bowman relished the energy her bandmates were creating, waiting for a well-timed cue from the swelling instrumental sounds of Jordan and Jon before she ran onstage with a huge smile to belt out the first notes of No Good For Me. This was Stinging Belle!
It was clear throughout Stinging Belle’s set that they were here to make an impression, and that they did. The band’s energetic set was arguably one of the most talked about post-show by everyone in attendance. With a swaggering disposition and an impressive amount of dance moves, Allie Bowman is the embodiment of a legendary frontperson. When you couple that with Jon Williams’ thunderous beats and Jordan’s otherworldly ability to shred guitar like there are multiple guitarists on stage, you’ve got magic in the making.
Nanaimo’s Wise Youngblood took the penultimate slot of the evening, giving the crowd what they were craving: some good old fashioned dirty rock ‘n roll.
With punk rock and hardcore sensibilities and the cache and presence of a ’70s ballad rocker, Kyle Stephen’s hard hitting vocals on stage commands your attention. The band doubles down on the hard rock vibes with fast, heavy, and groove-laden songs. Seamlessly slipping into a solid Pixies cover towards the end of their set made some of us older alternative fans happy campers. Whether you have a beer or a root beer in your hand, Wise Youngblood is the party band you’ve been searching for.
Before the show, Sophia Stel excitedly told us that this was her last concert as a teenager. She’d be turning 20 a few days after. Her excited energy set the stage for Stel’s performance that night.
If there is one thing we can guarantee about a Stel show — other than a fantastic performance — it’s their bright, audacious, and bold wardrobe. It’s a look that feels like a tribute to the late 1990s and early 2000s, uniquely their own. With fashion in mind, we wondered if Hush Hush Noise was going challenge Stel to a Walk Off for best outfit. Only the ghost of David Bowie would have been able to decide.
Stel, fronted by brother and sister vocalists Adam and Sophia, bring a mix of indie folk with a flair of pop. Filling out the stage is Bree Stel (Adam’s wife and her own person) on keys and backing vocals, Jared on drums, Josh on bass, and Zach filling the air with cello and some sexy saxophone solos. Their cover of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song is always a highlight of any of their sets. Covers like this bring a much needed levity and humour to the local music scene. It sets that a precedent that even serious bands can have fun. That’s why we love music so much.
After an exciting first Band of the Month showcase we are already excited to return to the Capital Ballroom on Friday, November 23, for a second dose featuring Sweeet Action, Boy Leadfoot, and Lo Waight & The Rattlesnakes.
