Groove to the “beatz” when The Jan Van Gold Band arrives at Lorenzo’s Café Saturday.
The Kootenay-based band is touring B.C. this summer with help from a Columbia Basin Trust/Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance touring grant in support of their latest release, Alive to Thrive.
The album was recorded live during the band’s 2013 CBT/CKCA touring grant.
A classically trained artist, Van Gold’s guitar sound has been compared to that of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton and Ry Cooder, with vocals reminiscent of Janis Joplin, Grace Slick and Annie Lennox.
Her visionary groove-laden songs move easily from strong funk dance beats to odd time signatures to slow improvisational guitar, bass and drums, often within the same song.
“It’s funkified fusion dripping in guitar, where serpentine phrasing and passionate energy resounds into a wacky dance,” Van Gold said of the band’s versatile sound, which ranges from progressive rock to funk ‘n’ blues.
Van Gold spent 2014 touring to Regina and back as a solo act, backing herself up with live loops. Now with her band, JJ Buttle (bass and vocals) and Jerry Hamilton (drums, vocals), Van Gold adds a social consciousness to her emotionally driven lyrics, as well as into the rhythm and soul of each song.
“(We play) all original music for every occasion, guaranteed high energy, mood altering and fun,” she said.
“Come on out and dance to the beatz. There will be prizes for the most enthusiasm.”
The Jan Van Gold Band takes the stage at Lorenzo’s Saturday. Cover is $10 and doors open at 6 p.m. with music at 8 p.m. Call the café at 250-838-6700 to reserve a seat.
