A love of music came early to Jonathan Hintz.
And this coming Friday, the evolution of the young Lake Country rocker will be on full display at the Creekside Theatre in Lake Country with the inaugural Rock the Block event, described as a one-night only music festival featuring three youth indie acts at Creekside Theatre.
It’s the brainchild of Hintz, a George Elliot Grade 11 student who fronts the indie bank CYNK, consisting of all Lake Country high school students.
“This is an event that is focused on youth and students,” said Hintz, who is acting as promoter, producer, booking agent and more for Rock the Block. “There’s not a lot that really happens in Lake Country for big events for youth, so that’s why I wanted to aim this event for students and youth. For Lake Country, I think it’s a pretty big thing.”
Hintz has secured up and coming Vernon band Amistad to headline the one-night show, while CYNK will be second on stage and the opener will be Windmills, an indie/synth pop artist, also out of Vernon.
The bands will likely throw in a cover song or two, but Hintz says the focus is on original music.
“Amistad is probably the biggest original up and coming band in the Central Okanagan,” he said, describing their live show as having relentless energy.
“I’m pretty sure we will all play a few covers but it’s aimed to be original material.”
And CYNK will have a freshly released single to play, along with tunes from its first album Strings, released last year. CYNK’s single Leaving Me Again was released last week on iTunes. Hintz says the band is much more polished and has been working on a lot better music, since releasing its debut album.
“We’re working on a lot better stuff,” he said of CYNK, consisting of George Elliot students Malcolm Muir, Doug Harty, Lucas Van Camp and Hintz. “We’re kind of an alternative, pop, punk band. We take a lot of inspiration from bands like Blink 182 and Muse.”
Since appearing at Creekside Theatre earlier this year to debut their album Strings, Hintz has established a working relationship with the theatre and has worked hard to bring Rock the Block to Creekside.
Theatre manager Ryan Donn, a musician himself, says opening up doors to youth is something the theatre has been lacking.
“There is a gap in the youth festival market here but that may take us a few years to fill,” said Donn. “Until then our hope is to continue partnering with youth to produce shows that both interest and showcase youth in our community.
“What works best is youth planning for youth and Jonathan is determined, hard working and also a highly talented musician. When we see youth who not only have an idea, but also work hard to make that idea come to fruition, we will be constantly looking for a way to connect them to the Creekside Theatre or Live! in Lake Country concert series.”
For Hintz and his mates in CYNK, this Friday night’s event is not only a chance to debut some new music, it is the first of what what he hopes will be an ongoing youth musical event in Lake Country, an event that can draw youth out and keep them in the community, and also spotlight local bands.
“I’m pretty excited about it but at the same time I’m pretty stressed with all the things I have to do,” he said. “It’s a really big process but I’m excited to see it happen. My goal is to eventually have a big Rock the Block festival with bigger bands, a big rock event for Lake Country.”
Rock the Block will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. this Friday night. Tickets are for sale at the door, or via phone at 250-766-9309.
