Fiftieth Parallel is Campbell River’s newest acoustic group featuring Philip Marchand on guitar and Jonathan Hinds on guitar and African percussion.
Formed after the demise of the metal band in which Marchand and Hinds both played, Fiftieth Parallel brings their own unique sound to the already vibrant Vancouver Island music scene.
After discovering acoustic guitar geniuses on YouTube such as Andy McKee and Antoine Dufour, the pair decided that they needed a new musical direction, picked up their acoustic guitars and formed Fiftieth Parallel, named after Campbell River’s location on the 50th parallel.
In their music, they have combined the influences of McKee and Dufour, as well as those of stoner rock legends Kyuss, and the distinctive sound of Pink Floyd on tracks such as Island in the Sky and Red & Blue respectively.
Despite playing only a handful of gigs so far, the reaction from each has been fantastic. “I was blown away by their talent at one of our Open Mic nights,” says Catherine Bell of the Zocalo Café. “They are one of the up-and-coming local talents to watch.”
Tonight at 7:30 p.m., you can catch Fiftieth Parallel playing their first full-length show at the Zocalo Café in Courtenay (208A Fifth St.); no cover charge.
They have a whole host of new material to debut, as well many of the songs which have been so well praised at previous performances. They are preparing to release their first EP in March on Got-Junk Records, followed by their debut album later in the year.
