They’re young, they’re edgy and they’re coming to Salmon Arm.
Long a fan of the Shuswap, Michael Wood spent most of his growing-up summers with family in Salmon Arm, and now he’s bringing his music and his band to perform at the Hideaway Pub Friday, Feb. 8.
The Michael Wood Band (MWB) has only been together for a year and all of the members are under 22 years of age – but their music, timely and relevant lyrics speak of a much greater depth.
Lead vocalist and guitarist, 18-year-old Wood is joined on-stage by Josh Weed on lead guitar, drummer Alex Campbell and Jon Baergen on bass.
Wood, who has been living and making music in Victoria for the past five years, says the members of the band met through word-of-mouth connections in local musical circles.
Describing their mostly upbeat, energetic music as alt-indie rock, akin to groups like the Killers and Kings of Leon, the band released their first CD last May to an enthusiastic audience and immediate radio play.
Their songs reflect diverse topics, from Arab Spring in Should We Be Afraid, to the Occupy Movement in End of the World, to shelving worries about the future in I Think I’ll Just Go To Bed.
MWB is getting nation-wide radio play and was recently voted New Artist of the Month by an Ontario FM station.
Their End of the World video went viral internationally with more than 38,000 hits in its first month on the Internet.
Wood says the band is dedicated to writing and recording great songs, with inspiration sometimes coming during practice, or from an idea one member brings to the group.
“Someone brings an idea and we’ll work it through, or someone might come with the lyrics already,” says Wood.
The band has already toured Saskatoon and Regina this month and has a busy Canadian tour coming up in 2013.
“We’re having a lot of fun,” laughs Wood, who is looking forward to bringing his band and his music to his second home and his family, who have listened to him play for many years. “I think it’s got to the point where I think I’m not bugging my family with my guitar.”
There is no cover charge for the band’s 9 p.m. performance.
The Hideaway is also hosting a Super Bowl party this Sunday, with loads of prizes and food specials.
