Thanks to everyone who those who helped score The Choir Practice an opening gig for Jarvis Cocker. The gods of indie pop salute you!
On May 15th, Choir Practice’s debut self-titled album is out! Our non-compulsory chorus line, made up of Vancouver indie veterans, includes Coco Culbertson (the Gay), Larissa Loyva (P:ano) and ten of their friends!
And, be sure to stop by the Railway Club (579 Dunsmuir Street) on May 18th for The Choir Practice CD release party with Victoria Victoria and The Greenbelt Collective!!
"In last week's Straight, we reported that Jarvis Cocker was advertising on his MySpace page for local bands to open his shows during his current tour. When that was written, the former Pulp frontman hadn't yet selected an act from Vancouver for his May 1 Commodore appearance. But a couple of weeks ago Cocker's label, Rough Trade, e-mailed the Choir Practice with the good news.
"We were pretty surprised," says singer-bassist Shane Turner , who also plays in Love and Mathematics. "I was saying to a couple of the people in the band that he wasn't going to check our MySpace page. Then we got an e-mail a week later saying he wanted us to open. It's a good feeling because three of us are huge Pulp fans. Which is kind of funny, because he said in the interview that he's avoiding bands that are influenced by Pulp. Luckily, we don't sound like we are. But This Is Hardcore is one of my favourite albums."
The Choir Practice was formed about a year ago by the Gay's Coco Culbertson "as an excuse to drink wine and sing with friends", says Turner. Featuring anywhere from eight to 12 members, the group's vocal-heavy pop is showcased on a Mint Records debut due out May 15. The band plays a CD-release party at the Railway Club May 18." - Shawn Conner, The Georgia Straight