Final episode of Focus Online Series ‘B’ Sides

Opening the episode is popular party band Chipko Jones. They describe themselves as “an island fusion band, with influences of ska, reggae and calypso tones.” Chipko Jones plays to crowds “at the ski hill in the winter, and the beaches in the summer.” Formed in 2014 and fronted by Moot Murphy, all members met through the thriving music scene in the band’s hometown of Vernon. Chipko Jones opens the episode with an original song written and lead by Nique Bruce, sister of Jodie B., who both were prominent features of the FOCUS Online Series.

B4 performer Justin Moore has already found success on YouTube, first going viral with a video of him singing with his father, opera singer Paul Moore, and more recently for his vocal harmony layer TikTok videos. His TikTok performing ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ has reached over 4 million views. Justin has released several of his own songs for which he produces and plays all the instruments! His musical style is a blend of pop and alternative rock. He is an avid solo performer—covering crowd favourites mixed-in with his original material. Justin’s vocal performance has also been compared to Ed Sheeran, John Legend and Josh Groban. He also comes from a richly talented musical lineage as the son of well known local, Julliard-trained opera singers Paul Moore and Melina Schein—who was featured in Episode 2.

Kelowna singer-songwriter Jessica has been writing songs since she can remember – even before she could hold a crayon. She studied music through high school and is currently attending business school to carve out her career path as a professional musician and business woman.

“Metal, Folk, Jazz, Country and Blues have inspired my writing over the years. I have found these genres work well to capture both the light and dark emotions I have experienced.”

Jessica’s sweet vocals mixed with her emotional lyrics prove her talent and presence as a song writing powerhouse. Her original song “Home” was a recording crew favourite and is the third song in this final epsiode.

Vernon born and raised Shaughnessy has been playing guitar and singing since she was a young child.

“VDPAC’s FOCUS series allowed me to perform at a time when I didn’t think it was possible,” Shaughnessy said. “It felt like the breath of fresh air that any artist could hope for amidst something that took away our platform for over a year. I am so thankful and lucky to have been apart of this experience and cannot say enough good things about the people that worked on it, made it happen, and supported art through the pandemic.”

Shaughnessy has a busy summer of performances ahead including a cider session at The BX Press in July.

B4 airs online for four days only from 12:01 a.m., Thursday, May 27 to midnight, Sunday, May 30. To view is FREE, (Donations gratefully accepted). Visit www.ticketseller.ca for links and streaming details.

To view for free 1-minute featurettes of FOCUS Online Series performers from all Episodes 1 to 6, viewers can go online to YouTube and enter “vdpac” in the search field for VDPAC’s own YouTube channel.

Watch B-SIDES (B4) of VDPAC’s FOCUS Online Series for free, (Running time: 15:38 minutes) airing from 12:01 a.m., Thursday Thursday, May 27 to Midnight, Sunday, May 30 and comment on Facebook (@vdpac) or Instagram (@vernonperformingarts).

Visit www.ticketseller.ca for links and more event streaming information.

FOCUS Online Series Backgrounder (Updated):

Production of digital content is a first for the VDPAC. Three digital PTZ (pan tilt zoom) cameras, along with state-of-the-art, live-streaming and audio console equipment were purchased with a $78,740 grant from Canadian Heritage through the “Canada Cultural Spaces Fund” program; combined with $85,000 in capital funding from the RDNO for acoustic and staging upgrades to convert VDPAC’s Marie Fleming Hall rehearsal space into a studio, initially for recording professional HD-quality videos with digital sound for the inaugural FOCUS Online Series as a pilot project.

Over 35 Okanagan artists submitted audition videos in response to an initial call for artists in August 2020. Those chosen by the adjudicators for this first FOCUS Series were recorded in the new MFH Studio, with larger groups performing socially distanced on VDPAC’s main stage. Recording sessions ran from November 2020 to January 2021.

“The new equipment purchased to allow us to handle these new music events and projects is a full, live video production system [NewTek Tricaster 410Plus] currently featuring three HD PTZ Cameras and one 4K capable compact Camcorder” says VDPAC’s Technical Director Rylee Block.

“The audio multi-track recording solution is capable of recording 48 individual tracks simultaneously, and a brand new audio console [Digico S31], can function as a dedicated broadcast desk to allow us to carefully mix and monitor two separate audio feeds: one for a live audience and the other for a digital one simultaneously to ensure that regardless of whether a patron is in our house or theirs, they are getting the pristine, professional sound they expect to hear from our shows,” adds Block.

“We have been able to keep our local artists and audiences engaged and connected with this first FOCUS Online Series,” said VDPAC’s executive director Jim Harding. “While we prepare for the gradual return of small, live performances—probably with our SPOTLIGHT OnSTAGE Concert, we are continuing to develop our online programming and making opportunities available to experienced and emerging artists in the region. This could be a second free FOCUS Series but also with an added SPOTLIGHT OnLINE Concert platform for both our own programming and live or recorded performances streamed from other locations.”

“We also want to reach out to artists up and down the Okanagan Valley to let them know we now have the video and sound recording and streaming technical resources and studio available to them.”

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre thanks the following government funders for their generous support:

“This ‘Digital Stages Development Project’ has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada; Department of Canadian Heritage: “Canada Cultural Spaces Fund;” Government of BC through the BC Arts Council and BC Touring Council: “Warming Up the Act;” Regional District of North Okanagan.

by Camillia Courts

Final episode of Focus Online Series ‘B’ Sides

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