Natalie Berchem

WHAT:  New Music Series
WHERE: Newmarket Theatre
WHEN:  Nov. 21, 7 to 10 p.m.
CONTACT:  lisa.echomusic@gmail.com

Are you ready to rock?

In the past, local bands have had to head to Toronto to play original music, which makes it difficult for local fans to support their favourite bands.

But Lisa Stanfield got so tired of watching Newmarket’s music scene migrate to Toronto, she decided it’s time the music came home.

Undaunted by the lack of available venues, Ms. Stanfield realized she simply had to go bigger.

The doors of Newmarket Theatre will open and music lovers will be able to rock out to Japhy, littleSUNDAY and the Human Record tomorrow from 7 to 10 p.m.

The bands are accomplished indie musicians and the Human Record, a beatboxer, is known internationally. 

Tickets are $17 and available at the door, but it is better to purchase them in advance at www.newmarkettheatre.ca or by calling 905-953-5122 as seating is theatre-style.   

Japhy mixes a magnetic, captivating stage presence with provocative lyrics and unique rhythms to create a sound unlike any other on the indie scene.

Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Michael Stanfield started the band for the music. He has written  songs from a young age and with Mike Sprigger (lead guitar), Bob Crane (bass, backing vocals), Mike Kerr (percussion) and Rob DiSimone (drums), the songs came to life.

“We write music for the world to enjoy and there’s a great chemistry in the band,” Mr. Stanfield said. 

It shows.

Japhy is a winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and received the best adult contemporary award at the Toronto Independent Music Awards.

An EP of their album will be available at the show and they look forward to playing their first organized event in Newmarket.

“There are not a lot of venues in Newmarket catering to the indie scene, so this gives local bands a chance to shine,” Mr. Stanfield said.

littleSUNDAY is at the forefront of a musical revolution for creativity and has been doing things differently right from the start.

The story of how vocalist and rhythm guitarist Rick Farrell joined the band is almost stranger than fiction.

Mario Stamenga (bass, backing vocals), Eric Bottani (drums, percussion), and JP (lead guitar, backing vocals) ran into a problem at a show in the form of a sick singer. Instead of cancelling, they asked someone from the crowd to sing for them. Mr. Farrell stepped up to the microphone and the result was a band that transcends stereotypes.

The group’s CD, Wait forTomorrow, will be available at the show and they will play music from their upcoming album, Let It All Out!

littleSUNDAY played in Newmarket years ago, but have had few opportunities since.

“I hope this show encourages local talent to come out of the woodwork and know that people are trying to encourage the indie scene,” Mr. Farrell says.

“There are a lot of good bands that get overlooked because they can’t find a venue.”

The Human Record, aka Luke Stapleton, is a beatboxing natural who has performed since he was three, when he would make up sound effects for the objects around him. He has been mesmerizing audiences everywhere with his unique, humorous style. 

Instruments are at home in his capable hands and he’s always experimenting with new acts, up to and including playing the kazoo with his nose while beatboxing.   

“It’s unique and different, so there’s something for everyone,” he said.

Mr. Stapleton just returned from a week-long festival in China and this will be his Newmarket debut.

He is thinking big when it comes to this event.

“There’s not enough media on Canadian talent or support for the performers. It’s all American artists. All Hollywood.

“Anything to help the Canadian music industry is great.”

Natalie Berchem is a high school co-op student doing her placement at The Era/The Banner.

Check out the bands:

For more information on the bands, visit them at:
www.myspace.com/japhy
www.littlesunday.com
www.humanrecord.ca