We Are the City
| We Are The City | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada |
| Genres | Progressive rock, Experimental pop |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Hidden Pony Records, Tooth & Nail Records, Sinnbus |
| Website |
wearethecity |
| Members |
Cayne McKenzie Andrew Huculiak David Menzel |
| Past members | Blake Enemark |
We Are The City is a Canadian rock band formed in 2008 in Kelowna, British Columbia, and are now based in Vancouver. The current band members include singer-keyboardist Cayne McKenzie, drummer Andy Huculiak, and guitarist David Menzel. Their musical style is often referred to as prog rock.[1]
History
Their debut album, In a Quiet World, was released in 2009. It was produced by Tom Dobrzanski of The Zolas.[2] Many of the tracks were written in high school, as the band's previous incarnations. "Astronomers" was written when Cayne was in the 8th grade, and they posted an early demo of it on their Tumblr. High School was an EP released in the first half of 2011, after their original guitarist, David Menzel, quit the band for personal reasons. The album name comes from the alter-ego band name they used while performing as a small, aptly named band "High School" by tying T-shirts over their heads during shows. Eventually, they were unwittingly ratted out by other local bands who recognized them, which made them decide to release the songs as an EP under the We Are The City name.
Their most recent album, Violent, was also produced by Dobrzanski.[3] Violent was released on June 4, 2013 and marks the return of David Menzel to the band. The band also has a 7" single out, "Morning Song/Mourning Song".
Reception
The band won the top prize in the 2009 Peak Performance Project contest, sponsored by Vancouver radio station 102.7 The Peak, receiving $150,000 for the award.[1][4]
Exclaim! wrote that the debut album featured "chime-y, piano-driven, anthemic rock, not unlike Coldplay's early records", and called it "a minor success".[2] In its review of High School, Chart wrote that the band at times sounds "like a less rambunctious version of Born Ruffians, which isn't a bad place to be."[5] The Vancouver Sun wrote, "High School is a dark, introspective and slightly terrifying mini masterwork."[6]
Discography
- Albums
- In a Quiet World (2009)
- Violent (2013)
- EPs/ 7-inch singles
- Mourning Song (2011)
- High School (2011)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lucas, John (April 8, 2010). "We Are the City boys probe faith, family", The Georgia Straight. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gormely, Ian (February 2010). "We Are the City: In a Quiet World", Exclaim!. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
- ↑ Lewis, Jessica (February 2, 2011). "We Are the City Reveal New High School EP", Exclaim!. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
- ↑ Marchand, François (January 23, 2010). "Kelowna's We Are the City comes out on top", The Vancouver Sun, p. D3.
- ↑ McGlynn, Michelle (March 23, 2011). "[ We Are The City – High School EP]", Chart. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
- ↑ Marchand, François (March 22, 2011). "Trio haunts dark halls of High School: Kelowna's We Are the City adopts secret identity and graduates with mini-masterpiece", The Vancouver Sun, p. C7.