I had the pleasure of seeing Ottawa ex-pats, now Toronto-based trio
The Balconies play the
UBC Pit Pub on April 8, 2010. Fellow
NxEW bloggers
Ming Wu pretty much told me to drop everything I'm doing and check them out, so I finished a research paper early and hopped on a bus back to school. Despite a small, end-of-term crowd,
The Balconies blew the socks off of the few of us who were lucky/smart enough to witness the band's first ever show in Vancouver.
Consisting of Jacquie Neville on lead vocals and guitar, Steve Neville on bass and Liam Jaeger on drums, The Balconies plays a brand of bright, glamorous pop that's reminiscent of early era
U2. As an ex-vocal jazz member, I was awed by Jacquie's voice and incredible range. The deftness with which she leapt across the stage, thrashing her guitar and shimmering under the glow of the stage lights with her sequined jacket screamed
rock star. That's not to say her band didn't match her in energy and talent; notably, Jacquie's brother Steve complemented her soaring voice with a warm and dark one of his own.
Their self-titled first album is available in all those different ways you like to purchase your music. Or you can grab their infectious single
"Serious Bedtime" here.
Here are some remaining tour dates as The Balconies make their way home:
