Who says Vancouver is a “No Fun City”? Big Smoke, our municipality’s newest independent record label, sure doesn’t. With great love and much pride, paired with a genuine fascination of the city’s many localized music scenes, the label aims to squash any notions of blandness while exposing the Vancouver underground for the vibrant artistic community it truly is.
Big Smoke was founded this year by Adam Sharp, who himself is well-acquainted with the local music scene; prior to the label’s formation, Sharp was a member of alternative band Mercy Years and now currently plays with Altona, who also happens to be Big Smoke’s first signing.
With its roots firmly planted in Vancouver, the label plans to operate primarily as a hub for like-minded musicians. Though it won’t limit itself to working strictly with local artists, Big Smoke insists that everything they do drop will be in Vancouver’s distinct spirit.
To kick things off, Big Smoke has issued its very first vinyl release and, like their mandate promises, it’s a homegrown celebration. The Vancouver Connection, Vol. 1 is a 10-track compilation that is as diverse as it is strong and features lower mainland heavyweights like Woolworm, Dead Soft, and Mesa Luna, as well as Altona.
“It’s about time that people pay attention to what is happening in Vancouver,” Sharp told Discorder in a recent interview. “I have some friends in New York that have said good things about our music scene. It’s very DIY, which has lead to a really loyal and connected group of people creating and consuming it. I think most people are in it for the long haul, and for good artistic reasons.”
The Vancouver Connection, Vol. 1 is available from Big Smoke on Bandcamp, at shows from all the bands featured on the record, from most local record stores, and digitally from Big Smoke and all major retailers.
https://soundcloud.com/bigsmokevancouver/sets/the-vancouver-connection-vol-1