We Are the City
Encyclopedia
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 and drummer Andy Huculiak. Their musical style is often referred to as prog rock.
. Many of the tracks were written in high school, as the band's previous incarnations. "Astronomers" was written when Andy 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, nameless band 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 next album is also being produced by Dobrzanski. . The band also has a 7" single out, Morning Song/Mourning Song.
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". 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." The Vancouver Sun
wrote, "High School is a dark, introspective and slightly terrifying mini masterwork."
Kelowna, British Columbia
Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. Its name derives from a Okanagan language term for "grizzly bear"...
, and are now based in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. The current band members include singer-keyboardist Cayne McKenzie and drummer Andy Huculiak. Their musical style is often referred to as prog rock.
History
Their debut album, In a Quiet World was released in 2009. It was produced by Tom Dobrzanski of The ZolasThe Zolas
The Zolas is a Canadian progressive rock band based in Vancouver, British Columbia. They are signed to Light Organ Records. The core of the band is duo Zachary Gray and Tom Dobrzanski , with other musicians supporting them live and on record.Their debut album, 'Tic Toc Tic', was released in 2010...
. Many of the tracks were written in high school, as the band's previous incarnations. "Astronomers" was written when Andy 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, nameless band 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 next album is also being produced by Dobrzanski. . The band also has a 7" single out, Morning Song/Mourning Song.
Reception
The band won the top prize in the 2010 Peak Performance contest, sponsored by Vancouver radio station 100.5 The Peak, receiving $150,000 for the award.Exclaim!
Exclaim!
Exclaim! is a monthly Canadian music magazine that features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with special focus on Canadian and cutting-edge artists...
wrote that the debut album featured "chime-y, piano-driven, anthemic rock, not unlike Coldplay's early records", and called it "a minor success". In its review of High School, Chart
Chart (magazine)
ChartAttack is a Canadian online music publication. Formerly a monthly print magazine called Chart, which was published from 1991 to 2009, the web version continues operation....
wrote that the band at times sounds "like a less rambunctious version of Born Ruffians
Born Ruffians
Born Ruffians, formerly known as Mornington Drive, are a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2004, originally from Midland, Ontario, located near Georgian Bay. They are currently signed to Warp Records. The members are Luke Lalonde , Mitch Derosier and Steven Hamelin...
, which isn't a bad place to be." The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun is a daily newspaper first published in the Canadian province of British Columbia on February 12, 1912. The paper is currently published by the Pacific Newspaper Group, a division of Postmedia Network. It is published six days a week, Monday to Saturday...
wrote, "High School is a dark, introspective and slightly terrifying mini masterwork."
External links
- We Are the City on CBC Radio 3CBC Radio 3CBC Radio 3 is a radio station that consists of two parts devoted to Canadian arts and music: a radio service which is available on Sirius Satellite Radio and streaming audio, and several daily and weekly podcasts from the CBC Radio 3 website...