Peak Performance Project: Year Six

It's that time of year again, time for the Peak Performance Project. This sixth year sees some big changes in the competition, as not only will it help BC bands through 102.7 The Peak and Music BC, but for the first time ever, Alberta bands through the newly launched 95.3 The Peak and Alberta Music. There will be two separate top twelves (instead of the usual top twenty) and aside from the rock 'n' roll bootcamp, which all 24 band will attend, there will be two completely independent competitions; two introduction days, two sets of showcases, two top threes, two big winners.
This year, they kicked it off at Fortune Sound Club -- where the showcases will happen later this year -- with sets from past PPP alumni after the announcement. Last year's second place Hannah Epperson dazzled everyone with her gorgeous violin loops. Rococode teased a new album of catchy electro-pop. And JP Maurice burst everyone's hearts with his pop-rock.

But more importantly, this year's BC top twelve, in no particular order:

The Tourist Company - North Vancouver David Newberry - Vancouver Miss Quincy & The Showdown - Fort St John Derrival - Langley Altered By Mom - Vancouver The Wild Romantics - Nanaimo Damn Fools - Vancouver Jodi Pederson - Vernon Goodwood Atoms - Vancouver Shred Kelly - Fernie Jon Bryant - Surrey Good For Grapes - Surrey

Some initial thoughts?

Right off the bat, I am honestly a little disappointed to see Good For Grapes in it again. Nothing against them, but I was really hoping that with a slimmed down list, it would be all bands new to the project.
There are a few bands I know I don't care for, and a bunch I am not familiar enough with to have a solid opinion, and some I have never heard before, but to focus on the positive: I am very stoked for Altered By Mom, Miss Quincy & The Showdown, and Shred Kelly.

Altered by Mom is the new project from ex-beekeeper Devon Lougheed, and takes all the best of the 90s and crams it into some hook-filled rock; Miss Quincy & The Showdown is some damn fine gritty blues; and Shred Kelly have been a favourite since I first discovered them -- almost exactly two years ago, on the Tracks on Tracks train trip -- with their "stoke folk".

Those are the three I am pulling for out of the gate, but I look forward to listening to all of them and the discovery of new talent. And the first chance for that will be during the Khatsahlano Festival, July 12th on West 4th, where all 12 bands will play throughout the day.