artist The Dyeing Merchants

The Dyeing Merchants are a fresh new band to the West Coast scene. Members Renee Crawford, Jzero Schuurman, and Robert Coslett come from such bands as Jane Vain and the Dark Matter, Diamonds, Higher Arc, Lucid 44, Grandfather Fire and the Holy Morning, and Psychic Pollution.

Their latest Self Titled effort album was recorded guerrilla-style at the famous "fifty-fifty arts collective" in Victoria BC.

Jzero Schuurman had been a fixture in the Calgary scene, where he played drums for various bands, most notably Jane Vain and the Dark Matter who were signed to Canada's Rectangle Records. After some time he moved on to playing guitar, keys and baritone bass for various bands including his solo project Psychic Pollution. After moving to Victoria, he decided to form The Dyeing Merchants with his girlfriend Renee Crawford, who drummed for Kelowna-based band Diamonds, an indie blogger's hit. Next, Robert Coslett joined, who was able to play two instruments at once using a Guitorgan, a one-of-a-kind instrument that acts as both a guitar and an organ by using the frets as electric circuits. On their latest record, Fraser MacGillivray plays bass, and for a short time was instrumental in getting the album off of the ground. Since Fraser left the band the bass playing duties have been handled by on again off again member Robert Dinnino who's many projects (Mt. Royal, Lake Country, HUMAN CAT) keep him to busy to commit to the band full time.

The band prides itself on a lo-fi D.I.Y. ethic, using textured songwriting and swellinig noise parts. The band's sonic imagery suggests a trip across a vast ocean with ups and downs, with solid drumming leading the charge. A recent review stated that the bands "songwriting process is as organic and steadily encompassing as a vine creeping up a garden wall."

Recent comparisons of the band have included Black Heart Procession, Sonic Youth and Canada's WOMEN.

So far, The Dyeing Merchants have been able to solidify a place in the Canadian scene charting on college radio nationally. The band has been able to play various venues including Vancouvers Biltmore Cabaret opening for such groups as Duffy and the Doubters, Slam Dunk, Bankrobber and Kathryn Calder.