artist The Feminists

   Based in the verdant jewel of Vancouver, The Feminists are a 21st century rock band.  Their distinctive sound is comprised of boy/girl vocal harmonies, fretless bass, the treblely bite of a Rickenbacker, the thick mellowness of piano, organ, and rhodes, a drummer who insists the drums are a MELODIC isnstrument, and a few psychedelic synthesizer swooshes thrown in for good measure. Over it all, riding the arcing ebbing flowing waves of sheer rock power are the most beautiful, sad, mysterious lyrics; the prettiest melodies you’ve ever heard. 
     This is the band you get when a strong rhythm section meets a great songwriter.  Although each member of the rhythm section is an accomplished musician, (Ferdy Belland - bass, Mike Zobac - drums, Allyson Mara - keyboards/vocals) it is when they blend together as a unit to support songwriter Keith Grief (vocals/guitar) that their skills truly become evident.  Grief’s innate talent for lyrics and melody is emphasizied and brought to the forefront of the band by this sensitive trio who are constantly inspired by the songs they are presented with. The chemistry that is created when the four of them are playing together is irresistable, their secret weapon that convinces most audiences they are the best band of the night. Certainly they are the band everyone is talking about afterwards, the band everyone wants to hear “one more” from  at most of the shows they play.
     Just because they’re sensitive and have nice melodies doesn’t mean they can’t rock.  This band likes to play loud.  This band likes to create sonic chaos.  They like to walk right out the very edge of what is bearable and at the moment you think they can’t take it any higher or louder, they instantly replace the storm with utter calm.You don’t see that very often these days, a band that is truly exciting to watch, can really play their instruments, and are blessed with good catchy songs. The melodies and lyrics draw you in and anchor the ear. The musicianship and arrangements are what keeps you there. This is a band that can take over your senses and force you to just stop...and listen.
     For the past few years, The Feminists have toiled diligently in the trenches of indie rock.  They have played hundreds of shows with some pretty cool bands (NoMeansNo, The Weakerthans, Tricky Woo, Marianas Trench, You Say Party We Say Die, Immaculate Machine, Junction, Wax Mannequin). They have completed three national tours and three albums.  Their songs have charted on radio stations from Victoria to Halifax.  They have received considerable national airplay, had their songs placed in movies, appeared on TV (in the U.S.) and in film (U.K. music documentary), and have received enthusiastic reviews of their records and live performances from music writers across Canada.
     After receiving the biggest recording loan ($10 000) that FACTOR awarded to an independent artist in 2006, The Feminists recently completed their third full length album.  Their efforts are now pointed toward the release of “Can’t Scream Loud Enough”, slated for release in February 2008. Killbeat Music, one of Canada’s busiest and most respected music publicity firms is on board this time around.  Scratch Distribution and Recordings will be distributing the new record in Canada and the U.S., both digital and hard release.  Digital retailers Zunior.com and iTunes.U.K. have picked up the band’s previous two albums and will also be distributing “Can’t Scream Loud Enough”. Always ambitious, The Feminists anticipate three tours in support of their new album. (CDN, U.S., U.K.) .  They soon begin video production for the first single from “Can’t Scream Loud Enough”, and are mounting an aggressive marketing campaign for the online and hard releasend. You can watch them play shows. You can buy their records. They embrace the twenty -first century, so you can also download their songs. You don't even have to pay for it. Although we would appreciate it very much if you did. Every little bit helps. The Feminists contain many things. A songwriter, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, three singers, songs. Four very strong willed individuals who all like to play their instruments as loud as possible. That may not sound like much, but anyone who's ever been in a band knows how much that is to try and manage in addition to having a life. Since January 2004, The Feminists have released two full length albums, and completed three national tours. Currently they are planning another tour and recording another record.

Ferdy Belland Bass
Mike Zobac Drummer
Keith Grief singer
Allyson Mara Piano/Keyboards