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Prism Prize Eligible Video: We Are The City - Killer B-Side Music

The 2020 Prism Prize for Best Canadian Music Video was awarded to Peter Huang, for his clip for Jessie Reyez's Far Away. We will continue to profile noteworthy Canadian videos, including this one from a Vancouver prog rock trio.

Prism Prize Eligible Video: We Are The City - Killer B-Side Music

By External Source

The 2020 Prism Prize for Best Canadian Music Video was awarded to Peter Huang, for his clip for Jessie Reyez's Far Away. We will continue to profile noteworthy Canadian videos, including this one from a Vancouver prog rock trio.


We Are The City - Killer B-Side Music

We Are The City is a progressive rock band based in Vancouver, British Columbia formed in 2008. The trio is composed of singer-keyboardist, Cayne McKenzie, drummer Andrew Huckliak, and guitarist David Menzel. With a name inspired by the Bible verse Mather 5:14 stating "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden", their music is not specifically religious. This is a group of Christians but not a Christian group. 

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The song and video for Killer B-Side Music are as spontaneous as you may believe with a band like this. With a budget of only $3,200, the group decided to spend all of that on an expensive hotel and shoot the video on their iPhones. "It was us, our phones, Instagram Live and a loud hotel room. With no set plan, we chased whims all night, slept one hour, shot the sunrise and continued from there. Sometimes the most inspiring art to witness is art within your capabilities — you see the ingredients, the recipe, how it was put together, and that's inspiring because you realize you're capable of the same thing. You are the technician. You have access to the tools."

Filled with trippy effects the band does an amazing job of bringing you into the room with them.  
 

Directed by Amazing Factory

Written, performed, produced, engineered by We Are The City

Guitar + Synth in the McKenzie Family Basement

Piano + Digital Drums at David’s Shedquarters

Vocals +Drums at Afterlife Studios, engineered by John Raham + Erik Nielsen

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Mixed by Matty Green

Mastered by João Carvalho

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Executive of the Week: FACTOR's Meg Symsyk on Why Supporting Canadian Music Means Supporting Cultural Sovereignty
Business

Executive of the Week: FACTOR's Meg Symsyk on Why Supporting Canadian Music Means Supporting Cultural Sovereignty

The president and CEO of FACTOR, one of Canada's most crucial music funders, explains why it's more important than ever to support homegrown culture and give it the opportunity to compete on the global stage.

When it comes to supporting Canadian music, FACTOR's influence is immeasurable. One of the most crucial funders of art in the country, the non-profit's impact is seen with its logo across countless acclaimed records and its name shouted out at concerts and award shows. But for president & CEO Meg Symsyk, it's not just about supporting Canadian music or even Canadian artists: it's about the sovereignty and identity of the country itself.

“Buying locally is more important than ever because of that consumer awareness and structural support. Canadians need to be encouraged to be more intentional. This last year and a half with the tariffs and the trade wars has put that on everyone's front burner,” she explains.

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