BLACK&BLEU

Do you ever wake up sore the morning after a great concert? Black and Bleu’s catchy tunes will get you moving on the dance floor, even if it’s just a hipster shuffle. Creating modern pop/rock with heavy influences of the ’80s new wave movement, they’ve been pro-ducing music as a full group since August.

The band got an early start with Jose Diaz and Dan McIntyre playing together and developing their sound before bringing in Jeremy Block as a synth player. All three of them grew up playing church music but developed their individual styles in vastly different ways – Dan played in a punk band in Prince George and Jeremy is a classically trained pianist.

Originally, their project was called BOOM but after joining forces as a full group, they decided to change their name. Block explains that “the idea of black and bleu related to bruises and life lessons but also the bilingual nature of our country”.

As the main songwriter for the band, McIntyre brings ideas to rehearsals to workshop them with the other members.

“We find it the best time to work through new ideas and see what works with the whole band,” said Block.

Along the way, they listen to music, both new and older, to get ideas and inspiration, he says. Then they each work out parts and then bring it all back together.

As a fairly new band, their recent success at the Landmark Showcase Festival has been an exciting opportunity. Recently making the final round of the competition, McIntyre says that “it’s been a good experience as a platform for our band to develop. It was hugely beneficial to the development of our band to have the opportunities to play in the Starlite Room and the Mercury Room.”

Black and Bleu’s next gigs are on Feb. 7 at the Naked Cyber Cafe with special guests The Metronomad and OMAR or you can catch them at Strange Society Live at Gas Pump Night Club & Bar on Feb. 18 with Form 10. They are hoping to record an EP this summer and are available for book-ings at blackandbleumusic@gmail.com. - The Nait Nugget