Brian Rosen & The WhatNow
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Brian Rosen & The WhatNow

Nelson, British Columbia, Canada | SELF

Nelson, British Columbia, Canada | SELF
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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Album Review, "Choose Your Choice" 2012"

Here's a review of the album Choose Your Choice from the Fall/Winter 2012 edition of "Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine"

"Organic" is so misused by hipster subculture that it bears no resemblance to it's dictionary meaning of "derived from living matter."  Instead, labeling a particular scene as "organic" is now meant to attribute authenticity and by extension, acceptance as cool.  So at the risk of sounding like yet another hipster with a lazy vocabulary, let me attest that Brian Rosen & The WhatNow is a group that makes organic music in both senses of the word.  'Choose Your Choice' is the Nelson-based quintet's follow up to 2008's "Planting The Seed", further refining their brand of socially conscious reggae-rock with a quantum leap forward in musicianship and band interplay.  Highly danceable, thanks to the rocksteady rhythm section of Rob Funk and Jesse Lee,  Brian Rosen & The WhatNow lay down an infectious groove with a timely message.  What Now?  "Right Now" sings Rosen, backed by music of the earth that celebrates the earth while daring the listener to make a difference.  In a time where popular music is dominated by auto-tuned singers warbling over manufactured beats, Brian Rosen & The WhatNow present a soulful alternative of real music by real people that's, Gulp, authentic and yes, cool. Choose your choice indeed.

- Jamie Bliss - Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine


"Album Review, "Choose Your Choice" 2012"

Here's a review of the album Choose Your Choice from the Fall/Winter 2012 edition of "Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine"

"Organic" is so misused by hipster subculture that it bears no resemblance to it's dictionary meaning of "derived from living matter."  Instead, labeling a particular scene as "organic" is now meant to attribute authenticity and by extension, acceptance as cool.  So at the risk of sounding like yet another hipster with a lazy vocabulary, let me attest that Brian Rosen & The WhatNow is a group that makes organic music in both senses of the word.  'Choose Your Choice' is the Nelson-based quintet's follow up to 2008's "Planting The Seed", further refining their brand of socially conscious reggae-rock with a quantum leap forward in musicianship and band interplay.  Highly danceable, thanks to the rocksteady rhythm section of Rob Funk and Jesse Lee,  Brian Rosen & The WhatNow lay down an infectious groove with a timely message.  What Now?  "Right Now" sings Rosen, backed by music of the earth that celebrates the earth while daring the listener to make a difference.  In a time where popular music is dominated by auto-tuned singers warbling over manufactured beats, Brian Rosen & The WhatNow present a soulful alternative of real music by real people that's, Gulp, authentic and yes, cool. Choose your choice indeed.

- Jamie Bliss - Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine


"Rosen and the WhatNow set to rock Winlaw"

PAGE 14 – Tuesday, January 6, 2009 Nelson Daily News

Brian Rosen
The Cedar Creek Café
Jan 15, 7 p.m.

The good vibes and refreshing sounds of 'Brian Rosen &The WhatNow', will infiltrate The Cedar Creek Cafe on Highway 6 in Winlaw.
'Brian Rosen & The WhatNow' is a Rock/Reggae/Dance Band based out of Nelson B.C, with a universal message that appeals to people of all ages.
The WhatNow really Rocks Reggae to an awesome level, holding down the groove and making the people move with songs about love, nature, truth and global issues, with intensity and passion. When these guys perform, people listen up close, start to dance and feel good. The group released their album "Planting the Seed" in 2008 and the seeds are being successfully planted.
The show @ The Cedar Creek Cafe in Winlaw starts at 7 pm on Thursday Jan 15.
- Nelson Daily News


"Rosen and the WhatNow set to rock Winlaw"

PAGE 14 – Tuesday, January 6, 2009 Nelson Daily News

Brian Rosen
The Cedar Creek Café
Jan 15, 7 p.m.

The good vibes and refreshing sounds of 'Brian Rosen &The WhatNow', will infiltrate The Cedar Creek Cafe on Highway 6 in Winlaw.
'Brian Rosen & The WhatNow' is a Rock/Reggae/Dance Band based out of Nelson B.C, with a universal message that appeals to people of all ages.
The WhatNow really Rocks Reggae to an awesome level, holding down the groove and making the people move with songs about love, nature, truth and global issues, with intensity and passion. When these guys perform, people listen up close, start to dance and feel good. The group released their album "Planting the Seed" in 2008 and the seeds are being successfully planted.
The show @ The Cedar Creek Cafe in Winlaw starts at 7 pm on Thursday Jan 15.
- Nelson Daily News


"WhatNow Saturday, Dec. 6 at The Royal on Baker"

Page 10 EXPRESS Dec 3, 2008

Brian Rosen and The WhatNow Saturday, Dec. 6 at The Royal on Baker

Dance all night to a rock/reggae/dance band with good vibrations and conscious lyrics.
Brian Rosen and the WhatNow spread the love and plant the seeds of consciousness wherever they go.
These guys share a refreshing energy on the stage that inspires their audience to watch and listen closely while rocking the dance floor.
The WhatNow came together as a group in early 2008. They released their debut album Planting the Seed in September 2008. Brian Rosen & the WhatNow also released their song "Best Shot" on the 2008 Kootenay Soundvibes compilation CD and shook the party up at the CD release event.
10$ at the door. - Express, Nelson B.C


"WhatNow Saturday, Dec. 6 at The Royal on Baker"

Page 10 EXPRESS Dec 3, 2008

Brian Rosen and The WhatNow Saturday, Dec. 6 at The Royal on Baker

Dance all night to a rock/reggae/dance band with good vibrations and conscious lyrics.
Brian Rosen and the WhatNow spread the love and plant the seeds of consciousness wherever they go.
These guys share a refreshing energy on the stage that inspires their audience to watch and listen closely while rocking the dance floor.
The WhatNow came together as a group in early 2008. They released their debut album Planting the Seed in September 2008. Brian Rosen & the WhatNow also released their song "Best Shot" on the 2008 Kootenay Soundvibes compilation CD and shook the party up at the CD release event.
10$ at the door. - Express, Nelson B.C


"WhatNow? Brian Rosen back in the valley."

WhatNow? Brian Rosen back in the Valley
Published: March 28, 2009 10:00 AM
Updated: March 28, 2009 10:17 AM

When Brian Rosen takes the stage in the Bow Valley March 27-29, it’ll pretty much be homecoming week.

If the name Rosen rings a bell among Valley residents, it’s because he was a fairly long-term resident himself, until a move to Nelson B.C. four years ago. You might also recognize the names of his parents, Debbie and Robert, as central figures in the Valley music scene.

At any rate, Brian Rosen and the WhatNow play Canmore’s Drake Inn, March 27-28 and Banff’s Rose and Crown, March 29.

Rosen and his WhatNow play an uplifting brand of reggae/rock to young and old. Along with Rosen (vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, harmonica), the WhatNow is made up of Rob Funk (drums, vocals, keys), Jesse Lee (bass), Joel Pelltier (djembe, congas, percussion), Ben Euerby (keys, sax) and Ty West (electric guitar).

As a youngster in Canmore, Rosen taught himself to play acoustic guitar and, under the guidance of his parents, who worked at The Banff Centre, was exposed to, and became interested in everything musical, from jazz to world to folk music. He took part in jam nights at the Canmore Hotel and Zona’s and played the 2005 Canmore Folk Music Festival.

While in Canmore, he penned a number of original tunes.

Those tunes, he found, came in handy after he traded the Rockies for the Kootenays and life in Nelson.

“I moved out here with a whole bunch of songs and musical experience,” he said. “I was kind of waiting for it to tall take off.”

That takeoff occurred when he started playing in jam sessions at a Nelson bar. He first hooked up with Rob, then the other members just kind of fell into place. The band’s first gig was a local fundraiser, which went over well with Nelson listeners.

“We decided then we should just record what he we had. Rob has a studio here, so we recorded our first album (Planting the Seed) and released it in September (2008).”

Most of the material on Planting the Seed was written while Rosen lived in Canmore. Some of the songs are new and he’s constantly adding to his collection of tunes. “The songs are written by me, then I bring it to the band and arrange them from there.

“We’ve been playing shows in Nakusp, Rossland and other towns, trying to develop a fan base. On this tour, we’ll be in Invermere before the Drake, then after Banff, we’ll be playing in Fernie.”

Having been together for about 12 months, now, Rosen said things are happening for the band, “almost faster than we can handle.

“It’s ambition with intention. We could play every so often, just for fun, but we’re working hard at it.”

When it comes to his music of choice, reggae, Rosen assures his interest lies in an upbeat form of the form. “Songs I write have a message and people seem to like a positive tone,” he said. “The songs are about unity, concern for the natural situation, love and togetherness – and when people feel that, the dance floor is full and they have smiles on their faces. Songwriting, to me, is a gift. When it comes together, it’s exciting to have a song at the end.

“When we play in a place like Banff or Canmore, we have a lot of music, so we don’t stop until they tell us to stop. In the band, we’re all friends and I think that’s infectious. A lot of people say the music is refreshing, and I like that.”

With his music, Rosen keeps the tempo up to the point it’s a rock reggae with a funk feel.

“Right now, I’ve got the right guys and we’ve been at it for over a year together. It took a while to find the right guys, because Nelson is full of artists, and lots say they are willing to go through with something, but then they don’t because they’re too busy.

“It’s going to be cool to bring all my close buddies back to town and show them where I’m from.”
- Rocky Mountain OutLook


"WhatNow? Brian Rosen back in the valley."

WhatNow? Brian Rosen back in the Valley
Published: March 28, 2009 10:00 AM
Updated: March 28, 2009 10:17 AM

When Brian Rosen takes the stage in the Bow Valley March 27-29, it’ll pretty much be homecoming week.

If the name Rosen rings a bell among Valley residents, it’s because he was a fairly long-term resident himself, until a move to Nelson B.C. four years ago. You might also recognize the names of his parents, Debbie and Robert, as central figures in the Valley music scene.

At any rate, Brian Rosen and the WhatNow play Canmore’s Drake Inn, March 27-28 and Banff’s Rose and Crown, March 29.

Rosen and his WhatNow play an uplifting brand of reggae/rock to young and old. Along with Rosen (vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, harmonica), the WhatNow is made up of Rob Funk (drums, vocals, keys), Jesse Lee (bass), Joel Pelltier (djembe, congas, percussion), Ben Euerby (keys, sax) and Ty West (electric guitar).

As a youngster in Canmore, Rosen taught himself to play acoustic guitar and, under the guidance of his parents, who worked at The Banff Centre, was exposed to, and became interested in everything musical, from jazz to world to folk music. He took part in jam nights at the Canmore Hotel and Zona’s and played the 2005 Canmore Folk Music Festival.

While in Canmore, he penned a number of original tunes.

Those tunes, he found, came in handy after he traded the Rockies for the Kootenays and life in Nelson.

“I moved out here with a whole bunch of songs and musical experience,” he said. “I was kind of waiting for it to tall take off.”

That takeoff occurred when he started playing in jam sessions at a Nelson bar. He first hooked up with Rob, then the other members just kind of fell into place. The band’s first gig was a local fundraiser, which went over well with Nelson listeners.

“We decided then we should just record what he we had. Rob has a studio here, so we recorded our first album (Planting the Seed) and released it in September (2008).”

Most of the material on Planting the Seed was written while Rosen lived in Canmore. Some of the songs are new and he’s constantly adding to his collection of tunes. “The songs are written by me, then I bring it to the band and arrange them from there.

“We’ve been playing shows in Nakusp, Rossland and other towns, trying to develop a fan base. On this tour, we’ll be in Invermere before the Drake, then after Banff, we’ll be playing in Fernie.”

Having been together for about 12 months, now, Rosen said things are happening for the band, “almost faster than we can handle.

“It’s ambition with intention. We could play every so often, just for fun, but we’re working hard at it.”

When it comes to his music of choice, reggae, Rosen assures his interest lies in an upbeat form of the form. “Songs I write have a message and people seem to like a positive tone,” he said. “The songs are about unity, concern for the natural situation, love and togetherness – and when people feel that, the dance floor is full and they have smiles on their faces. Songwriting, to me, is a gift. When it comes together, it’s exciting to have a song at the end.

“When we play in a place like Banff or Canmore, we have a lot of music, so we don’t stop until they tell us to stop. In the band, we’re all friends and I think that’s infectious. A lot of people say the music is refreshing, and I like that.”

With his music, Rosen keeps the tempo up to the point it’s a rock reggae with a funk feel.

“Right now, I’ve got the right guys and we’ve been at it for over a year together. It took a while to find the right guys, because Nelson is full of artists, and lots say they are willing to go through with something, but then they don’t because they’re too busy.

“It’s going to be cool to bring all my close buddies back to town and show them where I’m from.”
- Rocky Mountain OutLook


Discography

"Planting the Seed" LP 2008
"Earth Children" Single Soundvibes 2010 Kootenay compilation
"Choose Your Choice" LP 2012

Photos

Bio

Brian Rosen & The WhatNow is a rock/reggae/funk band with a humanitarian and Earth-loving message. Performances are passionate and full of energy as they spread their positive message and deliver unstoppable, fearless rhythms. Based out of Nelson B.C, this group is quickly becoming one of the most refreshing bands to hit the Western Canadian live music scene. The WhatNow is a tight ensemble that holds down a potent groove, hypnotizing the audience. Carefully-crafted songs give way to bouts of adventurous improvisation when this band takes the stage.

Carefully selected, The WhatNow boasts a cadre of multi-talented lads, including several multi-instrumentalists, a film scorer, a DJ, singer/songwriters, recording engineers, and classically-trained players.

"They play a higher consciousness sound, with positive affirming lyrics, they are phenomenal to dance to...we danced from the beginning to the very end...every person in the room was on their feet."

Band Members