Derrival

The boys in Derrival have been given the seal of approval by some of Canada's best known musicians.

Juno award winners Sam Roberts, Max Kerman, Kardinal Offishall, and Gavin Brown selected the Lower Mainland indie band as one of three groups to attend the inaugural Allan Slaight Juno master class.

Vancouver-based Derrival will join Winnipeg's Slow Leaves and St. John's folk-pop artists Fortunate Ones on an all-inclusive trip to Toronto.

The package includes a $10,000 MuchFACT Online Music Video Award, recording time at Slaight Music Recording Studios, and a chance to play at the 2016 Juno Gala Dinner & Awards.

In 2013, the synth-heavy band won a different contest to peform at the Squamish Valley Music Festival. - Georgia Straight

Prior to their performance Feb. 4 at the Media Club, Joe Leary spent 24 Seconds with Derrival lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Mah.

24:The band recently participated in the Whistler Film Fest. What exactly was your involvement?



Adam Mah: MusicBC put on a showcase at the Whistler Film Fest where bands got to meet and perform in front of music supervisors from Vancouver and L.A. who work in film, TV and documentary as well as attend a networking event the following day. It was pretty crazy meeting these people who have had such a big role in providing the soundtrack for some of my favourite shows.

24: Is there a different vibe than say an outdoor music fest-type event?

AM: It was definitely a different vibe from a music perspective, at outdoor festivals it’s a lot of walking and you’re exposed to the elements whereas with the film fest everything’s fairly close and indoors. But I find there is a lot more of a discovery element to outdoor music festivals.

24: Generally in what kind of environment are you most comfortable performing in? What is the perfect setting?

AM: My favourite show we’ve ever played so far was the Peak Performance Project finale at the Commodore Ballroom. On stage it feels like a theatre but everyone’s standing and you can make the room pitch black starting the show which adds this layer of mystery and gets everyone excited when the lights slowly come up and the band walks on stage. I love intros.

24: You recently took part in the Juno Master Class.

AM: We applied to that through MusicBC and were 1 of 3 bands selected across Canada. It was probably the most intense learning week we’ve ever done but the most rewarding. It was completely customized to each band’s needs and we had lots of time with industry professionals like Sam Roberts, Max Kerman (Arkells) and Kardinal Offishall. It covered everything from accounting to our on stage performance.

24: Having been around for a few years, how have you grown individually as a musician and how have the band developed as performers?

AM: I think I’ve grown a lot in terms of songwriting and business sense. The band has developed a lot since we first started. We’ve been able to elevate our quality of writing and practicing. I think we’ve also become much more comfortable on stage and more interactive with the crowd.

24: When you reflect back on earlier endeavors, what would you say has been the most significant change that you’ve noticed?

AM: I think the most significant change has been the way we approach things. Between the Peak Performance Project and JUNO Master class I think we’ve approached things more from a business perspective rather than band perspective. But without forgetting that the core of all this is the music, without the music this doesn’t exist.

24: What does 2016 hold for Derrival?

We have a few shows coming up: -Feb. 4th at the Media Club opening for Modern Space; -Feb. 17th at the Biltmore for Justin Bieber Tribute night; April 1st-4th we will be in Calgary for the 2016 JUNO Awards and performing at JUNOfest and lots of new music - 24hrs Vancouver