Fly Points

5 men + 11 tracks = 1 killer CD
Article: Robyn Tocker - A&C Editor

A year and a half ago, Fly Points band members Graeme Watson, Billy Vancise, Julien Johnson, Danny Goertz, and Robby Vancise came together to start what would soon be a successful band of talented artists.

“Our music is energetic, guitar driven pop with elements of folk,” said Robby Vancise, the drummer, at their CD premiere on May 31.

Mad Men is the band’s first full-length album featured 11 original songs written collaboratively by all five members of the group. “We write about girls and the trials and tribulations of growing up.” While the themes are nothing out of the norm, the songs are catchy and their lyrics engaging that make anyone listening hit the replay button.

When asked about what it’s like to be in a band, Vanchise compared it to like being in any relationship. “We have trials and tribulations, but it’s a brotherhood. No matter what we’re doing there will be conflict but we are close. It’s part of being in the band.”

Regina is where the band started but it isn’t the only city the band hopes to play in. “We’ll go wherever the world takes us,” said Vancise. “I’d like to tour anywhere. Using music as a form to travel is an awesome excuse.”

Fly Points had played a lot of gigs together before their premiere, so there was a feeling of readiness among the members, but getting into the studio was a completely new experience.

“It was a different take. We had to get used to long sessions and redoing songs, but it was a great learning curve.”

The first song on their CD, “Always Do,” catches the listener’s attention with a universal theme of love and loss. By pairing it with an upbeat tune, the band gets its listener’s toes tapping and head bobbing. Yet Vancise claims his favourite song would have to be “Daisy”.

“I like how it’s arranged. It’s my favourite song to play.” It’s easy to see why. The song talks about a boy thinking of what could have been with the girl of his dreams and how she “has his number” but she won’t call. Another theme we can all relate to, another reason to love the track.

The CD’s title track, “Mad Man,” is also one of the highlights of the album. By combining the theme of love and growing up feeling like no one understands, the band strikes a chord in everyone who has grown up feeling out of place in the world.

Mad Men is available online at Amazon.com and iTunes. For the latest updates on the band, visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/FlyPointsMusic.
- Carillon

5 men + 11 tracks = 1 killer CD
Article: Robyn Tocker - A&C Editor

A year and a half ago, Fly Points band members Graeme Watson, Billy Vancise, Julien Johnson, Danny Goertz, and Robby Vancise came together to start what would soon be a successful band of talented artists.

“Our music is energetic, guitar driven pop with elements of folk,” said Robby Vancise, the drummer, at their CD premiere on May 31.

Mad Men is the band’s first full-length album featured 11 original songs written collaboratively by all five members of the group. “We write about girls and the trials and tribulations of growing up.” While the themes are nothing out of the norm, the songs are catchy and their lyrics engaging that make anyone listening hit the replay button.

When asked about what it’s like to be in a band, Vanchise compared it to like being in any relationship. “We have trials and tribulations, but it’s a brotherhood. No matter what we’re doing there will be conflict but we are close. It’s part of being in the band.”

Regina is where the band started but it isn’t the only city the band hopes to play in. “We’ll go wherever the world takes us,” said Vancise. “I’d like to tour anywhere. Using music as a form to travel is an awesome excuse.”

Fly Points had played a lot of gigs together before their premiere, so there was a feeling of readiness among the members, but getting into the studio was a completely new experience.

“It was a different take. We had to get used to long sessions and redoing songs, but it was a great learning curve.”

The first song on their CD, “Always Do,” catches the listener’s attention with a universal theme of love and loss. By pairing it with an upbeat tune, the band gets its listener’s toes tapping and head bobbing. Yet Vancise claims his favourite song would have to be “Daisy”.

“I like how it’s arranged. It’s my favourite song to play.” It’s easy to see why. The song talks about a boy thinking of what could have been with the girl of his dreams and how she “has his number” but she won’t call. Another theme we can all relate to, another reason to love the track.

The CD’s title track, “Mad Man,” is also one of the highlights of the album. By combining the theme of love and growing up feeling like no one understands, the band strikes a chord in everyone who has grown up feeling out of place in the world.

Mad Men is available online at Amazon.com and iTunes. For the latest updates on the band, visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/FlyPointsMusic.
- Carillon

Fly Points isn't chasing success; they're simply riding the wave. It was a little over a year and a half ago that these five lifelong friends finally decided to jam together. It's the classic story of parents leave town, kids rent as much music equipment that could fit in the basement, invite all their friends and see what happens. The result was a high-energy pop alternative sound they call Fly Points.

Since that fateful night, they've played JunoFest, Regina's own Jason Plumb helped produce their first album (release date May 31), they trended number one online on Hype Machine and major record labels are calling them looking for more. Not a bad start for a group of boys from Regina's south end.

"We've all known each other in one capacity or the other since grade school," said Danny Goertz, Fly Points' lead singer. "I've played folk music my entire life as far as guitar. But when we arrange something as a band - let's say something I've done in the past - it comes out completely different, just because of the way we collaborate."

As a band, they are still a little green - Fly Points has yet to tour outside Saskatchewan - but that doesn't make them new to the stage. As individuals, this band is comprised of musicians that have all sought different paths. Four years ago, Goertz started performing as a solo folk artist. Graeme Watson and Billy Vancise played guitar together throughout their high school years before the band convinced Watson to switch to bass. Julien Johnson is a classically trained pianist, his grandmother having taught him how to hone his skills. And drummer Robby Vancise spent years training as a jazz musician.

"The way we write our music is collaborative because everyone comes from points of reference," said keyboard player Johnson. "We're a melting pot of everyone's combined musical experience. We have a wide swath of sounding music."

And now they have Regina's own Juno Award winning artist Jason Plumb producing their very first album, Mad Man. The CD release party is scheduled for May 31 at the multi-purpose room in the University of Regina. The time of the show and ticket prices are yet to be determined.

As the title track, "Mad Man" weaves the album together by focusing on love, girls and how that combination drives guys crazy. According to Fly Points, the song-writing process is very collaborative and always happens after they've laid down music for the track. Considering that everyone in the band is in their mid-20s, it's no surprise that girls and love are common threads.

"The writing process for us has never been the problem," said lead guitar player, Billy Vancise. "There are about six songs that we haven't been able to finish because we've been so busy with recording and all these shows coming up. So even when we're done our CD, we could probably, in a month, go back and record another EP, if we wanted too."

Fly Points is one Regina band that is quickly rising to the top. Stay in touch with The Scene and we'll keep you posted every time the Fly Points touch down in Regina. Check out the band online, at www.flypointsmusic.com.



Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/entertainment/scene/8291851/story.html#ixzz2Sof6YNfz - Leader Post

Any time you can say a band is "local talent" and you don't have to use the word "talent" with reservation it is a good thing. And REGINA group FLY POINTS is certainly talented, and if I had a speaking voice there would be no reservation in it whatsoever. Their sound is clean and polished and the way their product comes across is as slick as a SPAREPARTS marketing campaign. It is a melodic composition the likes of which are rivaled by few bands of much larger status and the band comes across as sincere and certainly have put in their time perfecting their craft.

Their debut single "Forget" is starting to gain momentum and can be heard not only on YOUTUBE, but also Hype Machine which will not doubt only add to the popularity of the buddy Saskatchewan-based emsemble. The words in the song have a way of impacting you emotionally and the tune is catchy enough that that it will more than likely be played a few times once you hear it.

The group is currently in the running to hit the stage at Sasktel Summer Invasion as a showcase that will go to the band with the largest number of fan likes, along with being voted the best by a panel of judges that will definitely be swayed by the professional sound that they possess. If you want to hear more from Fly Points you can find them playing shows in REGINA and area as they have just started to headline a few gigs with more likely on the way in the very near future.

For now, enjoy the musical stylings of "Forget" and the start of the week. Jam this song early and often and it will aid in the process of taking the sting off of the worst day of the week. - The Rooster

Any time you can say a band is "local talent" and you don't have to use the word "talent" with reservation it is a good thing. And REGINA group FLY POINTS is certainly talented, and if I had a speaking voice there would be no reservation in it whatsoever. Their sound is clean and polished and the way their product comes across is as slick as a SPAREPARTS marketing campaign. It is a melodic composition the likes of which are rivaled by few bands of much larger status and the band comes across as sincere and certainly have put in their time perfecting their craft.

Their debut single "Forget" is starting to gain momentum and can be heard not only on YOUTUBE, but also Hype Machine which will not doubt only add to the popularity of the buddy Saskatchewan-based emsemble. The words in the song have a way of impacting you emotionally and the tune is catchy enough that that it will more than likely be played a few times once you hear it.

The group is currently in the running to hit the stage at Sasktel Summer Invasion as a showcase that will go to the band with the largest number of fan likes, along with being voted the best by a panel of judges that will definitely be swayed by the professional sound that they possess. If you want to hear more from Fly Points you can find them playing shows in REGINA and area as they have just started to headline a few gigs with more likely on the way in the very near future.

For now, enjoy the musical stylings of "Forget" and the start of the week. Jam this song early and often and it will aid in the process of taking the sting off of the worst day of the week. - The Rooster

Fly Points are one of the newest talented Indie Rock bands to sail out of Regina Canada. Their latest single ‘Forget‘ is the first taste of the band that has hit the inter-webs. ‘Forget‘ is probably a song you won’t forget. The track captures a heart-broken story over a solid indie rock track filled with harmonies that are powered with the emotional vocals of lead singer Danny Goertz. The track is an all and out hit, it just has to be noticed. Give the track a listen below.
Like Fly Points On Facebook
Like Beatfind on Facebook For Updates - BeatFind

Fly Points are one of the newest talented Indie Rock bands to sail out of Regina Canada. Their latest single ‘Forget‘ is the first taste of the band that has hit the inter-webs. ‘Forget‘ is probably a song you won’t forget. The track captures a heart-broken story over a solid indie rock track filled with harmonies that are powered with the emotional vocals of lead singer Danny Goertz. The track is an all and out hit, it just has to be noticed. Give the track a listen below.
Like Fly Points On Facebook
Like Beatfind on Facebook For Updates - BeatFind

Fly Points’ jam space is technically a storage room above Gabbos and the Regina Boxing Club. Old sheets and purple foam decorate the walls of the 12-by-12-foot space, and boxing noises permeate the floor. To get there, you go up an industrial elevator, then walk down a long hallway with a dozen numbered plywood doors on either side.

“It’s like out of the Saw movies,” says Danny Goertz, the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist.

“It’s definitely scary by yourself at two in the morning,” adds drummer Robby Vancise.

In addition to the look, the space lacks air conditioning and heating.

“We go from playing with winter coats on, and my fingers can barely hold the strings down they’re so cold. Then in the summer we’re up here with no shirts on, hot as hell,” says guitarist Billy Vancise.

It’s not the atmosphere you picture when you think of energetic pop-rock, but it’s working. Only a few months in, the five-piece had 350 people turn up to their first show.

“We kind of first got into it not really knowing what was going to happen. We just kinda got together, we were jamming and within four months we came pretty far,” says Billy.

It started when Robby and Billy’s parents went to Hawaii last July.

“We basically just went to Long & McQuade and rented as much (gear) as possible to put in our living room,” says Billy. “That week kind of got us jamming. We played one song the entire week.”

Fly Points has been called the best Regina band that no one’s ever heard of, and their cramped jam space — which they found in September — might have something to do with it.

“The room really affects the way we hear ourselves,” explains Mike Loffler, keyboardist. “For instance, I have to have a monitor just to hear my own keys. A lot of the stuff is all facing each other so it’s just a distorted kind of sound.”

“I think because it’s such a crap sound in here, you can’t hear anything, so you have to be really cognizant of the sounds in this room, so I think it pushes us to be tighter and play better outside of the room,” adds Danny.

“And the boxing noises keep us all motivated,” jokes bassist Graeme Watson.

Though they’re young — all in their early 20s — and have only three shows under their belts, they’re treating it like a business. With that in mind, “You have to pick your shows,” says Danny. “If you overplay yourself, people aren’t going to show up. If you book on a day when it’s raining, people don’t show up.”

“If you play around Rider games ...” adds Robby.

“If you offer drink specials, people show up,” says Danny.

Having fun is their priority.

“It’s not that we’re trying to break ground; we’re just playing music that we like to play,” says Danny.

“I don’t know if we’re expecting to be anything crazy,” says Billy. “I just wanna tour and have fun with these guys. I just want to travel, play shows in random places, maybe have five people show up and just love it.”

“Not have an engineering job,” Graeme interjects.

“Yeah, that’s the main thing,” Billy replies. “I’m almost done school and I do not want to work as an engineer right now. I’m 22 and I don’t want to get a real job for a while. I don’t want to be an adult yet.”

Catch Fly Points on June 1 with Great Rooms at The Distrikt. Follow them on Twitter at@flypoints or at Facebook.com/FlyPointsMusic.

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

BY ASHLEY MARTIN
Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/Points/6553102/story.html#ixzz2LkkvPtbw - Leader Post

Fly Points’ jam space is technically a storage room above Gabbos and the Regina Boxing Club. Old sheets and purple foam decorate the walls of the 12-by-12-foot space, and boxing noises permeate the floor. To get there, you go up an industrial elevator, then walk down a long hallway with a dozen numbered plywood doors on either side.

“It’s like out of the Saw movies,” says Danny Goertz, the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist.

“It’s definitely scary by yourself at two in the morning,” adds drummer Robby Vancise.

In addition to the look, the space lacks air conditioning and heating.

“We go from playing with winter coats on, and my fingers can barely hold the strings down they’re so cold. Then in the summer we’re up here with no shirts on, hot as hell,” says guitarist Billy Vancise.

It’s not the atmosphere you picture when you think of energetic pop-rock, but it’s working. Only a few months in, the five-piece had 350 people turn up to their first show.

“We kind of first got into it not really knowing what was going to happen. We just kinda got together, we were jamming and within four months we came pretty far,” says Billy.

It started when Robby and Billy’s parents went to Hawaii last July.

“We basically just went to Long & McQuade and rented as much (gear) as possible to put in our living room,” says Billy. “That week kind of got us jamming. We played one song the entire week.”

Fly Points has been called the best Regina band that no one’s ever heard of, and their cramped jam space — which they found in September — might have something to do with it.

“The room really affects the way we hear ourselves,” explains Mike Loffler, keyboardist. “For instance, I have to have a monitor just to hear my own keys. A lot of the stuff is all facing each other so it’s just a distorted kind of sound.”

“I think because it’s such a crap sound in here, you can’t hear anything, so you have to be really cognizant of the sounds in this room, so I think it pushes us to be tighter and play better outside of the room,” adds Danny.

“And the boxing noises keep us all motivated,” jokes bassist Graeme Watson.

Though they’re young — all in their early 20s — and have only three shows under their belts, they’re treating it like a business. With that in mind, “You have to pick your shows,” says Danny. “If you overplay yourself, people aren’t going to show up. If you book on a day when it’s raining, people don’t show up.”

“If you play around Rider games ...” adds Robby.

“If you offer drink specials, people show up,” says Danny.

Having fun is their priority.

“It’s not that we’re trying to break ground; we’re just playing music that we like to play,” says Danny.

“I don’t know if we’re expecting to be anything crazy,” says Billy. “I just wanna tour and have fun with these guys. I just want to travel, play shows in random places, maybe have five people show up and just love it.”

“Not have an engineering job,” Graeme interjects.

“Yeah, that’s the main thing,” Billy replies. “I’m almost done school and I do not want to work as an engineer right now. I’m 22 and I don’t want to get a real job for a while. I don’t want to be an adult yet.”

Catch Fly Points on June 1 with Great Rooms at The Distrikt. Follow them on Twitter at@flypoints or at Facebook.com/FlyPointsMusic.

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

BY ASHLEY MARTIN
Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/Points/6553102/story.html#ixzz2LkkvPtbw - Leader Post