Jeff Laing / 99South

Watch out, all you self-acclaimed garage-band wannabes! There’s something else headed in this direction. Musicianship. Yes, musicianship. And for three ambitious Richmondites, it’s only a matter of time before the general population starts to latch on and appreciate this increasingly rare trait.

Siblings Breanna and Jeffrey Laing, as well as fellow McRoberts Secondary grad Christopher Biasutti, have teamed up to create a band so jam-packed with determination and commitment that their impressive musicianship is hardly surprising. Barely out of high school, the three musicians have collectively earned countless honours, awards, and scholarships – prestigious school, city, and national music credits. Don’t let their age fool you. These three cool-cats have the band under control. “We all complement each other musically but we also have the same work ethic and common goals, which I’ve learned is equally as important,” notes Breanna.

Their business-like approach to the music industry has landed Ninety-Nine South numerous gigs around the Lower Mainland, including performances at Richmond’s Nightshift, the Women of Distinction Awards ceremony, and the Junior Achievement Anniversary banquet, to name a few. While they could be rightfully boasting about their credentials, Ninety-Nine South chooses instead to focus on improving, with goals such as “continuing to gain exposure,” and “polishing originals in preparation for recording and performing,” says Breanna.

As for their music, the band initially decides that they can’t label their music or corner it into definition. When words aren’t appropriate in expressing their thoughts, the eager young trio jumps on the opportunity to play a few tunes and speak using the medium they know best. What better way to describe music than to play it? And after this brief impromptu performance, the three musicians manage to conjure up a description of their music, as an amalgamation of influences including such modern acts as U2, Maroon 5, and Coldplay with “a flair of jazz and blues.” It’s simply “a result of being exposed to all kinds of great music whether that be jazz, rock, pop, or anything really,” adds Breanna.
Armed with aspirations, commitment, and extensive musical resumes, this young trio is clearly driven to succeed. Their direction? Ninety-Nine South.

www.myspace.com/99southmusic

- by Emily Kay – Boyd, Richmond