The Trips

The Trips earn top placement in songwriting competition
by Paula Levy

The Trips placed in the top three of a provincial songwriting competition. Band members include: from left, Jake Hamm, Jack Havinga, Shane Winter and Daniel Bruhm. Photo by Sarah Steele
A band of high school students placed in the top three of a recent provincial songwriting competition.

The Trips entered the Multifest Youth Songwriter's Competition during the annual multicultural festival in Halifax in early July.

For their original composition, "Love on a Leash," The Trips were awarded studio time with an award-winning producer at Codapop Recording Studios in Halifax. In addition, the four-member band appeared on the main stage at the festival's opening night as a lead-in act for Lenny Gallant.

The award-winning song was born from lead vocalist Shane Winter's lyrics. Once Shane presented the lyrics to his bandmates, each musician contributed to the music and agrees the music wrote itself.

Bass player Daniel Bruhm called the song a "perfect blend of blues and rock."

The Trips members also include lead guitarist Jake Hamm and percussionist Jack Havinga. The four will all be attending Park View Education Centre in September.

The Trips' affiliation with each other dates back to Bayview School when Jake discovered that his social studies classmate, Jack, was a budding drummer. Instead of completing a social studies project, the two became lost in music. Soon after Daniel started playing with the two, Shane came onto the scene replacing another former singer.

"At the time, I was writing lyrics to songs I heard in my head, but I couldn't play a single note on any instrument ... still can't," added Shane.

But being a fan of the group led a shy Shane to come forward and present his lyrics.

It is now two years later and the high school students are still playing their '60s garage rock with hints of the blues with a modern flare.

Although the group would not turn down worldwide success, Daniel said he's happy just to play. In fact, the group is readying to record an EP (extended play).When asked about their name, Jake responded it is a reflection on the group's intentions.

"We want to take the listener on a musical journey through time and space," he said.

Shane added their music is an attempt to take the listener on "introspective trips, a look inward. ... Our music is very in the moment, not too premeditated."

Daniel called the multicultural festival recognition a huge step forward for The Trips.

Shane agreed. "We were up against the whole province, so it was incredibly gratifying. We're all very humbled for the experience."

The high school band will be playing at Riverfest on August 14 and was also invited to perform during Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music Week in Yarmouth in November. - Lighthouse Publishing

DEEP ROOTS MUSIC COOP ATTRACTS APPLICATIONS FROM OUTSIDE NOVA SCOTIA FOR EMERGING ARTISTS ‘UNEARTHED’ PROGRAM

For Immediate Release: (Wolfville, NS – July 7, 2010)

Deep Roots Music Cooperative received submissions for Emerging Artists ‘UNEARTHED’ from as far afield as Winnipeg and Connecticut. Open to musicians’ aged 14 to 25, ‘UNEARTHED’ offers 3 days of workshops with industry professionals, a performance at Festival Theatre in Wolfville as part of Mud Creek Days and a chance to perform on-stage at the 2010 Deep Roots Music Festival.

The selection committee were amazed by the level of talent and had a hard time short listing the finalists. Included in the list are the three finalists from the Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia song-writing competition. Runners up ‘Apollo 13’ and ‘The Trips’ will be making an appearance at Festival Theatre along with valley residents’ Jesse Potter and Elizabeth Furniss. Rose Folks joins New Brunswick native Julie Aube and Guysborough’s Thomas Munroe who will also be performing.

Deep Roots Music Cooperative is excited to launch their program as part of Wolfville’s birthday celebrations at the end of July otherwise known as Mud Creek Days. Debbie Roza-Mercier, General Manager for Deep Roots Music Coop says, ‘The musical aptitude in Nova Scotia never ceases to amaze me and we have some very talented young musicians performing. We are looking forward to showcasing the shortlisted artists at Festival Theatre and then seeing four acts appear at the Deep Roots Music Festival during the last weekend of September’.

All the shortlisted acts will take part in 3 days of workshops by industry professionals culminating in a performance at Festival Theatre on 31st July at 7pm. A freewill donation will help to support future Emerging Artists: UNEARTHED programming. There will be a special guest appearance by Windsor based band ‘Alice Stops Time’ who performed at Music for Haiti and who will also be appearing at this year’s Deep Roots Music Festival. - Deep Roots Coopertive