Music
Press
Vancouver based rockers, Tourist, with new reviews on their debut The Relevance Of Motion.
"You would be forgiven for thinking that Tourist is the next Nickelback sound-alike, coming as they do from Vancouver and winning 2004’s The Fox Vancouver SEEDS competition-following Nickelback, Default and Matthew Good in previous years. The similarity ends here. Tourist is far more diverse and aurally dynamic than their Canadian kissing cousins, preferring to explore rather than regurgitate the tried and tested post-grunge hard rock formula. Local radio agrees, with several songs taking pride of place on their rock rosters. Tourist competently mix 80’s hook lines reminiscent of U2 and Tears for Fears with pedal to the floor drumming and gut pulsing guitar more in tune with the modern rock currently finding success in the Billboard charts. From the huge stadium rock bruisers ‘Everytime We Touch’ and ‘Throwing Stones’ through to the U2isms of ‘LRT’ or the Splender-like ‘Nothing Between Us’ Tourist prove that in ‘The Relevance of Motion’ they have a modern hard rock album that more that fights its corner against any of the more established acts currently finding favour with the record buying public. The album is available at touristband.com"
4 out of 5 stars
www.alternativeaddiction.com
"I am really happy of this release by Tourist. Have been following the band for almost three years now since their early demo Ep til now with this complete album. They were good at the three-song demo, but to be able to fill a full length album isn’t always as easy. But these guys did it, which can easily be heard on this very consistent and stable show in melodic modern rock. And like always when it comes to Canadian bands it isn´t as polished and traditional as many of the American bands. Don’t know what it is to the country in the north because there are a lot of interesting and original bands from there.
If I should explain the sound of this Vancouver based band you could say that they’re like Closure and 40 Foot Echo with a guitar based and melodic rock. Then add a portion of A Perfect Circles depth and countrymen Retrograde and you have a very nice musical mix. Neither too commercial nor too odd, just damn good that will appeal to many of the readers on this site. So if you’re into modern rock with an edge, Tourist is definitely a band for you."
www.melodic.net
The Budweiser True Music Tour 2005
Tourist has just returned from dates across the Canadian prairies headlining shows as part of the Budweiser True Music Tour 2005. The band will be heading out again in the beginning of September to complete the last leg of the tour which will include university stops. The band is also featured on the Budweiser True Music Tour 2005 CD, distributed by Budweiser.
Interviews
The Scene Zine
Chicago based podcast Scene Zine, a part of the Adam Curry Group, interviewed frontman Blaine Braun for their podcast episode #29. Listen to it here: http://www.visionentertainment.com/thescenezine/podcast/TSZ-29-082605.mp3
Z-98 FM, Sioux City, Iowa
Listen for an upcoming interview with Blaine on The Underground, on Z-98 FM, Sioux City, Iowa. The station will be spinning Everytime We Touch, and LRT.
- B
Check out what the people are saying about Tourist on their official website under the media page.
http://www.touristband.com - Tourist
Discography
Demo - Autumn 2003
The Relevance Of Motion - 2006 (released in Europe through MTM Music/Psychoactive)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
In the summer of 2002, singer Blaine Braun and bassist Mark Radloff got together for a beer and a barbeque with some friends. They played in a band together in the past, and the conversation ended up revolving around what the both of them were doing musically. Blaine had just finished up with TWIST, a powerhouse modern rock act that had featured former members of platinum selling ECONOLINE CRUSH. TWIST had enjoyed some success in Canada, their debut CD had spawned two video's and garnered them late night talk show appearance's and radio support. Mark had just come off the road of a tour filling in for Vancouver rock act MORNING MAKER, a band that had enjoyed some success and opened for acts such as DEFAULT, NICKLEBACK and DANKO JONES. Unfortunately the tour was cut short by an early morning bus accident, in which Mark ended up being hurt in the crash. The two started discussing the possibility of working together again, and many drinks later the decision was made.
This was the beginning of TOURIST.
While Mark recuperated, he and Blaine started writing songs and recruiting players. While in the midst of the first demo, Mark starting talking to Greg Whitbeck from MORNING MAKER. The band had recently dissolved and as MORNING MAKER's main songwriter and lead guitarist he was trying to decide what direction to move in. A jam was arranged and the chemistry was incredible. Greg laid down some tracks on the first batch of songs Mark & Blaine had recorded. Without ever having played a live show those first songs from TOURIST had them selected as a 2004 Vancouver's 99.3 CFOX SEEDS winner, joining former winners, NICKLEBACK, DEFAULT and MATTHEW GOOD.
Things started getting busy.
With a huge sound, great songs and a stadium class live show, the band was landing gigs opening for bands such as The Offspring, Billy Talent, Thornley, Finger Eleven, Clutch and others. Management was acquired, and as some small tours followed, the discussions with labels and booking agents began. There was a buzz happening.
Then the unthinkable happened.
Corporate mergers, label's being bought by bigger label's... whole A&R departments wiped out. After watching two potential record deals disappear, many bands may have called it quits. Instead, the guys played more shows wrote more songs and continued to make new friends. One of the people that took the time to listen was Mike Fraser (AC/DC, SLIPKNOT, SATRIANA, METALLICA, AEROSMITH, HEDLEY). Mike loved the band and the band loved Mike, unfortunately Mike was also busy for months in advance so the band decided to start making the record themselves. After recruiting Mark Henning (TWIST) and the fun begins, we fast forward a couple of months. The band sits down to discuss potential people to mix. Lists are made, beer is consumed and talk centers around Mike. When Blaine and Mike talk... a cancellation has given Mike a free week and he's available to mix the record! More beer is consumed in celebration.
Mix begins at the world famous Warehouse in Vancouver, and the band discovers two things... One: Greg is an easy mark when it comes to XBOX NHL HOCKEY and... Two: the record sounds amazing!! Shortly after the recording, the band started looking for a permanent drummer. Blaine's former band mate, Bob Wagner had suddenly become available. Blaine and Bob had talked about doing this from the start, but Bob had previously been committed elsewhere. With Bob's addition, the band had stepped up a level, to where the band's huge sound could truly be appreciated. More live performances follow, and along with a tour for the BUDWEISER TRUE MUSIC series the band continues to work towards building a bigger fan base and developing their live show. "It's been a crazy few years" says Blaine, "Alot of hurry up and wait..." Finally, the wait is over.
Tourist's debut "The Relevance Of Motion" available throughout Europe and South America on Sept 29, 2006 on MTM MUSIC / PsychoActive. Available worldwide through ITUNES and CDBABY.
- Budweiser True Music Tour (Canada) 2005. This national campaign includes increased market awareness in every major rock radio station across the country, live performances, as well the ability to expand fan base via other opportunities offered by Budweiser.
- Winners of the 2004 99.3 CFOX Vancouver Seeds competition where they join alumni such as Nickelback, Default, and Matthew Good.
- Famous J together with Converse Shoes and Broadjam chose 'Everytime We Touch' to support the 2004 release of the 1970 reissue of the Converse classic shoe.
- 'Everytime We Touch' was added to the MyGlobalSound.com's Back to School MX CD 2004, distributed to over 8000 Florida college students.
- Have opened shows for Finger Eleven, SUM41, Offspring, Tea Party, Clutch, Thornley, Bif Naked.
- Semi-finalists in the M.E.T.R.O. Search 2004 in New York, and finalists in the Doniryeed Records talent search in Boston.
- 'Newradio' has maintained a top ten spot in th
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