Van Damsel
Kamloops, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | INDIE
Music
Press
Canadian indie pop band Van Damsel will be dropping a self titled album this summer, and album track Best Of Everything bursts out of the gates with sweeping and glistening alt pop liveliness. The high flying song is instantly infectious and gripping. The stomping anthem is my first introduction to the band, though they’ve been around for awhile, and it leaves an unforgettable mark on me. There’s no doubt I’m keeping them on my radar from now on. - iHeartMoosiq
Recently, Canada’s Van Damsel premiered their very first single from the upcoming Van Damsel LP. Best Of Everything is an infectious collaboration of electrifying guitars and glistening synth melodies. Keep em on your radar. - Synth Pop Rocks
Not much gets us revved and ready for the weekend like a sexy indie-pop song, and new-to-the-scene V a n D a m s e l has handed us just that and more in their debut single, “Best Of Everything.” With a heavily uplifting synth-rock beat supporting the majestically pure vocals of Sebastien Ste Marie, the British Columbia-based foursome is making a major first splash with their insanely catchy and exceptionally stimulating track. Off their self-titled LP, this sonic explosion leaves a taste sweeter than candy with resonating lyrics to match.
I can’t quite put my finger on what — whether it’s the striking guitar riffs from Richard Bregoliss, the sensual bass strums of Matthew “Renny” Rennehan, the delicious drum spikes of Matthew Barron or the vocal genius of Ste Marie — but this group and their sound… man, I’m all riled up. Do like me and keep a close watch on Van Damsel, and find no shame in listening to the below on repeat until their full LP drops this summer. - The Most Definitely
To kick off our first Song Of The Week feature in 2016 is ‘Van Damsel’, a Canadian Alternative band based in Kamloops formed in 2010. The group consists of Sebastien Ste Marie (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, synths), Richard Bregoliss (lead guitar, backing vocals, synths), Matthew Barron (drums, percussion, backing vocals, synths), and Matthew ‘Renny’ Rennehan (bass, backing vocals).
After first coming across Van Damsel, they fitted the bill, their indie/alt rock beat with an 80’s style pop. Their latest single ‘Sophia’ featuring loose, rocky grooves and an ’80s-inspired poppiness, “Sophia” is an anthem would be at home on pop radio.
‘Sophia’ has a high-gloss, summery sheen that marks a natural evolution from Van Damsel’s 2013 EP, ‘The Sunshine, Girl’. The song’s radio-readiness is belied by the band’s willingness to show off their delay-unit chops and their trademark synth-heavy, power-intensifying breakdowns. - Indie Central Music
Discography
Sophia (Single)
Best of Everything (Single)
The Sunshine, Girl
Photos
Bio
Van Damsel is an alternative pop/rock foursome from Kamloops, British Columbia, consisting of Matthew "Renny" Rennehan (bass), Rich Bregoliss (lead guitar, synths), Sebastien Ste Marie (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, synths), and Matthew Barron (drums, percussion, synths). All members attended the same high school and formed through mutual connections with Matthew B.
From 2007 to 2009, three of the members (sans Sebastien) performed in a death metal band, using different instruments from what they currently play. All the while, Sebastien, Rich, and Matthew experimented with indie-rock style jams. In August of 2009, the metal group broke up and Renny joined the other three to form what would eventually be called Van Damsel.
The group's sound was initially raw (two guitars, bass, and drums) and the songs often had lengthy jam sections. Following the release of two EPs – Say Hello to Your Mother in 2012 and The Sunshine, Girl in 2013 – the group began seriously exploring their songwriting craft, live show, and overall message. The process that followed has been one of writing, demoing, re-writing, and re-demoing each song on their upcoming debut LP, Van Damsel, slated for release in Spring 2016. Ultimately, Van Damsel, is an upbeat, polished, and supremely danceable pop album with lyrics that promote perseverance, social responsibility, and the pursuit of greatness.
2015 has seen Van Damsel tour across Canada twice and take home $50,000 in the highly regarded PEAK Performance Project. They have seen success on Canadian commercial radio, XM Radio, and online with the hook-laden lead single, “Best of Everything.” On November 20th, the group released their second single from the LP, "Sophia," a groovy, 80s-inspired love song. Expect more great things from Van Damsel in the near future.
Band Members
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