JP Maurice

He had travelled by train to arrive at NXNE: "The train was this thing called Tracks on Tracks that was created by Green Couch Sessions, [who] reached out to VIA rail about it, and VIA rail got behind it. They handpicked seven bands, and then three went through a contest through CBC Radio 3 to get voted in. There was one car that was designated where the bands would perform every night - MSN Entertainment

He has honed in his sound and tightened up his band. His set was easily the highlight of my night, with catchy songs that showed his talent for great song writing. He did invite up some guests for songs, including Stephanie Chatman on violin and Evan Konrad to perform a song that they co-wrote. - Vancouver Music Review

He has honed in his sound and tightened up his band. His set was easily the highlight of my night, with catchy songs that showed his talent for great song writing. He did invite up some guests for songs, including Stephanie Chatman on violin and Evan Konrad to perform a song that they co-wrote. - Vancouver Music Review

Lastly and never leastly, JP Maurice and company closed off the night to a sweaty, enthusiastic crowd who stuck it out til past midnight for his final set. One particular thought crossed my mind while crouching front row trying to get decent shots of Mr. Maurice: it must be alright to be JP—he has many female fans. And they seem to like his low-cut tops and chest hair and tight white pants. Even I was swooning a little. If you could win this PPP on sex appeal alone, this guy might take the cake. Fortunately, the contest is about music and he’s also pretty damn good at that.

Musically, Maurice was tight as ever, make musical love to everyone’s earholes with his Gibson E335 and sweet, sweet falsetto. His cover Canadian cover of Joni Mitchell‘s Woodstock took me a little by surprise as I didn’t even realize it was a cover until the song was over. I need to brush up on my Joni Mitchell apparently. - More Than A Feeling Music

The national anthem isn't the only patriotic song to celebrate on Canada Day. Canada's ever-bustling indie rock and pop music scene is always mining new gems. Here are just a few of the names you may hear a lot more of -- or should seek out yourself -- in the rest of 2009, including several B.C.-based ear-pleasers.

Maurice

The Victoria band is signed by David Foster's 143 Records, where they recorded their upcoming album in L.A. The release could be their meal ticket to the limelight. The band has been likened to U.K. bands such as Coldplay, Radiohead and U2, and has a distinctively retro, late-'80s sound, with lush keyboards and powerpop guitar riffs.

www.myspace.com/wearemaurice
- Chris Lackner, Canwest News Service