A new Coombs music festival is gearing up to hit some high notes this weekend with local and international talent playing world beats, folk music, reggae, blues, rock and electronic.
Among those groups playing at the new Kulth Music Festival is a Victoria-based band which recently returned from a successful West Coast United States tour, a group recognized as “surf rock” around Canada and Australia, a group that has shared the stage with acts like the Beach Boys, Bedouin Soundclash and Xavier Rudd.
Current Swell is a four, sometimes five, member group that have three albums under their belts and one set to come out this fall. They’ve already had a positive presence on iTunes and YouTube and have been signed to Canada’s Fontana North label and Japan’s Surf Rock Records.
The group has played around the Island, including Nanaimo and Cumberland, but has yet to perform in the Oceanside area.
“We’re really stoked to play up there,” said group member Scott Stanton. “We can’t wait.”
Stanton described the group’s sound as folk rock with some blues, reggae and harmonies, and said they have been known to add a horn section to the mix. But it’s the energy produced at their live shows that really stands out, he said.
“We’re a band that really plays off each other when we’re on stage.”
The new album will have a touch of every record on it, Stanton said, with tunes hand picked out of a selection to give the final product a “really great feel.”
At the Kluth Festival they’ll play some new stuff as well as “the bangers” off previous records, Stanton said.
Catch Current Swell at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 17 at the Coombs Rodeo Grounds, followed by Rob Paine and then Ron Sexsmith.
The Kulth Music Festival runs July 16 and 17 and includes a lineup of over 35 performers, including children’s performers. A weekend pass for the festival is $135, or $75 for Saturday and $65 for Sunday. There are special rates available for youth, students and seniors and 12 and under are free. For more information visit www.thekulth.ca. For more information on Current Swell visit their website www.currentswell.com.