A high-energy band with uplifting grooves is back to play another round at Kulth this year, and the group may have even more followers than last year.
Quoia (pronounced like sequoia tree without the se) released their first full length album in October, 2011 called Wildside while continuing to play a number of festivals around Alberta and B.C.
Formed in 2008, the group played over 60 shows in their first year which group member Mike Hann said really helped advance their skills.
“It helped us hone our sound pretty quickly which was good, and work through a lot of original material,” he said.
Hann describes the group’s sound as feel good, upbeat music. Others have said the group “genre hops” from rock, grooves, folk, country and even reggae.
Quoia, based out of Victoria, had two original songs in the surf film Around the World in 80 Waves, they've been the subject of a documentary and they were nominated for the 2011 M Awards for Favourite Band. Hann said one of the highlights the group has had to date was opening for American Grammy Award-winning blues musician Taj Mahal at the Royal Theatre in Victoria.
Quoia is also credited with founding and producing the Tall Tree Music Festival in Port Renfrew, B.C., which was listed by CBC Radio 3 as one of their “Favourite Canadian Festivals” last year.
Quoia is also doing good things for the planet as proceeds from the Tall Tree Festival, and 10 per cent of the proceeds from Wildside, are donated to the Ancient Forest Alliance and their efforts to protect old growth forests.
"I really respect what they're trying to do and how they're going about it," Hann said, adding the society doesn't condemn the logging industry but instead tries to protect old growth trees.
Hann said Quoia is honored to be back at the Kulth Festival this year, and happy to be working with organizer David Fisher.
"We were treated really well and were really impressed with the vibe of the festival (last year)," he said.
Quoia is playing from approximately 6:15 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 21 at the Kulth Festival, held at the Coombs Rodeo Grounds.
For more information on the long list of impressive performers throughout the weekend, tickets and more visits www.thekulth.ca.