LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
The Boom Booms have been spreading their soulful rock music around the globe recently, and the group is making their way back to the Errington Hall for a show Aug 3.
The Vancouver-based group has been growing in popularity since its inception in 2008. The six-piece band plays a mixture of folk, reggae, latin and soul, among other influences. In 2011 The Boom Booms released their debut album Hot Rum and earned a spot in the Peak Performance Project, B.C.’s biggest contest for emerging bands. They snagged second place in that contest and a cash prize of $75,000.
The show at the Errington Hall this Saturday is for all ages and starts at 9 p.m.
Last year The Boom Booms headed to Brazil for two months to film a pilot for a travel band show, and ended up performing some sold out shows along the way, including one for 1,000 people in Rio de Janeiro.
“We went down with minimal bookings but we made our shows by making connections along the way,” said Aaron Ross, who sings lead vocals with the band and plays guitar.
The group also got involved protesting the Belo Monte Dam project, a complex slated to be the second-largest hydroelectric dam complex in Brazil and the world's third-largest. Ross said the project would displace 30,000 to 40,000 indigenous people living in that river basin.
Members of the Boom Booms travelled up the river and filmed a documentary on the project and the people living traditional lifestyles in the area. The film can be found on Youtube and on the group’s website.
Recently The Boom Booms wrapped up a two month tour of North America and a performance at an Earth Day Ceremony in Haiti, where they were invited by the ambassador of the environment. Ross said five out of the six people in the band are former tree-planters and they’re all environmentally conscious. The group is interested in participating in a project in Haiti in the future, Ross said.
Currently the group is working on its second album, with award-winning Canadian singer, musician, and music producer Chin Injeti. Their single Real Love is expected out in the coming weeks.
Tickets for the show in Errington are $20, available from Cranky Dog Music in Parksville, Heaven on Earth in Qualicum Beach and at the Errington Store, Children under 12 are $5 at the door and under 5’s are free. For more on the Boom Booms visit www.theboombooms.com.