Picotalk Blog Compilation

Link: http://www.myspace.com/vivsavage

I'm always a fan, if just by nature of friendship, of any bands my friends happen to be in at any given time. Sometimes the music is good, sometimes the music is great, and then at times I'm just not sure; much as I'm not always sure how people take my tracks I suppose.

Viv Savage is a friend's band that has just released their first CD and posted some tracks up on their MySpace Site. While Phil Maloney (Drummer) usually ends up in bands that I really enjoy, when I first heard a few sample tracks from Viv Savage I found myself feeling a little alienated by the sound of the music.

I was leary to share my thoughts, but fortunately, when I did, Phil wasn't really suprised. I was good-naturedly informed that they were generating raving reviews and selling out shows. Phil said they had found they were able to polarize their listeners. The fans seemed to find their sound exceptional or terrible... with few people sitting on the fence. Later on I asked for some other opinions and his explanation was confirmed. A couple people said they really liked the tracks and would love to load them in their mp3 players, and only one person said flat-out they didn't care for the sound.

When I thought about that from a promotional perspective, having a sound that instantly polarizes your listeners could be considered a great accomplishment. Such a result would even be enviable. Having a few fans that really dig your tunes can help you far more than hundreds of fans that don't mind them. The proof is in the pudding. From what Phil has shared with me so far, they've been working their way to the top of a battle of the bands contest. It seems they are quickly becoming a favorite with local (Vancouver area) promoters.

Fortunately for me, the tracks they've recorded for their CD have really turned me around. I've enjoyed listening to the tracks on MySpace, and I'm still waiting anxiously for Phil to send me my copy to play as I drive around town. I've even ordered some additional copies to pass on to a few other people that dig their sound.

If you're on the lookout for some great local(ish) music, check out Viv Savage. You'll either love them or hate them... which by the sounds of things, is exactly what they're looking for! Me --- I'm thrilled to say I'm a renewed fan, and long for an opportunity to head down to Vancouver and rock out at one of their shows.

Mickael Maddison