Jason Davies has never set foot on the Canadian Prairie.
But for the Langley singer-songwriter, the romance of
the vast plains that embraced his immigrant grandparents seemed like a good enough reason to name his band Prairie Dance Club as an homage to the region.
“We were listening to a lot of Neil Young at the time,” he said of the days when the band was forming and producing its first album. “(Young) has an album called Prairie Wind and that’s what we had in mind when we recorded it,” said Davies.
So far, Prairie Dance Club hasn’t played any shows on the great plains (or even outside of B.C. for that matter) but the foursome has plenty going on close to home these days. On July 15, they’ll play the Vancouver Shark Club, followed by a gig at Shorefest, July 30 at English Bay.
Oh yeah, and they’ve just been named one of the top 10 finalists in the Shore 104.3 FM Song Search contest.
The song that earned them their spot in the competition, Until They Put Me In The Ground, is about — appropriately — growing up on the Prairies during the Depression.
“It just has a romantic feeling about it,” said Davies.
On its website, the Langley quartet describes its sound as alternative folk rock, but it has also been referred to as ‘sonic Canadiana.’
“Our guitar player likes U2 and Radiohead,” said Davies. That influence “brings a sonic density” to the music, he added.
Their sound has been compared to the likes of Sam Roberts, Blue Rodeo and Coldplay, and Davies has no problem with that.
“There are not too many bands that come along that are so unique you can’t compare them to anyone.
“It’s a compliment, because all the guys in the band like (these acts).”
Although Prairie Dance Club formed in 2007, there’s a reason you’ve likely never stumbled upon their act here in Langley.
“We’ve mostly played downtown (Vancouver),” said the singer, listing the Media Club, Shark Club, Railway Club and Backstage Lounge as a few of the venues where PDC has performed over the past few years.
Among the highlights so far for the young band, opening last year for Tom Wilson at Venue.
“Good things have been happening since that gig,” said Davies.
Among them, making a contact in Seattle who has helped them get their music into the background of several U.S. television shows — including America’s Next Top Model and MTV’s 16 and Pregnant.
“It’s tough to make money doing music, and film and television is one arena that can pay you a bit,” Davies said.
If they happen to win the radio song search contest, the Langley band will dance away with a $20,000 prize package, specifically designed to help drum up some buzz. It includes a four-song EP, a professionally produced electronic press kit, all expenses paid trip and artist showcase at Rifflandia 2011 (happening in Victoria in September) radio airplay and $5,000 gift certificate from Long & McQuade.
“For us, it means some decent radio play at the Shore,” Davies said.
“Radio is really what most artists strive for because it exposes your music to more people quickly.”
Helping judge the contest are a couple of music industry heavyweights — Bruce Allen and Nettwerk Music Group CEO Terry McBride.
“To get our music in front of them and for them to know who we are, that’s pretty exciting,” said Davies.
Although they entered the Vancouver radio contest “with no expectations,” once his band cracked the top 20, Davies liked their chances of making the top 10.
“I had a good feeling,” he said. “We’re humbled, but at the same time, we’re at a point where we feel like our songwriting is pretty mature.”
The way things are going, Davies said, he’s feeling like Prairie Dance Club can’t miss a beat.
“Good things just seem to come in bunches.”
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For more on Prairie Dance Club, go to prairiedanceclub.com or check them out on Facebook and Myspace.