This was then...
Fresh out of high school, BRAIDS were known as The Neighborhood Council. I first saw this photo in Fast Forward (in 2007/08?) , thought these faces looked familiar, read the article, proceeded to listen to a few tracks on MySpace and thought they were fabulous.
The four band-mates left Calgary soon(ish) after high school to join the Montreal music scene.
I recall seeing lead vocalist/guitarist Raphaelle at the Azeda Booth show for the last time in 2008 (or 2007) back when The Empty Space still existed at the U of C. We exchanged a few words, and that was that.
This is now...2011
The Neighborhood Council blossomed into BRAIDS. Same original band members, same fabulous sound but now with a debut album, "Native Speaker" and a tour that will take them all the way to the U.K. The band is seriously making a name for itself from getting recognition in The Globe and Mail to making the lists of Pitchfork to playing Red 7 at SXSW, Austin, TX just a couple weeks ago.
And tonight (March 30), BRAIDS is returning to home-sweet-home Calgary to play The GRAND!
This is pretty fucking exciting if you ask me.
Wishing BRAIDS all the best.
"Native Speaker" in stores now
