In our series Home Scene, Grid City asks music fans to share what they love most about the city’s music culture. This time we check in with musician Camilo Villamizar.
Tell us about the bands you play in.
The favourite child is Before The War, a project best summed up by [drummer] Jason Sonier as “we like to make people dance, but we also like to mess with their heads”. It’s a party jam band; primarily original music and improv.
I have also had the good fortune of being Dub Antenna’s longest running guitarist; playing reggae on many, many Wednesday nights. Then there’s Tumba Sound, a long-standing funk/latin/jazz combo I would love to plug for the next question, but won’t ;).
Name one Fredericton band more people should know about but don’t.
They are doing great, but more people should listen to Hum & Hollow.
Name your favourite recent release by a Fredericton artist.
Does it have to be a full-length? I really dig what David In The Dark is putting out there, and I think they have a really strong single with “Slap Happy”. Great production.
If a live music experience could be summed up as a combination of time, place and artist, tell us about one show you’ve seen this year that ranks high on your list.
The Fredericton Swingers Club Showcase had one of the most unique and electric atmospheres I have ever seen; so much camaraderie and running adrenaline. And how many six-hour shows hold a full attendance from beginning to end these days?
Live music culture is an important part of Fredericton’s identity. If you could improve one aspect of the city’s music scene, what would it be?
I would like for more of the city to join in on that identity. It is very easy to side with musicians when Harvest is making the city look good, but not so much when a local band is rehearsing next door during exams, or when budgeting your night out, or when complaining about how, and I quote, “there is nothing to do in this town” (unless you count borderline-nightly live music shows). Making something an important part of your city identity requires that the city at large embraces it, IMO.
Looking to the months ahead, what upcoming show is on your radar as a “must see”?
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead at Harvest. I have been lucky the past few years because bands I had been planning to travel for, end up showing up in our backyard. It is fun to imagine who could show up if more of us owned this scene.
Catch Camilo at Harvest:
Before The War: HJ&B Fredericton’s Own Stage, Saturday night, 8:45 p.m.
Tumba Sound: HJ&B Fredericton’s Own Stage, Saturday night, 7:45 p.m.
Dub Antenna: Tribute to Bob Marley and The Wailer’s “Legend”, HJ&B Barracks Stage, Friday night, 12:30 a.m.
