And now for something completely different - Whoop!

Jordy Birch and Mark Henning have begun a production team once again, and in addition to working with other artists, they have created a few new Guilty About Girls songs. The following is one of their new ideas: Whoop!  The video contains footage featuring the Hullabaloo dancers, taken from a 1960's television show.

A Change of Frequency - May 2nd

We are pleased to be a part of "A Change of Frequency," a benefit for Mental Health Canada.  May 2nd at Chapel Arts (304 Dunlevy Ave, Vancouver) featuring nine different musical acts including Combine the Victorious, Guilty About Girls and long time friends Sex With Strangers.  SWS front man Hatch Benedict will also be acting as MC for the night's festivities and with additional guests such as Jody Quine, We Found a Lovebird and;Muthafunkers, it should be a great night of music all for a very good cause. 

Last year's benefit managed to raise over $5000 for Mental Health Canada, and we hope this year will prove just as successful. 

A Change of Frequency is the heartfelt project of Minna Simko, widow of Todd Simko who took his life back in 2012.  The benefit is intended to raise awareness of mental health issues, as well as spread the love of music.  This will be its second year.

Thanks must go to Robert Edmonds of Evoke Designs for his excellent poster art once again. 

Photos from A Change of Frequency

Thanks to Chuk Foto for the great photos from the show!  Check out more of his work at black lettuce blogspot.

Pure / Guilty About Girls at A Change of Frequency

Saturday night was a full night of music at the Change of Frequency festival. Eight bands on stage in total, but it's been suggested that the highlight of the evening went to Todd Simko's former bandmates.  Performing three classic Pure songs from back in the day, as well as two more current Guilty About Girls tracks, the remaining original members were joined by  other friend's of Todd's to recreate those songs.

Jordy Birch and Mark Henning were complimented onstage by Justin "Juice" Kadis and Misty Reid (formerly of the Yoko Casionos and currently members of Combine the Victorious) as well as Stefan Sigerson and Guilty About Girls drummer Lucas Poth.   Leigh Grant, original drummer of Pure, was also called up to make a special appearance on the kit for a very authentic version of Denial.  Isabelle Dunlop from Combine the Victorious joined the group for the last two Guilty About Girls songs as well.

With eight acts to perform in one night the sets were fairly short, but Pure / Guilty About Girls managed to squeeze in several old favorites.  The set order ran as follows:
Blast (from the Pureafunalia album)
Anna is a Speed Freak (off Generation Six Pack)
Denial (Generation Six Pack)
Candy Candy (The Very Best of...)
Polygraph (The Very Best of...)

The band for the evening comprised:
vocals: Jordy Birch
keyboards: Mark Henning
drums: Lucas Poth / Leigh Grant
lead guitar: Justin "Juice" Kadis
rhythm guitar: Misty Reid
bass guitar: Stefan Sigerson
guest vocals; Isabelle Dunlop



(Thanks to Rod Grim for shooting video on the night)

It was a great event, for a good cause (Canadian Mental Health Association), and everyone had a great time.  Big thanks must go out to Minna Simko for organizing the entire thing, as well as the excellent crew who ensured everything went smoothly and professionally: Bob, Brian, Chris, Boris, and Jason all deserve special praise for their professionalism and great spirit!

Thanks for reading.

Pure and Combine @A Change of Frequency Saturday!

It's been quickly coming up on us, and this weekend is the first ever Change of Frequency music festival in New Westminster.  Put together by Minna Simko in memory of her husband and our dear friend Todd Simko, this is the realization of a dream Todd held to bring live music back to the Columbia Theatre in New West.

We've been rehearsing away in the studio, both bands making a lovely racket in our peaceful neighbourhood (thank you to out extraordinarily tolerant neighbours!) and things are sounding really amazing.  Combine the Victorious has the best line up ever with the additions of Juice and Misty.  The new songs are epic and masterful sounding, and there is even a brand new song written specifically for Todd Simko that will open the show.

Pure has expanded its lineup for this one off performance.  All good friends of Todd's, Jordy Birch and Mark Henning have even managed to get a hold of Leigh Grant (Pure's original drummer) to join them for a definitive version of Denial on stage this coming Saturday night.  With eight bands on the bill, it set is relatively short, but the music is sounding great and we're all excited to be playing some of the classic tracks. 

Come on out for both nights of great music, Friday night promises a more folk bases start, but concludes with the music of Fake Shark Real Zombie.  Saturday night is jam packed with indie rock, punk rock, garage rock, electronic experimental pop and of course the songs of Pure and Guilty About Girls.  It'll be great, not to be missed!

Tickets available online right now, but they are almost sold out, so get em quick!

Last Days of Mushroom Studio

A great venerable recording studio in Canada is closing it's doors this week.  Hipposonic (more popularly remembered as Mushroom Studio) has been sold and this country's equivalent to Abbey Road is shutting its doors forever.  It is with both regret and some selfish excitement that I can announce that we'll be in there tomorrow evening to record a new Guilty About Girls song with Jordy Birch and Lucas T Poth.   These last day sessions are part of owner Rob Darch's desire to offer something memorable and historic to the audio community before we witness the departure of his great sounding studio.   Tomorrow should prove an emotional day, but I'm excited to be a part of one last sessions before it transforms into an office space.

An additional note for posterity is that we've asked John Webster to help record our session.  Way back in the late eighties John once produced Jordy and Todd Simko's first band After All.  Even though Todd is no longer with us I think it's a rather pleasant way to say goodbye to one of my favorite studios anywhere in the world, and rather poetic for Jordy to retrace a few old steps from his past.

Please stay tuned for the reveal of the song Riot Riot  a moody piece that I'm suspecting many old fans of Pure might be pleasantly surprised to hear.  Another great song from Mr. Birch.

Thanks for reading,
Mark Henning

New Single-Guilty About Girls-The Boys in the Band

Jordy Birch has returned with a brand new Guilty About Girls single "The Boys in the Band."  It was just released on iTunes today.  Please check it out and pick up a copy for your playlist.

Click here to Link to single on iTunes

New Site for Robert Edmonds

Just wanted to share Robert Edmond's new site, which generously displays many of his designs from over the years.  It is with great pride that we note how many Boutique Empire covers, posters and special events he has created for us over the past five years.

If you appreciate inventive graphic arts please have a peruse through his online collection, you may even find a few images of paintings that need to have for your own home!  There are also many of his favorite posters he's designed for artists such as Metric, Black Keys, Willie Nelson, Lee Scratch Perry, BB King!  Far too many to name them all!


http://robertedmonds.blogspot.ca/

Merry Xmas! Latest news and a year in review!

Merry Xmas everybody.  Just wanted to put a few words together to wrap up the latest ongoings of everyone involved (or once involved) in the Boutique Empire family.

Starting with Guilty About Girls who have just arisen from a productive hiatus to deliver two new songs, the latest of which was singled out by Alan Cross on his music blog.  Once again Jordy Birch is proving he is among Canada's finest pop song craftsmen!  Have a listen to his blistering new single The Boys in the Band.




Old friends Sex With Strangers have just released their fifth album Behaviors.  The first video from the new album, once again produced by the brilliant folks of BKS Crew is called Times Electric.  Check out the video below for their new sound and style.  They seem to be gathering a lot of press with this release and we wish them all a great success.




Combine the Victorious has taken the inspiration from their first European tour to begin writing and recording their third full length.  Scheduled for a spring 2013 release, the duo plans to return to Europe next year for an extended tour in its support.   Their new EP, Crumbling Hearts, indicates the tone of their new material, some of which may appear on the full length.  Vinyl pressing is being sourced out as well, with cover art to be commissioned from Robert Edmonds. 








Isabelle Dunlop has had several very successful pop up shops during 2012 which has spurred on the idea of setting up a permanent shop for her designs in the new year.  It seems her wool scarves and shawls are becoming more popular each season.  Stay tuned for more news.

Robert Edmonds, the man behind the images of all the Boutique Empire releases, is currently planning expositions for the new year.  We are discussing many ideas of how to make each series unique and exciting.  Once again we'll be offering more information as we near the time to reveal his works. 

Vince Tuckwood, our resident author, not only released his Escalation novel this year but has been hard at work on a dualistic music album as well.  He has been revealing certain works from the sparse side of the album which show dramatic artistic leaps from anything he's done before.  Have a listen to some of his latest works on his reverbnation page.

Though not officially a member of the Boutique Empire collective (yet) The Population Drops have quietly started to amass attention around their first four song collection.  More songs are being recorded in January and hopefully a several more live performances will be scheduled to showcase this remarkable new band and their unique style.   Check out Enough from their first EP.



In closing, if we're very lucky we should also hear some new music from the elusive Gilles Zolty in the 2013.  He's been busy working away in Saskatchewan this past year, but there have been rumours of new works that might escape from his private studio into the world.  At very least we hope he can make his way out to Vancouver for another live performance!

Here's hoping all of you will have a happy holiday season, and though 2012 has been a challenging year we are all looking forward to the new year and the opportunity our new works shall bring.

Thanks for reading, be well and merry xmas.

Movie news - Random Acts of Romance

We are pleased to announce the inclusion of two Boutique Empire artists on the soundtrack of a new locally shot comedy called Random Acts of Romance.

Over the past summer we were approached about licensing songs for a new independent film shot here in Vancouver.  The trailer below looks great and features the Sex With Strangers song "We Want the Fire."  Another song, "Dancefloor" by Guilty About Girls is also included in the movie, apparently it is used prominently during the closing scene and credits.

From the few moments I've seen everything looks really good, and I can say we're all quite looking forward to catching its premiere in October.

Thanks again to everyone involved, you've been great people to meet and we wish you the greatest success with your motion picture!

Check it out!

New Video from Guilty About Girls - Dancefloor

Boutique Empire is proud to present Dancefloor by Guilty About Girls

Video produced by Boutique Empire
Camera work and editing by Mark Henning

Dancefloor written by Jordy Birch
Produced and Performed by Guilty About Girls
Engineered and mixed by Digory Smallz at Claymore Studio
Vocal and guitar: J Birch
Keyboards and programming: Mark R Henning
Backing Vocals: Isabelle Dunlop
Hi Hat overdubs: L T Poth
additional guitar and programming: Digory Smalls

download from http://tinyurl.com/88hj3qp or
http://guiltyaboutgirls.bandcamp.com/track/dancefloor

lyrics

Updates, News, Stories, jelly beans

There are a lot of things going on behind the scenes for everyone these days.  Currently Sex With Strangers is using the grey winter skies to find inspiration to write their fifth album!  Guilty About Girls is wood-shedding new songs (Jordy has revealed a couple very inspired hooks already) and Combine the Victorious is finalizing another batch of material that will eventually comprise their third release.  Robert Edmonds is as busy as always, last week revealing a few very haunting impressionistic self portrait type pieces.  Gilles Zolty is still hard at work back home in Saskatoon, but we are hopeful for a west coast appearance this spring!

Combine the Victorious also just re-released a song from their Disagreements EP - FKBC.  The video is below. 




This should be a busy year for everyone involved with Boutique Empire, and hopefully we shall add a few new people to our collective!

Many Gigs!

It's a very busy weekend with all the groups involved in Boutique Empire.  Tonight, Nov 24th, Combine the Victorious is performing their first show in 16 months at the Railway, opening for Magik Spells (from Calgary) and Nixie.  

Tomorrow night, Nov 25th,  Guilty About Girls will be performing as part of the Telus Stage Grey Cup party (6PM) downtown Vancouver.

Then in the evening of the 25th Sex With Strangers is sharing the bill at The Cobalt with The Gay Nineties and 41st and Home. 
____  

Combine the Victorious is in the middle of writing their third album, and their show tonight will be entirely new material, new songs, new equipment, new style.  Currently they have over half their next release written with several more ideas in the development stage.   March 2012 is the scheduled release date for the new material, tentatively titled "The Agreement."

Guilty About Girls is using their performance tomorrow night to release their latest single - Dancefloor - available now on iTunes and all other online retail stores.

After an incredibly busy year that saw them playing SXSW in Austin Texas, CMJ in New York City, the Okanogan Pop Festival in Kelowna, the Halifax Pop Explosion, as well as being a top 20 finalist in the 2011 Peak Performance Project, the members of Sex With Strangers are happy to take some time to themselves in their home city of Vancouver.  Tomorrow night's performance will be the last scheduled show of 2011 for SWS.  Plans are already brewing for them to write their next (fifth) album, more on that in the new year!

Much happening, hope you can check some of these shows out.

Also we'd like to point out that the Boutique Empire homepage has had a nice facelift (we're almost done) by the talented gentleman at Fractal.ca.  check it out!

"Dancefloor" Brand new from Guilty About Girls

Guilty About Girls will be releasing their new single, "Dancefloor" on Friday Nov 11th, 2011, but you can hear it today, with a free download until the official release on iTunes. 

Listen now and please share it if you enjoy the song!




Written by Jordy Birch
Performed and produced by Guilty About Girls
Recorded and mixed by Digory Smallz at Claymore Studio
Mastered by Todd Simko at Hearing Protection Required

Vocals and guitar: Jordy Birch
Keyboards: Mark R Henning
Backing Vocals: Isabelle Dunlop
Hi Hat overdubs: Lucas T Poth

Artwork by Rob Edmonds

Photos unveiled of Guilty About Girls live

We recently discovered these lovely images of the past Guilty About Girls show in Vancouver at Venue.  All courtesy of Venue.

Robe - Backstage Rider

next shows are August 11th at The Waldorf and August 21st at Live at Squamish. 

Combine the Victorious offering free download of Disagreements EP

As the writing continues on what will be their third release, Combine the Victorious is offering a name your price download of their second release, the Disagreements EP.   This was their follow up to The World Over and  was originally recorded and released in 2008.   After taking the past year off to focus on their other bands (Isabelle sings with Sex With Strangers and Mark is the other half of Guilty About Girls) the two have begun demoing new songs for their next album (which will either be a 2011 or 2012 release).   The Disagreements EP  contains the songs Decay, Back in Style, Fat Kids Big Cars and Please, all of which either received notice through television licensing or play on radio both here in North America and the UK. 





Please check it out and if you'd like, download the songs.  A new single is scheduled for Sept 2011 with an album to follow closely thereafter.   New songs shall be appearing shortly on the band's soundcloud page.   (the following is a demo of a new song: If Not Love).  

If Not Love - demo July 18-11 by Combine the Victorious

July Updates

With the inclusion of Sex With Strangers in The Peak 100.5's Peak Performance Project, the electro-punk group is busy working on fulfilling requirements for the contest as well as honing their live show for the upcoming showcases.   SWS will be playing shows in Alberta on the 21th thru 23rd of July. 

After nearly a year off from performing the duo Combine the Victorious has begun writing their third album.  Currently they have six or seven songs in demo'd state:  the goal is to release an EP in September 2011 with a full length album to follow in 2012.  The sound is still being nailed down but the early feeling is it will be more electronic than their first two releases, with a concentration on songs that can be performed as a duo.  More info to follow.

Guilty About Girls has been working with Australian remixer Ben Crea (Kreap) who has now provided them with four new versions of their songs.   The band is considering releasing these remixes as an EP, or consolidating them into a larger release to include several new tracks that are being recorded from Spring 2011 forward.   Guilty About Girls is also scheduled to perform August 21st at Live at Squamish this year, with a preview of that show available at The Waldorf on August 11th.

Guilty About Girls - Riviera (Kreap's mix) by KREAP

Gilles Zolty is busy working on various projects in Saskatchewan over the summer and we are hoping to hear some new material from him in the late fall of 2011. 

Lot's going on, plus we are now looking for a new act to join our roster.  Any recommendations? 

Have a good summer, thanks for reading. 

Ben Crea remix - Riviera

Guilty About Girls has a new version of their latest song, Riviera, remixed by the Australian wunderkind Ben Crea. With strong nods towards Martin Rushent (famed for his work with The Human League amongst others) this version promises to turn heads and bring a sexy vibe to the dance floor.

Guilty About Girls - Riviera (Kreap's mix) by KREA

New Single from Guilty About Girls

A lovely laid back summer time song.   Two versions currently available.

Artist: Guilty About Girls
Song Title: Riviera
Release: BE11011

Or listen on bandcamp
Guilty About Girls - Riviera (AM Mix) by guiltyaboutgirls

First big show of the Summer

Guilty About Girls and Sex With Strangers have teamed up to put together their first big show of the summer.

The Peak 100.5 FM & The Georgia Straight present:
Guilty About Girls
with guests Sex With Strangers
and introducing Young Pacific
Friday June 3rd at Venue (881 Granville Street, Vancouver, Canada)
EARLY SHOW - doors 7PM

It is s CD Release party for Guilty About Girls as their debut has been released thru Black Top Records this spring.  It features the single "Candy Candy"- as seen on Much Music.




Sex With Strangers is supporting their fourth album - Frontier Justice - and is just about to debut the first video from that album for the track Born Again Liars Social Club.   Below is their first video for New City Anthem, still a huge fan favorite.



Special Guests Young Pacific are making a stir with their fresh blend of west coast pop and guitar driven charm.

Doors at 7Pm
Young Pacific on at 7:30
Sex With Strangers on at 8PM
Guilty About Girls on at 9PM

There will be cd's on hand as well as posters to commemorate the evening.