You’ve got to love when a local band grows up. And not in that “the band all cut their hair, and now play adult contemporary soft-rock” sort of way. When I say “grow up” I mean develop, shed insecurities, and move from being a simple band playing obscure neighbourhood bars, to headlining shows and pulling fans from across the nation.

This is the case for Vancouver’s own Stabilo. For many years they were a fixture on the Vancouver circuit. But they caught the eye of EMI Music Canada and, with their support, are taking things to the next level, bringing their modern-rootsy sound to the North American masses.

This weekend, Vancouverites can enjoy a homecoming of sorts for their once-local four-piece. Due to an intensive touring focus, the band hasn’t actually had a chance to perform for Vancouver fans. In fact, this Saturday’s show at Richard’s on Richards will be the first time Stabilo will play as a headlining act in their home town as a signed band.

Stabilo’s Chris Moerman shared with Cord his candid take on coming home.

“I think [the gig] is gonna be good! People who have seen us before may think they know what to expect, although since we haven’t played at home in a long time, I think we’re gonna demo a bunch of new stuff.”

Fans can expect to be treated to a selection of new material, as the band road-tests songs for their next album. But they’ll have to wait a while to hear the finished product - Stabilo plans to enter the studio in January and release next spring in Canada, and in the fall throughout the U.S.

In the interim, Cord Mag suggests you check out their major-label debut Cupid? Featuring songs culled from the band’s independent days, Cupid? presents a startlingly beautiful collection that runs the range of emotions. The band’s latest single from the album, “One More Pill,” is currently enjoying national radio play and a recently-completed supporting video is soon to follow.

“I think it’s a great video!” Moerman explains. “It starts out with the band in an insane asylum, and then moves to a flashback of us busking out in the town square. We have a guitar case in front of us, and the guitar case just keeps filling up with money. [Vocalist] Jesse [Dryfhout], throws the guitar case and the money goes everywhere, and the crowd comes running for the money. Suddenly, we get taken to the insane asylum. I guess we’re commenting on the perception of sanity, as far as money being all-important, and if we’re throwing it away, we must be insane… but it’s everyone else who’s insanely clawing for it.”

>From local indie-rockers to a national success story, Stabilo is definitely worth checking out. You might just be surprised by how much they’ve grown up.

Elsewhere

By Rob Anand
Photos : Rob Anand
Published : December 3, 2004.