Soul Loud

Vancouver's a long way from Fernie, but for the founding members of hard-rock outfit Soul Loud, it was a necessary journey. Singer Cam Labelle and guitarist Will Ripley spent years honing their tones in the small town just west of the Alberta border, gigging up to four times a week playing a mix of covers and originals with a very active group of musicians. But they made the treck to Vancouver, coming in search of a more serious rhythm section and, or course, to "go big time." "It was an amazing challenge," Ripley says, recalling his arrival into the city's music scene. Auditioning everyone possible over a series of a year it seemed impossible to find a Bassist and drummer who would fit the Soul Loud mould. Working at a music store, however, has its advantages and plugged Ripley into a pipeline, which eventually spewed out bassist Hank Stone and drummer Shane Wilson. Describing their sound as "hard rock that makes you want to shake your booty," the group just finished their 3-song demo that is sure to cement them as the serious group of performers, which Labelle and Ripley came all this way to join.