www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 14, 2015 | 36 Artscene by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff "Connected to your Community" Oakville's Valley releases debut album In the Arts... Sometimes being double-booked at a recording studio can be a blessing in disguise. It was definitely a "stars-aligning" moment for Oakville indie rock band Valley, an amalgamation of two bands (Cars&Guitars and National Parks) that met when they both arrived at the same time for a recording session in February 2014. In the past year, the group has gained a following from its shows, songs and, more recently, the release of its debut album, Car Test EP. "The album was an interesting, exciting journey. Staying up late, night after night, month after month, we wrote, recorded and produced the whole album in our home studio," said Mike Brandolino, an Oakville resident and lead vocalist and guitarist for Valley. Rounding out the band are: lead vocalist Karah McGillivray, of Oakville, who also plays the drums; and Burlington's Rob Laska (guitar/ lead vocals), Ben Lee (keyboards and background vocals), and Alex DiMauro (bass and background vocals). All five members are collectively pursuing their post-secondary studies at Humber College, Seneca and Metal-Works Institute of Sound and Music Production. Valley's debut album includes six songs that Brandolino describes as a direct soundtrack to the lives of its bandmembers. "Each song has a special meaning and story behind it," he said. "This EP as a whole means the world to us because at one point, each song was the most important one to us that we became obsessed with, until we had a compilation of six songs we are very proud of." Valley already has a few shows under its belt, having played at Guelph and McMaster universities, the University of Toronto at Mississauga, MaplePalooza, and Hills Productions Craig Cardiff at Moonshine Musician Craig Cardiff will play at the Moonshine Café tonight (Thursday). Cardiff will share songs from his new album, Love Is Louder (Than All This Noise) -- a double album that offers 21 tracks. Doors open at 7 p.m. at the 173 Kerr St. café, followed by the start of the show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15 in advance, or $20 at the door, and are available at Moonshine or online at www.craigcardiff.com. · · · Audition for Halton Jazz Singers Halton Jazz Singers is holding auditions by appointments to fill two vocal positions of bass/baritone melodic and vocal percussion. Candidates must be prepared to commit to up to two rehearsals per week when in `concert/gig' mode. Currently, the four-member vocal jazz group rehearses Monday evenings. Those interested can send an email to haltonjazzsingers@gmail.com or call 226-909-2152. · · · The Inspired Canvas The Waterside Art Group is hosting its second annual show, The Inspired Canvas, Friday, May 22. The free-to-attend show, which runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., will be held at Oakville Galleries at Gairloch Gardens, 1306 Lakeshore Rd. E. The group of 21 painters meets regularly at Oakville Galleries' Gallery Studio at Gairloch Gardens. For more information on the group or the show, email watersideartgroup@ gmail.com or visit https://goo.gl/fi8Daj. Above is a photo of the cover of Oakville band Valley's debut album, titled Car Test EP. Members of the indie rock group include, from left, Burlington's Alex DiMauro (bass and background vocals), Oakville's Mike Brandolino (lead guitar and vocals) and Karah McGillivray (drums and lead vocals), and Burlington's Rob Laska (lead guitar and vocals) and Ben Lee (keyboard and background vocals). | submitted photo Band Night, to name a few. The band credits its influences to The Arkells, The 1975, Bombay Bicycle Club, St. Lucia, Sam Roberts, Gene Krupa, Kim Churchill and Phil Collins. While its music includes a mix of Motown, alternative rock and pop, Valley's bandmembers say it still maintains a distinct sound unique to the group. Earlier in Aprill, Valley held a CD release party showcasing the tracks of its new EP . For more on the local band, visit officialvalley.com. OAKVILLE'S FAVOURITE THEATRE! TRE! 171 Speers Road (at Kerr) Oakville General: $8.50 Children (3-13): $6.50 Seniors (65+): $6.50 905-338-6397 www.film.ca facebook.com/filmca @FilmCaCinemas May 1 May 15 May 22 JUNE 5 JUNE 12 Tuesdays: $5.00