INNISFAIL – They are young and new, yet they have energy to burn.
But they’re also inexperienced. There’s so much to learn.
However, when opportunity knocks, they will enthusiastically open the door.
And so it was on Friday, Aug. 19 for several young people who accepted an invitation to play at the second annual Hillside Vibes event at Centennial Park from 4 to 8 p.m.
They got a chance to go on stage and play their best. It might have been good old-fashioned rock 'n roll. It could have been funk, electronic or country. It didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was getting that chance.
Four musical acts were scheduled for the free event, which was held on the hill behind the cookhouse. These acts included What's the Plan, a punk rock band from Crossfield, JayceOnTheCase, Rusty, and Maxwell’s Demon.
Jayce Downs is a 20-year-old who seized that chance. On Aug. 19, he was lead guitarist and singer for Maxwell’s Demon. The four-member band also includes Nathan Downs on drums, Chase Butts playing rhythm guitar and Tayah Teertstra on bass guitar.They are all from Innisfail.
The band played an eight-song, 30-minute set. Jayce said the Hillside Vibes event is an important one to showcase new young talent, and to provide an all-important opportunity.
“It gives an opportunity to play in front of an audience with a professional sound guy,” said Jayce. “Normally, it takes a lot of hard work to get there and a lot of time and not everyone gets the opportunity. This gives the opportunity to more artists who want to try it out and want to get to that level, but haven't been able to for whatever reasons.”
Maxwell Demon is more of a side gig for Jayce, but he does take music and where he might be able to go in the future seriously.
“I was in another band playing bass before this. Basically, I don't have a super well thought-out structured plan for it. I just know that I want to keep playing music,” said Jayce.
“I own a bunch of music production equipment. I record my own stuff just to learn how to do it. I enjoy all aspects of music and I just want to learn as much about it as I can.”
Hillside Vibes, which also included a free barbecue for attendees, was an initiative led by Youth Action Innisfail that was supported by the Town of Innisfail, Innisfail Public Library, and the Family Resource Network.
Kane Williams, the municipality’s recreation program coordinator, called the second annual event “awesome” as well as a great day for emerging new talent and the community.
“There's so much talent in central Alberta,” added Williams. “You need to give people an opportunity to grow and to get up on stage. That's exactly what this event does. We make sure that people that are up-and-coming and talented can get up on stage and build some confidence.”
“There were lot of kids here and lots of families, which is amazing to see. You just want to have a good time in the summer and we love seeing those kinds of folks out there,” added Williams.
“We make sure it's family friendly. You know it is rock and roll and so it's got a little bit of an edge to it, but it's still something that everybody can come out and enjoy.”
