Epic is the word I use to describe what happens two minutes and fifty-two seconds into this builder from Montreal’s Black Diamond Bay.  Starting quiet with piano, soft harmonies and ethereal guitars nuances, the song (lead by the acoustic guitar) takes a turn for the intense, adding strings, heavier drums, and a choir as lead singer Pat Krief trades his mic for a guitar solo, travelling higher and higher up the guitar neck.  Inspiring.

Mercury

Patrick Krief’s solo project has mutated over the past year from his initial offering (an EP titled Take It Or Leave) to the creation of an ambitious and explosive rock band. What was born was Black Diamond Bay. Taken from a Bob Dylan song title, the band is an evolution of Krief’s songwriting talent, referencing Magical Mystery Tour Beatles to Hendrix’s signature guitar solos and Floyd’s epic layered rock. So far the band has performed at South by Southwest, Pop Montreal, M for Montreal, Osheaga as well as being invited to play The Great Escape Festival in Brigthon, UK.

The production on the self-titled album is lush, layered and all done in-house with the accompaniment of horns, violins, and cellos. Though sonically diverse, the record still retains uniformity. Krief (previously the guitarist from The Dears) has also recently completed work as a composer on a Canadian independent film (The Bend) where not only the score had his musical touch, but all other licensed songs from the film were from Krief’s endless catalog of classics, ballads and instrumental arrangements.
Genre: Classic Rock, late 60′s Beatles/John Lennon

Sounds Like:  John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix

“..this record is about skilfully delivered and expertly paced “big” songs.  It takes big talent to do this right, and Krief and his excellent band are more than equal to the task. ****” –The Hour, Montreal

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