With an opening set by Sister Speak
The Paperboys Trio
We are delighted to welcome Tom & Kalissa Landa and multi-intstrumentalist Steve Mitchell back to BEZ as they squeeze the massive power of The Paperboys into the intimate performance space at Bez Arts Hub.
Paperboys Bio. Making critically acclaimed music for 30 years.
When you think of Canadian music, who are the first contemporary artists that come to mind?
Is it a globe-touring sextet that, in a single set, can be counted on to stomp through Celtic reels, traditional Mexican folk, fiddle tunes, New Orleans brass band music, classic pop songcraft, bluegrass, and even a philosophical waltz or two, before bringing it all home with a Latino/West African singalong?
I didn’t think so.
Is it a fearless, freewheeling band sometimes referred to as the “Los Lobos of Canada,” veterans of an estimated 4,300 shows since the band’s 1992 formation?
What if I told you that this band doesn’t just exist—they flourish, and have been converting full concert halls of indifferent strangers into devoted fans for the last 30 years?
The name of this musical collective is The Paperboys. They are a Canadian treasure.
The heart of The Paperboys is a trio of gifted songwriters and musicians: Founder Tom Landa, a fedora-hatted vocalist/guitarist/bandleader who immigrated from Mexico to Canada in his teens; Kalissa Landa, a lifelong fiddler/vocalist with a preternatural command of melody; and Spirit of the West’s flautist/guitarist/vocalist Geoffrey Kelly, already a Canadian musical icon when he hopped on the P’boys bus in 1997.
Though by no means a jam band, The Paperboys reinvent their show every time they step onstage. Once the band agrees on the opening song, there is no set list. The song finishes, the crowd reacts, Landa reads the room, and the journey begins. Every night. The world has changed seismically since 1992, but The Paperboys fan base has stuck with the band, and grown.
“It goes beyond perseverance,” Landa says about the band’s legacy, “and into some kind of connectivity and resonance we have with people. We’ve created a community.”
Though best known for their live show, The Paperboys also have another ace up their sleeve: A deep and impressive discography. The band has released 10 recordings—including the Juno Award-winning Molinos—receiving accolades from MOJO Magazine and Roots Magazine along the way. They’ve been two-time recipients of the West Coast Music Award, composed scores for two films, and been nominated for a Leo Award for best original song in the Hong Kong/Canada film release, Lunch With Charles.
Although perennially adored and praised by alternative media and national radio networks NPR and CBC, commercial success has eluded the band. Undaunted, The Paperboys have kept in perpetual motion, building a cult following through the impact of its incendiary live show and proud DIY spirit.
Even the pandemic couldn’t silence The Paperboys. Tom and Kalissa maintained a warm connection with their homebound fans by posting their now-legendary Slipper Sessions online, playing gorgeous, stripped-down versions of their repertoire, with their kids and cats sometimes wandering through the margins of the videos.
"There are many ways to define success,” Landa says. “ I get to make music with people I love, tour and see the world, and connect with people through song. I can hang my hat on that."
"Sister Speak is the recording alias of Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Sherri Anne. With roots stretching from Canada's West Coast to southern California, and currently based in Montreal, Sister Speak crafts a unique sonic tapestry that weaves together influences from indie-folk, reggae, rock, americana, blues and world music.
Sister Speak has a dedicated fanbase and has gained popularity through her stage presence, authenticity, songwriting and recordings. Her new release, Coming Home, is a heartfelt homage to her roots in British Columbia, and has inspired an exploration of her heritage, a theme that resonates deeply with Sherri Anne as she reflects on her experiences and yearning for home amidst her travels. Produced in collaboration with JUNO Award-winning engineers Elisa Pangsaeng and Erik Nielsen and featuring vocal harmonies by Erik Nielsen (of City and Colour), as well as Scott Smith and Dave Joseph (Andy Shauf), "We Can Rise" blends complex acoustic and guitar textures with Sister Speak's raspy and soulful voice, giving us a poignant reminder to resist social apathy.
During her travels Sister Speak was named "Best Pop" at the San Diego Music Awards, "Top Ten Rhythm Guitarists" by NBC, and was regional finalist of CBC Searchlight. Sister Speak has performed at many iconic venues and shared the stage with music legends of various genres including The Doobie Brothers, Air Supply and reggae artist Don Carlos. Her music has been featured on CBC, BBC, CFNR, NPR, commercial stations, "California Roots Presents" playlists and various radio stations around the world. The song "Will it Ever" is featured in a John Travolta/Kristin Davis movie.
Most of all, Sister Speak aims to share a positive message through music." - RESO Nation