In Medias Res at Ocean Island Cafe Lounge

In Medias Res, Feb 18th 2012 at Ocean Island Cafe

Update: did you miss the show? Watch it online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLovrQhN0bE

This weekend, we have a very special concert happening at Ocean Island Cafe: Vancouver indie rockers In Medias Res will be playing a rare acoustic show in our small, lovely venue to promote their new album It Was Warm and Sunny When We First Set Out.

Formed over a decade ago, Vancouver-based In Medias Res has risen from a fledgling act full of potential to one of the most lauded indie-rock bands in Vancouver, whose brand new release has them poised to reach new heights. Three years ago, after touring extensively, selling out multiple pressings of their Intimacy EP and debut album Of What Was, and establishing a passionate fan base across the country, the band went into the studio. Re-teaming with esteemed local producer Jonathan Anderson (Aidan Knight, Stablio), the quartet intended to best their previous effort, which had been met with glowing reviews and sales of over 1,500 copies. But then life intervened. Rumors spread of the band’s demise as the album was slow in coming; meanwhile, the band rewrote, rerecorded, and remixed. In the assured hands of John Carswell and John Collins (Tegan and Sara, The New Pornographers) the album finally found its form: It Was Warm and Sunny When We First Set Out, a new release by In Medias Res.

Digitally released on January 4th and already garnering significant buzz––including its ranking as the number one seller on bandcamp with over 6,000 total plays to date––the album will be available for vinyl release in March, with a national tour to follow in support. Though it synthesizes the band’s many influences, from Radiohead to Talk Talk and from TV on the Radio to Destroyer, it is nevertheless a wholly original work. The band had made its name with shows full of this kind of charged virtuosity in sold out venues throughout Vancouver; this is the first time it has been captured in the studio, and with such impressive results.

Recently, the band has taken on a new shape, with principle songwriter and frontman Andrew Lee striking out on tour himself with a rotating cast of players. This new formation has been met with great success, and allows for exciting new interpretations of the music.

We invite everyone to come see this incredible band play a rare acoustic set: but get here early, because there are only 50 seats available.

The Dating Game: A Retrospective

I’m just gonna let the pictures do the talking. :)

Valentine’s Day: Play “The Dating Game” at Ocean Island!

Valentine’s Day usually means flowers, chocolates and the like. But you know what? We’re a bit sick of it. What about all the singles out there who don’t have a Valentine? What about them???

That’s why this year, instead of the standard “drink your sorrows away”-type party, Ocean Island is bringing the classic dating game show “The Dating Game” into our lounge in honor of Valentine’s Day. Come get silly with us and win some prizes!

Here’s how it works:

In this special Ocean Island  edition, the host takes the reigns and asks questions on behalf of the bachelor/bachelorette to each of the three hidden potential dates. This will continue until the time runs out. The bachelor/bachelorette will make his/her choice based solely on the answers to her questions.

The winning couple not only finds their potential soul mate, they also win some great prizes!

If you’re interested in being a bachelor or bachelorette, sign up (secretly) at the Front Desk ASAP!

The Blackboard

If you’ve ever stayed here before, or walked past our building on your way somewhere, you’ve probably seen our famous blackboard. Each morning, a lucky staff member writes a new quote on the board for all to enjoy: sometimes the quotes are funny, sometimes personal, but they’re always entertaining. Here’s a few of the many many quotes that have graced the blackboard over the years:

 

(click here if you’re using a non-Flash device)

 

We’ve Got a Busy Week at Ocean Island Cafe!

Wow.

We’ve got a lot of stuff happening in the next few days.

Tonight, Jan 27th 2012:

 

Riley Smith Band Jan 27th 2012 @Ocean Island Cafe

Tomorrow, Jan 28th 2012 (and most every Saturday):

 

Stephen Brown and the Bastion Band – Saturdays at Ocean Island Cafe

Sunday Jan 29th (and every Sunday):

 

Bluegrass: Every Sunday at Ocean Island Cafe

Monday Jan 30th (and every Monday night):

Swamp Music Jam every Monday Night at Ocean Island Cafe

Tuesday January 31st:

Anna Frances at Ocean Island, January 31st 2012

Wednesday, February 1st (and every Wednesday):

Open Mic Every Wednesday at Ocean Island Cafe

Thursday Feb 2nd (and every Thursday):

Quiz Whiz every Thursday at Ocean Island Cafe

Friday, February 3rd:

 

Windborn February 3rd at Ocean Island Cafe

So there you go! If you’re looking for something to do this week, come down to Ocean Island Cafe!

Happy Australia Day!

This is Sim. He’s from Australia, and he works here at Ocean Island. Here he is, with a caulking gun (we’d make a “rock out with your caulk out” joke here, but… you know….) We’d like to wish Sim, and all our Aussie friends, a happy Australia Day! If you’re in Victoria tonight, know this:…

Staff Party!

Last week, Ocean Island held our annual staff party!  It had been snowing all day (the one day of the year it snows in Victoria), and the roads were pretty slushy, but we made the best of it and everyone had a great time. The night started with drinks at the Ocean Island Cafe, served by…

Riley Smith Band playing at our Cafe Lounge on Jan. 27!

Come check out Riley Smith, acoustic rock, at our  Cafe Lounge on Jan. 27 at 9pm. We have great drink and food specials! 791 Pandora Ave. Open 5pm to midnight 7 days a week!

Rain Rain Rain boots!

Its rain season here in Victoria, so what to wear when you have to jump through puddles to get to work!? You don’t want to ruin those suede boots now do you?! Well it is a gumboot city here and a stylin’ one too! Gumboots or rubber boots come in so many colors and patterns…

Parades, Santa and Holiday Movies!

See Santa at Mayfair Mall! Get a free photo with Santa Dec. 1-14 (excluding Sundays) from 6pm to 8:30pm. Limited one free 5×7″ photo per customer. www.mayfairshoppingcentre.com 13th Annual Truck Light Parade On December 3rd, the Island Equipment Owners’ Association takes to the streets of Victoria in an exciting spectacle of lights.  The parade reaches…