Beija Flor Explained

Beija Flor
Origin:Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Genre:Indie rock
Progressive rock
Years Active:-
Label:Vulpine Records
Associated Acts:Sea of Is
Current Members:Stephen van Kampen
Paul van Kampen
Hoyee Wong
Henry Hsieh
Brett Gunther
Dan Wilson
Matthew Bayliff
Jon Reddit

Beija Flor was an indie rock band formed in Calgary, Alberta, in 2003. The band was made up of Stephen van Kampen (vocals, guitar), Paul van Kampen (vocals, piano), Dan Wilson (vocals, drums), Brett Gunther (vocals, guitar), Henry Hsieh (vocals), (bass), and Hoyee Wong (vocals, violin).[1] The band was known for its self-orchestrated light shows, consisting of colored and strobe lights controlled by Stephen through a circuit of foot switches. "Beija-flor" means "hummingbird" in Portuguese.

History

Beija Flor was formed in 2003 by brothers Stephen and Paul van Kampen, Matt Bayliff, and Jon Reddit. In 2005, they released their debut album, The Quiet One and the Lonely One.[2]

Reddit left the band and Stephen and Paul's long-time friend Brett Gunther took the vacant guitar spot. Henry Hsieh and Hoyee Wong joined the band in late 2006.

In 2007, they released their second album Beija Flor Presents The American.[3] [4] which was produced by The Summerlad's Arran Fisher and recorded by Fisher and Diego Medina.[5] The single, The American reached No. 1 in the Top 30 most requested songs on Calgary's CJSW radio for the week ending January 15, 2008.[6] Beija Flor was also featured on CBC Radio 3 across Canada on various New Music segments.[7]

In the spring of 2009, Bayliff left the band and was replaced by Dan Wilson. The band broke up in 2010.

In 2011, Wilson and the van Kampen brothers formed the band The Magnetic North (not to be confused with the British band of the same name).[8] Hsieh co-founded the band Friendo[9] and Reddit became a member of War Baby.[10]

Discography

Albums

Compilation inclusion

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Stepping back on the soapbox with long awaited second album . Kitteringham . Sarah . 2007-12-31 . Beatroute Magazine . 2008-01-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110706170126/http://www.beatroute.ca/view_article.php?sectionID=15&articleID=1314 . 2011-07-06 .
  2. Web site: Beija Flor – The Quiet One And The Lonely One . discogs.com . Discogs . 6 March 2022.
  3. Web site: Beija Flor – Beija Flor Presents The American . discogs.com . Discogs . 6 March 2022.
  4. Web site: Beija Flor Presents the American . kerfmusic.com . Kerf Music . 6 March 2022.
  5. Web site: Bell . Mike . Beija Flor Takes on Boomtown, Jan 2008 . PressReader . Calgary Herald . 6 March 2022.
  6. News: Top 30 For the Week Ending: Tuesday, January 15, 2008. 2008-01-15. !earshot. 2008-01-21.
  7. News: New Music Canada: Beija Flor. https://web.archive.org/web/20090118101208/http://radio3.cbc.ca/bands/Beija-Flor/. dead. 2009-01-18. CBC Radio 3. 2008-01-22.
  8. Web site: The Magnetic North: Constellations . vkrecords.bandcamp.com . VK Records . 6 March 2022.
  9. Web site: Hughes . Josiah . Friendo Talk...June 2011 . exclaim.ca . Exclaim! . 6 March 2022.
  10. Web site: War Baby . discogs.com . Discogs . 6 March 2022.
  11. Web site: Various – Megatunes 21st Anniversary Compilation . discogs.com . Discogs . 6 March 2022.