Before The Rain offers variety at 2-day music festival

Before The Rain is a two-day music festival taking place held at Kafe Blue,Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, this weekend.

The event, taking place on June 29-30, is being hosted by Ultimate Publishing Co Ltd which is a local promotional and publishing company that seeks to create an avenue to explore and develop different genres of music outside of mainstream Trinidad and Tobago music, a media release said.

Organisers said they "intend to be a driver of original, inspiring, soul-fulfilling, and globally-recognised events that can alter the landscape of the local music industry."

The release said all performers will be doing at least 70 per cent original compositions and Before The Rain will be a multi-genre music festival showcasing acts from rock, reggae, folk fusion, pan fusion, world music and more.

Bands and singers scheduled to perform are Sidekick Envy, Alethea, Chantwell, Solomon, The Supernormal Band, Imaginary Friends, Luna, The Anarchists, The 45's, Epitaph, Ruth Osman, Reez Music, Anton Dial, Pan Vision, and Michael O'Brien and Friends.Justi,

The artistes were selected based on their catalogue of original music, the release said.

"Ultimate Publishing chose Kafe Blue because of proprietor Carl Jacobs and his team's ongoing support for local music of various genres," the release said.

Alethea is a singer/songwriter, musical arranger, and composer who is also a voice and piano tutor. She hopes to inspire and uplift festival goers with her original songs. Currently she is most known for her single By Your Side, and playing Christine from the Phantom of the Opera in Brian MacFarlane's productions, Christmas Joy and Spectacular Broadway.

The rockers of SideKick Envy are planning to bring a high-energy setlist, perfect for singing along with a mix of fan favourites and new tracks. One of the band's current favourite songs to play live is called Moneymaker.

The 45's is a unique band whose sound blends genres as varied as new wave, punk, ska, and reggae. Singer Marc Mayers says fans should expect a really special show which will include a rendition of a fan favourite called Break, patterned after a traditional Irish folk song, the release said.

Reez Music also blends various genres which include alternative, hip-hop, and reggae. One of the group's favourite tracks is a cover of Bob Marley's Redemption Song.

Luna is a songwriter, rhythm guitarist, percussionist, and vocalist for alternative rock, pop rock, folk, blues, reggae, jazz, calypso, Latin and parang genres. She promises to perform material from her debut EP Soul Dive Vol 1, and possibly new material as well. She is best known for her first single entitled January Situation.

Chantwell will bring conscious fusion music patrons can dance to and enjoy.

Ruth Osman, songwriter, flautist, and poet will bring her unique style to the festival.

The festival seeks to create a fusion of consciousness and artistes interested in future participation in the annual festival are encouraged to work on their original music and stage presence, the release advises.

Tickets are available at Kafe Blue and online
.