Live at Squamish 2011: Kyprios

As he was about to venture up the Grouse Grind with family visiting from out of town, I had a chat with Vancouver’s own Kyprios this morning. The Juno-nominated artist, who inadvertently wrote what became an anthem for Canucks fans this season, will be hitting the stage at Live at Squamish this August.

“It has been a big year but there’s still work to do,” said Kyprios who was the 2010 Peak Performance Project winner. “I have to finish my album and I’m still working on a musical that I’ve been working on for two years.”

His single “How the West Was Won” was released during the Canucks playoff run in April and quickly found momentum getting local radio and television airplay. “The highest expectations we had was for it to be played on the local sports station…. …for it to have been as anthemic as it was and for us getting to play Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals was nothing that we’d ever expected.”

The talented MC, who has paid his dues from coast to coast, has also been touring most of the spring through to June and is finally taking some time off during which he’ll be getting married. His schedule will ramp up again toward the end of summer, with an album to prepare for release, and he’ll head to the second annual Live at Squamish. “Being able to have access to that many people and that diverse a crowd is really great,” he said with regards to the festival format. “People know that they’re there for a couple days or an entire day so beyond getting their money’s worth they want to get the experience.”

Kyprios will be joined by a 10-piece band, The Chaperones. “I’ve never claimed to be the best musician in the city but I do make claims of playing with them.” Fans and festival goers can expect a high-energy set from this impressive collaboration. “We work our asses off when we play,” Kyprios added. “You can physically tell that something’s happened from the time we begin a show to the time it’s ended.”

On top of all of the amazing local and international acts, Live at Squamish will also have vendors, food, beer gardens, camping (sold out), a silent disco (where you dance with one of 200 wireless headsets), Rich Hope’s Barber Shop, and the Virgin Mobile Cafe.

Tickets are still available for one day or full weekend access. If you didn’t get the chance to book a campsite, hotel packages can be found and there will once again be a shuttle from downtown Squamish to the festival.

Catch Kyprios August 20th (day one) on the Stawamus Stage with the stunning Stawamus Chief in the background. Stars, John Butler Trio, Girl Talk, Hey Ocean, and Metric will also perform August 20th with Weezer, The Dudes, Major Lazer (ft Diplo), Bend Sinister and more performing August 21st. Follow @Kyprios12 and @LiveAtSquamish on Twitter for updates and info.

Miss604.com is proud to sponsor Live at Squamish 2011.