4 Arts and Culture
Local Band Performs

Christmas Miracle

SHELBY
PETERSEN
NEWS EDITOR
On De-
cember
28th the
residents
of Prince
George
were given
a rare treat as local band The Arbitrarys

preformed a sold out show at Nancy O's.

Returning from a several month hia-
tus as lead singer, Naomi Kavka, attends
school in Victoria the band played a mix
of old favorites and new hits. Being their
only show in half a year, the show was re-
ally a Christmas miracle. Also performing
were local darlings The Concerns of Roy-
alty and local singer-song writer Jamie
Bell.

Jamie Bell opened the night with an
acoustic set and a stage presence to wow
any music lover. Bell’s songs were over-
whelmingly concerned with unrequited
love and melancholy, but there were a few
up-beat tracks.

Performing second, The Concerns of
Royalty had a full electric set. Playing
their usual line up of songs, The Concerns
of Royalty gave the fans exactly what they
wanted. Half way during the show, how-
ever, lead guitarist Nathan Kelly had a
minor malfunction as one of the strings
on his guitar broke. Luckily however, Josh

Sandu from the Arbitrarys was standing
by with a replacement guitar for Kelly.

Although the venue was not ideal for
a full musical concert, the sold out show
was definitely a welcome treat. The Res-
taurant was so full of pea coat clad, in-
die loving kids there was hardly room to
stand, much less find a seat.

With all the love and attention that
Arbitrarys get from their home town,
it is a surprise that they havent made
it big. If the band can survive through
Kavka's schooling in Victoria, the people
of Prince George will probably hear great
things from this band in the future.

During the show The Arbitrarys played
a few songs from their old album as well
as some new songs that were so filled
with energy that is was almost palpable.
The band’s high energy almost certainly
comes from Kavka’s powerful and beau-
tiful voice and the band’s eclectic use
of instruments, from an accordion to a
stand-up bass and a cello. The Arbitrarys
are surely a unique phenomenon who are
sure to go places within the Canadian
music scene.

While the Arbitrarys are not play-
ing anymore shows for quite some time,
they have both a MySpace page and a
Facebook page. The Concerns of Royalty
and Jamie Bell, however, continue to play
shows at local venues around town so be
sure to check them out!

January 13, 2010 + Over the Edge

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY SHELBY PETERSEN

7 Oe

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY SHELBY PETERSEN