Those looking to get in the Canada Day groove are invited to Willows Park June 30, where Impulse Response kicks off the fourth annual Summer Concert in the Park series. The band played at the Spirit of Victoria 150 event June 21 and at Hillside Mall June 24, and intends to put on an upbeat show for the Willows Beach crowd this Friday.
Alexander Ferguson, one half of Impulse Response, said he and bandmate Shanna Dance perform and compose “soul R&B, with a hint of pop.” The two are influenced by Soulive, Aretha Franklin, Bill Withers, Herbie Hancock, Justin Timberlake and Stevie Wonder, among others. “We like to provide the groove that people can dance to, if they want,” Ferguson said.
Drummer David Emery and saxophonist Jonathan (Jonnie) Bridgman will join the band for the show, two unofficial bandmates who often accompany Impulse Response at local shows - those frequently hosted by the Scottish-style Bard and Banker in downtown Victoria - and on their annual mini-tour to the Okanagan. The band will play tracks from their EP Light Waves, and cover several soul and pop classics.
Ferguson looks forward to the Willows Beach concert, as he grew up in Oak Bay and graduated from Oak Bay High. Having a particular nostalgia for performing at his home-base, he said, “It’s exciting to be able to start off the summer series.”
As with all concerts in the Summer Concert series, the June 30 show is free to attend. Arrive at Willows Park for a 6:30 p.m. start.