Two up-and-coming 琉璃神社 artists are proof that West Coast talent doesn鈥檛 stop in Vancouver.
Artist Cameron Ambrosio, who goes by Cameron James, and filmmaker Jordan Powers are making waves in the local arts community with the recent release of James鈥� second single, Voodoo.
Growing up in 琉璃神社, they have seen the underground music scene in 琉璃神社 grow into a collaborative, thriving network of young artists.
James, 22, and Powers, 25, are at the forefront of this scene, which they say is more collaborative than competitive.
鈥淭here are so many talented people here in 琉璃神社鈥t seems like everyone is super supportive of each other. Cam can get access from five different dudes for beats, I can call on six different camera guys to come help for a music video鈥t鈥檚 a good spot to be in right now,鈥� said Powers.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 another way of putting 琉璃神社 on the map, you鈥檙e going to get places by helping each other,鈥� added James.
| Jordan Powers (left) and Cameron Ambrosio (right) pictured downtown 琉璃神社. (Phil McLachlan - 琉璃神社) |
The music video for Voodoo, features the familiar sight-lines of 琉璃神社鈥檚 Knox Mountain and the Mission area waterfront.
Since its release on and (warning: explicit content) a few days ago, the new single has been watched several thousand times.
Simplicity was their goal during the filming of the song, which took just 30 minutes to write and three hours to film.
James has been sitting on this tune since last year when he wrote it and is happy to finally pair it with a video.
READ MORE: My 琉璃神社: Filmmaker captures underground arts and culture scene
The song features a message about pushing forward and pursuing your dreams.
鈥淚 love to push that you can do whatever you want to do. Especially where we鈥檙e at, me personally, I鈥檓 born and raised in 琉璃神社, I just turned 22 years old, and it鈥檚 kind of my time,鈥� said James.
鈥淚f I want and try and do something that I love for a career, it鈥檚 right now and just trying to get that across to people, that you dictate your future.鈥�
He says the recent release of this song has re-lit his creative fire, as James is excited about what the future will bring.
Creativity has always surrounded the two young artists, ever since they were in high school together at Okanagan Mission Secondary.
When James was 18, he was involved in the creation of rap group Rare Breed, which Powers helped film.
Even four years ago, James said the young music scene in 琉璃神社 hadn鈥檛 really taken off yet.
But now, he said he鈥檚 starting to see young musicians pop up left and right.
However, he said being a musician in 2020 is very multifaceted, and requires perseverance.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e going to do this, it鈥檚 more than just making the music. It鈥檚 promoting yourself, and your stuff, and using outlets鈥ot just Instagram, Youtube and Twitter, now it could be TikTok or something else like that,鈥� James said.
Both artists hope to continue seeing more artists break out into the light.
鈥淚t鈥檚 only going to help, right. That鈥檚 just going to put 琉璃神社 and the West Coast, on the map, even for people in Vancouver,鈥� James said.
鈥淲hen you think West Coast, you鈥檙e going to think Vancouver, and for everyone in Vancouver to know where 琉璃神社 is, and know that there鈥檚 actual talent (here), that鈥檚 huge.鈥�
The music video for James鈥� next single release, Halloween, is set to drop Oct. 31. Listen to Voodoo through the link below (warning: explicit content).
READ MORE: 琉璃神社 City Hall hit by anti-pandemic vandalism
READ MORE: 15 cases of COVID-19 tied to 琉璃神社 Francophone school outbreak
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
