Sounds like ... Led Zeppelin? Jimi Hendrix? The Beatles? Pink Floyd?
Black Diamond Bay is: The Dears' former guitarist and drummer: Patrick Krief (Guitar and Vocals) and George Donoso III (drums), joined by Roberto Piccioni (keys), and Andre Bendahan (bass). Black Diamond Bay formed after Krief recorded his 7 song solo EP (Take it Or Leave) which was released August 2007 by Sunny Lane Records. Besides playing in their hometown of Montreal, The band has done some extensive touring including: Toronto, New York, Hoboken, Boston, Nashville, Memphis, Mexico City, Guadelajra and festivals such as Osheaga, Indio Fest, NXNE, Pop Montreal, M for Montreal, and South by Southwest (Austin, Texas). In addition the band has recently been invited to play the Great Escape (Brighton,UK), and the Noonderzon and desBeschaving festivals in Holland. Black Diamond Bay has also performed Live at the Verge (XM radio), The Drive (Kingston) and London Café (CKUT) and several college radio sessions in Mexico all of which the Black Diamond Bay has regular rotation on. Black Diamond Bay’s “Calm Awaits” has been added to 26 radio stations at regular rotation nation wide, and upon the release of the next single, the album will be serviced to commercial radio as well.
This is The Rock!!
“Calm Awaits” is also complemented by some fantastic guest musicians (Violins, Cellos, Horns (Liam O’Neil (The stills) Evan Cranley ( Broken Social Scene and Stars), etc…) which helps give more diversity to the album without losing its uniformity. The record was mixed by world renowned David Schiffman (Johnny Cash, Nine Inch Nails, Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers etc.) and was mastered by Howie Weinberg in NY (Nirvana, Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins, Muse etc.) The record is available across Canada via Fontana (Universal) distribution and New Prey.The band recently played a sold out show at CMW and made many “Top Bands” to see lists including #1 by The Toronto Sun. Black Diamond Bay is touring Canada intensely via top booking agencies Paquin Entertainment (Canada excluding Quebec) and Bonsound (Quebec). A cross Canada tour as support for The Dears is booked for June, as well as an extensive east coast tour in July. Headline tours as well as support tours of the country are being planned for the fall as well.Press (Live Show Reviews)
“I only got to see the final five minutes of Krief. And that was a shame because they were one of the best of the weekend. Complex and intense heavy psyche rock helmed by two of The Dears who aren't Murray Lightburn, aka Patrick Krief and George Donoso, they did themselves nothing but favours at M for Montreal.” -Dan Martin
NME.COM (M for Montreal Showcase Review)
“Black Diamond Bay occupy an interesting place. They're new and fresh enough to fill a void for rock that a million classic rock radio stations simply can't fill, yet they feel familiar.” “Just watching the four main members of the group playing off each other and enjoying themselves on stage is a joy. It'll be interesting to see how Dears fans outside of Montreal truly embrace this side of Krief, as this band seem poised to become far more than just a side project. Black Diamond Bay could find a far different, albeit equally as passionate fan base.” -Erik Leijon
Chart Attack
“proved rock 'n' roll still has a place among all the self-referential indie kids if done with true fire and skill.” —Erik Leijon
Chart Attack (Osheaga Review)
”There were moments last night when I felt a basked in a celestial glow. The four musicians’ sound was filled to the brim; it pulsed against the surface tension and overflowed and we splashed happily in spilled music. What else can I say? This show got my life flashing before my eyes: how at the age of four, my dad taught me to name the Beatles by rote from the cover of Let it Be, but I could never recognize them on Abbey Road. And reeling back to high school auditoriums and the grungey thrashing that was the only way we could let go - and Radiohead on the angsty, maybe-in-love drive home. I wish I had known at that time that I would finally learn to dance on sunny days at Tam Tams, at carnival in Panama, on Frenchman street in New Orleans. I couldn’t tell you now if Patrick Krief literally sounds like any of these influences or if the band just taps into some source that lets them call up every part of your being that was ever moved by music.” -Alanah Dionne Heffez
Indyish.com (Pop Montreal Review)
“Premier véritable coup de coeur de cette deuxième édition du Osheaga, Krief a offert une performance renversante sur la Scène des Arbres…la formation a sorti les dents, électrifiant les compositions de premier album du Patrick: Take it or leave.”-Olivier Robillard-Laveaux
Montreal’s Voir (Osheaga Review)
“Krief and Dears bandmate George Donoso are deadly. Krief doesn't mind flying over the edge during an extended guitar solo” —Erik Leijon
Chart Attack (Pop Montreal Review)
“Black Diamond Bay is strictly a good ol' fashion rock band. Krief's madly impressive guitar licks, George's unpredictable rhythms, Roberto's subtle synths presence and Andre's domineering bass lines make for what I believe should be the next big Rock flavor in Canada. They just make you want to air guitar like you just don't care. They are just that good. By the end of the set, Krief has his faithful Strat wailing while they all fed off each other's energy, closing up the set extraordinarily.”
Sorry… shooting in progress (NXNE review)
“If there's an overarching point here, it's that this record is about skilfully delivered and expertly paced "big" songs. It takes big talent to do this right, and Krief and his excellent band are more than equal to the task.”
The Hour (Album Review)
Black Diamond Bay is in the process of finalizing a licensing deal with Tsunami Music for the territory of Australia and Japan. They’ve also signed a management deal with Friendly Fire in Europe. With booking agents set in Europe, Australia, Japan, Mexico, USA and Canada, Black Diamond Bay is prepared for some intensive world touring.
Tsunami Music
Tsunami Music operates as a music label in Australia and Japan. The company offers music distribution and booking services. It also operates this web site and offers musicians and professionals the ability to distribute their music using our advertising, multimedia, and other media services. Tsunami Music serves customers in Japan and Australia. The company is based in Australia with additional offices in Japan. Tsunami Music operates as a subsidiary of DWC Australia Pty. Ltd.
