UNIQUELY ZERBIN The band Zerbin, which hails from Vancouver Island, has just completed a hugely successful cross-Canada tour and the bands lead vocalist Jason Zerbin asks that Invermere MusicFest-goers listen to their music before their set on August 22nd. Photo submitted

UNIQUELY ZERBIN The band Zerbin, which hails from Vancouver Island, has just completed a hugely successful cross-Canada tour and the bands lead vocalist Jason Zerbin asks that Invermere MusicFest-goers listen to their music before their set on August 22nd. Photo submitted

With less than three months before the Invermere MusicFest takes the Columbia Valley by storm on August 22nd and 23rd, up-and-coming band Zerbin are at the peak of their musical journey.

The group is made up of Jason Zerbin on lead vocals, Peter Mol on the guitar and Duran Ritz on the drums. Mr. Zerbin, who lives on Vancouver Island, said the band has finally started to release music that is breaking through commercially.

We recently released an album and we have just finished touring across the country, Mr. Zerbin said. The crowds were fantastic and they seemed to love our music.

Zerbin released Darling in April, which Mr. Zerbin said was by far the bands most ambitious and complete feeling project.

We wrote it and recorded it ourselves, and we put a lot of our souls into it, Mr. Zerbin said. We think it kind of stands out uniquely in the context of Canadian indie music.

Zerbin strives to create indie rock music with a playful, verging on poppy, edge. Darling was mixed, in part, by Dave Pensado, who has worked with Michael Jackson, Beyonce and Elton John throughout his illustrious musical career. Mr. Zerbin said the band learned a lot about forming their sound from Mr. Pensado.

Mr. Zerbin said part of what he loves about the bands new album is how difficult the songs are to play live. During the bands 20-date tour across Canada, extra emphasis was put on making sure audiences were engaged in what the band was doing, which made playing the songs easier.

During a good Zerbin show, the crowd is into it and everyone is dancing, and on the stage it is just mayhem, Mr. Zerbin said.

In past years, Zerbin has shared stages with the likes of Bruno Mars and Arcade Fire at music festivals across North America. This year, Mr. Zerbin said the band is excited to move up set lists a little bit and gain some more exposure.

In preparation for Zerbins set in Invermere, Mr. Zerbin said he wants people to go online and listen to the bands music. Visit www.zerbinmusic.com.

It takes people maybe three minutes to go find a song and see if they like it, but it took us two years and thousands of dollars to create it, Mr. Zerbin said. We would be honoured if people got to know a few tunes before the show.

Invermere MusicFest is a two-stage event taking place at the Kinsmen Beach Greenspace that features one of B.C.s best festival lineups. Tickets for adults are $45 when purchased online, or $50 at the gate. For more information, check out www.invermeremusicfest.com.