Despite all the hype (still) surrounding the New Pornographers, who are great, if you like that sort of thing, the best Vancouver band for my money is still Beans.

Their music is more experimental and cinematic, filled less with pop lyrics and rock guitar riffs and more with the atmospheric soundscapes that would become popular years after Beans first started playing with the idea.

I booked Beans in one of their earlier shows, just as they were about to release their debut CD, Portage. I was producing a book launch for zine-gury Hal Niedzviecki’s Concrete Forest anthology, and had Beans play at the event.

I wish I could take responsibility for that decision, but have to admit that the idea was given to me by Brad Cran, who was better entrenched in the Vancouver scene than I was at the time. He may still be.

I do remember being enthralled by Ida Nilsen (now with Great Aunt Ida) playing a muted trumpet in that show and thinking it was the best sound in the world.