Prominent Sackville group to play final show.
As the term winds to a close, the end of an era in Sackville music is upon us. After almost three years as one of Sackville’s most recognizable musical groups, folk-pop ensemble Bolivia are gearing up for their final performance, after which they’ll be laying the best name to rest —at least for the time being. The Argosy caught up with Bolivia frontman Graham Ereux and cellist Liz Kent to hear about their memories of Bolivia, and possible visions for its future.
Bolvia’s musical partnership began like any other: through a shared interest. “Luke [Trainor] and I played in a band back in high school,” Graham reminisced. “I later met Jake [Bastedo] here in Sackville in first year, and then when Luke showed up the year after we just all started jamming together. It just kind of grew naturally from there.” Ereux, though, is quick to downplay his own influence in the group’s formation. “Bolivia really came about because of Jake because he knew Liz [Kent] and Zoë [Caddell] from Windsor Hall and wanted to have some people play on his Conduct Becoming song (Roots).” After this recording, the the group continued playing together, sharing songwriting responsibilities, and eventually becoming the South American-named pop powerhouse they are today.
However, with many of its members planning on departing Sackville after graduation, Bolivia have collectively decided to lay the group name to rest — at least until everybody can find time to reunite. “We always laugh about how many parallels there are between being in a band and being in an actual relationship.” Ereux said. “I guess Jake and I just need to go ‘explore’ and ‘get some distance’ now that we are going to be graduated. But I definitely wouldn’t say that this is the end of Bolivia. We are all hoping that things will come back together once we have all had our free time back.”
Cellist Kent also agrees that Bolivia has occupied an important role during her time at Mount Allison, and the many shows that she’s played have left a wealth of fun memories. “One of my favourites was our first stereophonic performance. It was pleasant and went very smoothly, plus we got to meet David Simard, who inspired us to write a song about him.” A charity show at 15 Allison is another performance fondly remembered by Kent: “A lot of people came out, so the place was packed. Everybody knew our songs, and people were singing along, which made for good vibes.”
While those left behind will feel Bolivia’s absence, nobody will have a bigger hole to fill than its remaining members. “I’ll have pretty much nothing to do with my time,” Kent said, deadpan. “I won’t have an excuse to get out of town and go to fun places, and make things I’m proud of. It’ll be hard to make up for an entire band when I’m just here with an out-of-tune ukulele.”
However, Bolivia is going out with no mere whimper, but a bang. “We just finished recording a new EP last Sunday,” Kent says, “so that should be out soon. End of April, early May, probably.” The band will also be playing a final farewell show at George’s on Saturday, April 6, after the CHMA party. Be sure to come out and bid farewell to Bolivia in a celebration not only of the group’s past, but what’s to come.
