Squamish Valley Music Festival Band of the Day: Dear Rouge

Like Christmas when it gets to be the end of November, and Easter when the trees start to sprout leaves after a long winter, it’s starting to feel like it’s almost here. Just so there’s no confusion, we’re not talking the night when the fat bearded guy stuffs himself down the chimney or when a white rabbit breaks into the house to strew chocolate offspring and rainbow coloured eggs everywhere.

No, we’re talking about the Squamish Valley Music Festival, taking place August 8-10 at the Logger Sports Grounds and Hendrickson Fields. In anticipation of the big day, we’re spending the next few weeks rounding up local artists who’ll be playing this year’s event, and getting them to answer some important questions.

Like who they’ll be cueing up on the iPod for the Sea to Sky drive to the site, what they’ll be making sure to pack to make it through their set, the all-time dream festival lineup, and who they plan to stalk backstage. And that’s just the start of our probing. Read on, but not before you pick up your Squamish Valley Music Festival ticket. The last thing you want to miss is today’s featured local artist....

Drew and Danielle McTaggart formed Dear Rouge in the summer of 2009. Since then, the husband and wife duo has released a string of tunes that serve as light but energetic anthems for Vancouver’s short break from the rain. Wonder out of the woods and find them on the Market Square stage Saturday, August 10.

Sea To Sky Playlist

On and On "The Hunter"
Gets ya goin'.

Tame Impala "Apocalypse Dreams"
One of the best records of last year.

Wake Owl "Gold"
Proud he is from B.C.

Jai Paul "Just a Little Touch"
Gotta be one of the best remixes of all time.

Vampire Weekend "Step"
Such a pretty driving song.

Daft Punk "Doin it Right"
Summer 2013 mud :)

Jordan Klassen "Go To Me"
He is playing at Squamish and this song is so so good.

TV On the Radio "DLZ"
Always need a little TV on the Radio.

Kanye West "Black Skinhead"
The album is a bit dark, but some of the samples he uses are unreal.

Beach House "10 Mile Stereo"
One of my all-time favourite road trip bands.

Outdoor essentials:

A spirit hat and poncho are all you need for an outdoor festival.

We'd Love to Hang With:

Vampire Weekend: would love to talk to the keyboard player, who produces their material; also get to hear their story a bit from their college days. Good times.

Queens of the Stone Age: would love to talk to Josh Hommes about working with John Paul Jones. Seriously, how lucky is he!!

First Festival Experience:

Danielle: I went to Coachella a few years ago. It was sensory overload. They had an amazing line-up that year, and I didn't have a ticket, so I snuck in all three days. Ha ha. First day, bolted through security. Second day, hopped over the fence. Third day, borrowed a friend's wrist band.

As Stellar As This Year’s Squamish Bill is, What’s Your Fantasy Fest Line-up?

That would be amazing. Ummm. First day would be oldies, like the Beatles, Led Zepplin, Lou Reed, et cetera. Second day would be electronic with Daft Punk, Jai Paul, Washed out, et cetera. Third day would be acoustic and chill: Beach House, Middle East, Jake Bugg, and, of course, Jordan Klassen. Three days, three different styles each day.

What's Your Official Rider Request?

• Beer/cider
• Whiskey
• Something healthy to eat
• Something not healthy

At the end we say "This is a wish list, and we are grateful to be playing at your venue", just so that they know we are very very appreciative of all the work they do to host bands. We love playing shows, and never want to stop.

Trivia time: What’s Squamish’s official slogan?

Ummmm hmmmm ……Go big or go home :)

The Festival takes place at Hendrickson Fields & Logger Sports Ground. Quick—what’s your favourite logger sport?

When the logger dudes shimmy up a tree. Definitely our favourite.

Dear Rouge plays the Squamish Valley Music Festival’s Market Stage at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday (August 20).