With all due respect to the classy people of our increasingly cosmopolitan city, Young Liars’ Tidal Wave sounds almost too sophisticated and urbane to be a product of Vancouver. Led by singer-guitarist Jordan Raine, the quartet’s synth-shimmered pop is polished enough to be playlisted alongside the likes of Phoenix and Delorean. On the other hand, Young Liars—which also includes keyboardist Wesley Nickel, bassist Tyler Badali, and drummer Andrew Beck—has enough of an indie edge to pass muster with the most discerning JJ Bean barista.

The year’s best gig: “Haim at the Commodore [on October 24, 2013]. They had a blast on-stage and so did the audience. Este Haim’s facial expressions alone make the evening. It captured a rock-show vibe that seems rare these days. It was a refreshing evening.”

Best album ever: “There’s a lot of amazing albums I could pick, but I have to go with the Dears’ No Cities Left for nostalgic reasons. You know those albums that just fall into your lap at the right time and forever after encapsulate that window of your life? Each time you relisten to the album it pulls you back into your previous self.”

Jonathan Simkin’s paying—where’s dinner? “The Afghan Horsemen [1833 Anderson Street on Granville Island]. A steak platter with Combo No. 2. Extra pakawras never hurt. I don’t care who buys—you can’t get better than that.”

In the spirit of Jason Derulo’s “Talk Dirty”, who do you want talking dirty to you? “Jon Kiai from Ville Kulla. His swooning violin-playing can set the scene.”

You won Lotto Max. Where’s your club opening up? “Something all-ages in the Fraser Valley. Growing up in Abbotsford, I had almost no chance to take in live music. Something other than a rundown-house party or a sea of churches would have been huge.”