In the grand scheme of great Canadian musical discoveries, we have nabbed another one we are ga-ga over. This alternative rock band combines meaningful lyrics with soft acoustic rock that we love – introducing Chasing Arcadia.

Made up of Darryl McCarty on guitar and vocals, Stan Clemance on the bass guitar, and Matt Fletcher on Drums, the guys have been in and out of bands over the past few years. But it wasn't until just over two years ago when they were all in one and the lead vocalist left.

"The vocalists departure was devastating, if we wanted to continue we had to basically start from scratch, try and find a new vocalist and move on, it was tough," McCarty recalls. "I had tried to sing a little in a couple of other bands I was in, so I thought I'd try again. There was no one else to fill the role so I guess I kinda fell into it."

(We're so glad he did.)

The guys pushed on and went into a real studio and recorded a proper demo with "Come Down", "Letting Go", and "Rise Above". The Christopher Band was born.

"The name change was brought on by a number of things, to many questions ("Are you Christopher?"), management suggestion, and a desire to have a cool band name like "Chasing Arcadia". We all really like the name. Other than sounding cool, the main thing I like is the meaning. "Chasing Arcadia" really means "Chasing Heaven", which is really a universal problem. I think whether we like to admit it or not we're all "Chasing Arcadia" one way or another," McCarty adds.

Comparing themselves to Rush, Jeff Buckley and Radiohead, McCarty writes most of the tracks.

"Every song I write isn't always a "Chasing Arcadia" song," McCarty adds. "The "Chasing Arcadia" sound has a lot to do with the three of us getting together and sparks happenings, Stan, and Matt are amazing, every time we play together I consider myself privileged."

When he wrote, "Summertime," McCarty had been wanting to use that first chord in a song for a long time. He was sitting in his room, and started humming.

"Not too long after I had written one of my favorite songs," McCarty says. "For me its like I just wait for God to walk in the room and give it to me. I don't mean for it to sound all mystical or something, that's just how it happens a lot for me. Its like instinct, its very natural."

He says "Its Over" is dedicated to all those people who say, "It is better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all."

"That's not how you feel at the end of a relationship. There is a lot of investment in relationships, a lot of time, energy, etc. In the end when "Its Over", it feels more like its better to have not "loved and lost". Interestingly enough "Its Over" was written a week before we recorded it," McCarty says.

The songs that were recorded on the album represent a year and a half of recording. It was done in four different periods. Before the band was about to prepare for CD printing, their management suggested completing a full-length album, and "Portrait", "Free", "The Game", and "Sasha" were added. McCarty mixed and produced them himself.

Although the guys of Chasing Arcadia want to tour the United States as soon as they can, they want to do more touring in Canada. Not to mention they're excited about a lot of excellent independent artists in their home country, such as the Trews, Matt Mays, Pilate, and Moneen.

When it comes to mainstream, McCarty nailed Chantal Kreviazuk, Andy Stochansky and Sarah Slean as other favorites that are also favorites on DiscoveringArtists.com

After hearing their album, we're proud to add them to the list.

For more information visit: http://www.chasingarcadia.com