ARYA

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ARYA (ah.ree.yah; Sanskrit) : A being who has realised ultimate reality directly and non-conceptually; (Nigerian) Enjoyment; (Amharic) Role model.

With an explosive combination of heavy and melodic music, ARYA distinguished themselves in the Toronto music scene from the beginning of 2006 until the fall of 2008 with a signature sound that fused seemingly volatile elements. Drawing from their diverse backgrounds and inspirations, the band created music that was intense, addictive and unmistakably unique.

In their years together as a band, ARYA accomplished much in their local area. Their energetic live performances and debut EP, produced by multiple-award winning producer/songwriter Justin Gray (Joss Stone, Sugar Jones), and their impressive (fully-funded) follow-up EP "Honeycomb," brought them multiple awards and opportunities to record and play before ever-larger audiences.

ARYA’s dynamic live show and industry accolades created a buzz with both audiences and musicians alike, making them a much sought-after group by venues, promoters and fellow bands.

After a very successful run which peaked in a final performance in front of many powerful industry professionals, the members parted ways to find new musical direction.

The melodic hard-rock group AFFINITY formed at year's end 2008 when vocalist Ashley and drummer Sean together found the missing pieces needed to form a new band by merging with another 3-year old Toronto band formerly known as "Mindpiece." They have been hailed a "rock version of Voltron with a high energy level performance" who "absolutely need to be heard by all music fans!" (M. Hallihan, music reviewer, bringbacktheboombox.com).

Since their inception, AFFINITY's Ashley Curtis (lead vox), Mark Kaczor (guitar/BG vox), Mack Flynn (bass/keys/synth/BG vox), Mike Bagshaw (rhythm guitar) and Sean Hillman (drums) have been gaining a steady and infectious buzz, packing venues around the GTA. Their sound is a rare combination of edgy, heavy rock with super-charged riffs and catchy melodies that audiences can relate to. To date, they've opened for several popular Canadian artists including K'Naan, The Stills and Jully Black and shared the stage with INXS, Theory of a Dead Man & The Tea Party this summer.

In late 2010 AFFINITY teamed up with management company HigherGround Entertainment Group Inc. The band's first single, "Discord (Let This Go)", has been serviced to radio stations across Canada (97.5 The River in Kamloops, BC has already added the single into rotation) and is available on iTunes worldwide. Their debut album "Solid Ground" (recorded at Vic Park Productions and MDS Studios) is set to be released later this summer.

Check them out at affinityband.net

ARYA ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Toronto Independent Music Award
     Best Metal 2007

Toronto Independent Music Award Nomination
     Best Metal 2008

Factor Grant
    Demo and press-kit award 2007

Paragon X-Posure competition 2007 winners
    $10,000 recording contract

Great Canadian Band Challenge 2007
    Top 5 out of 500 bands Nationwide

Jagermeister/Paragon
RELEASE THE BEAST competition
Runner up (out of 40 bands)

Mention in "All Known Metal Bands" book by Dan Nelson

110 Garageband awards! Including:
81 awards for "Honeycomb" EP tracks
    So far, track of the week, track of the day, most original,
and best female vocals in alt metal, metal and overall, best melody, guitars, drums and bass in alt metal and overall,
best beat in alt metal and metal, most rocking, best mood,
lyrics and production (also voted 12th best in Alt metal,
ranked ALL-TIME: 2nd best melody, 5th best female vocalist, 12th best guitars, 14th most rocking, 15th best lyrics, 16th best female metal vocalist)

29 awards for first single "Ashamed"
(VOTED best progressive rock song)
    Including track of the week, track of the day,
best female vocals in progressive rock, most rocking,
best bass, guitars, beats, melody and production

SUN TV Canoelive promotional spots

Songs featured on Canadian Football League website,
102.1 The Edge Indie Hour, CIUT & Ryerson's "Live & Local"

Annual benefit concert (Over $5000 raised to date!)
    Founded "Rocking the Foundaton" fundraiser
for Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

Musical volunteering 
    Habitat for Humanity, African Medical Research Foundation, Sick Children’s Hospital