Free City Collective

First and foremost, the name “Free City Collective” comes from a group of counter-culture activists based out of San Francisco. In the 1960’s, they were better known as “The Diggers“, a rag-tag ensemble of actors, poets, writers, musicians – artists in general. Through non-violent demonstration, varying from abstract theatre productions to free food distribution, The Diggers became the voice of bohemia in the western world. Their goal was simple: To take the revolutionary ideals of hippie philosophy, combine it with the liberal self-sufficiency of the late 20th century, and present the people with a free-thinking alternative; a society without private property, buying or selling; a Free City. This methodology, once pigeon-holed as the anarchic pipe-dream of a careless generation, became a global phenomenon. The Diggers would become Free City Collective, and they’re unparalleled influence on popular culture would forever change our world.

Fast forward forty years, and its late August of 2006. After completing a six month stint in Germany, an inspired sixteen year old returns to the greater Vancouver suburb he calls home. Eagerly awaiting his arrival are three of his most impassioned peers. They are all in attendance at Heritage Woods Secondary, a quaint mountainside school with a rather unfortunate decor resembling that of a minimum security prison. Yet somehow, amidst the towering walls and pillars of concrete painted in the coldest shades of oppression, art and imagination flourished among these students. We begin with the globe-trotter in question, Ben Rowley, and his long time collaborator/guitar extraordinaire, Theo Milloy.

Ben and Theo had discussed the creation of a band for a long time. Previous efforts had been attempted, but the commitment and innate drive between the two was not shared amongst their peers – or so it seemed. The pair traded ideas back and forth during Ben’s study abroad and, upon his return, preliminary jams were held to flesh out their concepts. Overwhelmingly gratified by their results, the time for expansion had come. However, the question was not who could provide the meat and bones needed to sustain their new musical direction, but rather “will they accept?” Ben and Theo knew exactly what was needed and the choices were evident. Fixtures in their past projects, noted for their supreme skill and ambition, Derek Rohde and Sam Romero joined the collective.

Initially playing gigs under the name "Singapore", the group decided to change gears and pursue new directions in mid 2007. The boys continued working on new material and Ben assumed drum duties, while searching for a fitting replacement. Shortly thereafter, on a fateful summer’s eve in the Rowley household, a chance conversation led brothers Ben and Brandon to reminisce fondly about childhood jam sessions. They recalled the joy and splendour it brought them as young boys, and an invitation was extended to have Brandon sit in on the next session. Could the perfect fit really have been in front of them this whole time? A dazzling debut at Blue Mountain Musical festival prompted a resounding “..Fuck yes”, and with the addition of beat-master B-Row Sr. behind the kit, “Singapore” became “Free City Collective”.

Two demos and many revelations later, we at Free City Collective are proud to present the Western Vulture EP. For us, it represents both the closing of a chapter and a long-awaited breath of fresh air.