The Left Coast brings together the talent and expertise of six Vancouver musicians. We play both covers and original tunes. We are always
expanding our eclectic repertoire and enjoy playing live as well as recording.
The Left Coast has been creating music together since July 2008, with some
members of the band having played together for over ten years.
Stefan Babchuk - Vocals, Songwriting, Lead Guitar
Guitarist, singer and songwriter Stefan Babchuk has been playing guitar
since the age of 13 when he sold his mini bike to buy his first guitar.
He plays mandolin and bass and dabbles with the banjo and violin. He
has been in a wide variety of bands over the years including The New
Sleepwalkers, 5B, The Lids, Club Django and Break Failure from Quadra
Island, B.C. Stefan currently plays a vintage 1979 Gibson Les Paul, a
Fender Stratocaster and a Collings dreadnought acoustic. When not
playing music, Stefan can be found in his studio painting or playing
hockey with his mates on Saturday nights. To see his art you can view
his website .
Michael Kagan - Drums
Drummer Michael Kagan grew up in Montreal. The father of four currently
lives in Burnaby, B.C. with his wife. Michael began playing drums at age
11 and has been in several bands since the 1960s. He is inspired and influenced
by the music of Dino Dinelli (The Young Rascals), Vanilla Fudge, Ginger Baker
(Cream), Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience), AWB, Steve Gadd (Steely
Dan), James Brown, Buddy Rich, Miles Davis, Metheny, and Tito Puente. He has a
particular affection for Cuban music. Michael collects and plays a range of
hand percussion in addition to his drum kit.
David Priest - Keys
David arrived in Vancouver from London, Ontario in 1989. He is a classically trained pianist with 13 years of training. He has performed with many noted artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Del Shannon, Canada's renowned vibraphonist Peter Appleyard, and Gordie Tapp of Nashville's "Hee-Haw" fame. The David Priest Jazz Trio has appeared in the Vancouver Jazz Festival on many occasions, as well as in other jazz festivals and numerous restaurants and clubs in Vancouver and throughout the province. David's CD "SMILE" was released in 2003. It was compiled with the talents of 11 other exceptional Vancouver musicians. SMILE continues to enjoy airplay on various CBC, independent and satellite radio stations.
Rick Reubart - Bass
Bass player Rick Reubart shares life with his wife and four children in Langley, B.C. Staying true to the foundations laid in the 60s, 70s and 80s by the likes of Jack Bruce (Cream), Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond (Jethro Tull), Frank Ferrell (Supertramp) and Freddie Washington (Steely Dan), Rick enjoys drawing from multiple influences to augment TLC's sound. Having played with numerous MOR bands and progressive-rock projects over the years, Rick has backed stealthily away from the wall-of-sound doctrine and, being drawn into the light by The Left Coast's eclectic format, is reveling in the melodic, expressive and introspective. Rick relies on his Sadowsky NYC, Tobias Killer B and Ibanez fretless 5 string basses to create the desired textures. He turns to his electric upright bass to replicate the organic sounds of the jazz classics.
Samantha Sinanan - Vocals and Rhythm Guitar
Samantha Sinanan grew up in Vancouver and has been singing in a variety
of capacities since the age of 6. Her vocal training ranges from classical
Italian instruction to the study of Karnatic music in the South of India. In
addition to singing lead and background vocals, Samantha plays rhythm on a Takamine
G Series acoustic guitar. She loves choral music and enjoys creating rich vocal
harmonies. Her influences include Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Carol King and
Christine McVie. In addition to music, Samantha is passionate about a variety
of social justice causes including workers’ rights and environmental activism.
She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Library and Information Studies.
