Battle of the Bands

Liz Dennett is a public service librarian in the Science and Technology
Library at the University of Alberta.

“Experience. That’s my biggest problem. I just don’t have enough
experience in anything, and I consider this a flaw.” So says Jay, the
guitarist of the Lunar Ticks, who feels pressure from fellow band
members Cia and Kel to write great songs that will help them win the
upcoming battle of the bands at the local community centre. But Jay, a
Grade 11 student who lives in suburban Vancouver, is at a loss:
“How’s an average guy like me supposed to come up with good music
material when I haven’t done anything yet?” he wonders.

To learn about life and observe song-worthy events, Jay decides to
sneak out on a series of progressively risky excursions. And in his
“regular” life, the band has a minor run-in with the police, Cia
gets grounded, and Kel’s angry ex-girlfriend is threatening trouble.
Jay is also distracted by Rowan, the female guitarist from Indigo Daze,
the Lunar Ticks’ biggest competition. She fascinates him with her
talent, powerful lyrics, and enigmatic smiles.

The story is less about the battle of the bands and more about Jay
realizing that crazy experiences are not as important as taking life in
stride, improving with his band, and getting to know Rowan better. In
her first novel, K.L. Denman has created engaging and realistic
characters. Recommended.