FEATURED MUSICIANS
MT RUSHKA
Channelling the grit and energy of the mountains of the Elk Valley , Mt Rushka is a band with a rock-solid future .
Guitarist , Will Ripley , and twin sister & bassist , Alanna Laurin , are the children of Fernie ’ s first ever Griz . Will is a professional international guitar teacher and Alanna co-founded Society Jane , a hair salon in Fernie . Alanna is married to powerhouse lead singer , Adam Laurin , who moved to Fernie from Calgary nearly 20 years ago and founded snowboard and skateboard shop , Commit . Drummer Aaron Wrench twists wrenches at the coal mine as a heavy-duty mechanic and reconnected with Will after a 15-year hiatus after the two studied together at the Berklee College of Music ’ s affiliate program in Nelson .
The band ’ s name is a deliberate alliteration of Mount Rushmore in the US and a nod to the forefathers of rock music – one being Alex Lifeson of Rush , who was born in Fernie . The name also references the local mountains that form the name of the street where Will , Alanna , and Adam live , and the surname name of a neighbour .
Mount Rushka have performed sold-out shows in Fernie and toured throughout BC & Alberta with more dates planned for spring and summer 2024 . The band ’ s members have touring credits with The Tea Party , One Bad Son , Rev Theory , Papa Roach , and Shinedown . They launched their first single ‘ Moonlight ’ in October 2022 . ‘ Hold On ,’ their third release , received over 10,000 views in the first month . They are now working on a full-length album at Calgary ’ s OCL studios with Brian Moncarz , a Canadian producer who has worked with Alice Cooper , Our Lady Peace , and The Trews . The album is due out in spring 2024 – support the launch on Kickstarter through the Mount Rushka website . Check out Mount Ruska ’ s # downrightrock this winter !
Mountrushka . band @ mount . rushka
7