Our hometowns can remind us of who we are. They can provide a sense of belonging and purpose, a feeling of being in “paradise”. In recent years, Melaura’s hometown on Vancouver Island has experienced rapid expansion and stress testing, which has changed or deconstructed many treasured landmarks and community gathering places. “Paradise” a music video created for and by Cowichan Secondary alumni and Cowichan Valley citizens, attempts to create a cinematic time capsule of a few community heritage pieces before they are gone forever. Cowichan’s vibrant and diverse music scene inspired Melaura’s choice to write this new rock-country anthem.

While attending Cowichan Secondary School, Melaura dreamed of bringing this song and video to life, it became a bucket list item. School alumni contributed to and were highlighted through out the video, sharing their memories and connections to the community with each other. An immensely successful and emotion filled open house was held by the school a few months after Melaura filmed it, just prior to the school closing it’s doors. Melaura hopes the local gems she was honoured to capture, such as Cowichan Secondary, the World’s Largest Hockey Stick and the almost lost Caprice theatre stir nostalgia, love and positive memories for everyone in Cowichan and outside of it. 

These gems are situated within the natural beauty of Vancouver Island, showcased in Melaura's debut single "Chase the Sun". This song was showcased on Shaw TV and toured around the southern island at many local festivals. You can find more about the new single “Paradise” on “Musicians of Vancouver Island” a podcast by Jon Woodland. In the near future, Melaura will also be releasing a personal hiking vlog to provide combined environmental education and musical entertainment. Although she will not be joining her band, Melaura was so excited to see them perform at Sunfest this summer, as the Zach Thompson Band.