Foothills music lovers looking for something upbeat will have a tough time staying in their seats next week when a Vancouver band busts out at The Stop.

Vancouver-based folk band Bocephus King aims to get people on the dance floor with its psychedelic folk and rock sound at The Stop Coffee Shop and Gathering Place in Black Diamond on Jan 23 at 8 p.m.

“It’s very groovy and very orchestral with very nice sounds and overtones,” said lead singer and guitarist Bocephus King of the band’s music. “I like to put a little dance into everything I do because I like people to be out having a live music experience.”

The band, which consists of Paul Townsend on drums, Wynston Minckler on bass and Charlie Hase on the pedal steel guitar, will be accompanied by fellow Vancouver folk singer/songwriter Skye Wallace.

Bocephus King has only played at a few southern Alberta cafes and festivals and the band has had its eye on The Stop for a few months, said King.

“We just heard about it and that it’s a really great place to perform,” he said. “It has an audience that’s really into music.”

The band released its fifth album “Willie Dixon God Damn!” last year, which is an eclectic concoction of literary and cinematic influences featuring soulful street carnival blues and roots rock.

King said he writes most of the band’s songs, often telling stories about himself and other people or delving into the meaning of life.

For instance, the song “The Way a Story Goes” suggests seizing the day while “The Job” reminds people they have a job to do within themselves during their time on Earth, he said.

“It’s positive music,” he said. “It’s like giving a person a mantra. I believe that’s good for people because it’s healing. I’m just a person like anyone figuring out how to stay happy and calm in life.”

With people disconnecting as a result of television and computers King said he sees his music as a way to bring people together.

“I think it’s good for the world when people get together and have a good time together,” he said. “There is so much of the opposite.”

Bocephus King also receives benefits from their gigs, said King.

“We get to visit with the people we brought out of the woodwork in that little town,” he said. “It’s like having a reunion party with different people on the road every time.”

The Stop owner Mike Kingston said he is glad to get Bocephus King in his venue, which hosts performers from a variety of genres including folk, rock, blues and country.

“Most of these musicians are a combination of everything,” he said. “A lot of times it comes down to if I like it. I just keep an eye on things and I go to the odd venue.”

Kingston, who started the business 10 years ago, said it has been a long road to reach the point where they continuously sell out shows.

“There was a lot of shows where nobody came and I thought why are we bothering to do this,” he said. “I’ve sold out over 100 shows over the past number of years.”

Now he receives 15 requests a week from musicians looking for a gig and holds one to two shows each month from September to March.

Tickets to see Bocephus King can be purchased at The Stop for $20 each.

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