that I can no longer separate the song from the dance. In my mind they grew simultaneously.”
New Music From Canada
As for the band’s single “Work Friends,” Freeman comments, “‘Work Friends’ speaks to the masks we wear in the workplace. Forced relationships playing out in environments unnaturally curated to make us our most productive. This track is a covert dance party for the freak hiding behind a tightly buttoned shirt and uncomfortable shoes. The tension built through the verse gives way to warmth and understanding in the chorus as layers of voice and violin sweep our thoughts to our deepest friendships.”
Photo credit: Jen Squires
“The violin is a very unique element in this genre of music,” Freeman says. “I approach it primarily as a groove instrument. I love the pulse and foundation it can create.”
Speaker Face Melds Violins, Cellos, Electronics For A Groovy Folktronic Sound That Defines Genre’s Future; Trio’s Groundbreaking “Crescent” By Troy Wilson Canadian award winning indie electronic band, Speaker Face has just released their new groundbreaking album, Crescent. Speaker Face’s new album marries their electronic sounds along with violins and cellos to create an all-new sound for them. The band had already released a sneak preview to the album in the form of their first single, “Phosphorescence,” which has received quite a lot of attention.
“‘Phosphorescence’ is a complicated love song for the West Coast of British Columbia,” says Trent Freeman of Speaker Face. “While we feel so welcomed by the land and connected to the nature where I grew up, many people were displaced to allow our presence. ‘Phosphorescence’ is a thank you letter to those who were here long before us, specifically the Malchosen and the K’omoks first nations, and the early 1900s Japanese settlers, who were interned during WWII. We hope to see this beautiful place through their eyes.” Freeman continues, “‘Phosphorescence’ was recorded at our home studio in Toronto. We love all the tactile hammer sounds of the Rhodes and the fingers plucking the violin, we wanted to have them present and tickling the ears. Capturing the violin part as a cascade of drips helped paint the West Coast landscape. Ruby’s voice was recorded three different times in unison and mixed all around your head, so it feels like you’re swimming in the ocean of her voice. Working on this video with choreographer Jade Whitney was a dream. She connected so well with the song and moves in such a descriptive way
Speaker Face is the band formed by Trent Freeman and Eric Wright of the JUNO award-winning band, The Fretless. Joining them in Speaker Face is vocalist Ruby Randall. Together the three of them create an atmosphere production layered with the lush sounds of piano, electronic beats, violin, and strings, which comes as no surprise since Freeman and Wright were members of the traditional Irish folk band, The Fretless. Wright is a cellist in The Fretless and also provides the bass for Speaker Face. In addition to that Wright also helps to put together the songs with a Hip-Hop inspiration to them. “My inspirations are mostly derived from a hip-hop sensibility,” Eric Wright says of the hypnotic beats he contributes to the album. “I’ve been making beats since I was 13-years-old. 2PAC, Dr. Dre, and Wu-Tang Clan were on repeat. For this album, I sampled crate vinyl for kick sounds and merged those with my own samples. The sampled vinyl with the liveliness of the natural samples creates the soundscape.” Rounding off the sound of Speaker Face is vocalist Ruby Randall with her sultry voice and engaging delivery. Trent Freeman tells us that in most cases, they recorded her voice three times and they were “mixed all around your head so it feels like you’re swimming in the ocean of her vocals.” “I’m so excited to share these Speaker Face tunes with the world,” Randall adds. “Trent has poured himself into these songs and it has been an honor to be able to bring my voice to them.” Speaker Face’s new album Crescent is out now, so give it a listen soon. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the new sound that they are producing. Could this be a new form of ethereal hip-hop… only time will tell.
November 2020 • Rock and Blues International
39
