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SPF Editor-In-Chief Janet Adamana
Associate Editor Ally Sigurdson Promotions Director Steff Shields
Contributors & Photography Credits Ally Sigurdson Dagmawit Dejene Dustin Nelson Steff Shields
Special Thanks Craig Alan Hughes Andrew Dyce Franky Courcelles Harley James Flett Mawell Joseph
SEPT/OCT 2014 Rewrite Not a Single Line Note from the Editor
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A Slice of Scotland Craig Alan Hughes takes us through A Short EP About Scotland
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A Dycey Affair Industry profile on Andrew Dyce and Saraseto Records
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Recommends Our artist picks
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Rising Son 18 Harley James Flett and his love for anything acoustic In Review 22 Our take on some new releases
Sound, Phrase & Fury is a Canadian music magazine out to help promote musicians not usually covered in mainstream media. All music, photos and articles used are for the sole purpose of spreading the knowledge of these artists and their music. We always encourage readers to support every act through purchasing releases, merchandise and attending live shows.
info@sound-phrase-fury.com @soundphrasefury facebook.com/soundphrasefury Sound-Phrase-Fury.com
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Editor’s Note
Rewrite not a single line Ask anyone in the independent industry, and they will most likely agree - it’s never easy. Early mornings and even later nights, energy drinks and pots full of coffee. We try our best not to let the “another day, another dollar” mentality swallow us whole, as we live and breathe for the moments where we get to do what we love in our spare time. It’s a life full of failing plans, funds always running low, and victorious moments coming far and few. Those on the outside look at us and wonder, why do it at all? Why run yourself through such a ringer, day in and day out for a tiny bit of emotional pay out once in a blue moon? There are days we too, ask ourselves these very same questions, and no matter how many times we wonder, the answer always seems the same – just because. We do it because of what’s hidden in those panic attack nights, buried deep under piles of paper, calendars packed full of appointments and deadlines, and waste baskets teetering from the weight of our tear-filled tissues. We do it because in those few moments where everything goes right, all the frustration, and all that worried pain gets washed away and replaced by an absolutely overwhelming euphoria. The intoxicating madness they call hope. We do it because we love it. We do it because this is who we are. We do it because there is no other life we would be happier living.
Down here is our time
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Janet Adamana Editor-In-Chief
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a slice q&a
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of scotland
q&a
Edinburgh singer/songwriter, Craig Alan Hughes loves home. Pulling inspiration from his surroundings, from dreamy hills to nearby lions’ – yes, lions – roars, the 27-year-old multi-instrumentalist creates a memorable musical love letter with his latest release, A Short EP About Scotland.
words BY janet adamana JA: Can you explain how you got involved in music in the first place? CAH: I started off recording Jeff Buckley covers and sending them to my friends. When they went down quite well I started playing live with my friend Arron, under the name ‘Birds of a Feather’. Sensibly, we soon changed our name to ‘Callel’. We ended up playing a lot of gigs around Scotland and recording a lot of music together. Some of that music has since been used on MTV shows like ‘My Super Sweet 16’ and ‘16 and Pregnant’, which is quite bizarre. JA: Tell me all about your new EP? CAH: I had a bunch of songs involving Scotland that I had earmarked for different albums. As this is a big year for Scotland (an independence referendum/hosting the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup), I decided to put them all on one themed EP instead. The first song, “Everything Is Scared,” was the only track written specifically for the EP and is a tongue-in-cheek re-
action to the media in Scotland at the moment. “The Forth Road Bridge Song” is a simple song about being taken on road trips as a child with my brother and grandfather. “The Pagoda” was written a wee while ago and is about a beautiful work of architecture in Edinburgh known as ‘Rockville’ or ‘The Pagoda’ that was torn down in the 1960’s so that they could build apartment blocks. The fourth song is a cover of a very old Scottish song called “A Man’s A Man For A’ That” by Robert Burns. It’s a lovely old tune about worldwide equality. The last song is called “Free As An Ocean.” It wasn’t actually written about Scotland- I wrote the majority of it on a long cab drive out of Boston, Massachusetts, hence the overuse of the word ‘baby’ - which sounds kind of funny in my accent. It makes me laugh anyway. But there’s a big finale about not being afraid anymore so I thought it tied in nicely with the first song on the EP.
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Q&A q&A
I’m a big fan of multi-instrumentalists
like Sufjan Stevens and Mathieu Boogaerts
so I guess there’s a bit of musical pride in doing things like they do. JA: Where did you record? What was the whole process like this time around? CAH: I record everything at home. It’s free and my cat is there, which helps. On this EP I was the sole performer on all of the instruments and vocals. There’s a bit of a trade-off in doing things like this as you lose the instrumental expertise of say, a really talented drummer. But if I record the drums myself it’s nice and quick as I don’t need to teach anybody else the song first or explain how I’d like it to sound. I’m a big fan of multi-instrumentalists like Sufjan Stevens and Mathieu Boogaerts so I guess there’s a bit of musical pride in doing things like they do too.
this is great for atmosphere, it’s fairly catastrophic for acoustics. Three of the best non-basement venues in Edinburgh have sadly been bought over and converted in recent years so unfortunately, the options are getting narrower. But Glasgow is just down the road and has a great array of venues and tremendous audiences so it’s no big deal.
JA: I have to ask, do you actually live by a zoo? Does that somehow provide some unexpected musical inspiration? CAH: I do indeed live on the same hill as a zoo. I go out running on the hill and see zebras and hear monkeys so perhaps it’s influencing me on some JA: Can you tell me a bit about Edinburgh and deep level. Actually, come to think of it, it must be how your music scene has influenced your on a direct and superficial level as there’s a song that’s going to appear on my second album and the work? CAH: Edinburgh is a beautiful city- stunning archi- chorus melody for it is directly stolen from a satecture, beautiful rolling hills, long sandy beaches, mango monkey’s call. Lucky for me, they can’t sue. scenic harbours, woodland trails, flowing rivers, good surfing nearby, great restaurants, an interna- JA: What do you have planned for the rest of tional arts festival and a truly staggering number of the year? pubs. I feel truly lucky to live here. The one thing it CAH: I’d like to have a short break from recording doesn’t have is a particularly robust music scene, so so I can surf. But then I’ll be finishing off album the vast majority of my gigs are held in Glasgow. I two, which also has a theme- monkeys. I should rethink this is partially due to music venues- a lot of ally move further away from the zoo. Edinburgh’s venues are in the ‘old town’ and so occupy basement ‘cave’ spaces made of stone. Whilst
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Stay up to date with Craig Alan Hughes at Facebook.com/CraigAlanHughesMusic. Download a copy of A Short EP About Scotland at CraigAlanHughes.Bandcamp. 8 Sound, Phrase, & Fury • SEPT/OCT 2014
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a Dycey affair
industry
It’s hard enough balancing 9 to 5 life with the bombardment of everyday duties. Try balancing all of that while single-handedly running a label whose roster is chock full of brilliant and driven independent artists. Andrew Dyce: the backbone of Saraseto Records, talks work, life and the success of the UK’s most promising acts.
SS: How do you manage your time between the label and the responsibilities of everyday life? AD: I have a full-time job that takes more time than simply Monday to Friday 9-5 but I’m lucky that it is also music related so some of my work can overlap. It can be difficult but I love my job and I love the label work. I’m really fortunate that I work with amazing people that keep me motivated and passionate about what I do. SS: How did you come to be involved in the music industry? What is it that attracted you? AD: I’ve been involved in music in lots of different capacities and roles since I was 18. I had a vague dream of playing in a band but quickly realized I wasn’t very good. I then started promoting shows and really enjoyed that. I worked with a few other promoters whilst running my own events. I liked the pressure that came with promoting events and really felt that the experience I picked up has helped me over the years. SS: You have a friendly relationship with your acts, how do manage these business and personal dynamics? AD: Due to the scale of the label, it can only work if bands want to be actively involved in working on a release. I always try to be open and let them know the limitations with money and time I have. As long as that openness and trust is there, working in a personal and friendly way seems to work.
words BY Steff Shields I manage one band on the label, We Came From Wolves, so trust is essential for our partnership to work. SS: What is it that you hope to achieve through this type of work? An end-goal if you will. AD: My main aim is to ensure that with each release I have left the band in a better place than when we started. Sometimes this isn’t always possible but I think this is mostly the case. SS: How do you feel about the state of independent music and the positions of emerging acts among mainstream music culture? AD: Scotland has a great network for emerging acts. There are some great musicians, managers, promoters and venues that support each other. Of course there are some bad eggs but everywhere has them. On the whole though, there is a real community of people who care about and love music. Most bands realize that chances of signing to a major label or an indie with a decent budget are very limited. As a result they have to be more savvy with how they engage with those who come to shows or buy a release. Accessing funds from arts bodies and commercial partners is also difficult unless a track record can be pointed to which is understandable from a business perspective. Acts need to spend more time and money to function properly now.
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SarasetoRecords.com
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Facebook.com/AestheticHeartPromotions SEPT/OCT 2014 • Sound, Phrase, & Fury 13
recommends
BY Dustin Nelson Music with a message, that’s what Franky Courcelles, aims to make. At age 5, Courcelles picked up the guitar for the first time and developed a lifelong love, and at age twelve he received his own acoustic. Five years later he graced the stage for the first time, under the alias, Alone I Walk. In February 2014, Courcelles released his debut, Me EP!!; the project contained four tracks, all written by Courcelles. He begun playing shows around Winnipeg, at various venues and, in May of 2014, he hit the road as the opening act on
Charlie, Monster!’s, the Voice That Suits Us All Tour, stopping in Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Lethbridge, Calgary, Red Deer, Medicine Hat and more. Alone I Walk urges listeners to be themselves and to be kind to others, with heartfelt messages and upbeat melodies. Me EP!!, keeps you listening from start to finish, and leaves you with a smile on your face. Courcelles just finished the Be Yourself Tour, and plans on releasing his second EP in October.
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alone i walk facebook.com/AloneIWalk - youtube.com/user/AloneIWalkOfficial - twitter.com/aloneiwalk 14 Sound, Phrase, & Fury • SEPT/OCT 2014
get lost in sound recommends
maxwell Joseph facebook.com/maxwell.jos - maxwelljoseph.bandcamp.com - twitter.com/Maxwell_Joseph_ From the get-go, the rich and sultry coos of Indianapolis singer-songwriter, Maxwell Joseph, soothes you into a peppy trance. Armed with his acoustic guitar and lyrical snapshots of the depths of his sweet and sensitive soul, Joseph sets the bar high with his three-song debut EP, I Don’t Need The Money. A warm and playful record, Joseph snags your attention with a heart-on-his-sleeve approach to song writing - weaving tidbits of wisdom beyond
his years in between his soft and careful picks. Although just 19, Joseph has already spent his short musical career working with several different acts, even snagging a collaboration with rock band HELM. He recently launched his solo career in 2013, and has since been captivating the hearts of young fans, with his messages of compassion, hope and exuberance.
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D A E R U O Y N CA ? E T I R W AND & ABSOLUTELY LOVE NEW MUSIC?
THEN DO WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING, AND WRITE FOR US! HIT UP SOUND-PHRASE-FURY.COM FOR MORE INFO.
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LOCAL LOVE
Most of you are suckers for anything acoustic, and in Winnipeg’s always expanding music scene, it is no surprise that acoustic artists are making a name for themselves across the city. For solo artist Harley James Flett, this is only the beginning of his quickly-evolving music career. Even at such a young age, he has already become part of the heart and soul of the music world, and hopes to continue to share his art with as many people as humanly possible “until no one is listening anymore.”
AS: How did you get into performing? HJF: Like most solo musicians, I wanted to be in a band at one point. I was jamming with a few different people but nothing was really going anywhere. I saw Frank Turner at the West End [Cultural Centre], and he had an acoustic guitar with him. I had never seen anyone play a guitar like that. It was so simple, but so new. I feel like watching Frank Turner play guitar must be similar to how people felt when they saw Elvis for the first time. It was a complete game changer for me. Soon after, I went out and bought a guitar and dove right into it. I wrote enough songs for a set, and spent the next month arguing with myself if I was good enough to play shows. It started as a side project to help me kill time, and it slowly became my main venture, and now I guess, here we are.
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AS: Where does the inspiration for your work come from? HJF: Where do I begin? (laughs) When it comes to guitar parts, I try to keep it simple because I believe the whole point of music is to just have fun with it. I’ll mess around with a bunch of chords, try new things, suddenly I’ll have a riff and I’ll compile them into something totally different. I try to keep my music with that whole “12-year-old kid in his bedroom” feel to it, and experimenting helps with that. Lyrically, my inspiration comes from a lot of places. It’s very personal, and about how I choose to look at life. A great example would be my album, Nostalgia Drive. The title itself has great meaning to me. It’s the concept that
LOCAL LOVE
rising son words and Photos BY ally sigurdson SEPT/OCT 2014 • Sound, Phrase, & Fury 19
profile LOCAL LOVE
What I really want is to change someone’s mindset; Because so many songs have done that for me.
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LOCAL LOVE
we all have an idea of this city, and how each part of this place has it’s good parts, bad parts and everything. I make my work personal and I think I always will. AS: Who are your major influences in life and in your music? HJF: Without a doubt, my grandpa. He passed away a few years ago. When I started high school, I started going through that common mindset where you get a better grasp of reality and you start staying up all night with your friends asking each other the real questions in life, you know? The real stuff. I talked to my grandpa a lot about what I was thinking about, and I would ask for his advice. He always said at the end of the day, there’s not much you can do, other than just keep going. He told me no matter how hard it gets, and no matter where you are, you keep working at whatever you want to work at. You just keep going. My music influences change all the time, but Iron Maiden has always been a favourite of mine. They always stuck to their gut and did whatever they wanted. Bruce Springsteen is also a big one for me right now. It’s cheesy, but I admire him for his dreams and what he wanted to achieve. AS: What’s your favourite part about being on stage? HJF: The chicks (laughs). Being on stage is something I’ve always wanted to do, so I think my
favourite part is walking onto it. The first chords, the first few moments really determine the entire set. If it’s quiet and awkward, I know I have to play 10 times harder than my best, and push through a possibly tough crowd. The first few moments are the most exciting. I sometimes feel like it’s an acting role, and I always want to perform at my best. AS: What’s your biggest goal when it comes to music? HJF: I don’t play music for me. I actually struggle a lot with playing music. I really enjoy playing music…. sometimes. My friends and family really want me to be big and for me to be successful. I sometimes feel like that’s why I’m pushing so hard for this dream. It’s for them, and what they want for me. My personal dream is for someone out there to bring my name up in conversation, and just talk about one song - just one song that I wrote. I hope that even one person is moved by my work enough that it helps them accomplish a goal or awaken a dream. What I really want is to change someone’s mindset; because so many songs have done that for me. AS: What are your plans for the future? HJF: It’s a little up in the air. The new record is half written and still being created. I plan to have a new EP out by the end of the year and a new album by Spring 2015. I believe a tour is slowly in motion, and I just hope to keep growing. I just want to play until no one is listening anymore.
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Like Harley James Flett at Facebook.com/harleyjamesflettmusic. Grab copies of his latest acoustic offerings at SoundwaveSparks.Bandcamp.com.
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in review
naysa
Losing Weight
Review by Dagmawit Dejene
Naysa.Bandcamp.com
Winnipeg’s NAYSA, have done it again. The self-
proclaimed “gloomy pop rock” four-piece drop their new EP, Losing Weight on October 2nd. Having just released their debut EP, Troubled Heart, back in March, it is clear that Dave Todd (Guitar and Vocals), Sean Leslie (Guitar), Grant Danyluk (Bass Guitar), and Graham Duval (Drums) have been working non-stop to release new music. The five-track album opens with “How I’m Feeling Lately,” a song reminiscent of 90’s punk rock, with lyrics that remind us what it’s like to be young and trying to figure yourself out. The track starts with a regular rock feel then surprises listeners with an unexpected and catchy bass-centered intro. The full band come in at the first verse, complete with a carefully crafted guitar riff, proving these guys know what they’re doing. “I Don’t Know What To Do” slows things down with a groovy but haunt-
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ing guitar melody perfectly paired with melancholy lyrics. The chorus can almost be mistaken for being cheerful, with Todd’s sunny “Do’s”, making for an interesting contrast to the song’s overall message. The EP picks up again with “Leaving Town” - a witty track about finding yourself. Leslie surprises everyone with an intricate yet face-melting guitar solo right before the final chorus; by far the best part of the entire song. “I Need You,” gives us more of the signature NAYSA sound with a catchy chorus that can get anyone pumped. However, it’s the final track, “Losing Weight”, that everyone should watch out for. The lyrics alone are beautifully written, illustrating the hopelessness that we all feel from time to time. On top of that, the musicality of the song is one of the best I’ve heard from NAYSA so far.
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In Review
ceres
I Don’t Want To Be Anywhere But Here Review by Janet Adamana
Hobbledehoy.Bandcamp.com
Hope, darkness, delight and despair;
Melbourne quartet, Ceres, bottle the bittersweet symphony of youth with their latest release, I Don’t Want To Be Anywhere But Here. Melding 90’s alt-pop elements with the anthemic melodies and moving poetry reminiscent of the old days of emo, Ceres hit you right in the heart while serving up a side of memorable edge. The ten-track album opens with “Jam Song” - a little ditty that sounds just as you might expect. Emitting the raw feel of impromptu basement jam sessions, vocalist Tom Lanyon lays it all out with his confessions of confusion wailing lyrics like, ‘I know that I’ve got to get out of here/I just don’t know what I want anymore.’ Rhys Vleugel (guitar), Grant Young (bass), and Frank Morda (drums) join Lanyon to round out their organic sound. The boys soon kick things up a notch with fun and fast tracks, “Middle
Names” and continue to carry the pop-infused melodies through to “Half a Metre.” Although, “I Feel Fine, I Feel Sick,” brings a softer, day-at-the-beach feel to the record, Ceres doesn’t stray too far from the melancholy. Outlining the struggles of growing up and failed attempts at cheering up, Lanyon and his mates use upbeat riffs in both “I Feel Fine, I Feel Sick,” and “Syllables” to almost fool you into thinking they’ve turned things around with a much more positive outlook. Stand out track, “Try To Keep You Here” is full of fables of fading love blanketed over power pop melodies, light and fun enough to be played and enjoyed at even the most fun college parties. Album closer, “Bless The Thief” starts off as a sweet, sorrowful ballad then breaks into a series of catchy pop-inspired bliss. Complete with subtle gang vocals that soften things up, the album closes with a Taking Back Sunday meets The Dangerous Summer feel, combined with the Ceres signature sounds of longing.
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