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JULY/AUG 2017
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Janet Adamana
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ally Sigurdson PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR Steff Shields
SOUND, PHRASE & FURY is a Canadian music magazine out to promote musicians not usually covered in mainstream media. All music, photos and articles used are for the purpose of spreading the knowledge of these artists and their music. We always encourage readers to support every act by purchasing releases, merchandise and attending live shows.
Colouring The Lines In Note From The Editor
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Art of Being Earnest The Honour on their new EP, Keep It Together
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Holding Heaven Nic Dyson on his new album, Where We’re From
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We’re All Ears 12 Our artist picks for July and August
info@soundphrasefury.com @soundphrasefury facebook.com/soundphrasefury soundphrasefury.com
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+ EDITOR’S NOTE
COLOURING THE LINES IN It’s always a wonderful feeling when you get to rekindle that age old feeling of getting lost in sound — getting lost in the evocative imagery of a sung story, lost in the excitement of finding a new found favourite, and lost in the encouraging words from a stranger; a simple note to say, “I know what you’re going through.” Making this issue reminded us of those moments. As we met these artists and heard the emotional anecdotes that inspired their songs, we couldn’t help but get lost in their worlds and in their words. So thank you to this issue’s artists for allowing us a look into their lives and sharing with us a piece of their histories. It’s always an honour to meet and get to know the remarkable people behind some of the most moving songs. As with every issue, we hope as readers you too can enjoy the heart and sincerity that lies within their songs and in their stories.
‘Cause every lonely heart can use an honest song
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Janet Adamana Editor-In-Chief
Share your passion for music by becoming a writer for Sound, Phrase & Fury! We’re recruiting magazine and website contributors. Editorial Tasks/Positions Available + EP/Album Reviews + Feature Articles + Interviews Artist/Industry Profiles + Columns* + Photography*
Benefits for writing for SPF + Gain experience for your resume, and add more articles/photos to your portfolio. + Work on your own time, in any location + Receive guidance and constructive feedback on writing + Contribute to the active promotion of independent artists all over the world
*These positions to be discussed.
Music Genres We Cover Pop rock Rock Indie-rock Indie-pop Jazz R&B Folk Pop-Punk Hip-hop Punk Pop Acoustic
Interested in going our team? E-mail info@soundphrasefury.com. Tell us about yourself, your love for music and what sort of things you’d like to be doing (reviews, interviews, features etc.)
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AS: Let’s talk about the history of your band, how did this all start? JK: Well, I had just finished up with another band in 2014, and when that was over I was in a place where I didn’t want to play music at that time. It was just a really stressful ending. It was a little messy. I was writing and playing in the little free time that I had, and not necessarily for any sort of project. I just needed some time to figure out what I really wanted to play and focus on next.
moments for us. I couldn’t be happier. He’s a wonderful musician and person to work with. I had been tossing some ideas around of genre and style I wanted to focus on and I was really hoping to have a project be more rock and roll based. Zak and I would get together and throw some ideas back and forth. I had this idea of a fast tempo, slide guitar rock song. This is around the time we came up with the song “All Night,” which is on the first record.
Zak and I had played together since we were in high After we wrote “All Night,” we came to the conclusion school, and I think it was one of those, “if we are going that if we were going to write songs like this, we were to play anything, we might as well play together” going to need to find a band.
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ART OF BEING EARNEST STORY BY ALLY SIGURDSON
Rock and Roll is a genre that never goes out of style. Most people involved in music could list classic rock and roll bands they adore, from Elton John to The Sex Pistols; it’s hard not to fall in love. For Winnipeg band The Honour, rock and roll is so much more than a genre – it’s something they’ve been working on for years. Cam Cordoviz, (drums) Lucien Desilets, (bass) Jared Kist (vocals/ guitar) and Zak Pion (guitar/vocals) have been working endlessly on their new EP, Keep It Together. With the EP release getting closer, we sat down with vocalist Jared Kist to discuss music, growing up, beer, and everything in-between.
We spent the next year trying to find people who fit, and you realize that the older you get, sometimes it becomes a bit harder to find people who are really committed. Everyone has school, jobs, rent and life to worry about. We had some great people along the way, but they couldn’t dedicate the time, and that was understandable.
Lucien was working with a guy whose son was a drummer, and they got on the topic of our project and how we were in need of one. Cam sent us a couple videos of himself in a few drumming competitions and we were completely sold after that. We ended up being a great fit, which I’m still really stoked about, and that’s been the lineup ever since.
We eventually asked our friend Lucien to play bass, and he jumped on that right away. He’s fantastic, so we totally lucked out. AS: Walk me through the recording process for Keep It Together. Then we were looking for a drummer, which can be JK: We put together [our EP] Days and Nights pretty tricky. In Winnipeg, there are about 700 guitar players, quickly, in a couple of months. Due to exams and and about 8 drummers, or that’s how it feels. You end stress, it was a little rushed. So, I think for this record up with each drummer being in 3 to 4 bands because it was important that we took our time with Keep It everyone is in need of one. Together.
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I think with our first EP, I kind of wrote myself into a AS: What is something you hope people take away corner. I kept thinking, “I’m doing a band that is way from this new album? more rock and roll, and I want an Americana feel for it.” JK: I remember being nineteen and wanting to write things that had an impact on people. I thought really But in doing so, I restricted myself a bit. For this album heavily about how to present themes and emotions in I really didn’t limit myself or dedicate a theme to it, a way that really says it all; and if you listen to some because honestly, our band is a bunch of guys who just of my older stuff, it’s full of metaphors and I tried to want to write music about things we love. branch out more as an artist. That’s one of my favourite things about rock and roll; it’s so encompassing. It can expand to indie rock, pop rock, hard rock and so on. It can stretch so far out. Our band got to the point that we just wanted to write songs that we wanted to listen to. We recorded with Jordan Voth, who has been absolutely incredible. Jordan has always been a great supporter and was really patient with us throughout the entire process of Days and Nights and now with Keep It Together. He was great with his input and feedback, and we can’t thank him enough for that.
As the years have passed, with this record I just wanted to really enjoy the honesty to simplicity. I have always loved creative writing as a whole, and it’s so interesting to see how people express emotions. In learning about spoken word poetry and other creative outlets, I realized I was making things more complicated than they needed to be. Sometimes saying, “I’m upset and this is why” is even better and gets the point across.
For this record I needed to be more that way; just simple and honest. I think that simplicity helped pushed the points that I was trying to make across in a This album was written in a time when we were turning new way. At the end of the day, I don’t expect anyone into real adults. We’re all graduating and moving out to take anything too seriously from us because we are and becoming grown-ups. How do you deal with that? a band who writes songs about drinking beer. How do we deal with everything falling apart, just because it’s happening so fast? If there was one thing I maybe want people to see, it’s that being simple and direct when it comes to I think that’s how Keep It Together was really born, confronting things in your life is a good thing, and it was written in that vein. It’s so different from what there is something so freeing about saying how you’re we’ve done before. feeling in the moment. I want people to enjoy the simplicity in my writing style; I really hope that it conveys the message that sometimes the only thing you need to do to serve any purpose is to just be open and honest.
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There is something so freeing about saying how you’re feeling in the moment. AS: Who are your influences in music? JK: My mom is a musician, always has been. I wanted to follow that path, and I think that’s where a lot of my love for music came from. I also grew up listening to my dad’s music. He was always a big classic rock fan. He listened to Aerosmith, ACDC, U2, all that, as well as Elvis; which is still one of my greatest inspirations. I think that’s an obvious one. Lots of musicians look up to Elvis, but I have always been consistently fascinated by him and how he was as an artist. I’ve also went through a lot of different phases of music, from hardcore to country to pop genres. From Alexisonfire, to All Time Low to Dave Matthews Band – and I consider all of those bands to be part of my inspirations for my own work at some point in my life. I especially enjoy bands that grew up and changed their style. In a lot of ways, it felt like I was growing up with them. The Maine is one of my favourite examples, because each album is so different from the last. It went from pop, to alternative rock, to rock and roll, and they were always so confident with their direction and change, which I can admire.
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AS: Do you have any plans for 2017? JK: I think the first thing I really want to do is finish this record. It’s so close, just a couple more tweaks and adjustments. But, I think we are all ready for this to be a finished and complete thing we can share with others. I’m really excited to have it out there, and start performing more. We just want to play as much as we can, with as many different bands and artists as we can.
We are already working on different concepts and different songs for when this record is done, so I think going forward is just developing more as a group and seeing what we can accomplish from there.
Check out The Honour at Facebook.com/ TheHonourMusic. Keep your eyes out for their upcoming EP, Keep It Together.
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HOLDING HEAVEN PHOTO COURTESY WINNIPEG FOLK FESTIVAL STORY BY JANET ADAMANA
From an impassioned musician with the smallest intentions to becoming a tremendous force in the local scene - Winnipeg singer/songwriter Nic Dyson slowly but surely fought off his demons to become one of Manitoba’s most notable young acts. We caught up with Nic to talk about his humble beginnings, his personal and professional growth, and the hard work and collaborations that went into his new album, “Where We’re From.”
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JA: Let’s talk about your release show since it just happened, how was that? ND: It was amazing. I honestly thought no one was going to show up. I don’t really know why but it really affected me and I didn’t stop feeling that way until I got on stage and realized there’s quite a bit of people here. Olivia Lunny opened the show. Her and I met last year at Folk Fest at the Young Performers Program. None of my friends had heard of her before. Our audiences have never really crossed paths. She’s definitely that indie-folk, like Daughter, kind of ethereal voice. I was sitting with some friends side stage and the second she opened her mouth they were like “holy shit!’ Everybody had the same reaction. It was just undeniable. Second was Slow//Steady. They’re like a local punk supergroup. They’ve got members of Distances, Triggers and Clipwing and they did this acoustic set. The whole joke was that they’re a punk band and none of them had played an acoustic set before. Dylan James, who’s in Slow//Steady, plays a huge part in my new album so that’s partially why I asked him to play.
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JA: The last time we talked was a long time ago - in 2014 when you just released your first album “This One’s For You” - Can you go through what’s gone on since then? ND: Quite a bit actually - The first album was my second batch of songs but they were still very much like the first songs I ever wrote. I didn’t really consider myself a musician so after that was all over I went back to the drawing board and started writing new songs. This was the first time I considered myself a musician. I went through quite a bit in the last 3 years personally that inspired the [new] songs but musically I felt like I could push myself because I knew what I was capable of. I had something to go off of and I knew what I could do to grow and make something different. I think the most obvious one is the inclusion of some full band songs which blows my mind even still. That was the first time I’ve ever heard any of my songs with a backing band. It was really funny how that came about because I wasn’t originally thinking about that but I had these acoustic punk songs. When I showed Dylan James he was like, “oh man I can totally hear a bassline, mind if I put one down? What about drums? I could do drums for you!” He was kind of my one-man band. He saved those songs and brought them to life. When we went to [producer] Jay Voth’s, it was incredible. The first time I heard those songs my jaw dropped.
I felt like I could push myself because I knew what I was capable of. I knew what I could do to grow and make something different.
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I want them to feel okay with being vulnerable, and know that being vulnerable and facing those emotions is okay.
JA: Let’s talk a bit more about those punk songs, “A Song For Insomnia” and “It’s Not 2012 Anymore.” It’s interesting that you had these acoustic songs and everyone put in their ideas and helped collaborate. ND: Once in awhile I really like to write those kinds of songs because they’re a bit more light-hearted and fun. It’s nice to let go like that instead of being so subdued, quiet and sad [laughs]. It’s nice to be angry sometimes.
JA: You mentioned this was the first time you really saw yourself as a musician. What was it that changed that for you? ND: I’ve had mind-crushing anxiety about this whole process since the get-go. Slowly but surely through the support of my friends, through these crazy opportunities that I’ve gotten - FolkFest Young Performers Program and opening for Daniel Champagne who’s like a God forced me to realize that I should probably take myself seriously if everybody else is.
Those collaborations were a complete dream come true. My original idea was Dylan was going to sing on one of my songs. I knew he drummed before but I didn’t know that he plays every freaking instrument under the sun! He’s been an angel through the whole process and the album wouldn’t have been as diverse and exciting if it wasn’t for him and Jay.
JA: Well that’s hard for an artist to do; to take yourself out of that. ND: Yeah because I still have crazy self-doubt about everything I do musically but I now know that there are people that see the value in it and there is value in sharing what I have to offer. It won’t fall on deaf ears. I know there are people that are willing to listen, want to listen and are eager to listen and take me seriously.
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Lyrically, I try not to be as cliché as before. That was my main criticism of myself is that I was still this broken hearted teenager with too much angst. I tried to push myself out of that. There’s still a lot of that of course because three years ago I was still only 20, but I really tried to push my songwriting into the more poetic, abstract imagery and I’m still trying to do that. I hope in future music I can push myself further because I really enjoy that.
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I always love collaborating. In my previous album I have a few female vocalists and I have one on this album with Marissa Kernicki. I love the female-male voicing together - I’ll do it forever. It’s one of my favorite things. If I could be in a duo, that would be so sick!
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JA: You are known for that somber and sad, acoustic emo but you also have this other side where there’s a tinge of hope and happiness. Can you talk about where that all stems from? ND: I mostly write when I’m sad. I write as a kind of catharsis therapy so at the end of every song I try to end it off with some kind of light. If I write songs that are just full-on despair I don’t think I’m doing myself any favors. I’m not helping myself so I try, even if it’s the smallest amount I’ll put it in there. It makes me feel better about what I’m writing about.
JA: Anything else you’d like to add? ND: One of the most exciting things about this album is the artwork. One of my friends, Nick Addy, he posted on Facebook this picture that he drew and it just blew my mind, so I thought what if I asked him to do my album artwork. He’s never done that kind of work before so he was like a little kid on Christmas and his excitement got me excited. We got together and I told him I had this idea. As soon as I told him he said “wow that’s such a good idea, what if we did this, this and this?”
Also when people listen to my songs I don’t want people to go away and be sad. I want them to feel vulnerable but I want them to feel okay with being vulnerable, and know that being vulnerable and facing those emotions is okay. That’s what I try to tell myself too. It’s okay to be vulnerable and it’s okay to face these things, no matter how dark or uncomfortable they are. I end up teaching myself and hopefully helping others do the same.
He did the front cover, when you open up the CD there’s a full panel which is unbelievable. He did the lyric book and he has different illustrations for every single song. I wrote out all the lyrics by hand in a notebook and he Photoshopped it in and made it look all old, faded and burnt. He put so many hours into it and it looks incredible! It was just so amazing that he was able to extend my vision of my own songs so well.
JA: I think that’s why it resonates so much with people. There’s the connection where they think, “you get what I’m going through, and that’s okay. We’ll get through it together.” ND: Yeah and there are a few songs in particular that Check out Nic Dyson at Facebook.com/ are more vulnerable than others and draw people out NicDysonMusic. Grab a copy of Where We’re more than others, and it’s amazing to see that happen. From at NicDysonMusic.Bandcamp.com. To see people open up with me and with everybody else it’s a beautiful moment. You’re creating this safe space where people feel empowered to face these things they might not want to face otherwise. They come away from that experience like “maybe it’s time I deal with this soon or maybe it’s not so bad.”
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+ WE’RE ALL EARS COMPILED BY JANET ADAMANA
Summer has officially arrived! With it comes sweet summer tunes and amazing new releases. We’ve compiled some of our favourite artists who have easily earned spots on our summer playlists!
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+ ARTISTS TO WATCH
AHI
FOLK/SOUL/ROCK BRAMPTON, ON
PHOTO BY LISA MACINTOSH
AhiMusic.com
@ahimusic Facebook.com/OfficiallyAHI info@ahimusic.com
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Canadian artist, Ahi instantly captured our hearts with his passionate reinvention of the indie-folk genre. A hard-working and ambitious musician, he built his career bit-by-bit hitting countless cities across North America sharing his imaginative brand of folk to the masses. He fearlessly unites sweet intricate melodies, with a tinge of hard rock all wrapped nicely in his soulful, raspy vocals. With an already long list of accolades such as landing a spot on the CBC Radio One’s Top 10 Records of the Year and numerous nominations and wins with just his first EP, we’re excited to see him continue to skyrocket to world-wide success.
ARTISTS TO WATCH +
Justin Bieber might as well move over - Lostboycrow is bound to be the next young pop king.
Lostboycrow.la
The LA-based artist mixes the best elements of R&B, modern pop, edm and hip-hop, blanketed in an upbeat Californian carefree vibe.
Facebook.com/Lostboycrow Soundcloud.com/Lostboycrow
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His collection of tracks come together to create an enticing blend of modern pop; one that is sure to solidify Lostboycrow repeated spots on everyone’s summer playlists.
R&B/POP LOS ANGELES, CA
LOSTBOYCROW
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SLOW// STEADY
POP-PUNK WINNIPEG, MB
Ensuring everyone gets their pop-punk fill, Slow// Steady, just released their first two tracks as Winnipeg’s newest pop-punk quartet.
Slowsteady.bandcamp.com Facebook.com/SlowSteady band
Built by and featuring some of the scene’s seasoned veterans, the new band is sure to be busy this summer promoting their new works and sonically pleasing huge crowds in packed venues.
@slowsteadyband slowsteadyband@gmail.com
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As team SPF is all about the energy and excitement of a good pop-punk record, you know we’ll be blasting these tunes through our rolled down car windows.
ARTISTS TO WATCH +
Nashville is famously known for gracing the globe with musical gems and The Arcadian Wild surely continues to prove this.
TheArcadianWild.com
Introducing listeners to their creative blends of guitar, banjo and mandolin, with beautiful harmonies and heartfelt storytelling, the indie-folk trio evokes a special emotional presence that is truly unforgettable.
Facebook.com/TheArcadianWild thearcadianwild@gmail.com
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One listen to The Arcadian Wild and your head and your heart are forever hooked.
THE ARCADIAN WILD
ALTERNATIVE-FOLK NASHVILLE, TN
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