As “the funnest 10 person band ever” (Chris Kelly, CBC Radio 3), Saskatoon’s Carbon Dating Service has a lot more going for it than just a clever name. Their ambitious and sprawling self-titled debut, released in June 2006, earned the band a comfortable seat on campus and community radio charts nationwide, while the taste-makers at Fluxblog affectionately described their sound as “layers of warm, gentle instrumentation piled on like blankets”. This cozy atmosphere of triumphant pop symphonies, quiet country gems and raucous club bangers provides a perfect arsenal for doing battle with the shivering winters of their hometown.
One year later, Saskatoon’s spring thaw has flooded Carbon Dating Service out of the basement with Polyentendrii, an album that bobs on its very own raft built of duct-taped trombones, flugelhorn, harp, viola, synthesizers, thumb piano, banjo and whirligigs. Exploring their backgrounds in classical, jazz, cute things, lo-fi indie rock and Dungeons & Dragons, Carbon Dating Service spent the winter feverishly disassembling and reassembling songs like malfunctioning electronic appliances. The result is eight unforgettable compositions, with loving attention paid to Masterpiece Theatre flourishes, arm-linking choral interludes, catchy baroque canons and the odd snow-melting explosion.
They are touring across Canada with Maybe Smith in July 2007 with grant and promotional support from the Government of Saskatchewan, SaskMusic, and CBC Radio 3.
Website: www.myspace.com/carbondatingservice
About Ride ’Til Dawn
We all went to Highschool together. Let that be known. Lots of people get careers and marriages and new lives, and other people don’t. I suppose we would all fall into the latter category. In the ominous period when shit starts getting real, drifting between highscool and into our early 20’s, we found ourselves immersed in new cities, different bands, shitty jobs, the occasional girl, growing record collections, playing the goof, lengthy busts into the wild, growin’ up, and, most of all, hanging out and trying to make things happen. During this time Mitch was honing his songwriting chops, piecing together an expansive songbook that evolved form downbeat, hurtin’ times country-folk to upbeat, good times Rock N’ Roll. Over the years a lot of folks have played in the band, but only a few stuck. Greg first slapped the skins when the group was known as “A Horse Called Murder” (also featuring Laramee from “Golden Smoke”). Fraser played with Ian in the dance-rock turned MC5 thunder of “Parades Against Parades.” When, during the oh-so-cold winter that was ’07, we found ourselves together once more, living in Saskatoon, we decided to start rocking out together in a jamspace that was as tiny as it was filthy, and things, well, they just started a-happening (because it’s a happenin’ thing, baby). With Fraser Bedlam taking the bottom end with a rumble to loosen the shit of the most uptight, Greg-Gravy Reese livin’ in the laid back beats of Ralph Molina, Mitch Grier hanging up the old acoustic in favour of a sparkling tele, and Ian Potts laying down hot licks, sweatin’ and makin’ the ladies swoon, and that’s the band: Ride Til Dawn. And just in case you were wondering, . . . we get our rocks off via The Replacements, Saskatchewan livin’, good brews, Badfinger and love (and all that it brings, be it hurt, pain or bliss). -The boys.
About The Wilderness
Ladies and gentlemen, we are The Wilderness, a 4-piece outfit originally hailing from Halifax and now plotting to take over the mad metropolis of Toronto. First we take Toronto, and then we take the world! Yes, or at least something of that nature. Spawned by Lee Piazza (vocals) and Nate Lyons-Fisher (guitar) in Atlantic Canada, southeast Asia and Oceania, The Wilderness have evolved into a whirlwind of a musical experience, with Jay Organek on bass and Chris Mason on drums. A fifth element is always present, be it female vocals, violin, keyboards, brass or djemba (currently, Karen Ng is featured on saxophone for live performances and upcoming recordings). One thing’s for certain, our rock blend laced in funk, blues, reggae, ska and other unnamed elements is bananas. Our performances will make you leap, dance, shiver, cry and will arouse you. We embrace all things pretty and ugly and kiss our scars. We put you under our spell and will dispel all fears, inhibitions and timid visions. It was written, and our chapter is only now unfolding. Emboldened and beholden to none other than intuition. In fruition and growing, every showing tops the last. Bask in the sonic madness, don’t get mired in the morass. Or just have some drinks and dance, we rock every venue! Something dwells in The Wilderness… The Wilderness have a residency at the Cameron House (408 Queen St. W.) and perform there on the second Saturday of every month, beginning in May (except for June, when they’ll be playing on the third Saturday). They released their sophomore album, “On Fire Under Water” last April. To get a copy, write: thewildernessmusic@gmail.com or go to “Soundscapes” at 572 College Street. The band is currently honing its craft, working on a new E.P., to be released in the near future and it is getting them veryvery excited (keep an eye out for new song postings). Keep your ears open…