Art d’Ecco, vbnd, and Highland Eyeway
Art d’Ecco
In Standard Definition // Paper Bag
Get ready to be mesmerized by Art d’Ecco’s impeccable out of time sound and glamorous androgynous looks. All the way from the Gulf Islands of Canada, his sophomore album In Standard Definition, out on April 23rd via Paper Bag Records, will take you on a colourful neo-glam/art-rock journey .
Throughout this year the band has given us a taste of what’s coming to our ears with four incredible singles worthy of any party. The latest one, “I Am The Dance Floor”, honors its name and guarantees to get you grooving with its bouncy bass line and catchy vocals; and the music video for it is a ticket back to the times when we used to dance at live shows beneath a shimmering disco ball. “I was picturing this alt version of Saturday Night Fever where the lead is this aging loner obsessed with dance, who every weekend shows up at different clubs around town and just murders the dance floor, and then disappears out the back door." says d'Ecco. “There is a person from my home town who sort of fits this description quite well. I think every scene has their own version of Random Dancing Dude.”
His new LP, In Standard Definition, is electronic, pure analog and honest. Conceptually it is based on our neverending fixation with TV and celebrity culture. Like channels on an old television set, each of the twelve songs on the record represents an episodic look into the world of entertainment and pulls back the curtain on our unhealthy obsessions, as illustrated in the music videos of “TV God” and “Head Rush”, both singles for the album. “No matter where you live or what language you speak, there is an entertainment god for you”, d’Ecco adds.
Art d’Ecco has created a multi layered sonic experience that goes beyond just sound and transports you to a vintage era with a tonal resemblance of 70’s glam rock and elements of new wave and new romantic .With attention to detail, he took on the lead as producer for the album and carefully built the tracks and hand-picked the different musicians that accompanied him and his stylish band in the recording process. The result is a musical masterpiece that demands your attention and begs for multiple listens.
Now it’s your turn to groove out while listening to In Standard Definition by Art d’Ecco. Available physically, and on all the music platforms.
- Fel Gamarra
vbnd
Scum Funk // Deep Matter
vbnd and the Soulmate Collective are back after their debut release two years ago, and it’s one you do not want to miss. The Saskatoon band makes unforgettable waves with this one. These waves are sure to leave ripples for years.
Scum Funk is vbnd’s sophomore release through his European record label, Deep Matter. With the album already getting lots of traction, I’m excited to see where it takes bassist and producer vbnd (Devon Gunn), as well as velvety vocalist Katie Tupper.
This release holds a lot of weight, for both the band and their many fans. It shows the progression of the group as a whole, as well as each member, from their last release Daughter of the Sun (or DotS as some people call it). Going in a direction that is both jazzier and funkier than DotS, vbnd and the Soulmate Collective show how they have grown over the last two years.
Fortunately for me, I was able to see the behind the scenes from a close relationship I have with one of the members. It was really interesting to see how each song came together, specifically hearing the tracks before and after the vocals were added. The instrumentals have a life of their own, but somehow become divine after Tupper lays down the law with her sultry melodic lines.
Aside from the increase in jazz and funk, Scum Funk really differs from DotS through the process it underwent while recording. The majority of the tracks were recorded live for this release, with many of them improvised on the spot. Gunn decided that he would let the music flow where it chose with each musician rather than writing the lines himself, and it resulted in pure bliss. The opening and closing tracks, “V’s Funky Castle” and “League Strut”, are both live improvised tracks, and blow me away every time I hear them. They leave a sense of nostalgia that make them perfect for their placement on Scum Funk and hold a sense of maturity that leave listeners seriously impressed.
Prior to the album they released three singles, which were absolute bangers. Gunn lets loose in “Breathe Me In (A Little Longer)” and gives us a bass line that is melt worthy, while Tupper shows off her incredible song writing skills in “Gold Chain”. Each one adding a little more spice than the last, the tracks led to a euphoric album release and did Scum Funk justice.
Another note-worthy track is “In a Fugue State”, which is quite different from anything we’ve heard from vbnd and the Soulmate Collective so far. The instrumental track sounds experimental and eerie with the multi-effects pedal used on the saxophone and modulated wah effect on the keys. This is another improvised jam from the band, once again showing how far they’ve come since DotS.
You really can’t go wrong with any track on this album. They all offer something a little different and seem to eternally stick in your head. Each musician should be incredibly proud of what they have accomplished with their release, Scum Funk.
- Holly-Anne Gilroy
Highland Eyeway
Spirit Wrangler EP // Divine Bovine
Sooooo what did you get for 4/20 this year? Did the Mary Jane fairy bring you good tidings and cheer? She brought me a nice blend of doomy psychedelic rock with a hint of dreamy shoehaze on this 4/20 release of the Spirit Wrangler EP by Vancouver’s Highland Eyeway. She also blessed me with the sweetest indica. With this pairing I had a puff, put the headphones on and just melted away.
Highland Eyeway is established and rooted in the Vancouver music scene. They’ve been releasing music together since 2015. Always bringing forth rich, full and experimental sounds. It adds great flavours and open minds. You can really dig this! This latest was recorded at The Noise Floor by Jordan Koop. Now let’s introduce the band...
We have Houston Maton-Moore on guitar and vox. Massimo Andolfatto on bass and vox. Teagan Ramage on Drums and Iva Kulic doing vox. Together they create music of magic that will blow your mind and leave you wanting more. They surely must be channeling a little Hendrix. All together a sound like Dinosaur Jr or Earthless.
“(transmission)” starts off the EP. Settling you into their frequency. Are you ready to recieve?
“Crystalline Spine” is the feeling of morphing that takes place when you experience spiritual growth. It’s slow and heavy like internalizing all your life choices. Feeling your pain fully. Acknowledging your pain and finally releasing it. There is some pain in healing. What kind of garden did you grow? What seeds did you sow? Did you plant seeds of love and gratitude or noxious weeds? Questions we must ask ourselves. These guys truly do make magic with their music if these are the thoughts that arise when I listened to the album. Ummm that was just the second track!
They have a nice balance of psychedelic sludge rich instrumentals and some dreamy melodic shoegaze. Very soothing vocals and contemplative lyrics in “Phese”. Little more raw in “Yost”. The drums are truly crisp and clean but intense with the many intricate rhythms and changes. I really love hearing the bass shine through the whole album. The guitar... just hold on I’m drooling. Houston’s style of playing may even help you reach enlightenment. As a band they’ll probably open your third eye.
I pretty much grew up in the 80’s and music videos were life. You’d wait all week for Video Hits and blessed be the day Much Music was born. VHS on standby to record the next good video. Still today I’d rather throw on music videos and go about my day. So how I really got turned onto Highland Eyeway was through their music video for “Spirit Wrangler”. Very clever cause it made me want to go for a run then enjoy a cozy fire. I won’t give away anymore details. You just need to see it for yourself. Cool mask eh.
On a scale of doobs to shrooms I give this album a 5 out 5 doobs. Full effect fungi! And on the scale of awesomeness it’s definitely an 11. Thoroughly enjoyed the Spirit Wrangler EP and you definitely should too! Give it a listen and experience the growth and bliss for yourself.
Love Always,
Green Noreen
