Hamilton has proven itself quite capable of producing a diverse array of musical performers. Many local acts have come to define their respective genres. And yet the most popular -- pop music, itself -- is the one area in which Hamilton’s music scene remains relatively obscure. The city has come to be known for its noise, art-rock, hardcore, drone, indie, and various other forms of good independent music. But a Top-40 hit has been largely elusive for the Steel’s musicians.
Enter the Junior Boys, who produce synth-heavy pop with sentimental lyrics and a vocal presence that has more than a passing nod-and-a-wink to Faith-era George Michael. If it weren’t for the digital complexities in their production, you might assume their music to be a post-New Wave revivalist act. In that difference, however, can be found the true pleasure of their music. Like the decade’s other great electronic music producers, Junior Boys realize that a subtle tempo shift, a beat seemingly misplaced, or a glitch made rhythmic are key to bringing out a sense of sensuality in machine-based music.
The rapid success of 2004's Last Exit was precipitated largely thanks to the online music scene, as critics and bloggers devoured some of the freshest beat production of that year’s pop music revival. It was no surprise that Junior Boys embarked on extensive overseas touring for the year following the first full-length.
Despite the band’s hipster-name-drop status, recognition remains somewhat elusive in this country. Perhaps it is mainstream Canada’s predilection for mind-numbing, recycled bar rock and painful, faux-sexuality teen-pop that’s keeping Junior Boys off the radio.
Junior Boys co-founder and principal sonic architect Jeremy Greenspan reflects on the genesis of this year’s critically-lauded album So This Is Goodbye. “A lot of the new album deals with travel, and the feelings of disorientation, etc, that go along with that. I guess some of that has to do with all of the travelling that we did on the first record. Touring has obviously become a big part of our lives and all of those experiences are bound to be reflected in the new music that we've been making.”
This last statement brings to mind how pop music responds to the world which consumes it. Are creative people destined to a sense of responsibility to society? More importantly, does it even matter to have a “meaning” behind pop music other than the fact that a given group of people like it for a given amount of time?
“Pop music is ultimately an incredibly malleable art form,” Greenspan muses. “The thing that is best about making pop music is that there are no rules. All that is important is that it moves people, in some way, and that people want to listen to it over and over, and beyond that a musician is free to experiment as much as possible. That can be extremely liberating.”
Typical for musicians who compose in a studio setting, the Junior Boys live experience has evolved significantly since the first tour. “I think we've become much more comfortable as a live unit. We take playing live far more seriously than we used to, even though we still think of ourselves as a sorta "studio band". It is far more interesting for us now that we have added a third member (Dave Foster on drums) to our live lineup. Dave adds a lot to the shows.” The addition of a live drummer should prove particularly invigorating to the rather introspective direction that the new music has taken.
Pepperjack Café, the venue which is hosting the band’s performance on December 26, is no stranger to audiences who seek danceable performers. Even with a packed room, there is space to move if one is so inspired. Greenspan is candid about his appreciation of the local scene: “The last time we played in Hamilton, we had a great time. It was the first show that we did with our new lineup and we were pretty nervous. Luckily the show was a big success, and hopefully the next show will go just as well.” Rising scene-stealer Gary Buttrum will be on-hand with one of the better DJ mixes being produced these days, providing yet another reason to attend early and leave well into the night.
MP3: Junior Boys - So This Is Goodbye
No comments:
Post a Comment