WeirdMusic.net EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
SHORTWAVE and THE SKYLINE VERSES: Debut Full-Length and Tour!
Shortwave's new vido & single "The Sublime" added to MuchLoud & radio stations nationwide
Anthems of heartbreak and triumph that tug at the heartstrings and speak to the masses. New-wave indie-rock that is smart and sexy. Pulsating dance-rock and contemplative ballads. Toronto’s ownShortwave have managed to capture it all on their debut full-length album 'The Skyline Verses', available February 8 via EMI Music / MB Distribution.
With seasoned producer Byron Kent Wong (The Crystal Method, Beck) at the helm, The Skyline Verses blends together vintage analogue warmth with a forward leaning attitude, creating an album that is as contemporary and immediate as it is reminiscent and familiar. It is also the long awaited follow up from a band that has recently shared the stage with an eclectic range of artists from Cracker to The Waking Eyes.
“The album title comes from a line in our song ‘Louis L'Amour’,” explains Ryan Johnson. " ’The skyline versus / The endless trail / Now look out point / Look out there’. A family member initially mentioned the phrase to me in passing and I instantly liked it and knew I wanted to work it into a song. From lyrics in a song, to the title of the album.”
When Shortwave released their debut EP Breaker/Breaker (2007), they received a fan letter from Grammy winning producer Malcolm Burn (Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop). Not long after, Shortwave found themselves in New York recording their self titled sophomore EP in rapid time: one week. Several tracks from Shortwave (2008) received airplay on 102.1 The Edge and CBC Radio and Shortwave were featured on the first episode of AUX TV’s Master Tracks. Their self-produced video for the single “Stereo” received rotation on MuchMusic and was also a featured video on MySpace.
Having been together for over five years, Shortwave can trace their origins back to their childhood. Brothers Ry and Sager Johnson (guitar) grew up in Toronto with Devin Jannetta (drums), forming various bands and sharing stages with the likes of Big Sugar, Junkhouse and Super Friendz. With the addition of long time friend, Cary Parker, the band's unique family dynamic was rounded out creating an environment where ideas are explored and honed as they seamlessly shift tempos, layer harmonies and dive into the sonic vastness of keyboards and effects.
The band is anxious to take their new album and live show on the road and introduce Shortwave to a whole new audience. Their energy and swagger will continue to serve them well, having developed a well earned reputation for memorable live performances, headlining shows at the Mod Club, Lee's Palace and the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern.
“Playing music is a part of who we are,” sums up Johnson. “It’s something that we’ve done for so long now. It would feel unnatural not to.”
SHORTWAVE – WeirdMusic.net EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:
- Do you Like/Write Weird Music ?
We definitely like all kinds of music, including “weird” music but it doesn’t really seem weird to us…. Some of that “weirdness” finds it’s way into our own songs.
- When and where did your experience in music start ?
When I was In Grade 4 my mom took me to see AC/DC. From then on I knew what I wanted to do.
- What are you currently working on and what are your plans for the rest of the year ?
It’s definitely a busy time for us. We’re currently on tour in support of our new album, “The Skyline Verses” and will be on the road in support of it for the foreseeable future. We’re also busy currently working on a bunch of new SHORTWAVE projects. We’re finishing up a new track called “Vacation” that we’ll be releasing shortly, we’ve got some remixes happening for our song “Esther”, we’ll be heading back into the studio soon to record some acoustic versions of songs from the album as well as a few new tunes and we’ve got a few videos in the works!
- What do you consider your greatest inspirational sources in music ?
Life.
- Please describe your personal studio for us...
It’s bright and light, with a computer, a few keyboards, several guitars, bass, and many other instruments and doohickeys.
- Do You Like Your Voice On Your Answering Machine ?
No.
- What are your favorite readings ?
Tom Robins’ “Another Road Side Attraction”, Michael Chabon’s “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay”, “The Last of the Savages” by Jay McInerney, “Motherless Brooklyn” by Jonathan Lethem, “A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway, and anything by Pablo Neruda, Sylvia Plath and Dylan Thomas.
- In your opinion, what role does the third sector, public and non-
profit entities; have for music on the Internet ? (crazy semi-optional question)
The third sector, public and non-profit entities have a huge impact on the music industry nowadays with the internet making it much easier for people to share and find music.
- The person you would never want to meet ?
Paul McCartney.
- 3 things you cannot live without ?
Oxygen, food, water. Number four would be music.
- Huh ??
Exactly.
- Anything else ???
Yes.
SHORTWAVE Official website - MUSIC/VIDEOS/LYRICS:
http://www.shortwavetheband.com/
DOWNLOAD from iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/shortwave/id208552956
FOLLOW ON
http://twitter.com/#!/shortwavemusic
Shortwave - Rock n' roll band from Toronto. Currently on tour in support of their recently released album The Skyline Verses.
PRESS:
“Their sound is rich and full, and the songs are well-crafted. For an indie band, the sound is remarkable radio-friendly, except it doesn't suck like you'd expect when you hear the term ‘radio-frinedly'.”
– BlogTO
“Seems like they could explode in a really big, major label/mainstream success kind of way … packing each song full of insanely catchy hooks.”
– I (Heart) Music
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