INTERVIEW:
1971
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THESE are emotional and changeable times…
for the guys of 1971. Following the death (earlier this year) of their bassist/founding member, Cameron Cranston – future plans have been revised and scrapped. I ask 1971’s Jory about the way the guys are progressing and what they have in mind. I get the lowdown on their current single, Anxiety (In the Depths of Northwestern Ontario) and how things got started for them – and whether writing/releasing their new track was a difficult process.
Jory talks about the band’s start and the music that has guided his/their progress; what the remainder of the year holds in store; the music vibe where he is – and some new artists for us to investigate.
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Hi, Jory! How are you guys? How has your week been?
It’s been pretty alright.
I was a little anxious about the music video premiere - which happened this morning - but, so far, it’s going really well. Garrett and my other band, Rust Owl, played a show last weekend - and got to see a lot of friends from out of Winnipeg.
We don’t get to see very often, so that was really great.
For those new to your work; can you introduce yourself, please?
I’m Jory. I play the drums and sing here and there. Garrett is our guitarist and singer - and Tanner is our other guitarist.
Can I ask about the band-name (sorry to ask an obvious one!). Is that year especially important for you all?
Haha. Unfortunately, I can’t answer that question.
We used to make up a different story every time someone would ask - but the true meaning is still between us.
Can I also ask about February this year – when your bassist/founding member, Cameron Cranston, died? He was only twenty-five. What impact did that have on the band? Did it take a while for you to regroup and continue?
Well. We’re actually not continuing as a band.
Once he passed it wasn’t a question: we knew we couldn’t continue without Cran. This E.P. coming out is the last release for us - with the last recorded material before Cran passed away.
It’s like our final tribute to him (and to the time together as a band).
Anxiety (In the Depths of Northwestern Ontario) is your new track. It, obviously, is tinged with a sense of emotion. What is the tale behind it?
Garrett wrote it a while back for Cran while he was going through a really difficult time. We can’t really get into specifics - but it was dedicated to him well before he passed.
We’d been playing it for about a year and toured it a couple times.
A new E.P., No Matter Where You Go, There You Are is forthcoming. Does the title allude to Cameron? What kind of themes run through the E.P.?
Absolutely. No Matter Where You Go, There You Are is one of his ubiquitous sayings. They’ve all resonated with us and we still quote him all the time - but that one stood out the most and always meant to us; especially now.
I think the saying speaks for itself...
I know you’ll be releasing the E.P. – via Art of the Uncarved Block – on 7” vinyl and cassette. I am impressed bands like yourself are keen to preserve traditional formats! A lot of Canadian acts are releasing material on cassettes. Is there a link between Canada and music’s heritage do you think?!
I couldn’t tell ya if I think there’s a link there...
We’ve always found cassettes to be the most popular format we’ve released on. I, personally, like cassettes quite a lot. I think their popularity has a lot to do with their convenience; since they’re easy to store; they’re cheap and not too much commitment for fans when buying them. Vinyl is expensive as hell and not always the best investment. But, for albums that I feel really committed to; vinyl is where I go.
We’re releasing the vinyl ourselves - Art of the Uncarved Block is releasing the cassettes.
What is the music scene like around Winnipeg? It seems like Canada is among the most productive music nations around. Why do you think this is so?!
Winnipeg has a pretty recognizable scene in Canada.
There’s a lot of bands and musicians here if you compare it to our population - and even more small and large festivals in the summer…one almost every weekend.
I think there was more going on for us in the East - but there are some really great bands in Winnipeg and there’s always a show to go to. The scene is pretty tightly-knit here.
I personally love touring Canada despite the low-population density and long-ass drives. We’re pretty big hosers and more Canadian than we might like to admit - coming from a fairly isolated town in the dead-center of the Canadian shield. Driving through the landscapes, regardless of which province you're in, is always special to us. Being in the middle of nowhere is a pretty special feeling that I understand not everyone gets to experience. For that, we’re fortunate.
There is so much great music in Canada and audiences really appreciate music I think; even with the highly-saturated music market (so to speak). There’s a lot of really creative stuff coming out of here and we were extremely fortunate to have met so many like-minded individuals and amazing creators along our journey.
Can you tell me how you all met? Was the bond instant and brotherly for you? Why did you decide to all make music together?
Yeah. It was pretty instant. We all knew each other in high-school and were friends - but playing music together really solidified our relationship. Tanner and Cran had been best friends since they were in Kindergarten.
This band was, kind of, more than a band to us. We are really like family. We spent the majority of our formative years together - and this extended family of friends sort of grew out of it in a way.
IN THIS PHOTO: Triples
Who are the new artists you recommend we check out?
Damn. Where to start?!
I really think everyone should listen to everyone Art of the Uncarved Block is working with; especially Worst Gift, Low Sun; Shaman and Triples. Trying not to be biased here but we’re fans of everything on that label and feel real fortunate to be working with them now.
I also think people should check out Albatros; a seven-piece (I think now. They used to be a nine-piece) Punk band with a brass section from Quebec city. Dead Soft put out a killer single last summer and are always a fav.
Other great Vancouver bands are Sightlines, Togetherness; Dad Thighs and Cheap High. Our pal Suz, from Worst Gift, writes amazing and amazingly sad songs under SVBRIII.
For Montreal; I’ve really been digging yoo doo right and Bécyk Fantôme. I saw this band from Saint John’s, NL the other week called Incredible Woman - which was the best show I’ve seen in 2017.
My pal Cassia (of Wares) put out one of my favourite albums of the year about a month ago.
As well some of the bands here in Winnipeg; Satanic Rights are some bad ass-rockers; Mmars are some bad-ass fuzz boys, Homeward Bound are great hooky Dog-Rock; M&M Meats bad-ass Meat-Wave, Permanent Mistake bad-ass mistake punk. I like Slow Leaves’ latest album, Jensen Fridfinnson, is going to have some great stuff coming out soon. Slow Spirit are great - and Pleasure Dens is a pretty good band. Roger Roger is great if you’re into really sweet Folk music. I would also say Lucas Roger - if I didn’t play in his band (because I was a fan first).
IN THIS PHOTO: Slow Spirit
Also; everyone should listen to Missy Jacobson and Mike Procyshyn: two great songwriters from Kenora.
Lastly; my favourite album of the year was Protomartyr’s Relatives in Decent. Highly recommend.
IN THIS IMAGE: Protomartyr
If you each had to select the one album that means the most to you; which would they be and why?
Also very tough but, instead of listing almost everyone like the last question, I’ll have to say Tournament of Hearts by the Constantines (for every reason).
What advice would you give to artists coming through right now?
Don’t wait, don’t hesitate. Learn everything you can about the way the music scene works early as possible. Even if you’re fiercely D.I.Y., like we used to be; learn how the industry works. Don’t procrastinate and shy away like we did early on.
You’ll thank yourself later...
What tour dates do you have approaching? Where can we see you play?
We won’t be touring this release but we will be playing December 23rd at the Good Will Social Club in Winnipeg; December 29th at the Kenora Curling Club.
Are there plans to come to the U.K. down the line? Have you ever been here before?
Yes, I’m hoping to take Rust Owl to Europe in a couple years (if all works out). We have yet to tour Europe - but all our friends have had great experiences.
Christmas is not too far away. Do you all have plans already - or will you be busy working?
We’ll be rehearsing with our friends - that are filling in on bass - for the release shows, mostly. We’ll be in Kenora; so we’ll be visiting with a lot of family and catching up with close friends.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can name a song and I’ll play it here (not one of yours as I’ll do that).
Well. I’m currently listening to Housepanther as I write this…so let’s play Housepanther’s track, Train Station Floors
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