Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Friday, June 19, 2009

The title of The Stills third album, Oceans Will Rise, contrary to what you may think is not environmentally concerned.  The Stills don't appear to be preoccupied with making these grand sweeping statements on the current state of affairs.  Instead, they let their sincerity leave the impression.   They make accessible indie rock, with celestial guitarscapes and calculated song structures that ebb and flow like a stoners heartbeat.  The intricately orchestrated song arrangements on Oceans Will Rise can either take a hard turn at any moment or ascend from a coordinated bass groove to a crescendo paved with musical motifs that can back off and then reappear again at just the right moment.

With some kind of loose swagger Dave Hamelin and Tim Fletcher arrived in Kensington market to shoot.  Dave arrived by bike just after Tim, explaining he had just got into an argument with a local bike shop owner about his debit card.  Apparently they bring their bikes on tour with them.  How nice and well, coincidentally, environmentally conscious.

Both guys admitted they were a little hung-over but they seemed in good spirits.   Meeting them was like hanging out with unassuming guests who don't fill conversations with pretentious tidbits about things they may have read.  Admittedly this was a relief because ostentatious discussions are a legitimate risk when meeting art school alumni for the first time.  Hanging out with The Stills is like going camping.  You know, like when you're a little more confident than you should be because you're in rural cottage country where no one knows you so you can get away with it.  They're confident enough for you to want to listen to what they have to say and genuine enough to take their advice if it was offered. Tim munched on some blueberries and sang while he jammed with Dave curbside in Kensington market.  It was all very nonchalant, but somehow genuinely sincere.