That sound is dominated by post-rock influences but cleft in places where lighter and brighter things have made their mark – such as the warmth of Oasis. There’s a swirling, droning quality to the upper ranges that is fed and supported by a brisk and invigorating rhythm section. The Darcys will playfully entertain pop song structures and tonality before ultimately revealing a different and more oblique harmonic disposition (remember, this is a band that released a track-for-track homage to Steely Dan’s Aza). The songs are like constellations in that you could trace the outline of a pop song but in reality it’s just a collection disparate stars.

In the age of Youtube I often wonder about the usefulness and audience for live show reviews. So far, at CMJ I’ve seen a handful of bands where the YouTube clip would’ve sufficed. What can I tell you about a band’s live show that two or three minutes of streaming reality can’t? In the case of The Darcys, only this: go. You can catch them tonight, Friday October 18^th with Flagship, Duologue, Misun, Claire, and The Ceremonies at Spike Hill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The post The Darcys at CMJ Music Marathon appeared first on Quip Magazine.

We sat down with two halves of the group, Marskell and Couse, during one of Toronto’s worst summer storms. Despite the torrential downpour, we managed to soak in what the band has been up to and how they’re bringing lessons of the past into the future.

Laura Eley: You’ve been recording at a farmhouse. How’s that going?

Wes Marskell: We’re back from the farm now. We were recording a companion piece to the record, a different project. When we made our first record we moved to Montreal to try and get a little bit of distance from people we knew, but when you’re on a farm you don’t have any Internet, you don’t have phone service, you’re just isolated. And we were trying to make something and sort of channel that distance from everyone. So it was interesting, rewarding, challenging.

Jason Couse: We definitely made the most of it. We ended up staying up until four, five in the morning every night and getting up at ten – really maximizing the opportunity there. But it was fun, just all the work that we did was turning out really well.

LE: How is creating your own album different from interpreting an album like AJA?

JC: We spent a lot of time learning how to play the songs, learning our way through the chord progressions, which with Steely Dan is particularly complex. But then once we had an idea for each song and aesthetic, and the direction we wanted to go, we would cut ourselves off from where it came from, and then treat it as if we’re something of our own in a way, which was fun, but also challenging musically. Most people play the things they’re comfortable with and sing the way they’re comfortable singing, but we were all forced far outside of what we’re used to doing.

LE: You chose to release your last album online for free and sell vinyl copies. Is that something we can expect with this next album?

WM: We’re looking at different options. I do think we spent a lot of money on making this new record, and there’s a reality in that. But we still don’t want to just put out a record and wash our hands and be done with it. We understand that we’ve gained a lot fans by putting things out for free, so we’re looking at other ways to capitalize and put music out for free in smaller doses.

LE: You’re signed to Arts & Crafts, which seems like a pretty open minded label. Is it difficult for artists to find labels that see eye-to-eye with them?

WM: Yes. I think Arts & Crafts is very generous and supportive and they back us fully. They also have the mentality of ‘if you have a great idea, we’re going to let you do that.’

LE: Speaking of other art forms – photography, literature, etc. – how important are they to your music?

WM: Massively. Jason and I both read a lot of Cormac McCarthy while making the new record and sort of thematically, sonically, lyrically that crops up. I’ve been coming around to the idea that really good things aren’t necessarily things you enjoy, but allow you to reflect on your own art form. I went to see a band the other day and it was like ‘I want to go home with this idea and I want to work on that’. That to me is what made their show great, it allows you to internalize through your own stuff.

LE: Since releasing your first record in 2007, you have been through a lot as a band. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned between then and now?

WM: I think we learned in the last few years that this is a project that had to move forward. If it all fell apart we would still be here in some capacity doing this, and it wasn’t about getting a record label or playing stadiums.

JC: I think that at a certain point you don’t know exactly what you want to get out of something, but you know that want to live through the process of trying to figure that out. And, I think that’s something for us, just by a number of things that happened to the band and the way it’s changed and our ideas and aesthetics and goals have changed, it’s always been a project of discovery just trying to figure out what it is we’re really after and the best way to get there is. That process alone is where a lot of growth comes from artistically and personally.

The post Moving forward with The Darcys, interview appeared first on Quip Magazine.

DIANA, Toronto, Canada, facebook.com/DianaSound

DIANA are Toronto natives Carmen, Joseph, Paul, and Kieran. Having spent some time touring around Canada and performing at SXSW they returned home to open for no one other than Chvrches. Quite honestly, we could not think of a better band to kick start this act and perhaps even the entire Canadian Music Fest. DIANA’s music is reminiscent of early Madonna, soft in a way of luminous sounds that take you back in the sunlit early morning dreamland where everyone is in love.

Chvrches, Glasgow, Scotland, chvrches.tumblr.com

Chvrches (pronounced as Churches) have been around since 2011 and quite promptly were noted to be a very promising new music talent. Needless to say, the world caught up. CBC recently referred to them as “the most praised band at SXSW 2013” after winning the inaugural Grulke Prize at SXSW for best non-U.S. band. For a band who did not put “all of their eggs in the music basket” they sure are doing well which has a lot to do with their live performances – the band’s collective energy is contagious.

The Zolas, Vancouver, BC, thezolasmusic.com

The Zolas have always held a soft spot in our digital magazine heart. Since we got our hands on Ancient Mars last year it became clear that these guys are doing something interesting. Having seen them live we’ll rephrase that into they are doing something precious. During their interview with Quip last year Zachary Gray said it was never their intention to become a band but having found a fun way to being a band turned out to be the trick for The Zolas success.

Wildlife, Toronto, Canada, wildlifemusic.ca

A few days ago we shared …On the Heart  album review so seeing them live now was pretty much a must-do. Having entered the Great Hall at 11:30pm we sat around gazing down from the balcony wondering if the room would fill up and so it did – an hour later the entire jam-packed hall was voluntarily singing along, and I don’t mean a miscellaneous hum here and there, it was a collective musical chore with an occasional off-key wasted yell which somehow still made sense. All things considered, this would also be the first CMF performance we’ve seen where the crowd demanded an encore.

The Darcys, Toronto, Canada, thedarcys.ca

Last night’s 1am secret guest performance. If you stuck around on a school night to see this show you know it was worth it. Those who know The Darcys know the band had their share of misfortunes but they pulled through taller and stronger under the wings of Canada’s biggest music label Arts & Crafts. The Darcys live performance, much like their music, is dramatic and dark, the sound time-travels with each guitar stroke with unbreakable concentration, all of it is ghostly beautiful.

See more CMF photos on our Facebook page

The post Kickstarting Canadian Music Week 2013, the highlights appeared first on Quip Magazine.

After having a rough couple of years, The Darcys came together for a majestic rebirth.

Although they are a band native to Toronto, we got to see them in a full house at the Subterranean on February 28th in Chicago. Needless to say, the show was a huge success.

Having survived losing a band member, losing their equipment, being held at gunpoint, working at Medieval Times, and struggling to find the right voice, the band came through under the careful eye of Arts & Crafts with an Aja tribute album.

Steely Dan’s dark, lyrical foundation refreshed by The Darcys carries dream-like qualities, transporting the audience into dark, mystic forests. The prevalent classic rock influences are seasoned with an indie mood and subtle drums. The live show is a particularly fascinating experience, the speakers oozing with inspiring and somewhat unsettling sounds while the crowd moves around in a trance under the partial rainbow lights.

It’s the sit back in a chair, stare in the window, and reconsider your life choices kind of music. It is also the kind of music that will set you free and let your mind wander.

If you were not in Chicago for the show, don’t panic, the tour continues on tonight at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, then through the States and back to the motherland in June.

The post The Darcys live in Chicago appeared first on Quip Magazine.