WHO ARE THEY? An indie-rock power trio led by musical and romantic partners Nathaniel Epp and Keeley Rochon, who spend their offstage time in the peace and quiet of B.C.’s fun-sized Gabriola Island, toiling at landscaping and retail jobs.
WHAT IS THIS? Their debut full-length after a series of singles and EPs that caught the attention of critics and hipsters on both sides of the 49th parallel.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? Legendary Twin Cities post-punks Hüsker Dü, but slightly mellower — they are from the West Coast, after all — with dashes of Eric’s Trip and Dinosaur Jr., overtones of first-wave grunge, tons of melody and plenty of pretty harmonies courtesy of Rochon’s vocals, which are the dulcet yin to Epp’s razor-swallowing yang.
WHAT SHOULD IT BE TITLED? Big Blü.
HOW SHOULD I LISTEN TO IT? At any volume but dead soft.
WHAT 10 WORDS DESCRIBE IT? Fuzzy, melodic, melancholy, brawny, hazy, dreamy, chugging, cathartic, reflective, full-bodied.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SONGS? Rockers like I Believe You, Step Out, Trimmer and Tulips, which counterbalance their walloping grooves and wall-of-noise guitars with strong melodies and catchy choruses.
WHAT WILL MY FRIENDS SAY? ‘If they ever practise on the island, I bet you can hear it on the mainland.’
HOW OFTEN WILL I LISTEN TO THIS? Whenever you’re looking for something to play between Zen Arcade, Purple Blue and Bleach.
IF THIS ALBUM WERE A TIME OF DAY, WHAT TIME WOULD IT BE? Sunset on the hottest day of the summer.
SHOULD I BUY, STREAM OR STEAL IT? Need I remind you about their landscaping and retail jobs?
