LUCIDMEDIA

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker: A spontaneous and random duo

Written by Emily Santos Monday, 20 July 2009 16:19

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS), who in a just a few years have helped shape the GTA’s music scene by creating an obscure and electric sound, are back under the limelight with a follow-up to their debut album, Welding the C:/, with theirlatest release, Questamation.

Pulling out all the stops for this second drum and grunge bass mix, USS’ vocalist and guitarist Ashley Boo-Schultz and D.J Human Kebab brought aboard one of Canada’s top musical mastering engineers – mastering records for the likes of Broken Social Scene, Hayden and Blue Rodeo - Lacquer Channel’s Noah Mintz.

Mintz's interest in USS sparked last fall during an awards show at Kool Haus. Shortly after their Toronto gig, Mintz set sail with USS and re-mastered their hot 2009 release, “Anti-Venom.” The threesome proved to be a hit. Mintz’s revised version of the single helped to provide extensive airplay on modern rock radio stations like 102.1 The Edge. Kebab says it was an honour to work with Mix Master Mintz and a wise choice for their career. “The feedback has been so overwhelming about his master techniques that we are going to inquire about having the rest of our songs re-mastered by him,” he says.

Make no mistake; USS’ rise to success was no overnight voyage. The boys spent much of their youth preparing for the harsh and judgmental eyes of music critics and fans alike. Kebab found himself emceeing and disc jockeying around Ontario while his partner in crime Boo-Schultz dedicated his lazy days writing music.

Raised in the semi-rural surroundings of Stouffville and Markham, Kebab and Boo-Schultz have now become regular Torontonians. Relocating only 45 minutes from home, to the bustling streets of artistville Parkdale wasn’t hard says Kebab. He has found inspiration from his small-town living and his ideas have only been enhanced by his exposure to the big city. “Being exposed to urban culture and to what’s fresh and what’s new and at the same time having your own distinctive flavour, ultimately has an influence [on your creative outlook],” he explains.

Since kick starting their career in 2007, USS has headlined for The Edge’s Next Big Thing Concert and has received two nominations for this year’s The Verge Music Awards. Additionally, the duo have been given rave reviews from the host of The Ongoing History of New Music’s Alan Cross, Sheena Lyonnais from Toronto Music Scene and Bancroft This Week’s Dan Schell.

Today these two new kids on the drum and bass block are gearing up for their show at one of Ontario’s most prominent music festivals, the Hillside Festival. Held at Guelph Lake Conservation Area the dramatic outdoor performances by up-and-coming Canadian performers have made Hillside renowned.

Calling the Hillside Festival “near and dear” to his heart Kebab says, “I remember a number of years ago when Canada was just absolutely throbbing musically. The Arcade Fire played at it, Broken Social Scene, Metric, Sam Roberts [and] k-os. Just an absolutely outstanding line-up of artists all playing at Guelph…and to be asked to play at Hillside is just awesome!”

The boys plan on bringing a “crazy” energy to the stage says Kebab. With cardboard cut-outs of political figures, blenders and hardcore head banging, it is no wonder why Boo-Schultz has acquired a few broken bones (ex, his ankle: the result of slipping on confetti).

Boo-Schultz plans on perfecting his stage performance, signing up for karate lessons and maintaining his three-times-a-week yoga regime. “He is actually leaving at the end of August to Illinois for silent meditation camp for 10 days,” reveals Kebab.

And while Boo-Schultz is in silence, Kebab will be learning to do flips and scratches on stage. “It’s a reflection of our random thinking and our random career path,” he says. “The possibilities are really endless.”

Editor’s Note: All this week, Lucid Forge’s writers are talking to bands playing this weekend’s Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake just outside Guelph Ontario. Follow our interview series all week, and come back here next Monday for Hillside coverage.