Sylvie
You admit to having a pretty standard set-up ? i.e., two guitars, a bass, drums, and some vocals. How do you feel that this has worked to your advantage? Disadvantage?
Doing the standard set up has given us starting points. It doesn't mean that we haven't strayed from those instruments though. We will continue to experiment with different instruments, and sometimes switch with each other from time to time. I think in the future we will be mixing it up more and more.
I think in the case of Chris, he is always pushing boundaries with guitar sounds. He has also been playing keyboards in a couple of the songs in "electric trace". He is the true mad scientist. So in that case it makes helps to diversify our current set up.
You’ve toured with a lot of so-called “dance-punk” bands like DFA 1979, Hot Hot Heat, and now Controller.Controller. How have those audiences responded to Sylvie?
The audience responses to our live show have been quite positive. I think if we compare us with other bands we have all had some elements in common. . . at some point! Our new material is quite diverse in terms of tempos, dynamics, and melodies. We all have an edge to our music.
What kind of comparisons have you guys been getting to other bands? Are there any that you particularly like? That you particularly hate?
Hmm. . . Honestly the comparisons have ranged from bands like Minus the Bear to the Counting Crows! We have also drawn comparisons with other bands which have female members. Such as Pretty Girls Make Graves, Stars, etc. While these comparisons certainly are flattering, it makes me wonder if they are only made because of my vocal presence. If that's the case, it doesn't seem that imaginative. Honestly there are no comparisons that we hate. I think we will continue drawing different comparisons because everyone has different points of reference.
Your newest album, An Electric Trace, has been out for about 2 months – how has the response been so far?
I'm not sure! I know for a fact our families and friends are thrilled with it. Which is probably the most important thing for us. Other than our own feelings about the album. We are pleased as punch. I suppose from the reviews stand-point, it has been positive. Which also doesn't hurt.
Your last record, I Wish I Was Driving was recorded in only five days - did you have a little longer to work on An Electric Trace? How did that change your approach?
I think having more time with the second album gave us more of a chance to relax, and get creative. We also had an opportunity to write. Common Art, An Electric Trace, and the vocals for Rise and Fall were all done in the studio. This was a pretty unique experience for us, as we were able to really listen and hear everything. Clear as a bell. Brandon also pretty much gave us free reign of the studio. That was funner than fun.
In 2003, Sylvie was nominated for a Western Canada Music Award (Outstanding Independent Album of the Year for I Wish I Was Driving) – is that kind of critical validation important to you? Or is it all about how the fans react?
We were pretty shocked when we heard about the nomination. When we were writing, recording we hadn't even thought that far ahead. Or that it could actually come to that. I know we felt it was an honour. Especially as it was our first album together with this line-up. And again our friends and families were totally behind us and had supported us so much up until that point.
However we are definitely not writing songs for what critics or fans may want. We write songs for ourselves, towards our own standards. If we dump a song or a part, it's because we think it sucks.
Okay, time for the desert island questions – without thinking, what are your five favourite albums of all time?
Pixies - Doolittle
Pinback (either one)
Paul Simon - Graceland
Fugazi - 13 songs
Girls Against Boys - Cruise Yourself
And what is the band listening to right now?
I know Jeffy is listening a lot to Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
Chris is listening to the new Nine Inch Nails
Joel is listening to the new Constantines, new Inflation Kills, June of 44
And myself it's been a lot of hip hop - Lady Sovereign, new Kanye West
Is there anything else Sylvie wants people to know about them?
We start wicked dance parties.
And the bonus question – if Sylvie was a person instead of a band, what would she look like?
Siamese twins. But one of the twins is a pair of legs. *Barbara Goudie's "Sylvie"*
If you would like to find out more about Sylvie please cheak out their offical website at: http://www.sylviemusic.com/.
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