INTERVIEW: The Broken Islands — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

The Broken Islands

_______

IT has been at least a few days since I…

last featured a Canadian artist. I get a bit nervy being away from the country for that long, you know! Luckily, The Broken Islands are out in force to tell me about their (2017) album, Wars. The video for No One Left to Kill is out – a great opportunity to ask about the song’s creation and the themes that went into the album. I discover how the band came together and whether they are coming to the U.K. soon – and if there is a cool story behind their band-name, too.

I discover what the music scene is like in Vancouver; the new artists worth a second listen; the artists they all grew up on; if they are going to be busy this year; what it is like getting love from the critics – the guys each choose a song to end the interview.

______

Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

We’re great, thanks for asking. So far, our week has been fantastic. We arrived on Saturday afternoon and spent the rest of the weekend drinking - it feels like home already!

In all seriousness, now that it’s Monday; hopefully the real fun begins. We’re here to, literally, pound the pavement to get our new L.P. into as many hands as possible (and book some shows). If all goes well, we’ll be back this spring/summer to play a few gigs and do some more drinking.

In all seriousness…

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We are The Broken Islands from Vancouver B.C. (Canada).

If we’re doing roll-call, we are…

Rachelle Boily (Vocals)

Kurtis Sheldon (Guitar)

William Macdonald (Guitar)

Stephen Cameron (Bass)

Rachel Ashmore (Keyboards, Vocals)

Mitchell Williams (Drums)

Sorry to ask but is there a special reason behind the band’s name, ‘The Broken Islands’?

You don’t have to say sorry. We’re Canadian: that’s our job. Sorry.

Initially, and for the longest time, we were called ‘The Sluts’. There are a lot of reasons behind that name - but that is for another day. Then, one of our members had a beautiful little girl and we collectively decided that the name needed to change. That decision was obvious and easy: finding a new name was not. Not at all. Being a democratic band; we were all able to passionately put forth one really shi*ty name after another. It was embarrassing, really.

We would come to the jam space three times a week and everyone would have the BEST (worst) name for the band. It went on forever. Then, one day, Stephen - who is an avid sailor - was going on and on about some trip he took up the west coast of Vancouver Island. At some point during our extended geography lesson; he mentioned ‘The Broken Islands’: six small, uninhabited islands in the Pacific that just get thrashed all day and night.

Ding Ding!

Vancouver is where you play out of. How productive and varied is the music scene there? Is it a pretty cool place to live in?

The music scene is incredibly varied in Vancouver right now. There are some really great venues in East Van. that put on nights full of bands you’ve never heard of - that will leave it all on the stage and completely blow you away. It’s a very supportive scene full of socially-conscious, hard-working; honest gems of human beings. To be fair, from all of the over-priced condo developments; leased cars and generally shi*ty people as well in this city, the Pop scene must be doing great, too.

As for how productive is it - that’s a very broad question, isn’t it?!

Is the music scene being productive in making a difference? Overall, no. Not at all. We’re just the ones on the left going on about all of the things you can’t fix with a fuc*ing meme, aren’t we?! But, to us and our friends, yes...it’s made a world of difference. Like in any city, the underground music scene is where anyone can feel comfortable in their own skin - and being Canadians in the new world of Trump; finding a place where you can be yourself is harder and more important than ever.

Is it a cool place to live? Outside of the ridiculous cost of living, it’s pretty fantastic.

No One Left to Kill is in the ether. Can you tell me about the song and its background?

Oh, that one!

No One Left to Kill came about relatively quick after a lifetime of completely fuc*ing up every relationship ever.

The video looks pretty cool! Whose idea was the concept behind it?

The video really just created itself. As lame as that sounds, it’s just a stream-of-consciousness-while-exploring-the-idea-of-finding-comfort- in-being-alone.

That song is taken from the album, Wars. What are the main themes and ideas you explore on that record?

We could give a whole bunch of bullsh*t answers about wanting to go into the studio and make this album or that album - but we didn’t. We just went to our jam space, turned everything up as loud as possible and let it all go. Day after day; month after month; over and over and over until Dave ‘Rave’ Ogilvie hit record.

No master plan. Just an honest record.

It was well-received by critics! Has that given you drive to create new material? Will we see more material this year?

The kind words from critics have been great for sure - but we’ve never stopped writing. We have twenty-or-so new songs at various stages that we are working through. Some are still just colours and shapes: others are more or less ready to kick you in the teeth.

How did you all get together? Did you know, when you started jamming, you would make a load of music together?!

Like we mentioned earlier; the music scene in East Van. is a very social, very tight; very loving community. Most of us have been friends for years: the others were only one degree of separation away the whole time.

When we formed the band, it was definitely done with the intention of creating something we would be proud of: something we could share with the people closest to us at the very least - since none of us seems to communicate very well in real life.

Or so we’ve been told...

Do you all share similar tastes? Which artists do you source from?

Hahaha! Similar tastes?! Yeah, right...

What artists do we source from? Well; we personally think we wear our influences on our sleeves. That’s not the proper answer that we’re supposed to give, of course; but one day it’ll be MC5 and another it’s Jackson 5 - and that’s for just one person!

There’s bloody six of us.

You source from a lot of genres and styles. It seems you have invented your own sound. Has it been hard crafting such a heady and eclectic sensation?

Let’s just say everyone having such different musical tastes definitely created some very ‘lively’ conversations in the beginning. Now, after countless hours of slowly letting tracks find their own way; we trust each other to just let it go. No one intentionally plays a particular style - but everyone definitely plays their own style (and it works).

IN THIS PHOTO: Actors

Who are the new artists you recommend we check out?

Without a doubt, check out Little Destroyer*

You have to listen to Actors*

Oh, and The Corps, for sure!*

*East Van. handshake. Xoxo

If you each had to choose the one album that means the most to you; which would they be and why?

Rachelle: Ulrich Schnauss - A Strangely Isolated Place

Because it tells a story without words; it transports me to a fantasy world and calms me and every single time I listen to it - whether it’s my thousandth time; I hear a new instrument or sound I didn’t notice before.

Kurtis: Howlin’ Wolf – The London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions

I grew up listening to Blues and Jazz. The riff for the opening track, Rockin’ Daddy, was the first riff I learned to play. Still number-one 'desert island record' for me.

William: Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures

Reminds me I’m not alone.

Stephen: Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II

My sister gave it to me when I was eleven because she hated the music I was listening to - and it changed everything, musically, for me from that point forward.

Mitch: Around the Fur by Deftones

When I started playing the drums, I was addicted to this album. I would play along with it for countless hours. I still love it.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

Yes, absolutely...!

No idea…!

Let us update this next week…!

Haha!

Will the U.K. be part of your touring plans?

Right now the U.K. is our main touring plan for spring and early-summer: maybe in late-summer, we’ll fly back and hit the continent.

Looking back on your time in music so far; are there favourite memories that come to mind?

Selling out our favourite club, The Cobalt, twice has to be up there but, without a doubt, recording with Dave ‘Rave’ Ogilvie takes the cake. The guy is a genius who’s worked with a hundred of our heroes – but, over and above, he’s the nicest guy in the world. You rarely meet people like that or have the pleasure to work with them. He’s on the top of our list for sure.

How do you all spend time away from music? Any hobbies or favourite ways to chill?

Well…sometimes, we drink…

Oh, and Rachelle walks her dogs - while drinking.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Rachelle: Massive Attack - Paradise Circus (Gui Boratto Remix)