Braids - Amends

With Katie Lee leaving for the equally dazzling Port St. Willow, and Raph focusing on crafting the excellent 'Untogether' record under Blue Hawaii earlier this year, it was difficult to see which direction Braids might delve into. 

Having established themselves as exciting figures in the Canadian art-pop scene back in 2011 with the mini album 'Native Speaker', it would appear that Braids have morphed into something altogether more atmospheric and grand. Work with Blue Hawaii has clearly carried over and colours the bands a new tint, with the electronic stutters in the vocals, and the sense of stillness conjured in both the instrumental and Raph's now less emotive delivery.

'Amends' builds on the foundations of sprawling experimental pop songs that Braids have done so well before, with the incorporation of a more electronic angle and a whole new array of musical experiences for the band members, and it's by all means, great.

Braids' new album is set for release this Autumn on Arbutus Records. 

Toby McCarron

Constellations Festival - Preview

Although Constellations Festival has only been running for two years, it has brought some of the most sought after acts to Leeds University with one of 2011's most hyped bands The Vaccines and popular glitch electronic artist Gold Panda being just two of many exciting bands to feature on last year's line up. This year the festival is back with some of the most interesting acts around including Wild Beasts and The Antlers who've both released critically acclaimed albums this year, the latter being The Fly's album of 2011! 


Alongside the festival, there's a 64 page tabloid newspaper being sold online that not only shows you the line up for Constellations Festival but also has some exquisite designs. The festival commissioned fifteen exceptional studios and illustrators to create a poster based on the theme 'Constellations'. The result is a complex and professional tabloid newspaper that can be previewed and bought over at Constellations Festival Store. 

Above: an excerpt from the newspaper. 

Not only is the artistic side of Constellations Festival showcased in the above newspaper but within the university at The Terrace Bar, which is becoming a new home to the screen printing and poster exhibition that proved popular in 2010. As well as artwork, they have teamed up with WARP Films to create a special program of moving image work that's going to be shown in their new 'pop up' cinema. Read more about The Terrace Bar over at The Terrace Bar

Back to the music side of things, here are 5 bands that you really can't afford to miss at Constellations Festival:

1. Wild Beasts

2. Braids

3. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks

4. Islet

5. The Big Pink

Look at photography from 2010's Constellations Festival here: Constellations Festival Flickr

Where to buy tickets for Constellations Festival:

Crash Records

Jumbo Records

Seetickets

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Braids - Interview

Canadian based quartet, Braids, ooze strange charm and produce extraordinarily likeable woozy and lovelorn songs. Although coming from the same country as the feisty frontwomen from Austra and Crystal Castles (Katie Stelmanis and Alice Glass), frontwoman Raphaelle Standell-Preston has a more delicate sensibility and harmoniously rich texture to her voice without maximum noise. Band member Katie Lee shares some facts with us that might have been on your mind; 

Are there any particular places that inspire your music?

At the moment, Calgary and Montreal. Native Speaker was written before and after our move between the two cities and is a lot about our growth in both of them.

Do you prefer touring or recording?

Both are different in their own ways and some days we prefer touring and other days we prefer recording. What's great about being able to do one thing is to tire of it, take a break, and do the other.

What's the inspiration behind the artwork for 'Native Speaker'?

Marc Rimmer who designed and took the photograph for the cover mentioned to us about creating something that is textural yet simple overall in it's presentation. To him it represents the way we write music. The blending of ideas to create one overall feeling. There is a great interview about it here: http://lpwtf.tumblr.com/post/2513394708/braids-marc-rimmer-native-speakers-blissful

Who is your favourite Canadian band?

We have so many favourite Canadian bands! The longest standing would have to be Chad Vangaalen, he is our home town hero. Cousins, Morgan Greenwood, Play Guitar are a few that we are consistently stoked on.

How did it feel to be nominated for the Polaris long list?

We were honored. A lot of our high school records were bought because of the Polaris prize music list, and was partly the reason for our introduction to Canadian music on a national level. To be on the same list as Colin Stetson and Tim Hecker is really humbling, as we consider both to be some of the best musicians in Canada.

What is your favourite distraction on tour?

Buying random things in truck stops and eating.

How did you end up choosing the name 'Braids'?

Braids is a symbol of how we function as a group and as friends. Everyone has an equal part and say and these ideas are married into a whole.

What are you most excited about this summer?
throwing dry ice into a pool.