Since its inception in the early, ’90s, emo has been forever linked with science-fiction movies. Lifetime’s retrospective Somewhere In the Swamps of Dagobah and the Promise Ring’s Boys and Girls and Alpha-Draconians are both prime examples of this. Even the Get Up Kids’ Something to Write Home About was originally titled Something to Phone Home About, until pending lawsuits from Spielberg and company forced them to change the album’s name.
Okay, we’re bending the truth a bit, of course, but Fields to Flood honour a sci-fi landmark on their new EP Adjacent Cranes and Subjective Things with a tip of the hat to Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic, Blade Runner.
"You listen to that soundtrack, and you’re like–this rules!" exclaims guitar player and vocalist Rob Batke. "One of our songs was inspired by the movie’s colder synth tones, but the drumming is all acoustic."
Those hoping for a drum machine filled cyber punk-out will have to keep searching, but what listeners can expect from the four-song EP is thoughtful and math-y indie rock with a penchant for grand, sweeping moments, and recorded masterfully by former Floor member Graham Lessard.
"We just wanted to release something we were really proud of," proclaims Batke, whose baby face and soft-spoken tone make him out to be the most sincere guy you’ve ever met. "Two of the songs were older ones that we demo-ed a couple of summers ago with (Nrmls Wlcm/Shout Out-er) Nik Kozub. But at the time we weren’t really prepared to go into the studio. This time around we had more of a vision for the songs, and Graham did a really great job producing them."
With a self-released and self-promoted album, Fields to Flood also take a the DIY route when it comes to recording and touring, having booked their own shows on a handful of trips to Vancouver and back. Though sometimes disastrous, ("We played at this pizza place in Lethbridge and everyone was complaining that we were too loud!"), the road also held some entertaining surprises.
"Nelson, BC–the funnest night of my life," affirms Batke with a smile. "We were touring with our friends Veilmaker and we showed up at this bar called Chillers on the outskirts of town. We thought they were not going to enjoy us being super loud, so Veilmaker opened the set with some quiet songs. The regulars there were all 50, 60, and up, and they were all hammered. This one lady who looked like she could be someone’s grandma was doing a shuffle though the whole set, and she had this deer antler with a shaker taped to it. She shook this thing and played harmonica along with the bands all night! It was awesome–that this night that we thought was not going to turn out like we wanted it to would end up being so much fun."
Lyrically, the songs on Adjacent Cranes and Subjective Things vary in theme, from the "obligatory girl songs" to words inspired by the Bible. "There’s this passage in Isaiah, and it’s so great–it’s like poetry. I guess we just took the words and re-arranged them, made them our own."
Batke, (who also plays with his two older brothers in the Faunts), and his bandmates, Aaron Giebelhaus, Drew Carlson, and Luke Klassen, took a hands-on approach to the EP and also assembled all of the packaging from scratch.
"It’s really do-it-yourself–we’re silk-screening our own packages and I bought some Letraset to label the CDs." Batke grins, proud of his laborious efforts. "The whole process is a lot of work, but in the end it’s a lot cooler than something that comes in a jewel case."
TRAVIS SARGENT, See Magazine
Fields to Flood - we're done's Friend Space (Top 8)
hey my friend saw your proficle and thinoks you look ho5t! she is new to mysp6ace but wants to chat with you on msPn mesisenger her name on there is emily22trust@hotmail.com
Haven't stopped by in a month or so, just wanted to let you know that we have added a very cool way for bands to promote themselves on the hdfest site. Hope all is well...
Hey Friends!
We wanted to let you know we will be releasing another new song this saturday from our upcoming June 2nd release titled "to those who wait..." Our cd release show will be Saturday June 2nd in Fort Langley. (details below) We would love to see you there.
From our Hearts to Yours
Swingset Champion
Hey Friends!
We just wanted to let you know we will be releasing a new song first thing saturday morning. We will also be playing a sweet show that night at The Basement and would love to see you there. Come by and check out the tunes and give us some feedback.
From our Hearts to Yours
Swingset Champion
remember our cd release show is coming up!
June 2nd. check out our myspace for details.
Thanks again friends.
