Idyl Tea is an Edmonton based trio that formed in 1984, out of the ashes of R&B/Mod cover-band Route 66.
For the first two years, Idyl Tea confined their performing to the college/university bars of western Canada. In the autumn of 1986, they released a cassette single named "Awfully Nice Eyes" to college radio, and it quickly charted across the country.
In 1987 Idyl Tea released a 5-song vinyl EP entitled 'How I See This Table'. The highlights were the re-recorded version of their underground hit "Awfully Nice Eyes" and the Engel/LaRoi composition "Seems No Matter". The record charted well, and the band began touring eastern Canada, including one tour in 1988 with "Chalk Circle".
In 1990, three years and three nation-wide tours later, Idyl tea added guitarist Ian Martin, and released their self titled, full-length, independent debut CD. On the strength of the indie release, Attic Records picked them up in early 1991 and re-released it.
The launch was accompanied by a Phil Kates directed video for "Oh Brother". Idyl Tea performed "unplugged" on MuchMusic, embarked on several Attic financed tours including one with Spirit Of The West and a show in Kitchener with newly formed opening act "The Watchmen".
A second single, "Tryin'To Get Back", was issued shortly before the group was let go by the label in 1992. In spite of this, the CD charted as far away as Russia, Scotland and Wales.
Idyl Tea continued on as an independent band and in 1994, they released a 5-song maxi-single, with accompanying video, entitled "Funny Feelin'". The video entered medium rotation on MuchMusic. The disc was intended to be a precursor to a 2nd full-length album but midway through the recording, the band decided to take a hiatus. Which they are still on.
Both Engel and LaRoi are still active professional musicians, and actually shared the stage once in Sudbury when "The Everett LaRoi Band" and "Hank Engel and the Hoosier Daddies" shared a concert billing. Metcalfe freelances as a drummer/percussionist, and Ian Martin is the owner/operator/producer at an Edmonton based recording studio.
There is no definite date set, yet, to finish the "lost 2nd Idyl Tea CD" and resume performing/touring. But all the members of Idyl Tea insist that the band never broke up. They're just on vacation.
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wow - how long has it been? i used to go to your shows every weekend when you played at the uofa....
i still remember hearing a demo tape (was it your 2nd release) that hank let me listen to... that would be awesome if you guys were able to finally release it!
Idyl Tea?! I LOVED that band! Ha, ha! Hey Ev! Thanks for starting up this profile! I miss touring, recording and giggin' with you guys. Hey! We should get back together and finish the album! And TOUR! Woo Hoo!
- Hank
Idyl Tea is an Edmonton based trio that formed in 1984, out of the ashes of R&B/Mod cover-band Route 66.
For the first two years, Idyl Tea confined their performing to the college/university bars of western Canada. In the autumn of 1986, they released a cassette single named "Awfully Nice Eyes" to college radio, and it quickly charted across the country.
In 1987 Idyl Tea released a 5-song vinyl EP entitled 'How I See This Table'. The highlights were the re-recorded version of their underground hit "Awfully Nice Eyes" and the Engel/LaRoi composition "Seems No Matter". The record charted well, and the band began touring eastern Canada, including one tour in 1988 with "Chalk Circle".
In 1990, three years and three nation-wide tours later, Idyl tea added guitarist Ian Martin, and released their self titled, full-length, independent debut CD. On the strength of the indie release, Attic Records picked them up in early 1991 and re-released it.
The launch was accompanied by a Phil Kates directed video for "Oh Brother". Idyl Tea performed "unplugged" on MuchMusic, embarked on several Attic financed tours including one with Spirit Of The West and a show in Kitchener with newly formed opening act "The Watchmen".
A second single, "Tryin'To Get Back", was issued shortly before the group was let go by the label in 1992. In spite of this, the CD charted as far away as Russia, Scotland and Wales.
Idyl Tea continued on as an independent band and in 1994, they released a 5-song maxi-single, with accompanying video, entitled "Funny Feelin'". The video entered medium rotation on MuchMusic. The disc was intended to be a precursor to a 2nd full-length album but midway through the recording, the band decided to take a hiatus. Which they are still on.
Both Engel and LaRoi are still active professional musicians, and actually shared the stage once in Sudbury when "The Everett LaRoi Band" and "Hank Engel and the Hoosier Daddies" shared a concert billing. Metcalfe freelances as a drummer/percussionist, and Ian Martin is the owner/operator/producer at an Edmonton based recording studio.
There is no definite date set, yet, to finish the "lost 2nd Idyl Tea CD" and resume performing/touring. But all the members of Idyl Tea insist that the band never broke up. They're just on vacation.
