Kristen Cudmore (classical guitar, vocals), Michael Finn Vaughan (double bass), & Gregor Phillips (drums and percussion)
ARCHIVE: Max Myth, Neil MacIntosh, Cody Osborne (drums) and Matt Dawson (keyboards)
Language-Arts Debut Album " " Credits:
Performances BY:
Kristen Cudmore - Classical Guitar and Vocals
Matt Dawson - Keyboards
Cody Osborne - Drums
Michael Vaughan - Double Bass
Engineered BY:
Matt Dawson - Vocals, Keyboards, Double Bass
Michael Maneschyn - Drums (www.qcstudios.com)
Michael Vaughan - Classical Guitar
Produced BY:
Language-Arts (www.language-arts.net)
Mixed/ Mastered BY:
Stephan Mihajlovich (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=55548348)
Written BY:
Kristen Cudmore (www.language-arts.net)
Manufacturing BY:
Digital Media Alliance (www.dmadiscs.com)
Influences
Hector Villa Lobos, Paulo Bellanati, Astor Piazzolla, Johann Strauss
Why?, Andrew Broder, A Tribe Called Quest, Sage Francis
Nirvana, Faith No More, Stereolab, Smashing Pumpkins circa 1993
Bill Evans Trio, Keith Garrett, Edgar Meyer
Cinematic Orchestra, Can, Babe Ruth, Four Tet, Spearhead
Paul Simon, Sufjan Stevens
East Vancouver and God
Sounds Like
art-folk + independent + jazz + hip hop + popular song
Classical guitarist Kristen Cudmore and double bassist Michael Vaughan formed the duo in May of 2004. Both from Nova Scotia and fresh out of University, they found themselves across the country on a whim to create what would be best described as humble lyrical art-folk jots mixed with hip hop, jazz, and classically inspired acoustic instrumentals.
They then made Vancouver their home indefinitely. This is when Matt Dawson (keys) joined the project; during the recording of 'The Baby EP" where he helped with production and engineering. Recently following the release of their debut album (June 2007), Language-Arts sought out Gregor Phillips to become the drummer. Now the group is complete!
Language-Arts has found an equilibrium between the lyrics and the music. With their organic nature and varied musical backgrounds; Language-Arts is ready to intrigue many an audience with its pasture of styles and sounds.
Instrumentation:
Classical Guitar with Rap Vocals- Kristen
Double Bass- Finn
Drum kit and percussion- Gregor
Archive: Keys and Gadgets- Matt
Sounds Like:
An art folk boogie mixed with hip hop, jazz and classical moments.
Comparisons we've had at lives shows:
Buck 65, Suzanne Vega and Digable Planets
Some Favorite Past Events:
2005 Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival (Whistler)
2006 Halifax Pop Explosion (Halifax)
2007 TD International Atlantic Jazz Festival (Halifax)
2007 Northwest Folk Life festival (Seattle)
Printed Words About Language-Arts:
"Vancouver indie ground-breakers, Language-Arts: For rarely are we treated to an act so unique and cutting-edge." RC Joseph, 24 Hours Magazine (Vancouver)
"A completely unique sound that makes perfect sense - hip hop producers have been using classical samples for years and Language-Arts just removes the 'sampled' part and does it live. Couple that with extremely catchy songs and I sense this could be one of Vancouver's next big acts." Gordon B. Isnor (Montreal)
"The playing is expert, not over-indulgent. Cudmore delivers a steady flow of conscious contemplations, with an unaffected clarion-like voice." Sean Flinn, The Coast Magazine (Halifax)
"If I tried to describe the mix of folk, hip hop, jazz, pop, classical guitar and spoken word that goes into the sound of Language Arts, you’d expect to hear some sort of multi-headed musical hydra.
But the Vancouver-based combo is remarkably cohesive, as Halifax listeners discovered during its sold-out show at the Argyle Gallery during this summer’s Atlantic Jazz Festival." Stephen Cooke, The Chronicle Herald (Nova Scotia/ Prince Edward Island)
"Let's hope the band's apparently cursed vehicle (Gunther) doesn't flame out somewhere in the Rockies. " John Lucas, The Georgia Straight (Vancouver)
"How rad of a name is Language Arts? Very fitting, as Kristen, the band’s Spanish guitar playing front-woman, is a really talented lyricist and emcee. Backed up by stand up bass, keys and some hella tight percussion, their sound is a unique blend of hip-hop jazz fusion. Their live set was amazing and my personal favorite of the night." Matthew Nelson, The Aesthetic Poetic (Vancouver)
"The British Columbian folk-hop group Language-Arts blends the singer / songwriter aesthetic with hip hop from its cultural roots, updated with a fierce blend of rapping and folk-rock instrumentation. " Kim Reuhl, Seattle Sound Magazine: Sasquatch Festival Guide 2007 (Seattle)
"Language-Arts, a diverse group from Vancouver plays: spanish guitar, double bass, keyboards, drums and percussion under hip hop vocals for melodic lounge vibe." Kate Power, No Landscapes Allowed (Whistler)
"This will probably be the best show of the year. If you don't go, you will both be kicking yourself later and missing the opportunity to see such superstars in the flesh."- The Coast Listing for Language-Arts' show with Gordon B. Isnor and Matthew Grimson at North End Pub (Halifax)
"I would classify this track as folky but not folky-slow-soulful but more folky-fun. It's upbeat, positive, not to dance to but to tap your foot to. Her style of singing is almost like rapping, it's fast and unique. I like it. It stands out and they are good at what they do." Sarah (from Scream Club), XLR8R Magazine (Seattle, San Fransisco and New York)
"It's an excellent CD [The Baby- EP]. Even the feel of the paper and artwork. I've never heard this style of playing and variety that you have put in. My congratulations to you." Virginia Jazz, Co-op Radio (Vancouver)
Language-Arts Debut Album on the Charts:
CJSW (U Of Calgary AB) - Week of March 12 2007 - (The Baby EP) - 13
CHRY Community Radio (North York ON) - Week of June 19 2007 - (Debut Album" ") - 3
CJAM (Windsor ON) - Week of June 12 2007 - (" ") - Review 2
CKDU (Dalhousie U- Halifax NS) - Week of July 12 2007 - (" ") - 9
CITR (UBC - Vancouver BC) - Month of July 2007 - (" ") - 18
CBC Radio 3 (Canada) - September 9 2007 - (" ") - Featured Artist (second time)
CKUA (U of Alberta - Edmonton AB) - September 3 2007 - (" ") - Featured Artist
It's the way you play that makes it . . . Play like you play. Play like you think, and then you got it, if you're going to get it. And whatever you get, that's you, so that's your story. -- Count Basie
Kristen I love your voice! your songs are AMAZING! I'll never get tired of saying it and of listening to them. So the next gig is on March? Lil' and I will be there for sure.
i will certainly be at the seahorse! im playing a live to radio house show thingy the same night (or possibly the next day not sure yet) but its an early show, you should try and come...if it doesn't conflict with sound check etc.
hi lovelies. it was nice to see you play at the cabaret, we left before the end of the set as i'm an old grandma and had to work early morning. that first band was epic. hope you the best in NS!!! xo Lise
Yo We have a show With People we don't know (Litterbug, Hawaiian Bibles and The Bends) We are excited to go And meet these folk(s) We haven't played a show Since our fall tou(r) So make sure you flow Out the doo(r) With your ho
info:
9PM # Royal Unicorn Cabaret 147 W Pender (off Main) Vancouver BC Canada
