Lyle Bell- bass, backup vocals
Scott Davidchuk- drums, aux perc
Smokey Johnson- guitar, backup vocals
Aaron Parker- 12 string electric guitar, backup vocals, aux perc
Paul Arnusch- lead vocals, keys
Sounds Like
a soccer match in '67 between the kinks and the zombies using syd barrett as the ball.
It could just as easily be 1967.
But no matter the year, Edmonton, Alberta's the Whitsundays certainly have a knack for writing yellowed, reverb-wrapped pop music, borrowing from the grand tradition of English psychedelia, garage, and vintage organ rock. With reverent nods to the flower-picking whimsy of the Zombies, the red-faced bluster of the Animals, and the delightful inanity of Syd Barrett, the Whitsundays' self-titled debut is a vintage gem, and a charming hodgepodge of '60s musical ephemera.
The main Whit, Paul Arnusch -- who also logs time with starry post-rock supernauts Faunts -- called on his ever-expanding collection of vintage gear (from archaic guitars to Rhodes and Wurlitzers) to document a loose, passionate love letter to the past 40 years of "timeless music." And if the haunting Beach Boys outro on "It Must Be Me" or the lithe vocal melody and gentle propulsion of "Already Gone" are any indication, this is one hell of a letter.
Of course, none of this backward-glancing praise is to say that Arnusch's first offering with the Whitsundays sounds all that old. On the contrary, he manages to transport the antiqued sounds of the '60s -- walls of dreamy harmonies, straight-away drumming, boney guitars, whirring organs -- across the same updated palates employed by bands like Dressy Bessy, Apples in Stereo, The Shins, and Belle & Sebastian.
And while this is quite the departure for Arnusch, who is more used to pounding out labyrinthine experiments behind the kit for Faunts than such lovely sock-hop simplicity, his experimental sensibilities still peek through on the Whitsundaysâ€-- self-titled debut album. In fact, these curiosities and quirks are perhaps the album's strongest suit, tugging a set of super-sweet diner pop through the ages, and somehow updating it along the way.
If you could, please spare a moment to enjoy the newest work from Oakland-based musician Dave Smallen. His new album titled 'Everything Changes and Nothing Changes' will be available everywhere on December 1st.
Click on the flyer to take a listen:
Hello from the amazing windy plains just outside Calgary , Alberta
(weather
subject
to
change on the 1/2 hour with out notification) Wonderful sites and
sounds in your space.Many discoveries made at your space, very nice
indeed to be m8s.Cheers ! (mO:) moreno
In a act of Kindness endorphin levels are elevated in the Giver, the Receiver and the Observer, how nice is that.
"do not seek happiness .. but .. do rid your self of unhappiness = Zero Negative thoughts"
"Share knowledge ,it is a way to achieve immortality"
hi compadres!!!
