wallscenery demos - a musical project fronted by james hicken that was realized in the mid 2000s in Toronto. The self-titled independent release (april 2008) was praised as a concept album that played seamlessly from beginning to end. Aside from a supporting show for Jay Sad and Ex-Po and a few acoustic appearances by james with northwest division after its release, the debut album was largely promoted by word of mouth as well as reviews and features in music publications/blogs.
Currently splitting time between Toronto and New York City, wsd released the 2nd album entitled check this! September 29, 2009. The album includes pop hooks, atmospheric sounds, samples from city life in Toronto and New York, as well as complex sonic textures. Check this! also includes the use of thematic interludes to tie songs together to create an atmosphere heavy album meant for listening to as a whole.
check this! features the following musical guests:
michael rosenthal [sun parlour players and many others]
sheldon kelly [northwest division, jetset motel]
peter forbes [northwest division]
mike daley [northwest division]
nichol s robertson [the lollipop people, fred spek and many others]
jay sad [chemical sound, jay sad, the novels]
hugh oliver [hugh and rosie]
Influences - guided by voices, lee scratch perry, neil young, al tuck, galaxie500, madlib, eels, noise, feedback, samples…
For more information, please visit www.wallscenerydemos.com
For press inquiries as well as bookings pls contact jameshicken@hotmail.com
Press for check this!
"check this! may be the lo-fi slacker masterpiece of the year"
www.snobsmusic.net
“check this! may be a little intimidating with it's size, but it's a sonic voyage that's well worth the investment. Let's hope it makes it out in time to get due consideration for year end lists.”
www.snobsmusic.net rating 9/10
“as a listener, it seems like you’re getting a single forty minute song, instead of an album composed of disparate pieces.”
www.citizendick.org rating 9/10
“wallscenery demos cite Guided By Voices as an influence and the scattershot, quick hitting approach of something like Bee Thousand is clearly evident.”
www.citizendick.org rating 9/10
-----------
James Hicken is a musician and producer from Halifax, PEI, and Toronto. James has played in such bands as the little pilgrims and battery point (old BP) in Toronto, as well as worked with artists Al Tuck, Bob Egan, Northwest Divison, Jay Sad, Peter Forbes, Mike Sargent, and Tin Star Orphans.
A natural preference for using a wide variety of equipment and recording techniques has led to a music production style that encompasses lo-fi aspects as well as lush textures. James continues to write/record/produce music in Toronto and New York.
Press for the wallscenery demos self-titled debut:
"What if Neil Young had ditched the flannel shirts and spent the early '90s hanging with Galaxie 500 instead of Pearl Jam?"
-- "disc-overy" of the week, eye weekly magazine, toronto
"The Wallscenery Demos self titled release may only be 26.9 minutes long, but this is one beautifully constructed album."
-- it's not the band I hate, it's their fans
--------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Pls click the button below to pick up a copy (cd or mp3) of the 1st album:
thanks a lot. great to hear from you. sorry i haven't talked to you since like Platnium Blondes debut! your disc is really moody and cool i really enjoy it. what's up with you? a new disc coming out. i will check your site soon. thanks for thinking of me.
Hi James, Yeah, I've been working on new stuff. A collaboration record should come out soon, and, hopefully, another Jay Sad this year. A new wallscenery???
