#askapunk

[sometimesalwaysmusic]

YARNS

Since relocating from Belgium, his home country, to Ottawa, Martin Dawagne (aka YARNS), has been busy, releasing his first full-length album called Summer - Fall -, complete with songs named after cities and neighborhoods where he has travelled and composed. We touched base with Martin to discuss his musical background, his diverse influences, and his ideal “exclusively Belgian/Canadian” tour mates. Stay tuned for his next album, titled Winter - Spring -.

VITALS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Yarns.music/ 

Web: https://yarns.bandcamp.com/releases

Latest Release: Summer - Fall - (Album, March 2018)

Upcoming Shows: July 26th @ Jamari August 2nd @ Bar Robo August 28th @ House of Targ

SA: How did this project come to be? YA: After several years of touring and composing in a hardcore band (Now, Voyager), I felt the need to explore a different kind of music. Something connected to introspection, journeys, and widely opened to interpretation. Also, I wanted to try something where it would be 90% me creating, from the composing to the artwork, as well as the live performances. I always call Yarns my most “selfish project”, as it is highly autobiographical, and my main guideline is that all the creative ideas – or at least most of them – have to come from me. That being said, there has been some incredible artists involved in the project, such as the actress Megan Carty (the voice, and the main help in creating the proses), Mike Tompa (the producer), or my brother Bruno Dawagne (who created the logo).

Finally, I started Yarns when I was at an emotional crossroad in my life, and I decided to leave my native country, Belgium, to come to North America, and try to create in an environment far from everything I knew. All the proses on the album are based on places where I lived, which explains their titles.

SA: What bands or musicians would you cite as the biggest influences on your sound? YA: Mainly some soundtracks and composer pieces. I am a huge fan of Jonny Greenwood, Max Richter or Arvo Part. I am also highly influenced by rock music, like Nine Inch Nails, The Chariot, Meshuggah, Gojira, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Sigur Ros, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Arcade Fire, etc. I also love finding influences in music that is far from what I create (world music, kids shows, hip-hop, etc.).

SA: Thus far in your career, what has been the project’s biggest success? YA: Like I said, Yarns is a self-centred project for which I decided I would never try to please anyone but myself, and put my instincts and integrity before anything else. The fact that it resonates with some people is something I am really honoured by, as this project does not obey to any structure, genre, or need to please. Another one of my influences, Bjork, said that “the moment you try to satisfy others than yourself, you’re not satisfying anyone”, and I think there’s a lot to be learned here, musically speaking.

SA: Conversely, what is the biggest challenge you've faced, and how have you dealt with it? YA: Every performance is a challenge to me. Before I started Yarns, it was impossible for me to even conceive being by myself on a stage, and even less performing only with looping pedals (which can be quite punishing, when you mess up). No matter how many times I played a show, I always experienced stage fright, and thus every concert is challenging. The hour before playing, especially, is always nerve-wracking for me.

SA: How do you approach the song-writing process? YA: I always try to start with an emotion and with my hands first. For Yarns, I am not able to begin creating from scratch behind a computer. It needs to first be myself sitting with an instrument and my pedalboard, and search how I can express a specific emotion accurately. After hours of looping some stuff around, recording some jams with myself – and, also, going crazy – I only start editing on the computer. On parallel to that, I start writing a prose and edit/go deeper into the theme with Megan Carty. Once I have a first version of a song, I go to a studio to record it. After that “official” version is done, I go back to my instruments and figure out a way to perform the studio version live, or to re-adapt it.

It is a long and tedious process were you go back and forth between “this is awesome” to “I am a shitty musician, why am I even bothering?” all the time, and it’s exhausting. But Yarns is about introspection, and this process expresses it accurately, I guess. 

SA: I understand you are a transplant to Ottawa. What are your thoughts on the Ottawa music scene? YA: I think there are some gems of venues around here, and people are really open-minded, especially the metal/punk/hardcore scene. I love the size of Ottawa, because it is not too big or overwhelming like Toronto or Montreal (great cities too, though). However, I think the city would benefit from having three or four more venues with a capacity somewhere between Mavericks and the Canadian Tire Centre, because apart from the Bronson Centre, that doesn’t really exist here and that’s too bad.

SA: What is your favourite show that you’ve played, and why? YA: I think that it was at Pressed, where the venue was packed because Nighttime in Kansas was playing. I felt I progressed from playing in front of such a filled-up room, and little by little taming my terror as the set went by. Also, I messed up big time at that show, and realizing that I was the only one noticing about it was quite rewarding.

Finally, pretty much any show at Ask a Punk is always a great time. That’s my favorite place to perform in Ottawa.

SA: Thus far, what is your favourite Yarns track, and why? YA: It’s one that is on my next album, and it’s called Fault Lines. It’s a track that mixes all the different looping techniques I learned while creating the other Yarns tracks. It also mixes all my influences, from metal to sinister soundtracks. It’s very doomy, scary and a little optimistic too. Unfortunately, this is the only song I recorded that I am not yet able to play.

Her Monster is also an important one to me, as it took me more than one year to write, and Yarns started with the two main chords of that song. I had just arrived in Montréal in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, and I was very unsettled and depressed. All I had to create was a tiny acoustic guitar, and these two chords came naturally out of it, and became the backbone of Summer – Fall -.

SA: A tour consisting of you, and only your favourite Belgian and Canadian acts. Who is on it? YA: If we have to go for Canadian, definitely The Arcade Fire, as they are my favourite rock band! A tour with A Silver Mt. Zion would be pretty dope too. For Belgium, I’d love to play with a band called Amenra, which is a sludge-hardcore band with some spooky imagery. Very twisted and meditative.

SA: What comes next for you in 2019? Good luck this coming year! YA: I have been postponing forever the release of Winter – Spring –, the sequel to Summer – Fall –, since I have been busy working on other creative projects, mainly some soundtracks for some theatre pieces. Releasing an album when you’re the only person in the band is a colossal work. So yes, this is what’s next, and having a proper merchandising, too.

Thank you very much for this interview, Pierce, good luck to you too!

[selfawarerecords]

@acnesux house gig tomorrow with a seriously stacked lineup #askapunk https://www.instagram.com/p/BxFWi0dpm9p/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=u0wdxp6ryszl

[shibbypictures]

Shibby Pictures film screening at a house in Richmond tonight #askapunk Gonna be trying to do some more regional film screenings this spring and summer so holla if ya wanna book me! (at Richmond, Virginia)

[katecollinsart]

Basement shows forever #askapunk #whatwedoissecret I have time to tattoo and tons I f line drawings to pick from! Text (484)362-9665! Thanks for looking! (at Seven Swords Tattoo)

[huttchedup]

ONE LAST SHOW WITH @stabbingjoy tonight in Ottawa! Dm us because it’s a top secret show! God bless @tannerxpare ❤️❤️ #stabbingjoy #huttch #coldtearecords #askapunk #tour #newfrends (at Historic Red Dog)

[thehighdives]

BARRIE: this is the first show out of 3 we plan on doing in March. All of them have a unique set of reasons to attend! This ones a HOUSE SHOW! DON'T MISS OUT! LIMITED CAPACITY! (Message the bands directly for further info). @flight97official @rosewoodannie @greyeyes_band #thehighdivesdoahouseshow #thehighdives #flight97 #rosewoodannie #greyeyes #houseshow #askapunk #supportlocalmusic

[believing-is-an-art]

I do hate this about 'the scene.' The irony is staggering. #askapunk #diy #toosoon #CHO

[gimmetinnitus]

6/17/17 at #moffatheaven w/ #blackbeach #niceguysma #fatheaven #ursula #bees🐝 #askapunk

[punkisland]

Another benefit house show, this one being thrown by @thelonelier so it's sort of "unofficial" but also sort of not cuz it's featuring bands from the @Hoosatron stage past and present. In any case, this is in Elmhurst Queens on Friday night, DM for address!!! Queens punx, let's do it! Stay tuned for info on more benefits coming up in May and June! #punkisland #punkisland2017 #queens #houseshow #askapunk #nyc #punkrock #diy #punx

[sweetpeaandothercuriosities]

THE UNVEILIIIIIING @bathroomwriting @fvckmeowmix and the other half of crusty #Toxicology commissioned me to spread the love. So I did......120+ times! Come get yours soon at your local crust/punk show. #askapunk #askacrust #grindcore #hxc #YEAHMAN #STOKED #diy

[selfawarerecords]

@mybrother_mysister have a house gig tonight with Bren Lukens (of Modern Baseball) and Jess Sands. #askapunk (at Columbia, South Carolina)

[kimfartrashian]

#askapunk (at Hertel Avenue)

[steepleans]

this Friday friends. Msg for address or #askapunk (at Allston, Massachusetts)

[sorrystaterecords]

Just a reminder that this show is Monday night! Game from London, England, Woof from New Orleans and two ripping locals! #gameuk #punkgigs #raleighpunks #trumptower #askapunk https://ift.tt/2YGAJCf

[mirroruniversetapes]

DEATH VACATION THIS FRIDAY IN BROOKLYN. #askapunk #Repost @caseyvegansavage (@get_repost) ・・・ STOKED!! Friday at the Swamp!!! #deathvacation #junta #malcriados #hardcorepunk #hardcore #dbeat http://ift.tt/2qcoUm1

[theottawasoundblogofficial-blog]

CASTLEFIELD

MUSIC REVIEW: CASTLEFIELD’S THE MASCOT E.P.

Castlefield is an up and coming Ottawa based Indie-emo band. Their debut E.P. is called The Mascot E.P. I had the chance to listen to the E.P. and write a review; here are my thoughts.

The E.P. is only 3 songs long yet it packs a big punch. The first song on the E.P is called Broken High School Mascot.  While listening to this song I could feel the emotion that was put into the lyrics. From what I could hear the song tells the story of a young love that fell apart. The lyrics were well written and the instrumentation really meshed with them.  The vocal style really reminded me of the older Blink-182 music.

The second song on the album is called Lifted. It tells the story of accepting that your relationship is over and how hard the process can be. With very meaningful lyrics and driving instrumentation this song will help anyone get through a rough break up. Once again the vocals and instruments mesh beautifully.

The 3rd and final song is called Good Job Rover. From what I gathered during my listening it continues from the themes of the earlier songs and talks about love and loss and describes a summer love that falls apart during the winter and accepting that it is over. As with the other songs in the E.P. the song has beautifully written lyrics with driving instruments.

Overall this is a very well crafted E.P. which will help anyone who is going through a tough break up start to heal. I would definitely recommend this to anybody who likes Blink-182’s older work and is looking to find a new artist or anyone who wants to help support the local music scene here in Ottawa.

RATINGS:

·         Broken High School Mascot

o   8.5/10

·         Lifted

o   8/10

·         Good Job Rover

o   8/10

·         Overall

o   24.5/30

o   Would recommend

CASTLEFIELD INTERVIEW:

To celebrate the release of their E.P. The Ottawa Sound caught up with the band before their set at The House of Targ in Ottawa. This group of young musicians are down to earth and funny. You can tell that they function well as a team and have great chemistry not only through watching them play but also through just chatting with them.

QUESTION TIME:

1.       How did you come up with your band name?

a.       Our old drummer, named Ryan, lives on a street called Castlefield and we decided to use that as a name. About two weeks after we came up with the name, Ryan and the band had a falling out and Matt, our new drummer funnily enough actually lives on the corner of that street so we kept the name.

2.       How did you form as a band?

a.       Ryan, “As you know with the music scene in Ottawa it’s pretty small and runs in circles, so Dex and I had some mutual friends and met up that way, and when I was like 8 I sent Matt a friend request on Facebook because he was the only other musician I knew of but he was like ‘who are you?’ and my dreams of playing music with him were crushed (laughs) but then we started talking again when we were like 15 and here we are”

3.       Who are some of your musical influences?

a.       Various influences between us,

b.       Matt “Blink 182”

c.       Ryan, “American Football, Modern Baseball, and I went through a phase with ACDC”s Back In Black”

d.       Connor, “Mine aren’t really relevant to the band but like Black Sabbath and The Sex Pistols.”

e.       Dexter, “I guess mine are like, Tiny Moving Parts and Freethrow and stuff like that.”

4.       How did you come up with the name for your E.P?

a.       Ryan, “We have a song called Broken High School Mascot and that’s where we got the name. We just shortened it to The Mascot E.P.”

5.       What process do you use for writing your music?

a.       A variety really but the best one is, especially if you’re in a band to just jam together and see where it goes and build on it.

6.       Why did you decide to make it a 3 song release?

a.       Money. Honestly, it’s so expensive to record music and since Matt and I are still in High School we just decided 3 would be enough. But in reality we probably spent just as much money Ubering to Orleans from Stittsville as we did on recording (all laugh) Ryan ”But also I find that when I’m just getting into a band I mostly just want a little teaser, unless I completely fall in love with their music in which case I’ll get their entire discography, but mostly when I find a new band 2 or 3 songs is enough to start so I applied that logic to the E.P.” “Mike also gave us a great deal and was really fun and easy to work with, I won’t go into the details of pricing but he was great to us”

7.       How did you find the experience of recording?

a.       All, “Fun! So much fun. Oh man it was great” “Mike Poisson is a super cool guy and worked well with us as a team and was just all around great. Made the process even better for us”

8.       Who was your producer?

a.       Mike Poisson. He’s super good and very intelligent. Really cool guy and will work with any genre too.

9.       Will you do a mini-tour or just local shows?

a.       Dexter, “Mostly local shows and we’ve got a little tour coming, not really a tour though we just did a show Quebec City.” “We’ve got a couple little shows coming 1 in May, 1 in early July and 1 in late July as well”

10.   From the venues you’ve played so far, which is your favourite?

a.       This one! House of Targ. They have perogies and always have a decent turn out. The second favourite is the Nepean #askapunk house, but they don’t have perogies, so Targ wins.

11.   Craziest thing to ever happen at one of your shows?

a.       Ryan,” Aparently at one of our earlier shows this one guy after one of our first songs was just standing off to the right of the stage and crying”

12.   How do you find social media affecting the music industry?

a.       Social media is great for us. We blew up out of nowhere after Shutter Music recorded one of our live songs and we got like 15 000 views in under 48 hours. From there we had people from Montreal telling us they were going to come to this show actually, I don’t know if they made it but the thought counts. Also we get recognized around the city every now and then which really throws us of (all laugh). It’s also how we contact other bands and promoters in order to book shows so as a whole social media has helped us grow as a band and branch out.

13.  Any advice for new Ottawa area artists?

a.       Just be professional. Whenever you’re talking to a promoter or another band, make sure that you are polite and professional. As a promoter (Ryan) I find that sometimes a new band will message me and they’ll just come off as entitled and thinking that they’re the next big thing and that is just not a good way to treat bands and promoters.

SUPPORT CASTLEFIELD ON BANDCAMP!

https://castlefield.bandcamp.com/album/the-mascot-ep

SUPPORT THE OTTAWA SOUND ON PATREON!

https://www.patreon.com/ottawasound