Since starting as a duo in early 2016, the band have evolved into a full four piece band that plays gritty indie rock songs laced with Capital City strut and Midwest mosey with vulnerable lyrics, jagged guitars and syrupy melodies evoking elements of folk rock, 90s alternative and turn of the millennium emo. The EP was recorded, mixed and mastered at Shoehorn Audio by Cameron Steacy of Organ Eyes who has also worked on albums by other locals including The Yips, Bonnie Doon and Fire Antlers.
Since the release of EP Potential Space in June, their EP has charted highly on CKCU and has been highlighted on both CHUO and CKDJ and our lead single Bike was filmed for Session 8 of Shot In The Dark. The EP has also been the subject matter for various music blogs in both Ottawa and Montreal as well as overseas. The band have even had a fan in South America create a Spanish lyric video which has had over five thousand views on YouTube. Now the band are set to record their second EP next week as caught up with them for an interview. Check out Bike below!
We managed to catch up with the lads as they talk about their latest EP and more!
How has the release of your EP Potential Space gone down so far?
ADAM: It has been better than expected along with it’s fair share of challenges. It wasn’t ideal to wait two months after the release to play live while making some lineup changes to the band. Since its release, We’ve had some great support for the EP on some local college radio stations as well as some blogs, both local and international have had some positive reviews. Most importantly, the songs have been well received by our friends and other local musicians, which is very exciting.
MATT: A live video performance by a local production company called Shot in the Dark shot us performing our song Bike in June got us some good exposure. With time between the release and our shows in August, it gave us time to work on behind the scenes details to help promote the band. It has also allowed us the chance to rehearse and start writing some new songs with our new bandmates: Gerardo (bassist) and Jamie (drummer).
What is your favourite track from the release?
MATT: For me it’s Again since I was itching for a punk-driven song with some driving guitar lines. I love the breakdown of the song and playing it live really brings home the raw and energetic quality.
ADAM: I think on this recording, I am the most pleased overall with What I Deserve. It was the first song written for the band when Matt and I played as a duo. We hadn’t played it live since we started as a duo and at the last minute Matt and I decided to arrange it for the EP. Adding drums to the track totally changed the vibe of the song. I feel that it turned out really well. I really love the song lyrically. It’s hopeful and I think it sums up our sound well: catchy melodies, big guitars and honest lyrics.
What inspired you to write this EP?
ADAM: These songs were inspired by a raw and emotional period in my life after a breakup. It was a total shock to my environment and I was going through changes on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. With Matt as a friend and musical partner, the creative process allowed me to deal with the feelings of insecurity in a safe environment.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
ADAM: Easily it would have to be Billy Corgan. By far he is my favourite song writer of all time. His catalogue speaks for itself. I feel that he speaks to the human condition, or at least my condition. Songs I connected with 20 years ago still resonate with me today.
If scheduling was an issue, I’d love to work with John McCauley of Deer Tick. I enjoy his range from acoustic country ballads to all out rockers. And musically I think both of these writers are top notch. To work with either of them would be a real dream come true.
Matt: Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead. He excels in such a badass way in incorporating guitar with the ever changing technological advances that many non-rock bands use. He constantly pushes himself in his artform and it’s an even greater testament to his craft that he has his hand in orchestral, electronic, and live instrumentation. He makes it seamless and it constantly inspires me.
Can you tell us anything about your upcoming second EP?
ADAM: The sound is more full and we are playing around with different song structures. Now that we have a full band with Jamie and Gerardo, there are more elements to consider and that’s also more fun to experiment with. I feel that sonically it’s more diverse as well with the full band. Their influences are a real contribution to the Galapagos’ sound. We are also playing more with layers and textures in these new songs. Lyrically there are themes of maturity and growth that is a direct reflection to where I’m at in my life.
So you guys haven’t been about that long but what has been your favourite moment so far?
ADAM: Playing to a full house with Basement Revolver at one of our favourite local venues (Pressed). The set was sweaty and tight and everyone was up and on their feet grooving to the tunes. It was only our second show with Jamie and Gerardo and it felt so right for so many reasons. Playing live with a great group of friends and to an awesome crowd is always the best feeling.
MATT: That gig finally showed me the awesome potential we have. I’m usually hesitant to get excited about things until I let it soak into me, but after the show I was on fire with excitement and it’s only going to get better and better.
What is the music scene like in Ottawa?
MATT: The music scene is starting to boom the past four years. With the combination of city and provincial fundings as well as new venues and festivals opening up there are more opportunities for artists to present their creative endeavours. We’ve seen a huge spike in bands locally. Personally, I love the music coming out of Gatineau just over the bridge with Fet.Nat. and the collective in E-Tron records. Ottawa-based, I love listening to Shadowhand, Swim Team, and Mushy Gushy.
ADAM: Not only has there been a spike in number of bands, the quality and diversity is really strong as well. I mean any day of the week you can go see a number of solid bills across the city. With Ottawa being a government city, sometimes people are conservative when it comes to spending on the arts. Which I think is a real challenge more so than in bigger more liberal cities like Montreal and Toronto. There is no doubt that the talent here is as good as anywhere else you can go see live music in Canada.
What was your first gig you went to?
ADAM: Sloan and SuperFriendz at the Congress Centre. It was sweaty, lots of moshing, and an intense show from start to finish by two of my all time favourite Canadian bands.
Matt: Back home, the first truly inspiring gig I went to was Interpol’s Antics tour in Chicago. It was an awesome combination of their performance onstage, mixed with a light snowfall after the show, and deep dish pizza. I still remember everything about it.