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Changing settings: Of Montreal's move to another city inspired new music
Kevin Barnes is the mastermind behind the alternative rock outfit, of Montreal, which makes a stop at Sister on Sunday, June 23.
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Stepping out on tour to promote an album is something Kevin Barnes looks forward to each time they hit the road.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always fun,鈥� said Barnes, who is the brainchild behind the alternative rock outfit, of Montreal. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always good to change the pace of my normal life and get to see my best friends and tour around with them.鈥�
Of Montreal makes a stop at Sister with Tele Novella and Train Conductor at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 23.
Its recently released 鈥淟ady on the Cusp鈥� was created prior to Barnes鈥� relocation to southern Vermont from Athens, Georgia.
The song, 鈥淩ude Girl on Rotation,鈥� was inspired by the move. The folk-infused song expresses a feeling of oppression caused by living in a neo-Puritanical culture, while mentally escaping through thoughts of lush forests in Vermont and the hope of finding socio-political possibilities by relocating there.
鈥淭hat one was kind of different from the record in that it鈥檚 only like three instruments or something and some overdubbing,鈥� Barnes said.
He said the result created a sense of many layers to the song鈥檚 overall sound. The song also exudes sounds from the 1960s, which is one of Barnes鈥� favorite time periods for music that he pulls inspiration from.
鈥淚 used an open tuning on guitar that Nick Drake used a lot on his jammers,鈥� Barnes said in a statement. 鈥淭he bass line chugs along in a late 鈥�60鈥檚 West Coast rocker style, influenced by Canned Heat鈥檚 鈥楶oor Moon.鈥� I wanted the song to sound loose and under-produced. It took the least amount of time to record of all the songs on the album.鈥�
Barnes said there was no agenda or vision going into writing 鈥淟ady on the Cusp.鈥� The album unfolded musically and lyrically through experimentation while Barnes and partner and musician Christina Schneider prepared to relocate to Vermont.
The 10 song album also features the song 鈥淵ung Hearts Bleed Free,鈥� an upbeat, synth forward, art rock song with a playful spirit. Its video, which can be found on YouTube, is directed and animated by Madeline Babuka Black and was inspired by Larry Jordan鈥檚 experimental animations, including his 1968 film 鈥淥ur Lady of the Sphere.鈥�
Barnes takes on the brunt of the production duties when putting together an album. 鈥淟ady on the Cusp鈥� is of Montreal鈥檚 19th full-length album.
鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of a tedious process but it鈥檚 like a labor of love,鈥� Barnes said. 鈥淏ut I guess it doesn鈥檛 really feel tedious because I enjoy it and I like the production (part) and I spend a lot of time methodically ... I get so immersed in it, so engaged, that often I鈥檝e just spent so many hours working on it that day that I have to say, 鈥極kay, I鈥檓 done.鈥� 鈥�
Barnes looks forward to showcasing the new music to sa国际传媒官网网页入口 fans. Attendees can expect another entertaining stage show with the theatrics of Montreal is known for.
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited,鈥� Barnes said of playing at Sister. 鈥淲e always have a great time in sa国际传媒官网网页入口.鈥�
