Well, I think you should know some of my (current) hometown indie-folksters. The Cape May from Calgary create the type of music that might need visuals to truly get the full experience. The music seems to have a life of it’s own, it is a member of the band and possibly the guys themselves are simply there as the music says so. I find the aura created by The Cape May to be something that engulfs me – great headphone music if I had to say.
Some Backstory:
The Cape May principal songwriter Clinton St John grew up in a town of 300 in Alberta and moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland in 2000. After a period of isolated song and fiction writing, Clinton moved to Calgary with a collection of songs and a clear musical direction. A band was formed with long-time friend Jeff MacLeod, and in 2005 they released their debut LP, “Central City May Rise Again”. In support of the album the band saw plenty of time on the road, playing across Canada.
The Cape May
“Thing (Summer in 6/4 Time)” (mp3)
“Hunting Grounds” (mp3)
from “Central City May Rise Again”
(Flemish Eye Records)
Some More Backstory:
For the follow-up, the band enlisted acclaimed engineer Steve Albini (Nirvana, Smog, Low, The Pixies), and recorded in Calgary and Chicago over several months. Layered with strings, keys, Theremin and accordion, the album breathes with Albini’s trademark earthy approach, from Clinton’s distinctive and sometimes otherworldly voice to the dark, sweeping arrangements that comprise “Glass Mountain Roads”. Haunting and surreal, St. John’s lyrics give a cinematic quality to the songs, finding Orwellian landscapes and dream-like scenes delivered with starkness and honesty.
The Cape May
“Spring Fight To the Land of Fire” (mp3)
“Catch Your Words” (mp3)
“Desert House” (mp3)
from “Glass Mountain Roads”
The Cape May capture the singer songwriter mentality and mesh it with what could be almost orchestral elements. It is quite unique and very enjoyable, even if I am a bit biased as they are my Calgarian brethren. They are signed to Flemish Eye Records, that enjoys other essential Calgary talent in Chad VanGaalen and Women.
Visit The Cape May on Flemish Eye and at on MySpace.
~Smansmith
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