Interview: Canyons

July 8th, 2010

For Australian duo Canyons, the list of musical instruments they use on their EPs is as eclectic as their succession of DJ names (since this interview, they’re now known as DJ Tax and DJ Bill). Having released two EPs, Fire Eyes (on DFA Records) and The Lovemore (on A Hole in the Sky), Leo Thomson and Ryan Grieve, who also go by Leo Holiday and Ryan Sea-mist, are currently in studios finishing up their debut album (set to be released on Modular Records). The guys took some time from the busy schedule to make a mix tape for this issue of The Block, and after a few listens, we sat down to ask Leo a few questions.

The Block: How did you and Ryan meet?

Leo Thomson: We met at high school initially. We became friends after realizing we shared a similar sense of humour and musical taste. Prior to doing music full time we both studied and worked different jobs. We’ve always been involved in music in one-way or another. Ryan played drums in a bunch of bands and we both DJ’d.

TB: Which one of you is DJ Lobster and which is DJ Platinum?

LT: Not sure which of us was either of those names. It’s a joke we have going with a couple of friends; who can come up with the best DJ duo name. There have been some really good ones lately.

TB: How did the name Canyons come about? I noticed you dropped the “The” in the name.

LT: We’re not exactly sure how it came about, it’s just a handsome word really. We did drop the “The;” it’s a bit classier that way.

TB: Apart from drum machines, samples, and analogue effects, what live instruments do you use?

LT: We use synthesizers, guitar, bass, piano, Wurlitzer, percussion, live drums, and anything else that we like the sound of.

TB: Can you name some of the vocalists you’ve used on your tracks? Like the vocals featured on “Dancing on Silk” and “Fire Eyes.”

LT: “Fire Eyes” features a woman called Delilah – she’s from the US originally but has been living out here in Sydney for a while now. A friend of ours called Ai Hibino sings/talks/screams on “Dancing on Silk.” We’re also working with Nite Jewel on a track for our album and a few other people.

TB: Is there anyone you’d like to collaborate with?

LT: Lots of people! Nicholas Cage for one.

TB: Who are you listening to right now?

LT: Pond.

TB: The band did a mix called “HFGW Canyons Drunken Rage Mix.” Have you guys experienced drunken rage mixing lately?

LT: No, we don’t normally drink in the studio; we’re there during the day and that would be kind of weird.

TB: On your MySpace page you have an eclectic mix of photos (a sailboat, a camel, a seal, and a dog). Can you tell us a bit about them – muses?

LT: The boat is a photo taken from a boat party we were playing on in the Sydney harbour. It was a great day/party so that photo reminds us of that. The seal we saw in San Francisco and thought he looked pretty relaxed. The dog we saw on the beach and he/she had a good vibe. The camel is inspirational.

TB: What can we expect from the upcoming album? And when is the expected release date?

LT: You can expect a variety of sounds. It’s quite varied in style but still cohesive as a whole. There are some more upbeat “dancier” numbers and some slow jams and some stuff in between. We don’t have a release date just yet but it’s going to be early next year.

TB: What will be the first single off the new album? And any plans on releasing a music video for it?

LT: The first single is called “My Rescue” and will be out some time in July. It’s being mixed as we speak. And yes, there’s a video also being made at the moment. I don’t want to ruin the surprise – all I’ll say is there is a Viking wielding a mace.

TB: Do you have any tour dates lined up soon?

LT: We’re heading to NY in August for a Modular party, but that’s about it. Our priority at the moment is just to get the album finished, then we’ll start looking at that side of things.

www.myspace.com/thecanyonsinfo
www.aholeinthesky.com

Interview Carmen Lam