Human Highway (band)
Encyclopedia
Human Highway is a Canadian
indie rock
band formed in 2008 in Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
. The band's name is a reference to the Neil Young
song "Human Highway" as suggested by founding member Nicholas Thorburn
after attending a Neil Young concert.
, Roy Orbison
and The Kinks
as influences on the band's sound.
The duo's debut album, Moody Motorcycle
, was released on August 19, 2008 on Secret City Records
in Canada and Suicide Squeeze Records
in the United States
. The album was recorded at Guthrie's apartment in just one week.
of the band Islands
. Guthrie is continuing to work on his next solo album, and Thorburn continues as a member of Islands. However, both have suggested that they may work together again as Human Highway.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band formed in 2008 in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The band's name is a reference to the Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
song "Human Highway" as suggested by founding member Nicholas Thorburn
Nicholas Thorburn
Nicholas Thorburn is a Canadian musician who has fronted The Unicorns, Th' Corn Gangg, Islands, Reefer, and Human Highway. He has gone by the stage name "Nick Diamonds."...
after attending a Neil Young concert.
History
The band started while Jim Guthrie was on tour with Islands, and Thorburn asked him for help with a song called "My Beach". Their style is influenced by 1960s and 1970s AM radio pop music — Guthrie has cited The Everly BrothersThe Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers are country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing...
, Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
and The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
as influences on the band's sound.
The duo's debut album, Moody Motorcycle
Moody Motorcycle
Moody Motorcycle is an album by Human Highway. It was mastered by Fedge. The album's photography was done by Jaime Hogge. It was released on CD as well as root-beer brown Vinyl.-Track listing:...
, was released on August 19, 2008 on Secret City Records
Secret City Records
Secret City Records is a Canadian independent record label based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The music label was founded in 2006 by Andrew Rose and Justin West, originally as sublabel of Justin Time Records. It became fully independent in late 2008....
in Canada and Suicide Squeeze Records
Suicide Squeeze Records
Suicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, WA - based independent record label that presses a significant number of 7" vinyl singles in addition to the more prevalent compact discs. The label was started in August 1996 with the release of a 7" single from 764-Hero. The label quickly grew from owner...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The album was recorded at Guthrie's apartment in just one week.
Members
Human Highway consists of singer-songwriter Jim Guthrie and Nicholas ThorburnNicholas Thorburn
Nicholas Thorburn is a Canadian musician who has fronted The Unicorns, Th' Corn Gangg, Islands, Reefer, and Human Highway. He has gone by the stage name "Nick Diamonds."...
of the band Islands
Islands (band)
Islands is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2005 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and currently based in Brooklyn, New York.-Return to the Sea:In mid-2005 Islands recorded a debut album titled Return to the Sea, which was released in April 2006...
. Guthrie is continuing to work on his next solo album, and Thorburn continues as a member of Islands. However, both have suggested that they may work together again as Human Highway.
Current
- Evan GordonIslands (band)Islands is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2005 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and currently based in Brooklyn, New York.-Return to the Sea:In mid-2005 Islands recorded a debut album titled Return to the Sea, which was released in April 2006...
(2008- ) - Geordie GordonIslands (band)Islands is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2005 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and currently based in Brooklyn, New York.-Return to the Sea:In mid-2005 Islands recorded a debut album titled Return to the Sea, which was released in April 2006...
(2008- ) - Jim Guthrie (2008- )
- Aaron HarrisIslands (band)Islands is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2005 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and currently based in Brooklyn, New York.-Return to the Sea:In mid-2005 Islands recorded a debut album titled Return to the Sea, which was released in April 2006...
(2008- ) - Nicholas ThorburnNicholas ThorburnNicholas Thorburn is a Canadian musician who has fronted The Unicorns, Th' Corn Gangg, Islands, Reefer, and Human Highway. He has gone by the stage name "Nick Diamonds."...
(2008- )
See also
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...
- Canadian rockCanadian rockCanadian rock describes a wide and diverse variety of music produced by Canadians, beginning with American style rock 'n' roll in the mid-20th century. Since then Canada has had a considerable impact on the development of the modern popular music called rock...
- List of Canadian musicians
- List of bands from Canada
- :Category:Canadian musical groups