Hylozoists (band)
Encyclopedia
The Hylozoists are a Canadian instrumental rock
supergroup
formed in 2001 in Halifax, Nova Scotia
, Canada
. The band's name is derived from hylozoism
and was started as a side project of record producer
and multi-instrumentalist
Paul Aucoin.
In 2004 Aucoin moved to Toronto where he revived The Hylozoists. This conception of The Hylozoists would consist of musicians from other bands such as The Weakerthans, FemBots, and Cuff the Duke. It was here that Aucoin started fresh and captured the collective sound of his new collaborators, he shed the idea of a “solo project” and created a full-blown supergroup.
The group's third album, L'île de Sept Villes
, received a Juno Award
nomination in 2010 for Instrumental Album of the Year
.
What is interesting about this band is not only its make up, instrumentation wise, but also its origins and albums. Technically this band originated in Halifax and then moved to Toronto during its second inception. Their first album, done in Halifax, was titled "La Nouvelle Gauche". Their second album, done in Toronto, was titled "La Fin Du Monde". Over the 20 odd tracks of the two albums only one is titled in French ("La fin du monde"). It is not clear why the band (which has no apparent French roots, beyond Aucoin) would title their albums in French.
Instrumental rock
Instrumental rock is a type of rock music which emphasizes musical instruments, and which features very little or no singing.Examples of instrumental rock can be found in practically every subgenre of rock, often from musicians who specialize in the style, most notably Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Link...
supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
formed in 2001 in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, 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 derived from hylozoism
Hylozoism
Hylozoism is the philosophical point of view that all matter is in some sense alive. This may include the view that "inanimate" matter has latent powers of abiogenesis, a widely held position in the scientific community...
and was started as a side project of record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
Paul Aucoin.
History
The Hylozoists is an instrumental band conceived by producer Paul Aucoin in 2001. Aucoin wrote and recorded their first album La Nouvelle Gauche (using a line-up of musicians mainly from Halifax) in his studio in Nova Scotia. Sadly, The Hylozoists were moved to the back burner as Aucoin had to return to his responsibilities for the band The Sadies.In 2004 Aucoin moved to Toronto where he revived The Hylozoists. This conception of The Hylozoists would consist of musicians from other bands such as The Weakerthans, FemBots, and Cuff the Duke. It was here that Aucoin started fresh and captured the collective sound of his new collaborators, he shed the idea of a “solo project” and created a full-blown supergroup.
The group's third album, L'île de Sept Villes
L'Île de Sept Villes (album)
L'Île de Sept Villes is the third album by the Toronto-based instrumental band Hylozoists. It is nominated for a Juno Award in 2010 for Instrumental Album of the Year.-Track listing:#"The Possibility of an Island"#"Bras d'Or Lakes"...
, received a Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
nomination in 2010 for Instrumental Album of the Year
Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year
The Juno Award for "Instrumental Album of the Year" has been awarded since 1976, as recognition each year for the best instrumental album in Canada. The award was originally called the "Instrumental Artist of the Year"....
.
Music
Their MySpace page describes their music as Indie/Classical/Emotronic. This is a pretty accurate description of their music, especially considering their instrumentation. A majority of their instruments (vibes, glockenspiel, organ, violin, viola) are primarily used in classical music, and in some instances jazz. These instruments interact in conjunction with the other “non-classical" instruments (drums, pedal steel, guitar, bass). What makes their sound unique is the application of the instruments, not necessarily the instrumentation itself. While using vibes and a glock is unique for an indie band, what makes it interesting is that some of their songs sound like something out of a feature film. Aucoin had a musical education (i.e. he had either conservatory tutoring or maybe even post-secondary, classical training) and he uses it in an effective way, not just in writing but also in orchestrating. In their song "Warning Against Judging", the opening minute is played on glock, organ and a little bit of a guitar - if you were to replace it with strings it would be something from an orchestral movie score. After the first minute of the song drums and bass come in, as well as violin and trumpet. It still keeps the feeling of a movie score, something that has been thought out by someone knowledgeable in orchestration.What is interesting about this band is not only its make up, instrumentation wise, but also its origins and albums. Technically this band originated in Halifax and then moved to Toronto during its second inception. Their first album, done in Halifax, was titled "La Nouvelle Gauche". Their second album, done in Toronto, was titled "La Fin Du Monde". Over the 20 odd tracks of the two albums only one is titled in French ("La fin du monde"). It is not clear why the band (which has no apparent French roots, beyond Aucoin) would title their albums in French.
Personnel
- Paul Aucoin (vibraphone, glockenspiel, drums) — founder, also from The SadiesThe SadiesThe Sadies are a Canadian indie rock and alternative country band from Toronto, Ontario.-Background:The band consists of Dallas Good , Travis Good, Sean Dean and Mike Belitsky...
, Cuff the DukeCuff the DukeCuff the Duke is a Canadian band from Oshawa, Ontario. They play a blend of traditional country and folk music with indie rock influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country group.-History:...
, Hopeful Monster - Randy Lee (violin)
- Paul Lowman (bass) — from Cuff the DukeCuff the DukeCuff the Duke is a Canadian band from Oshawa, Ontario. They play a blend of traditional country and folk music with indie rock influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country group.-History:...
- Greg Millson (drums) — from Gentleman RegGentleman RegReg Vermue is a Canadian indie rock singer from Guelph, Ontario. Born in Trenton, Ontario, he records as Gentleman Reg. His musical style has been compared to Elliott Smith, Aimee Mann, The Smiths and Cat Power...
& Great Lake SwimmersGreat Lake SwimmersGreat Lake Swimmers is a Canadian band built around the melodic folk rock songs of singer-songwriter Tony Dekker. Originally from Wainfleet, Ontario, the band is currently based in Toronto.... - Christopher Sandes (piano, organ) — from Cuff the DukeCuff the DukeCuff the Duke is a Canadian band from Oshawa, Ontario. They play a blend of traditional country and folk music with indie rock influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country group.-History:...
- François Turenne (guitar)
- Eric Woolston (vibraphone, glockenspeil, drums)
Regular touring members
- Patrick Conan (vibraphone, glockenspiel, drums) — from Tricky Woo, Cuff the DukeCuff the DukeCuff the Duke is a Canadian band from Oshawa, Ontario. They play a blend of traditional country and folk music with indie rock influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country group.-History:...
- Matthew Faris (drums) — from Cuff the DukeCuff the DukeCuff the Duke is a Canadian band from Oshawa, Ontario. They play a blend of traditional country and folk music with indie rock influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country group.-History:...
Past (and part-time touring) members
- Bryden Baird (horns)
- Jason Ball (organ, vocals) — from Hopeful Monster
- Dave Christensen (woodwinds) — from the Heavy Blinkers, Hopeful Monster
- Peter Conrad (cello)
- Jonina Gibson (viola)
- Rob Gordon (drums)
- Monica Guenter (viola) — from Christine FellowsChristine FellowsChristine Fellows is a Canadian folk-pop singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba.-History:Born in Windsor, Ontario and raised in France and Kelowna, British Columbia, Fellows lived in Toronto, Vancouver, Guelph and Montreal before settling in Winnipeg in 1992.In 1993, she formed her first group,...
' band - Taylor Knox (drums)
- Nathan LawrNathan LawrNathan Lawr is a Canadian singer-songwriter, currently fronting the band Minotaurs.The original drummer for Royal City, Lawr left the band in 2002 to pursue a solo career...
(drums) — from Sea SnakesSea SnakesSea Snakes were a Canadian indie rock band, formed in 2002 and disbanded in 2005. The band consisted of vocalist and guitarist Jimmy McIntyre, guitarist Kristian Galberg, bassist and saxophonist Jeremy Strachan, keyboardist Shaw-Han Liem and drummer Nathan Lawr.Strachan played in the defunct band... - Dave MacKinnon (vocals) — from FemBotsFemBotsFemBots are a Canadian indie rock band, originating from Toronto, Ontario. Originating members Dave MacKinnon and Brian Poirier also travel with The Weakerthans on tour...
, HummerHummer (band)Hummer was a short-lived Canadian indie rock band, including The Lowest of the Low frontman Ron Hawkins on bass. The band released one album, Electrically Operated Product, in 1997.... - Ruth MinnikinRuth MinnikinRuth Minnikin is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was formerly a member of Booming Airplanes, The Heavy Blinkers, The Guthries and Reels, and now performs as Ruth Minnikin and her Bandwagon....
(vocals) — from the Heavy Blinkers, The GuthriesThe GuthriesThe Guthries were a Canadian country rock band, active in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Originally formed by Ruth Minnikin and Dale Murray, the band included their respective siblings Gabe Minnikin and Brian Murray, as well as high school friends Serge Samson and Matt Mays... - Damian Monyhan (drums) — from Hopeful Monster
- Dale MurrayDale Murray (musician)Dale Murray is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician. He is a guitarist and vocalist for the indie rock band Cuff the Duke, and releases solo material under his own name.-Biography:...
(pedal steel, guitar) — from The GuthriesThe GuthriesThe Guthries were a Canadian country rock band, active in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Originally formed by Ruth Minnikin and Dale Murray, the band included their respective siblings Gabe Minnikin and Brian Murray, as well as high school friends Serge Samson and Matt Mays...
, Hopeful Monster - Michael Olsen (cello)
- Owen PallettOwen PallettMichael James Owen Pallett is a Canadian composer, violinist, keyboardist, and vocalist from Toronto, Ontario. He won the 2006 Polaris Music Prize for the album He Poos Clouds....
(violin) — aka "Final Fantasy" - Lukas Pearse (double bass)
- Julie PennerJulie PennerJulie Penner is a Canadian violinist who has played with The FemBots, Broken Social Scene, Do Make Say Think, Hylozoists, The Lowest of the Low and The Weakerthans. She currently works as the music producer for Stuart McLean's The Vinyl Cafe on CBC Radio.-History:Penner began classical violin...
(violin) — from Broken Social SceneBroken Social SceneBroken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Most of its members currently play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly based around the city of Toronto...
, Do Make Say ThinkDo Make Say ThinkDo Make Say Think is a Canadian instrumental post-rock band from Toronto, Ontario. Their music combines jazz style drums, distorted guitars and wind instruments, as well as a prominent use of the bass guitar.-Biography:... - Wayne PettiWayne PettiWayne Petti is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He is a vocalist and guitarist for the indie rock band Cuff the Duke, and releases solo material under his own name.-Biography:...
(piano, vocals) — from Cuff the DukeCuff the DukeCuff the Duke is a Canadian band from Oshawa, Ontario. They play a blend of traditional country and folk music with indie rock influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country group.-History:... - Brian Poirier ("weird") — from FemBotsFemBotsFemBots are a Canadian indie rock band, originating from Toronto, Ontario. Originating members Dave MacKinnon and Brian Poirier also travel with The Weakerthans on tour...
, HummerHummer (band)Hummer was a short-lived Canadian indie rock band, including The Lowest of the Low frontman Ron Hawkins on bass. The band released one album, Electrically Operated Product, in 1997.... - Jeremy Strachan (guitar) — from Rockets Red GlareRockets Red GlareRockets Red Glare was a band from Toronto, Canada.Rockets Red Glare formed in the winter of 1999 following the demise of hardcore band Blake and instrumental trio Blue Light Blockade. Based in Canada this three piece band toured Canada extensively and also played in North America, gaining critical...
, Sea SnakesSea SnakesSea Snakes were a Canadian indie rock band, formed in 2002 and disbanded in 2005. The band consisted of vocalist and guitarist Jimmy McIntyre, guitarist Kristian Galberg, bassist and saxophonist Jeremy Strachan, keyboardist Shaw-Han Liem and drummer Nathan Lawr.Strachan played in the defunct band...
, Hopeful Monster - Jason TaitJason TaitJason Tait is a Canadian musician. He is the drummer for the Canadian indie rock band The Weakerthans, and has also been a contributing member of Broken Social Scene and The FemBots. He also played drums for the Painted Thin album Small Acts of Love and Rebellion, released in 1995...
(vibraphone, glockenspiel) — from The WeakerthansThe WeakerthansThe Weakerthans are a four-piece Canadian indie rock band.-History:The band was formed in 1997 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by John K. Samson, after he left the punk band Propagandhi to start a publishing company. Samson joined forces with bassist John P...
, FemBotsFemBotsFemBots are a Canadian indie rock band, originating from Toronto, Ontario. Originating members Dave MacKinnon and Brian Poirier also travel with The Weakerthans on tour...
, Broken Social SceneBroken Social SceneBroken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Most of its members currently play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly based around the city of Toronto...
, Christine FellowsChristine FellowsChristine Fellows is a Canadian folk-pop singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba.-History:Born in Windsor, Ontario and raised in France and Kelowna, British Columbia, Fellows lived in Toronto, Vancouver, Guelph and Montreal before settling in Winnipeg in 1992.In 1993, she formed her first group,...
' band - Leanne Zacharias (cello) — from Christine FellowsChristine FellowsChristine Fellows is a Canadian folk-pop singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba.-History:Born in Windsor, Ontario and raised in France and Kelowna, British Columbia, Fellows lived in Toronto, Vancouver, Guelph and Montreal before settling in Winnipeg in 1992.In 1993, she formed her first group,...
' band
Discography
- La Nouvelle Gauche (2002)
- La Fin du Monde (2006)
- L'île de Sept VillesL'Île de Sept Villes (album)L'Île de Sept Villes is the third album by the Toronto-based instrumental band Hylozoists. It is nominated for a Juno Award in 2010 for Instrumental Album of the Year.-Track listing:#"The Possibility of an Island"#"Bras d'Or Lakes"...
(2009)
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
External links
- thehylozoists.com — Official website
- CanuckistanMusic review of La Nouvelle Gauche
- CanuckistanMusic review of La Fin du Monde
- CanuckistanMusic review of L'Ile de Sept Villes