fam-i-ly hang-ov-er: (noun; album; concept) ~to spend time with family, and regardless of intoxicant consumption a day’s break to recover is required. ~to create a unified sound which conveys the joy of being hungover together. ~the idea that goo goo is only goo joub when shared.
To me, the most Beatles thing about Walrus is how their music reflects the love and care each Justin, Keith, and Murphy of the brotherhood that is a foundation for the sonic joy they create together. It shines through on stage, and especially drives the beautiful Instagram story they have broadcast expertly especially since the European tour around release day in June.
Family Hangover hits the mark on nuanced soundscapes obviously inspired by Tame Impala (to the point where I thought a Halifax diner was playing the new single, but it was actually an Impala album). In the recent press an incredible range of comparisons have been made to the range of legends from the Beatles to more recent heros – The Shins. Being welcomed under The Beatles’ lyrics are what has moulded the contours of sound into the catchy melodies coming from your white vinyl (or bandcamp purchase). It’s a rebirth, or a third eye gaze, of that initial world view that helped our globalized world see the peace of it all too.
Which is why this summer was a great one – having the opportunity to share my favourite music with a set of ears that wouldn’t otherwise have heard it, my niece quickly appreciated the call to action of Robots needing to be loved. It piqued her interest for the freshly released Glam. We both really enjoy the baseline’s slow timekeeping groove. The music videos might not be ideal for a younger audience but baby’s first psychadelia-inspired music video has to happen sometime, right. (I swear I’m a good aunt!) She totally digs it, and i’m glad for the Canadian music support for the sound these Nova Scotia dudes are building – it is something completely worth listening to, according to Nova Scotia Music Week Awards 2017! In the furskin coats, they accepted such an award with beaming smiles. true sign of earning it.
I moved to Nova Scotia around the time Walrus was signed to Madic Records, and living in and around Halifax allowed me to experience a few live performances of these songs before they were on an album; from Seahorse in June 2016, Gridlock in July 2016, to Cold Smoke in January 2017 – hearing these new sounds emerge was motivation enough to organize a show of my own while studying outside of the typical Halifax venue circuit. March 2017 was a geo-Madic preview of the album.
When your chosen name identity is Jude, after the Beatles, and your current project is to work with the ‘Walrusi’, also relative to the Beatles, it’s tough not to throw a few Hey Jude jokes in the email banter. But booking a Madic show was as easy as fighting for good music should be. A couple moments of cutting your teeth against moments of small town venue issues, and back and forth communication to keep everyone in the same key. Last minute favours and a series of synchronicities got us to the chilly Saturday night with free darts and pool and students temporarily relieved from assignments. It wasn’t perfect but it was worth it. And just the beginning of the project that has since become Side Door.
It’s no secret to most that I have been all ears to the music of Dan Mangan throughout the majority of his career – since CBC Polaris days, and I’ve been captured by his poetry and cautious opinions ever since. So when he cautiously began redefining his involvement in music with a boutique label (Madic Records) I was all ears… and in for the ride. That ride so far has offered some unique opportunities, including collaborating to host a show with little more than intuition and experience as a lifelong audience member.
However, coordinating with the team including management + these hardworking guitar wizards was a simple treat. Over brunch at the Seaport Market in February, Justin Murphy (JMurph, Justin, and Murphy are all nicknames that don’t specify which of the 5 I mean. no wonder they all have nicknames like BlaaaaaAde) chatted about the upcoming Euro tour, early news about the album recording, and general Madic banter. I made sure they knew which Lawrencetown the show was at (there’s some confusing irony about the location of a map college). All, while wearing one of Justin’s shirts that had been passed on through a clothing swap earlier that year. It would be easy to claim ‘Walrus stalker’, but because this is just how Halifax works, this has been the way I have come to appreciate this album from a few angles – and why I am behind it 100%.
These lads whip up some funky tunes on November 24, 2017 at the Marquee Ballroom alongside Like A Motorcycle, WHOOP-Szo, No Problem, and DJCS, following a fall tour with carinae through the wild great beyond* (*a time zone or two).
hey #hfxmusic check out review of @walrustheband recent LP, feat. @ @marqueeballroom soon! fam-i-ly hang-ov-er: (noun; album; concept) ~to spend time with family, and regardless of intoxicant consumption a day's break to recover is required.