Islands (band)
_band | band_name = Islands
image = | years_active = 2005 – present | origin = Montréal, Québec, Canada | music_genre = Indie rock | record_label = Equator Records
Rough Trade Records | current_members = Nick Diamonds
Patrice Agbokou
Alex Chow
Sebastian Chow
Patrick Gregoire
Kate Perkins
Aaron Harris}}
Islands is a band formed in Canada in early 2005, by Nick Diamonds (Nicholas Thorburn) and J'aime Tambeur (Jamie Thompson), although the latter has since left the band. The Islands lineup is consistently in flux, changing to meet the needs of the recording and live environment. The current lineup includes Diamonds on guitar, keyboard, and vocals, Patrice Agbokou on bass, Patrick Gregoire on bass clarinet, guitar, banjo, and keyboard, Alex Chow on violin, keyboard, shaker, and various wind instruments, Sebastian Chow on violin, keyboard, shaker, and various other instruments, Kate Perkins on violin, backup vocals, and shaker, and Aaron Harris on drums and percussion. Former touring members included guitarist and backing vocalist Jim Guthrie, J'aime, and lap-steel guitarist Michael Feuerstack.
Although the two founding members of Islands (Nick and Jamie) were members of The Unicorns, whose album Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? made Pitchfork Media's top 50 albums of 2003 list, Islands is a completely new and independent project. This, in contrast to Th' Corn Gangg, which began as a direct off-shoot project of The Unicorns several months prior to their December 2004 break-up. Th' Corn Gangg was involved with several projects with Subtitle and Busdriver, releasing two mp3s, playing several shows, and remixing songs such as the North American Hallowe'en Prevention Initiative's single, "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?", but never recorded an album.
One of Islands' first live performances was opening for Beck at the 2005 Pop Montreal music festival. In late October of 2005 Islands went on a short tour with Beck on the west coast of the USA.
The band are currently touring Europe until mid August. The plans of the band after that are currently unknown, although two California tour dates have been confirmed in early November.In mid-2005 Islands recorded a debut album titled Return to the Sea, which was released in April of 2006. The album was recorded in Montreal, Canada, at Breakglass Studio and in Jamie's bedroom, and was produced by audio engineer/record producer Mark Lawson.
Return to the Sea was re-mastered in England for the European version of the album, and was released there by Rough Trade Records on April 3, 2006. In North America, the album was released on the upstart label Equator Records on April 4, 2006. | Islands mixing debut album "Return to the Sea" in Jamie's bedroom. Left to Right: Sarah Neufeld (violin, Arcade Fire), Nick Diamonds (Islands), Mark Lawson (audio engineer), Richard Parry (upright bass, Arcade Fire), Jamie Thompson (Islands), Becky Foon (cello, A Silver Mt. Zion and Esmerine). |
The album features numerous guest appearances, including members of The Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade. Two songs, "Flesh" and "Abominable Snow", were released to the public through The Simple Mission in June of 2005, though neither appeared on the debut album. Note that "Abominable Snow", written by Nick Diamonds, is a remake, as it was originally played live by The Unicorns on numerous occasions, then called "Abominable Snowman".
Return to the Sea has been described by Nick as having "some dancehall influences, some calypso... It's more diverse and sprawling and ambitious" [1], and is "A bit more mature than The Unicorns... More of a Neil Young / Brian Wilson vibe running through it." [2]
The band played various shows around the US and Canada throughout mid-late 2005, followed by an opening slot for Metric on their early 2006 tour. After Return to the Sea was released in April 2006, the band embarked on their first full headlining tour, playing small clubs around the US and Canada throughout May. They were joined by Cadence Weapon and Why? on the first half of the tour, and Cadence Weapon and Busdriver on the second. The band generally recieved critical acclaim for their live shows, which sometimes ended with the band leading the audience out of the venue "pied-piper style" and onto the surrounding streets.On May 28th, 2006, it was announced that Thompson would be leaving the band. He stated, "I'm just not sure that being in a successful band is all that important to me anymore. I'm not leaving because of any problems with people in the band. It's very hard to do this, Nick and I have been creating together for quite a long time now... our relationship, both creative and personal is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life." Of Islands' future he said, "I think Islands is one of the best, if not the best band out there these days, and I have every confidence that they will do incredibly well." This quote was displayed on the band's website for only a short time, and was mysteriously taken down. Islands decided to continue on without Thompson, and a European tour was scheduled, and further recordings confirmed.
Diamonds commented upon Thompson's departure, saying "Jamie has left Islands, but the band waltzes on! We wish Jamie the best in his new life. Islands are forever."[3]
The band stayed reletavely quiet in early and mid June following Jamie's departure from the band. However, in late June, with the European tour just weeks away, the band made two surprise appearances in Montreal, performing with a strikingly new lineup featuring new drummer Aaron Harris and new vocalist/violinist/percussionist Kate Perkins. Former touring guitarist Jim Guthrie was also noticably absent from the band's roster.
The band departed for Europe the following week, where they are currently touring.Although the band has made no definitive announcement on their future plans, two shows at the Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA and the Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, CA have been announced by the venues for November 9th and 10th 2006, respectively.
In a recent Pitchfork Interview, Diamonds talked about future recording. "Yeah, we're thinking January or February. I've got high hopes for a producer...This guy Jeff Lynne. He was in ELO and the Traveling Wilburys. He also did a George Harrison song that's one of my favorites, "Got My Mind Set on You". It's got the most amazing production. He gets such great sounds and vocals. Just the sound of the guitar and the drums is a perfect pop sound. I really want this record to be a good, good pop record."AlbumsImage:IslandsReturnToTheSea.jpg|Return to the Sea
April 4, 2006
Equator Records
SinglesCollaborations*Qué Onda Guero (Beck Remix on Guerolito)
*Do They Know It's Hallowe'en? (North American Hallowe'en Prevention Initiative)Unreleased Songs (Played Live)"I Feel Evil (Creepin' In)"
"Come In To My Room" (formerly known as "I Wanna Love That Little Child")
"I'm Not Crazy"
"We Love Giving In"
"Be Someone Else"
"Dogs"
"Life In Jail"
"Tender Torture"
"Quittez"
"Pieces Of You"
"Cyanide Breath Mint" (Beck Cover)
"Hurry Up, Run" (Th' Corn Gangg Cover)
"Graceland" (Paul Simon cover)*Islands Are Forever Official Website
*Pitchfork Media news article
*Secret Unicorns Forum Post break-up information of all The Unicorns related projects
*Album review
*49music, fansite
*Interview from HateSomethingBeautiful
*Live Photos From Berlin, August 2006
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