Esmerine

Last updated
Esmerine
Esmerine stage photo.jpg
Background information
Origin Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Genres Chamber music, post-rock, indie rock, folk
Years active2003 (2003)–present
Labels Constellation, Madrona, Resonant
MembersBruce Cawdron, Beckie Foon, Brian Sanderson
Past membersSarah Pagé, Andrew Barr
Website esmerine.com

Esmerine is a Canadian modern chamber music group that incorporates genres such as post rock, drone music, post punk, and Turkish folk. Founded in Montreal in 2000 by Bruce Cawdron (drums) and Beckie Foon (cello), current members also include multi-instrumentalist Brian Sanderson. The band has released six albums.

Contents

History

2000-02: Founding

The chamber rock group Esmerine was formed in 2000, and was initially a duo consisting of percussionist Bruce Cawdron and cellist Beckie Foon. The two had recently met in Montreal while both were recording the debut album of Canadian post-rock band Set Fire To Flames. [1] Cawdron and Foon had independently contributed to other Montreal-based groups as well, notably Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, Saltland, Fifths of Seven and Mile-End Ladies' String Auxiliary. However, instead of using the guitar-focused sound of their other projects, the duo initially focused on percussion and cello, drawing on minimalist classical music and chamber music. The band initially performed their original music in gigs around Montreal. [1]

2003-10: Early releases

Esmerine recorded and released their debut album If Only a Sweet Surrender to the Nights to Come Be True in May 2003. It came out on the UK label Resonant Records, as well as the band's newly formed Madrona Records imprint. [2] The album met with a largely positive reception. Allmusic gave it 4/5 stars, stating, "A French female name meaning quiet and sensitive, Esmerine is a fitting moniker for the overall sound," and calling it "a sublime chamber rock album that brings Rachel's or Wim Mertens to mind." While Allmusic described the later tracks as having rock influences, "The three opening tracks are serene, melancholic, and well-composed, avoiding the quiet-loud-quiet or builds-to-crescendo device." [3]

In 2004 the duo recorded their second album at the Hotel2Tango studio in Montreal. They released Aurora in May 2005 on Madrona Records, with a vinyl version released by Ninja Tune. [2] In the mid-2000s Foon dedicated more time to Thee Silver Mt. Zion, while Cawdron continued to work as an acupuncturist. At the same time they continued to occasionally perform in Montreal, often bringing in guest artists or collaborating with other groups. [1]

2011: La Lechuza

Foon and Cawdron began writing new music together in earnest in 2010. [1] For their third album, La Lechuza, two new members joined the group: Sarah Pagé, a harp player, and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Barr (both of The Barr Brothers and the Lhasa de Sela band). [1] Album producer Patrick Watson also contributed vocals on two songs, with other guests including violinist Sarah Neufeld (Arcade Fire) and saxophonist Colin Stetson. Mark Lawson of Arcade Fire mixed most of the tracks. [1]

2012-14: Dalmak

Recording process

After Barr and Page became occupied with their other projects, Esmerine added two new members to their touring lineup: percussionist Jamie Thompson and multi-instrumentalist Brian Sanderson.

After a number of live performances the quartet began writing new material in early 2012. [1] After performing in Istanbul, the band was invited to return for an artist residency later that year. [4] After turning a rented loft into a makeshift recording studio, [5] the band recorded for two days in Istanbul. [6] According to the band, "We immersed ourselves in the culture of the city of Istanbul and the people whom we met there." [7] The band's "song skeletons" were added to by Turkish musicians, who contributed instruments such as the bendir, darbuka, erbane, meh, barama, saz and electric guitar. [8] Among the guest musicians were Hakan Vreskala, Baran Aşık, Ali Kazim Akdağ and James Hakan Dedeoğlu. [9]

The album, Dalmak, was completed in the winter of 2012 and 2013, at Breakglass Studios in Montreal with engineer Jace Lasek. [1] The word 'dalmak' means immerse in Turkish. [7] It can also be interpreted as "to dive into," "to contemplate," and "to be absorbed in." [4]

Reception

Dalmak was released on Constellation Records in 2013. It was awarded Instrumental Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2014. Tiny Mix Tapes gave Dalmak a score of 3/5. The review described the album as starting off with the band's normal style, before Turkish influences start to dominate in tracks such as "Lost River Blues II." [4] The Line of Best Fit gave it 7.5/10 stars, saying the members "experiment with languid strains of clinical harmony, exploring avant-garde themes in neo-classical music, electronica and post-rock." The review further stated, "they ultimately craft gorgeous, sparkling experimental noises that blur the line between post-rock, minimalist electronica and Turkish folk." [10]

2015: Lost Voices

Lost Voices was released on Constellation Records in 2015, earning their second Juno Awards nomination as Instrumental Album of the Year in 2016. The band composed the record at Le Chateau Monthelon in Montreal, France.[ citation needed ]Lost Voices was released on Constellation Records in 2015, earning their second Juno Awards nomination as Instrumental Album of the Year in 2016.[ citation needed ]

2017: Mechanics of Dominion

Mechanics of Dominion is the sixth studio album by Canadian band Esmerine, released on October 20, 2017, through Constellation Records.

2022: Everything Was Forever Until It Was No More

Esmerine released their album "Everything Was Forever Until It Was No More" on May 6, 2022 [11] . The record won Junos for Best Instrumental Album of the Year as well as Recording Package of the Year in 2023.[ citation needed ]

Style, live performances

Esmerine announced a series of tour dates for 2023, including around Europe and performances and at the Live at Lost River Festival in Wentworth-Nord, QC (August 24-27) put on by Patrick Watson and Rebecca Foon.

Decoder Magazine has described Esmerine as "new-classical, punk-drone-post rock." [8] As a "chamber rock" ensemble, Esmerine's music consists mainly of percussion, cello, and marimba, lacking the guitars prominent in the members' other side projects. Esmerine's style shares many characteristics with minimalist classical music and chamber music. [2]

Members

Current
Past

Awards

YearAwardNominated workCategoryResult
2014 Juno Awards Dalmak Instrumental Album of the Year Won
2016 Juno Awards Lost VoicesInstrumental Album of the YearNominated
2016Juno AwardsLost Voices Recording Package of the Year Won
2018 Juno Awards Mechanics of DominionRecording Package of the YearNominated
2023 Juno Awards Everything Was Forever Until It Was No MoreInstrumental Album of the YearWon
2023Juno AwardsEverything Was Forever Until It Was No MoreRecording Package of the YearWon

Discography

Studio albums

Studio albums by Esmerine
YearAlbum titleRelease details
2003 If Only a Sweet
Surrender to the Nights
to Come Be True
  • Released: May 20, 2003
  • Label: Madrona/Resonant
  • Format: CD, LP, digital
2005 Aurora
  • Released: May 31, 2005
  • Label: Madrona/Ninja Tune
  • Format: CD, LP, digital
2011 La Lechuza
  • Released: December 20, 2011
  • Label: Constellation
  • Format: CD, LP, digital
2013 Dalmak
  • Released: September 3, 2013
  • Label: Constellation
  • Format: CD, LP, digital
2015 Lost Voices
  • Released: October 16, 2015
  • Label: Constellation
  • Format: CD, LP, digital
2017 Mechanics of Dominion
  • Released: October 20, 2017
  • Label: Constellation
  • Format: CD, LP, digital
2022Everything Was Forever Until It Was No More
  • Released: May 6, 2022
  • Label: Constellation
  • Format: CD, LP, digital

Singles

Incomplete list of songs by Esmerine
YearTitleAlbumRelease notes
2012"Front End Loader"2 track singleConstellation Records (May 2012)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Godspeed You! Black Emperor</span> Canadian post-rock band

Godspeed You! Black Emperor is a Canadian post-rock band that originated in Montreal, Quebec in 1994. The group releases recordings through Constellation, an independent record label also located in Montreal. After the release of their debut album, F♯ A♯ ∞, in 1997, the group toured regularly from 1998 to 2003. Their second album, 2000's Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven, received critical acclaim and has been named as one of the best albums of the decade. This was followed by 2002's Yanqui U.X.O. In 2003, the band went on hiatus in order for members to pursue other musical interests. In the intervening period, the group was occasionally rumored to have broken up, but eventually reconvened in 2010. Since reforming, they have released four more albums: 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! (2012), which won the 2013 Polaris Music Prize; Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress (2015); Luciferian Towers (2017); and G_d's Pee at State's End! (2021).

<i>Slow Riot for New Zero Kanada</i> 1999 EP by Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Slow Riot for New Zero Kanada, also stylized as Slow Riot for New Zerø Kanada, is the only EP and second release by Godspeed You! Black Emperor. It was released on the Montreal-based record label Constellation Records in 1999, and was re-released by Kranky.

Set Fire to Flames was a Canadian instrumental music ensemble consisting of thirteen musicians from Montreal, Quebec. The band was often considered a side project of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, as the two groups shared several members.

<i>F♯ A♯ ∞</i> 1997 studio album by Godspeed You! Black Emperor

F♯ A♯ ∞ is the debut studio album by Canadian post-rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor. It was first released on August 14, 1997, through Constellation Records on a single LP and on June 8, 1998, through Kranky on CD. The CD version and the LP version have substantial differences between them. Recorded at the Hotel2Tango in the Mile End of Montreal, the album, as became common for the band, is devoid of traditional lyrics and is mostly instrumental, featuring lengthy songs segmented into movements. It was initially released in limited quantities, and distributed through live performances and developed a cult following via word of mouth.

<i>Telegraphs in Negative/Mouths Trapped in Static</i> 2003 studio album by Set Fire to Flames

Telegraphs in Negative/Mouths Trapped in Static is a double album by the Canadian musical collective, Set Fire to Flames. The album was recorded in the span of several months in late 2002, and was then published by both Alien8 Recordings and FatCat Records in 2003.

<i>Born into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward</i> 2001 album

Born into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward is the second album by the Canadian band The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band. It was released by Constellation Records in October 2001.

<i>Sings Reign Rebuilder</i> 2001 studio album by Set Fire to Flames

Sings Reign Rebuilder is the debut album of the Canadian band Set Fire to Flames. It was released by Alien8 Recordings, FatCat Records in 2001.

<i>Horses in the Sky</i> 2005 album

Horses in the Sky is the fourth album by the Canadian post-rock band Silver Mt. Zion, this time under the alias Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band. This is the first Silver Mt. Zion release to feature lyrics on every track.

<i>"This Is Our Punk-Rock," Thee Rusted Satellites Gather + Sing,</i> 2003 album

"This Is Our Punk-Rock," Thee Rusted Satellites Gather + Sing, is the third studio album by Canadian post-rock band The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-la-la Band. It was released August 25, 2003, in Europe and September 2, 2003, in the rest of the world by Constellation Records.

The Juno Award for "Recording Package of the Year" has been awarded since 1975, as recognition each year for the best album art for a music recording in Canada. The Award was subtitled as "Presented in honour of Andrew MacNaughtan" after MacNaughtan's death in early 2012. The award was previously known as "Best Album Graphics", "Best Album Design", "Album Design of the Year" and "CD/DVD Artwork Design of the Year".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sophie Trudeau (musician)</span> Canadian singer and violinist

Sophie Trudeau is a Canadian musician. She is best known as a member of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and co-founder of Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band. She also plays in a number of other bands, including Valley of the Giants and The Mile End Ladies String Auxiliary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra</span> Canadian band

Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra is a Canadian post-rock band that formed in 1999, originating from Montreal, Quebec. Variations of the name used on the band's releases include A Silver Mt. Zion, The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-La-La Band with Choir and Thee Silver Mountain Reveries; the group uses the shorthand SMZ and its name is most often simplified to Silver Mt. Zion. The group was founded by Godspeed You! Black Emperor leader Efrim Menuck, who was joined by fellow Godspeed members Sophie Trudeau and Thierry Amar. Aside from these core members, Silver Mt. Zion has undergone almost yearly personnel changes, evolving by stages from a mostly instrumental trio at the time of its first recordings into an eight-piece group, and then in 2008 into a strongly vocal quintet.

Fifths of Seven was a Canadian instrumental string/piano/accordion trio based in Montreal, Quebec. The band members were Spencer Krug, Beckie Foon, and Rachel Levine (Cakelk). The group's instrumental music combined elements of pop, classical and eastern European music.

<i>13 Blues for Thirteen Moons</i> 2008 album

13 Blues for Thirteen Moons is the fifth full-length album by the Canadian post-rock group Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band. The album was released in March 2008. The album consists of an instrumental feedback intro, split into twelve extremely short tracks, and four full songs, which had been played live on recent tours. Band member Efrim Menuck stated that the idea for the 12 short intro tracks initially was suggested because the band wanted the album to start on track 13. The deciding factor for including the tracks, however, was that "if people tried to play it on their iPods, on shuffle mode, it’d blitz their iPod."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balmorhea (band)</span> American instrumental band

Balmorhea is a six-piece minimalist instrumental ensemble from Austin, Texas, that was formed in 2006 by Rob Lowe and Michael Muller. Balmorhea were influenced by William Ackerman, The Six Parts Seven, Tortoise, Rachel's, Gillian Welch, Max Richter, Arvo Pärt and John Cage.

<i>Hot Wax</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Grant Hart

Hot Wax is the third solo album from Grant Hart, formerly of the band Hüsker Dü. It was released on October 6, 2009. The album followed Good News for Modern Man, released in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebecca Foon</span> Musical artist

Rebecca Foon is a Canadian cellist, vocalist, and composer from Montreal, Quebec. Foon currently records under her own name, as well as the alias Saltland, and is a member and co-founder of the modern chamber ensemble Esmerine.

The Barr Brothers is an indie folk band founded in Montreal, Quebec in 2006, consisting of two American brothers Andrew and Brad Barr, as well as bassist Morgan Moore, pedal steel guitarist Brett Lanier, and harpist Eveline Gregoire-Rousseau.

Andrew Gilmore Barr is a drummer and producer based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada who is best known for his work with The Barr Brothers and The Slip.

Hiss Tracts is a Canadian experimental musical duo consisting of guitarist and sound engineer David Bryant and guitarist Kevin Doria. The pair have released one album, Shortwave Nights, by recording and combining instrumental and ambient sounds.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Info". Esmerine.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-10. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  2. 1 2 3 Jeffries, David. "Esmerine: Bio and Discography". Allmusic . Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  3. ↑ Jeffries, David (May 20, 2003). "If Only a Sweet Surrender to the Nights to Come Be True Review". Allmusic . Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  4. 1 2 3 Vogt, Adam (2013). "Dalmak review". Tiny Mix Tapes . Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  5. ↑ "Interview: Esmerine". Echotic Music. December 3, 2013. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  6. ↑ Dedeoglu, J. Hakan (2014). "The Constellation Interviews no. 1. Esmerine". Bantmag. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  7. 1 2 "Esmerine Interview". Music and Riots Magazine. April 3, 2014. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  8. 1 2 Pearson, Adam (February 6, 2014). "Drones and Doumbek in December: An Interview with Esmerine". Decoder Magazine. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  9. ↑ Cowart, Geoff (December 9, 2013). "Q&A: Esmerine". Music OMH . Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  10. ↑ Day, Laurence (August 27, 2013). "Esmerine - Dalmak". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2014-06-18.
  11. ↑ "Esmerine - Everything Was Forever Until It Was No More". Echoes And Dust. 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.