Brasstronaut earned some major props for their 2010 album Mt. Chimaera, which received a long-list nod for the Polaris Music Prize and won the ECHO Songwriting Prize with its standout "Hearts Trompet" (and got a glowing review from Exclaim!). Now, the Vancouver-based ensemble have released a new three-song EP, plus are busy prepping their sophomore full-length.
The digital-only EP is called Opportunity, and it's available for free at the bottom of the page via Unfamiliar Records.
Speaking with Exclaim!, Brasstronaut leader Edo Van Breemen had this to say about the new mini-release: "It's a very short EP with just two new original self-produced songs, and a remix of 'Opportunity' by No Gold. Am I allowed to call that an EP? I've been recording mixing a lot of electronic songs on my laptop recently for my other project, Resorts, and thought I'd try a hand at producing a few for Brasstronaut."
He explained that the title track's eclectic, dance-floor-friendly direction was inspired by visiting clubs in Berlin, adding, "I'm especially interested in minimal songs where acoustic instruments, like the clarinet, are used in weird ways to make them sound a bit more artificial, but they have a relatively high energy, and could still be played loud at a club."
Opportunity also features the eerily echoing B-side "Hollow Trees," plus that remix of the title track by labelmates No Gold.
This short EP should tide fans over until Brasstronaut unveil their as-yet-untitled sophomore full-length, which is currently half complete and expected out sometime in 2012. Of the LP's progress, Van Breemen revealed, "We've just finished ten days of recording with Colin Stewart at the Hive, which has been easily the best studio experience we've ever had. He has a work flow that is 100 percent compatible with our band, and even though we're putting in these long 12-hour days, nothing ever feels forced or awkward."
By the sound of things, this new LP, which will be the band's first to feature their full six-piece lineup, will share some of the EP's electronic influences, as the singer says, "We've been using a lot of analog synths controlled by Sam [Davidson]'s EWI and running horns through a Korg Stage Echo while staying away from traditional piano sounds or rock rhythms where we can."
Stay tuned for more updates about the record, but in the meantime, stream and/or download Opportunity for free below. A special release through the net label Digital Kunstrasen will also include three additional remixes by German producers.
Brasstronaut - Opportunity by Exclaim!
The digital-only EP is called Opportunity, and it's available for free at the bottom of the page via Unfamiliar Records.
Speaking with Exclaim!, Brasstronaut leader Edo Van Breemen had this to say about the new mini-release: "It's a very short EP with just two new original self-produced songs, and a remix of 'Opportunity' by No Gold. Am I allowed to call that an EP? I've been recording mixing a lot of electronic songs on my laptop recently for my other project, Resorts, and thought I'd try a hand at producing a few for Brasstronaut."
He explained that the title track's eclectic, dance-floor-friendly direction was inspired by visiting clubs in Berlin, adding, "I'm especially interested in minimal songs where acoustic instruments, like the clarinet, are used in weird ways to make them sound a bit more artificial, but they have a relatively high energy, and could still be played loud at a club."
Opportunity also features the eerily echoing B-side "Hollow Trees," plus that remix of the title track by labelmates No Gold.
This short EP should tide fans over until Brasstronaut unveil their as-yet-untitled sophomore full-length, which is currently half complete and expected out sometime in 2012. Of the LP's progress, Van Breemen revealed, "We've just finished ten days of recording with Colin Stewart at the Hive, which has been easily the best studio experience we've ever had. He has a work flow that is 100 percent compatible with our band, and even though we're putting in these long 12-hour days, nothing ever feels forced or awkward."
By the sound of things, this new LP, which will be the band's first to feature their full six-piece lineup, will share some of the EP's electronic influences, as the singer says, "We've been using a lot of analog synths controlled by Sam [Davidson]'s EWI and running horns through a Korg Stage Echo while staying away from traditional piano sounds or rock rhythms where we can."
Stay tuned for more updates about the record, but in the meantime, stream and/or download Opportunity for free below. A special release through the net label Digital Kunstrasen will also include three additional remixes by German producers.
Brasstronaut - Opportunity by Exclaim!
