Toronto's the Titillators Invent Their Own Futuristic Jazz with "Communication"

The band is led by songwriter Ryan Driver, known for his work with the Weather Station and Jennifer Castle, among many other project

Photo: Vegar Samuelsen

BY Alex HudsonPublished Jul 6, 2023

Ryan Driver has been a fixture in numerous Toronto-based projects, including releasing solo music under his own name and playing in the backing bands of the Weather Station and Jennifer Castle. His latest release comes from the Titillators, an avant-garde instrumental project who have shared the video for "Communication" from the new album That's the Night.

The band's unique lineup features three percussionists (but no drum kit), two synth players, and Driver on something called a "street sweeper bristle bass" — that is, a piece of metal flicked against a cigar box in a surprising approximation of jazz bass.

Watch the video for That's the Night's far-out opening track "Communication" — a futuristic jazz soundscape with an appropriately quirky animated video made by Driver.

That's the Night will be released on cassette and through Bandcamp on July 7. A vinyl release will follow later this year through Tin Angel Records.

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