Although we hesitate before we say things like "indie rock supergroup," we do have some exciting news about, uh, indie rock supergroup Minotaurs, who feature in their ranks current or ex-members of Rheostatics, Constantines, Holy Fuck and Royal City, among others. The news is that the band's new full-length The Thing is set for release this summer.
Led by Ontario native Nathan Lawr - who has done time with Constantines, FemBots, Royal City and Feist - Minotaurs have served as his songwriting outlet in recent years, and in 2007 he released A Sea of Tiny Lights as Nathan Lawr and the Minotaurs. In addition to Lawr, Minotaurs are now made up of ex-Rheostatic and current Ron Sexsmith producer/drummer Don Kerr, Holy Fuck/King Cobb Steelie's Kevin Lynn, Jeremy Strachan of Canaille, Paul Aucoin of Hylozoists, and guitar-wielding brothers Dan and Ryan Levecque. Also lending a hand on the new record is Bry Webb of Constantines, who shows up for some guest guitar and vocals, and the Wooden Sky's Gavin Gardiner, who lays down some guest vocals.
As to what the band currently sounds like, you can head here to hear some tunes, which are heavily influenced by Fela Kuti's funky Afrobeat but delivered with an indie sensibility. And don't let the fact that Minotaurs have a song called "Pink Floyd" make you think this is all mellow all the time, either, as the band's high-energy tunes are, thankfully, more of a wake-up call than a lullaby.
Minotaurs will drop The Thing on August 17 via their own Static Clang Records. A full tracklisting is below.
The band also have a few Canadian dates lined up in venues that hopefully have really big stages.
The Thing:
1. "Caught in the Light"
2. "Get Down"
3. "Pink Floyd"
4. "Lazy Eye"
5. "Crystal Cave"
6. "Runaway Lane (New River)"
7. "The Thing"
8. "Nothing New"
Tour dates:
5/15 Toronto, ON - Mitzi's Sister
6/24 Guelph, ON - E-bar
6/25 Toronto, ON - The Horseshoe Tavern
7/24 Guelph, ON - Hillside Festival
Led by Ontario native Nathan Lawr - who has done time with Constantines, FemBots, Royal City and Feist - Minotaurs have served as his songwriting outlet in recent years, and in 2007 he released A Sea of Tiny Lights as Nathan Lawr and the Minotaurs. In addition to Lawr, Minotaurs are now made up of ex-Rheostatic and current Ron Sexsmith producer/drummer Don Kerr, Holy Fuck/King Cobb Steelie's Kevin Lynn, Jeremy Strachan of Canaille, Paul Aucoin of Hylozoists, and guitar-wielding brothers Dan and Ryan Levecque. Also lending a hand on the new record is Bry Webb of Constantines, who shows up for some guest guitar and vocals, and the Wooden Sky's Gavin Gardiner, who lays down some guest vocals.
As to what the band currently sounds like, you can head here to hear some tunes, which are heavily influenced by Fela Kuti's funky Afrobeat but delivered with an indie sensibility. And don't let the fact that Minotaurs have a song called "Pink Floyd" make you think this is all mellow all the time, either, as the band's high-energy tunes are, thankfully, more of a wake-up call than a lullaby.
Minotaurs will drop The Thing on August 17 via their own Static Clang Records. A full tracklisting is below.
The band also have a few Canadian dates lined up in venues that hopefully have really big stages.
The Thing:
1. "Caught in the Light"
2. "Get Down"
3. "Pink Floyd"
4. "Lazy Eye"
5. "Crystal Cave"
6. "Runaway Lane (New River)"
7. "The Thing"
8. "Nothing New"
Tour dates:
5/15 Toronto, ON - Mitzi's Sister
6/24 Guelph, ON - E-bar
6/25 Toronto, ON - The Horseshoe Tavern
7/24 Guelph, ON - Hillside Festival
