I've given a lot of love to Montreal-based label Summer Lovers Unlimited, and for good reason. More than any Canadian label I know of, SLU has its finger on the pulse, and in its relatively short life, owner Douglas Ko has released music by proven successes the Teenagers, Dandi Wind, Crystal Castles and the Tough Alliance, as well as future blog sensations like Put the Rifle Down, Duchess Says, Twin Crystals and Apache Beat.
You can now add Vancouver's Terror Bird to that impressive pile. Made up of Nikki Never and Jerremiah Haywood, the duo aren't the usual forward-thinking, tastemaking fiends SLU has a tendency of discovering. And yet, I totally dig the more organic, piano-led arrangements and their hefty orchestral push. Nikki's vocals are an otherworldly force to be reckoned with, floating and stinging without getting all histrionic and shit, while Jerremiah lays down the most flatteringly gorgeous tuneage he can for his chanteuse.
They've just released a super-limited "virginal white vinyl" seven-inch of new single "Shame Is On Your Side," which according to SLU sounds a bit like "Martika doing [Belle & Sebastian's] 'The Boy With The Arab Strap'." I won't argue with that, but I will refresh your memory by pointing out that Martika played Gloria on favourite '80s TV program Kids Incorporated before she released the somewhat successful album Martika's Kitchen, featuring the excellent, Prince-penned "Love... Thy Will Be Done."
Yeah, Terror Bird!
You can now add Vancouver's Terror Bird to that impressive pile. Made up of Nikki Never and Jerremiah Haywood, the duo aren't the usual forward-thinking, tastemaking fiends SLU has a tendency of discovering. And yet, I totally dig the more organic, piano-led arrangements and their hefty orchestral push. Nikki's vocals are an otherworldly force to be reckoned with, floating and stinging without getting all histrionic and shit, while Jerremiah lays down the most flatteringly gorgeous tuneage he can for his chanteuse.
They've just released a super-limited "virginal white vinyl" seven-inch of new single "Shame Is On Your Side," which according to SLU sounds a bit like "Martika doing [Belle & Sebastian's] 'The Boy With The Arab Strap'." I won't argue with that, but I will refresh your memory by pointing out that Martika played Gloria on favourite '80s TV program Kids Incorporated before she released the somewhat successful album Martika's Kitchen, featuring the excellent, Prince-penned "Love... Thy Will Be Done."
Yeah, Terror Bird!