Press

Discorder Magazine

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

THIS REVIEW IS OF 'THIS IS FRANCO' WHERE KRISTEN LENT HER VOCALS TO THE TITLE TRACK OF THEIR EP 'SHELTER' CHECK OUT THE REVIEW~ "...Their EP has all the sonic evidence of being well produced, with their two track offerings “Shelter,” and “Stuck Between.” The first of these songs starts up with has a gorgeous indie guitar riff, bringing to mind the sprawling quietness of early Coldplay, but with vocalist Mark Bridgeman drawing you in more dreamily than Chris Martin. Featuring the vocal talents of Kirsten Cudmore of Language Arts, her stunning, velvet voice is reminiscent of the style of California-based hip-hop group, Subtle..." - Jonny Philpott

Mechanical Forest Sounds

Friday, March 5th, 2010

With their bookish name, it's no surprise that the band looked as if they might have met at band camp or Reach For The Top practice — in fact, I was initially worried that roving gangs of jocks might be out on the prowl for them. Their most distinctive feature is Kristen Cudmore's insistently chirpy vox, delivered in a bright-eyed sing-speak.5 She was backed by an equally eclectic instrumental palette: her own nylon-stringed, classically-played guitar6 plus keyb, double bass and co-founder Gregor Phillips' jazz-inflected drums — all of which came together in a unique sort of avant-MOR sound. While the band is technically a duo of Cudmore and Phillips — both from Nova Scotia, but based in Vancouver — they are boosted to a quartet for touring purposes. In their live configuration, the arrangements were robust and the band was clearly comfortable in treating the music as more than mere decoration to the words. Perhaps the most immediately appealing of the batch was the "Where Were You in the Wild?", the title track of their recent album, but the other songs in the set were generally cut from the same cloth. "Benson" and "Cough Drop", to name a couple, had a nice groove going. The band got a good response from the fairly robust crowd, and Cudmore seemed genuinely pleased — if not slightly taken aback — by the positive vibes.7 The band played eight titles in just under forty minutes and it was good stuff, fun to listen to and certainly no cookie-cutter pop. - No Shame presents Language-Arts / The Pinecones / Allie Hughes

Photog Music

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

Bands Undone: Language-Arts

I am in love with Language-Arts.
The Vancouver band did a lovely set for Bands Undone.
Thought the band would be Kristen Cudmore and Gregor Phillips.
But they had two other members.
One member I was really surprised to find out, used to be Said The Whale’s keyboardist.
What I love about the band was Kristen’s happiness and down to earth personality.
She was so nice and socialable.
Language Arts @ Bands Undone The songs they played were:

* Lighthouse
* Coughdrops
* Forgot the name of the song they played

Listen to this fun interview with the band

For those that missed them at the Black Sheep Inn.
Fear not! The band will be playing the Rainbow Bistro on March 9th.
Here are the photos.
More on Flickr.
[View with PicLens] - Ming Wu

Singing Lamb

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

The Singing Lamb: Introduce yourselves!

Language-Arts: Kristen Cudmore (Classical Guitar and Vocals), Gregor Phillips (Drums), Marcus Abramzik (String Bass), Laura Smith (Keyboards and Vocals)

What is the story behind the band name?

Kristen Cudmore: The reason we choose Language-Arts is because it was my favorite class in elementary school. Sometime we got to go to the fire hall and watch magicians and puppeteers, because our gym wasn’t big enough!

How did you all originally meet? When did you first start playing music together?

Gregor and I met in Vancouver BC and promptly realized that we grew up five minutes apart from each other in Nova Scotia. Gregor started playing drums with Language-Arts on our first tour of Western Canada in September of 2007. I’d like to say that we met at a naked opera, but it’s just not true.

Describe your first band rehearsal and the first time you wrote a song together.

I believe our first rehearsal was after our day-old tour van caught on fire for the second time. This is true. I was in a panic because we had to leave in a few days but Gregor learned the songs quickly, and gave me a good pep talk about mechanics.

I write the songs on my own and then introduce them to Gregor. He’s the arranger, so most of the string parts on our album were arranged by him but inspired by ideas I built up on my looping petal.

How do you think you’ve grown from your first EP to your first full length to ‘Where Were You In The Wild?’?

I think we have each embraced our strengths in a collaborative way. I come from a classical background, Gregor comes from a jazzical background, and we both listen to a wide variety of music. “Where Were You in the Wild?” is our attempt at a perfect balance of each of our efforts, as far as the overall sound is concerned.

And finally, since our site’s called the Singing Lamb, we must ask everyone – if you were a singing animal what would you be and why?

I would be a singing hamster in pajamas because hamsters are speedy and pajamas are comfortable.

***

For more Language-Arts, MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/languageartnet
Don’t forget to catch Language-Arts at the Garrison tomorrow night, alongside The Pinecones and Allie Hughes! Tickets will be available at the door for $6.00! * Digg - Melody Lau

Two Way Monologues

Monday, March 1st, 2010

March 1, 2010 9 48 PM
Review: Language-Arts - Where Were You In The Wild? (2009)

Something telling about Language-Arts is that they self-identify as being from East Vancouver, which in Toronto terms is akin to bragging about being from Scarborough. Vancouver is known for being picturesque, alas East Vancouver is anything but. That being said, you can’t throw a Birkenstock in the West End without hitting a Whole-Foods-shopping-bag-toting yuppie. East Vancouver is anything but conformist, and similarly, Language-Arts does not conform to the expectations of any musical genre or to the normative standards of their chosen instruments.

Their stated musical influences range from Beck, to Astor Piazzolla, Hector Villa Lobos, Manu Chao and Stereolab. You can clearly hear the Golden Feeling & Mellow Gold influences from early Beck in the way they spit out their non-sequitur lyrics; the Astor Piazzolla and Hector Villa Lobos influences in the way they take classical instruments to re-create popular music forms; and you can hear the influences of Manu Chao and Stereolab respectively in their unconventional blending of musical genres and in the sometimes electronic whimsicalness. To summarize, Language-Arts creates a hip-hop-jazz-infused sound executed with classical instruments together with what Jeff Geady of these electronic pages has aptly described as “rapid-fire pixie-rap.” I can easily say that Where Were You In the Wild? is the most original album that I digested in 2009.

This duet cum quartet—their credits list only Kristen Cudmore (vocals & guitar) and Gregor Phillips (percussion and other instruments) but they also have rotating members covering the keys and upright bass—has mostly received West Coast media coverage but their previous Toronto shows have made an impression. I was lucky to catch them at Rancho in July of 2008 for a terrific set and they also packed in a show for the MuseBox line-up at NXNE last year, catching the musical ear of the Much Music critic in the audience.

Language-Arts

Language-Arts @ Rancho Relaxo on July 5, 2008
PHOTO
Where Were You In the Wild? (2009) is the third release from Language-Arts and it represents some marked growth from their self-titled 2007 release. Don’t get me wrong Language-Arts was still a remarkable album, but it lacked the self-confidence in the instrument choices and musical layering, and therefore ultimately ended up as a bit of an odd über feminine cotton-candy hip-hop album. The four-track Small Run EP a year later showed some remarkable growth in its originality and execution, hinting at a promising album to come. Where Were You In the Wild? does not disappoint.

First, a word about the lyrics: I’d frankly be lying if I said I knew what the hell the songs are about. As best as I can gather, “White Socks and Birkenstocks” is taking an initial swipe at yuppies and then a broader swipe at cultural norms, but aside from that song, the remainder of the lyrics in the album are ridiculously enigmatic. That being said, Cudmore and Phillips readily admit that their songs are at times influenced by dreams which goes some way towards explaining the Beck-like stream-of-consciousness lyrics; e.g. “You can have your ice dream in your ignorant igloo.” And, although the lyrics are weird there is no denying that some of the phrasing is inspired; for example check out the phrasing choices in “Boxed In” where the delivery can almost be said to be syncopated in the off-rhythm unpredictability. Cudmore can clearly sing and demonstrates a phenomenal vocal range in the album—check out the initially intensely feminine vocals of “Benson” and the chorus of “White Socks & Birkenstocks” and contrast those sounds with the pure girlish rap vocals in “Grandfather of the Buffalo.”

But it’s really the hybrid hip-hop-classical-instrumentation that sets this band apart. The single-string classical guitar work is prominent on most of the tracks, but is most notable in “White Socks and Birkenstocks,” “Benson,” and “Tuck it In.” The album is also intensely infused with jazz beats in terms of the constrained cymbal-percussion work and the way in which the upright bass sets the mood in tracks like “Boxed In.” This is a band that combines musical genres flawlessly and has a real knack for musical layering.

Language-Arts has put its money on the track bearing the album’s name as its signature piece, but this move is misguided. There is no denying that “Where Were You In the Wild?” has an instant appeal in the child-like chorus and the initial catchy guitar chords, but the real gem of the album is “Boxed In” near the end. The mood is set early by some guitar dominant hip-hop sampling and jazzy upright bass work. The lyrics kick in next with some solid female rap together with extremely interesting phrasing choices. Then, mid-way through the piece, they throw in some flamenco guitar work and clapping that is subsequently neatly subdued by heavy bass pedal drum work. In the end, the musical layering in this piece can only be described as inspired.

And there are other tracks that necessitate praise in the versatility of their musical form. “Grandfather of the Buffalo” is a particularly interesting piece. This is a classic throw-back to late 90’s rap background sampling in the vain of Dr. Dre’s, “Still D.R.E.” and Cypress Hill but executed with classical guitar work.

To conclude, I can only say that this album is amazingly interesting in its musical layering and is intensely original in its execution. You’d be a fool to miss the upcoming appearances of Language-Arts in the city (unless of course there is a notable TWM showcase those nights).

— J. Andres Hannah-Suarez (The Urban Hermit)

You can catch Language-Arts on March 5, 2010 at the Garrison and on March 11, 2010 at Sneaky Dee’s as part of CMW. - J. Andres Hannah-Suarez

It's not the band I hate, it's their fans...

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

As I suspected, Language-Arts proved themselves to be just as stunning live as they are on record, with their four members creating an orchestral sound that is remarkably full. On album, the band is composed of only two members, Kristin Cudmore who sings and plays classical guitar, piano and banjo on the album, while Gregor Phillips handles all drums and percussion. The live version hires on a couple of other people to handle the keys and upright bass/cello, and I was immediately impressed with the professionalism of the entire outfit. The band set up and tuned quickly, enabling them to begin their set quicker than usual. They opened with one of my favourite songs on the album called Cavity, its jazzy bass-line designed to hypnotically suck you in and although many patrons were rather chatty on this particular evening, I found it hard not to remain fixated on what was taking place on stage. Cudmore's vocals are high and pixie-ish in a way that is slightly reminiscent of Joanna Newsom or Suzanne Vega, but perhaps more accessible. The music itself is one of constant wonder in the sense that there are certain songs where you think that you've got the groove figured out and then they throw in a tempo change, or similar progressive tangent that takes your head journey in a totally different direction. Lighthouse is one example of this, where an almost Spanish guitar break seemingly comes out of nowhere, taking the song to a whole new level. White Socks in Birkenstocks is another example of this style of accomplished musical composition, where the classical tag proves itself appropriate both in its instrumental sense of musical adventure, and in the vocal style that Cudmore almost raps her wordy lyrics in a way that distracts from how cumbersome they would be if left in other hands. By the time they ended their set with the incredibly wordy Tuck It In, I was left in awe, not only of Cudmore's ability to remember all of those lyrics, but also in the way that the band has managed to carve a niche that is all their own, and present it on a live stage in a way that never alienates, but endears. I'll certainly be seeing them again.

http://itsnotthebandihateitstheirfans.blogspot.com/2010/03/language-arts-and-pinecones-garrison.html - Bob Battams

Now Magazine

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

LANGUAGE-ARTS at the Garrison (1197 Dundas West), Friday (March 5), 9 pm. $6. garrisontoronto.com. And at Sneaky Dee’s (431 College), March 11, as part of Canadian Music Fest, 9 pm. $10 or wristband.cmw.net.
Music Feature

Secret Language
Visa woes spark an improbable collision of classical guitar and twee hip-hop
By Carla Gillis

If one thing becomes clear while chatting with Language-Arts’ Kristen Cudmore, it’s that the pint-sized singer/guitarist is pretty fearless.

No big surprise, considering the music she makes with drummer Gregor Phillips. Their sophomore album, Where Were You In The Wild (independent), uniquely blends Phillips’s jazzy drumming and smart arrangements with Cudmore’s classical guitar virtuosity, verbose lyrics and a singing style that’s part Joanna Newsom innocence and part gutsy, quick-fire rap.

“People either love it or hate it,” Cudmore says with a laugh over the phone from Vancouver. “People’s beef with our band is usually my voice. They might love the music but can’t take my style of singing. That doesn’t affect me at all – it is what it is. I’m given one voice, and I’m going to work with it.”

Cudmore first picked up the classical guitar as a 12-year-old after hearing her uncle play it badly during a family vacation. (“He was in his Jesus stage, with the hair and beard, and when he was singing these songs, I was like, ‘I want to get better than him, because he’s not very good.’”) From there, she began practising hours each day.

Five years ago, she relocated from her hometown of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, to Vancouver in fluky circumstances. After being accepted at music grad school in Hawaii, her plans were foiled when the school failed to file her visa paperwork.

“I’d already bought this plane ticket that connected in Vancouver,” she explains, “so I just decided to go there anyway, without planning it at all. I had a bag of stuff and my guitar. Good things and not good things happened, but it’s kept me here.”

One of those good things included meeting Phillips, who, remarkably, is also from small-town Wolfville, though the pair met for the first time out west. While she brings her love of classical guitar and underground hip-hop to the two-piece, he draws from his experiences at jazz school and scoring films. To recreate the layers heard on record, they hire a keyboardist and bassist for live shows.

There was a time, though, when Cudmore was actually quite fearful, and that posed a threat to her music plans.

“I always felt like I was going to poop my pants before I played. But I realized I had to get used to playing in front of people if I was going to do this. At the time – this was in high school – I was volunteering at nursing homes, so I’d go in and play classical guitar for whoever was trying to go to sleep.

“Some of them were actually in a vegetative state, so they were the easiest. I was like, ‘They’re not judging me.’ It helped me get over my stage fright.”

music@nowtoronto.com - Carla Gillis

Top 200 of 2009

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #153 on the top 200 of 2009 charts with album "Where Were You in the Wild?" - Earshot Magazine

CKLU 96.7fm (Sudbury)

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Language-Arts has ranked #26 for "Where Were You in the Wild?" - Earshot Magazine

CIUT 89.5fm (Toronto)

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Language-Arts has ranked #3 for "Where Were You in the Wild?" - Earshot Magazine

National top 50 Charts

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Language-Arts has ranked #23 for "Where Were You in the Wild?" - Earshot Magazine

CKUA 94.9FM (Edmonton)

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #28 for album Where Were You in the Wild? - Earshot

CKLU 96.7FM (Sudbury)

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #17 for album Where Were You in the Wild? - Earshot

CHRW 94.9FM (London)

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #23 for album Where Were You in the Wild? - Earshot

Exclaim Magazine c/o Earshot

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

TOP 40 ALBUMS of December 2009 and January 2010: Language-Arts ranked #26 of the top 40 albums for this month! - Earshot

CKLU 96.7FM (Sudbury)

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #22 for Where Were You in the Wild? - Earshot

CJSF 90.1FM (Burnaby)

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #19 for Where Were You in the Wild? - Earshot

CIUT 89.5 (Toronto)

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #4 for Where Were You in the Wild? - Earshot

CHUO 89.1FM (Ottawa)

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #24 for Where Were You in the Wild? - Earshot

CFBX 92.5FM (Kamloops)

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #10 for Where Were You in the Wild? - Earshot

Earshot National Charts

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #16 on the national poll for Where Were You in the Wild? - Earshot

I am the Crime

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

~ Language-Arts – “White Socks in Birkenstocks” ~ A quirky little tune that I just love. The singer has cute voice that suits perfectly to the sort of bohemian pop sound. From their album Where Were You In The Wild? - Ceclia

The Star Phoenix

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

What: Vancouver band Language Arts celebrates its debut album release for Where Were You in the Wild. Members Kristen Cudmore and Gregor Phillips play a combined dozen or so instruments and often write songs that double as odes to their home province of Nova Scotia. - (Saskatoon)

The Golden Star

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Language-Arts at The Golden Taps pub
languagearts.jpg
Language-Arts will bring their unique folk-hop sounds to The Golden Taps on November 14.

A unique independent ‘folk-hop’ group from Vancouver is coming to play at the Golden Taps next week.

Language-Arts, known for honey-sweet vocal melodies and their eclectic instrumentals, will be performing Saturday, November 14 at The Golden Taps pub.

Fresh off the release of their second album, “Where Were You in the Wild?” Language-Arts is currently embarking upon a Western Canadian tour. Kristen Cudmore and Gregor Phillips’ genre-defying musical approach will be entertaining crowds from Penticton to Regina.

Music reviews get creative when trying to describe the Language-Arts sound. It has been described as a mash-up of indie rock, chamber pop and hip-hop. Nevertheless, Language-Arts’ musical approach is earning them top accolades from many magazines.

Kristen Cudmore, lead vocalist and guitarists, says, “I’m from a small town in Nova Scotia, that’s how we roll!”

Since 2004, Language Arts has been incorporating melodic rap vocals over top a classical guitar, some double bass and the occasional string quartet. Cudmore, an avid hip hop fan, takes her influences from the Beastie Boys and De la Soul to Dose One and Why? from the Anticon record label out of Oakland, California. Cudmore, as well as the rest of the band, have classical and jazz musical educations that, when combine with her rap-style vocals, creates an irreplaceable and unique sound.

The lyrics put forward by Language-Arts are inspired by random events, memories and thoughtful introspection. Cudmore describes herself as a weird kid who used to cry at her own birthday parties. As if suffering from an existential sense of awe, many of the song’s themes are not apparent at first and require a deeper look into the subtext.

For example, the song “Cough Drop,” requires some thoughtful analysis. The verse, “Can I be your cough drop,” sounds abstract and conceptual. Cudmore explains, a cough drop doesn’t fix a problem, but it soothes the irritation. The theme of the song is a reflection on the limits of what one person is able to do for another.

Cudmore says she like to have fun with her lyrics by not composing something far from the obvious. She enjoys keeping her intent a secret and seeing what people come up with by way of interpretation.

The song, “Tuck It In,” on the other hand, tells the story of a vivid and personal dream Cudmore once had. It discusses her own mother’s death (in the dream) and her family’s reaction to it. The lyrics tell a cryptic tale about a telephone call she receives from her grandmother who is beyond the grave. The dream ends as her father tips over the swimming pool and together as a family they ride the waves and sail away to go find their mother.

Most of Language-Arts songs are light and easy to listen to. The childish sounding vocals engage the ear buds in a pleasant manor. But for the listener looking for something more, there is also an artsy and intelligent composition to Cudmore’s song crafting. With complex instrumentals, the Language-Arts are sure to please discerning fans. - James Knoop

Exclaim

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

Language-Arts
Where Were You in the Wild?
By Jessica Lewis

This album is mostly soothing and subdued, with Kristen Cudmore's voice making quick, pointed gestures. It's a colourful contrast, but one that has morphed into a setting that's more a lively painting than a basic rainbow. "Cavity" sets the folk-tinged jazz tone to where Language Arts are going but settles fast into "White Socks in Birkenstocks" and then the title track, which gives the notion that times are getting poppier and sillier. Language Arts get back into serious gear after that. The upright bass, guitar and piano shine on "Lighthouse," "Grandfather of the Buffalo" and "Tuck it In," and the violin and drums on "Benson." The pairing of Cudmore with the music of the rotating band members at first is an odd one but it settles down, nestled like a sleeping cat into a warm evening, where it finds its home in "Stay There!" (Independent) - Jessica Lewis

The Georgia Straight

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Language-Arts brings its genre-mashing to Where Were You in the Wild?
By Alex Hudson

Where Were You in the Wild? (Independent)

If ever a band sounded like it was conceived in a Commercial Drive coffee shop, it’s Language-Arts. There’s something undeniably hippy-dippy about this local collective, from its grab bag of influences to frontwoman Kristen Cudmore’s quirky, occasionally inane lyrics.

The group’s second album, Where Were You in the Wild?, opens with “Cavity,” a jazzy bass groove providing the backdrop for home-economics tips like “Did you know most things are microwaveable?” “Grandfather of the Buffalo” is even more esoteric, as Cudmore raps about Mr. Dressup and asthma while offering up hypnotic classical-guitar riffs and sighing background harmonies.

Most frequently, however, it’s Language-Arts’ chamber-pop influences that rise to the top, and it’s here that the group’s ability shines. “White Socks in Birkenstocks” is this collection’s clear standout, the hooks coming quick and often during its cello-laden verses and synthy breakdowns. “Boxed In” cops its bass intro from Sufjan Stevens’s “The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders” before the band enters with a stuttering 5/4 rhythm and cavernous, reverb-swathed production. With its repeated warnings to “Take the time to lay back/But don’t get too comfortable,” it’s not the kind of song that you’re likely to sing along to on the radio. Still, it’s an effectively eerie mood piece, its delicate arrangement proving that there’s more to the group than kitschy genre-mashing. - Alex Hudson

Skope

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Language Arts, Where Were You In The Wild

November 5, 2009 | by Skope Staff

languageartscover-782888_phixrWhere Were You In The Wild, the debut LP from Vancouver’s Language Arts is a record made for the music geeks. No, not because it presents a certain bookish aesthetic. But because this eleven-track masterpiece contains some of the most original and inventive music available for blogging purposes. Sadly, it’s only those who are constantly on the hunt for fresh sounds which will appreciate this (Truly) genre-defying bliss.

Yes, the world of new music is a wild one. It’s very often occupied by buzz bands whose shelf life lasts as long enough for bloggers to soak it up and just as quickly comment on it, before a new rose is picked from the wild. While Language Arts might have found themselves victim to this fate, the slant that these two Vancouverites take on acoustic twee-pop is just too blatantly charming to ignore. It hardly matters if “Twee” is a cool or legit term anymore; Where Were You In The Wild breaks conventional indie-pop rules as it hops gracefully from track to track with the poise of a wild rabbit and the curiousity of a newborn baby.

Lead singer Kristen Cudmore takes some serious cues from Kimya Dawson (Of Juno fame) when it comes to her vocal stylings. But her range is exemplified in whimsical fashion on “Lighthouse,” in which she howls over classical sounding acoustic guitars. Cudmore’s lyrics are never heady, but certainly beg a few listens. After all, often it takes a genius to write so much by saying so little.

“If I could write songs all night like Randy Newman, I would.”

The acoustic bent on these tracks is omnipresent, but each track evolves in such a manner that the acoustics become more sweeping than simply acting as a crutch. The plaintive acoustic guitar switches gears so often on “Coughdrop” that it borders on the hypnotic. The thing is, only a fool wouldn’t agree to get hypnotized here. Cudmore’s brash yet delightful observations on the world around here (And the steadfast manner in which she delivers these observations) employ a serious hip-hop mentality, while the three ubiquitous instruments, namely classical guitars, banjos and violins give Where Were You In the Wild highlight the band’s folk roots.

Daring and original, Where Were You In The Wild is a record so timely that it may very well eclipse its peers and outlast the very blogs that gave Language Arts credence. - Joshua Kloke

Youthink

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts: Where Were You in the Wild?
BY Megan Lum- Fleetwood Park Secondary Nov 3, 2009

Vancouver band delivers unique music with quirky flair.

As I listen to fellow Vancouverites Language-Arts go from bubbly and uplifting melodies, to hippie-esque and mellow tunes and evidently a hip-hop rap beat, I can't help but wonder where to place this band on the music spectrum. I find myself drifting with one song and then thinking, "Is this serious?!" for another. With songs such as Cavity that suggest to wash away memories with Slurpees, these artists are definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. However for those of you who are looking for a new sound that mixes and mashes all types of music into one - Language-Arts can fill that cavity.

Megan's fave track: Cough Drop

Read more: http://www.youthink.ca/yt/music/local-music/language-arts-where-were-you-wild#ixzz0Y2T0HY7B - Megan Lum - Fleetwood Park Secondary

Chipped Hip

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Most things are microwaveable
November 6, 2009
Language-Arts - Where Were You in the Wild?
Language-Arts‘ 2007 debut, the bafflingly-titled “”, was a mixed bag. A stylistic hodgepodge that ranged from folk to hip-hop to jazz, it contained one song that stood clearly out above the rest: “Running at Sunset in a Moonlit Town” was haunting chamber pop, its droning guitars and electric piano flourishes more effective than any amount of kitschy genre-mashing.

The band appears to have followed the blueprint of that song when crafting its second album, and the result is a much more consistent and enjoyable effort. Where Were You In the Wild? is eerie mood-piece, featuring more strings and synthy atmospherics than its predecessor. Frontwoman Kristen Cudmore retreats behind a layer of reverb, placing a greater emphasis on melody in both her singing and guitar playing. This is most apparent on “White Socks in Birkenstocks,” which places hummable guitar leads and a wordless vocal hook over a purring bed of keyboards and cello.

Despite this newfound focus, the band hasn’t completely abandoned its genre-hopping ways. Cudmore raps on the woozy “Grandfather of the Buffalo,” while the title track veers between a steadily chugging chorus and jazzy, syncopated verses. And the lyrics are just as whimsical as they were on the debut; opening track “Cavity” begins with the line “Did you know most things are microwaveable? / Have a fine time on the frontier dunging out the stable.” This time around, however, the quirkiness serves to offset the chilly atmospherics, and rarely comes off as cloying.

mp3: “Where Were You in the Wild?”

“Wild” it definitely isn’t, but Where Were You in the Wild? is a confident step forward for Language-Arts. - not available

CKLU (Sudbury)

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Language-Arts ranked number 20 for album Where Were You in the Wild? - Earshot Charts

CJSW (Calgary)

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Language-Arts ranked number 31 for album Where Were You in the Wild? - Earshot Charts

CKLU (Sudbury)

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Language-Arts ranked number 15 for album Where Were You in the Wild? - Earshot Charts

Chipped Hip

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Most things are microwaveable
November 6, 2009
Language-Arts - Where Were You in the Wild? Language-Arts‘ 2007 debut, the bafflingly-titled “”, was a mixed bag. A stylistic hodgepodge that ranged from folk to hip-hop to jazz, it contained one song that stood clearly out above the rest: “Running at Sunset in a Moonlit Town” was haunting chamber pop, its droning guitars and electric piano flourishes more effective than any amount of kitschy genre-mashing.

The band appears to have followed the blueprint of that song when crafting its second album, and the result is a much more consistent and enjoyable effort. Where Were You In the Wild? is eerie mood-piece, featuring more strings and synthy atmospherics than its predecessor. Frontwoman Kristen Cudmore retreats behind a layer of reverb, placing a greater emphasis on melody in both her singing and guitar playing. This is most apparent on “White Socks in Birkenstocks,” which places hummable guitar leads and a wordless vocal hook over a purring bed of keyboards and cello.

Despite this newfound focus, the band hasn’t completely abandoned its genre-hopping ways. Cudmore raps on the woozy “Grandfather of the Buffalo,” while the title track veers between a steadily chugging chorus and jazzy, syncopated verses. And the lyrics are just as whimsical as they were on the debut; opening track “Cavity” begins with the line “Did you know most things are microwaveable? / Have a fine time on the frontier dunging out the stable.” This time around, however, the quirkiness serves to offset the chilly atmospherics, and rarely comes off as cloying.

mp3: “Where Were You in the Wild?”

“Wild” it definitely isn’t, but Where Were You in the Wild? is a confident step forward for Language-Arts. - not available

-

CFBU 103.7FM (St. Catherines)

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #29 for album "Where Were You in the Wild?" - Ear Shot Charts

CiTR 101.9 (Vancouver)

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #9 for album "Where Were You in the Wild?" - Ear Shot Charts

CKLU 96.7FM (Sudbury)

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #6 for album "Where Were You in the Wild?" - Ear Shot Charts

CKDU 88.1FM (Halifax)

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #6 for album "Where Were You in the Wild?" - Ear Shot Charts

CJAM 91.5FM (Windsor)

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #3 for album "Where Were You in the Wild?" - Ear Shot Charts

Ear Shot Top 50 National Charts

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #16 for album "Where Were You in the Wild?" - Ear Shot Charts

Exclaim!

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts Where Were You in the Wild? By Jessica Lewis This album is mostly soothing and subdued, with Kristen Cudmore's voice making quick, pointed gestures. It's a colourful contrast, but one that has morphed into a setting that's more a lively painting than a basic rainbow. "Cavity" sets the folk-tinged jazz tone to where Language Arts are going but settles fast into "White Socks in Birkenstocks" and then the title track, which gives the notion that times are getting poppier and sillier. Language Arts get back into serious gear after that. The upright bass, guitar and piano shine on "Lighthouse," "Grandfather of the Buffalo" and "Tuck it In," and the violin and drums on "Benson." The pairing of Cudmore with the music of the rotating band members at first is an odd one but it settles down, nestled like a sleeping cat into a warm evening, where it finds its home in "Stay There!" (Independent) - Jessica Lewis

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CJAM 91.5FM (Windsor)

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Language-Arts' Where Were You in the Wild? Ranked #1 - Ear Shot Charts

Musical Interpretations

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Language-Arts - Stomping New Territory - Making New Sounds
Published in The Skinny

Language-Arts has polished off another beauty with its sophomore release ‘Where Were You In The Wild?’. With a local-launch party Sept 28th and upcoming East/West tours, the Vancouver-based ensemble is bringing music to the people, making smiles contagious, all while racking up nation-wide media attention and critical acclaim by the boatload.

The follow-up to 2008’s ‘Short Run EP’ is full of lush, caringly crafted numbers, endearing, almost addictive musical wondrousness, stream-of-consciousness ‘pixie-rap’, and you might say it’s somewhat of a grower, as evidenced by bandleader, guitarist and vocalist Kristen Cudmore:

“It's jam packed with little anecdotes and collages of ideas if you listen for it, so each listen new things might pop out.”

Although the album isn’t officially released until later this month, L-A decided to give local fans and supporters a sneak peek by hosting an advance release party.

Says Kristen: “We were playing around with dates and thought it would be special to allow our friends and listeners of Language-Arts to get a chance to hear it first. I think it's more of a thanks to them for supporting us during the process, from starting out to the new album.”

Taking the stage amid screams and chants, Language-Arts revealed an All-Star lineup to the Biltmore’s ample audience: cellist Cris Derksen (ESL), string bassist Aaron McKinney (SSRI’s, Like Animals Again), vocalist Laura Anderson (Stick Twig), singer/songwriter Hilary Grist on keys/vocals, plus the aforementioned Kristen and Gregor rounding out the cast.

This band sounds amazingly tight live, and for anyone who’s been listening to ‘Where Were You In The Wild’, you can just close your eyes and feel like you’re listening to the album. This is how a live act should sound! Beautiful harmonies, rapid-fire flow a-la Kristen, and precise instrumentation in a genre most critics would call ‘etc’.

The set was chock-full of album cuts like ‘Boxed In’, where classical guitar looping, excellent cello, 5/4 time, and a top-notch hand-clap breakdown pulled the audience in even closer.

On the lucid dream that is ‘Tuck It In’, Kristen reveals a flow that would flabbergast even the most seasoned hip hop head. Her child-like, yet firm voice is a finely tuned instrument, and with the echoes of Laura and Hilary in the midst, it sounds almost too good to be true.

The entire band was exceptional, but the one thing I can’t get over is how Kristen manages to lead you along this twisting, winding, linguistic path, all while whipping out mini-symphonies on that guitar. For me, it doesn’t get any better than that watching that balancing act. For fans of inventive, creative, inexplicable music, this was a dream performance from top to bottom.

It’s official; ‘Where Were You In The Wild’ will be available across Canada Oct 27th with an ensuing tour, and hopefully another local date or two in the near future.

To bring it home, here is a little Q&A I had with Kristen & Gregor:

NS: I see you’re wisely waiting until spring to tour Eastern Canada…

K= It's really hard touring in Canada because who knows when winter really ends? But ya, we will be going from Ontario to Nova Scotia this spring. We have tour plans for November for the west portion of the country, too. Plus it makes the drive shorter! Both Gregor and I are from Nova Scotia and we go home a lot to be with our growing families, but usually when we're touring it's a day or a dinner with family and then we're off again.
NS: You played NXNE this year. Did that work out well?

K= It did. We made a lot of new friends and connected with new listeners as well as people who are able to help us out with promoting our shows or our music. There was a nice few articles applauding our performances too, which was reassuring.

NS: I love the time signatures you use. You must be good at math!

G: Most of us are solid at adding and subtracting. Kristen does a lot of sudokus. I think she also secretly loves doing her taxes. I’m going to teach her how to use excel for her birthday. yay!

NS: What can you tell me about the title track off your new album, ‘Where Were You In The Wild?’
K= To me it's about what makes someone who they are and how petty things can get in the way of our lives and cloud our direction from time to time. "Are you a product of your parents or a product of your past? Who licensed you to carry your own mass?" are a few questions. "You can have your Rice Dream, in your ignorant igloo. I'll be sure, not to bother you.... what a silly life to have lead."
NS: New CD, new tour, and what else is coming up for Language-Arts?

K: We are just focusing on these plans at the moment but we're really excited to stomp new territory and keep creating new sounds that hopefully people find interesting. Our goal obviously is to get to a place where we can focus more energy on creating art and presenting it to new people.

Check out the music, tour dates, amazing lyrics and more at www.language-arts.net - Nathan Stafford

Das Kleinicum

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Samstag, Oktober 10, 2009 neue töne (681): language arts "where were you in the wild?", fragt die truppe language arts. keine ahnung, antworte ich, wie ich zunächst ebenso ratlos dem output der band aus east vancouver gegenüberstehe. das ende oktober erscheinende gleichnamige album hat alles, was mir zauberhaft und glühend verehrt entgegenkommt. diese lässige folknote, ohne in tradition zu verharren, den pop, der dich beschwingter durch den alltag ziehen lässt, die memorable idee, das unsteife in der harmonie und doch manch schlanken dreher beinhaltend. sängerin kristen cudmore hat zudem eine stimme, der das kieksige joanna newsoms genauso innewohnt wie die herrliche schwere eine laura veirs. der song treibt durch die diversen täler, jagt über berge und ist in seiner unbändigkeit ein wonneproppen. in einer anderen welt... ein hit eben. und doch bleib ich skeptisch. vielleicht weil enttäuschungen in dieser mann/frau- kombi vorprogrammiert scheinen. da klappt das erste album eine seite auf, die ungeöffnet erfunden gehörte. und dann kommt neues material nach und alles vorherige wird hinfort- oder besser weichgespült. macht das sinn? im voraus das kommende beklagen? nein. also, lebendig entgegen nehmen, was einem von kristen und ihrem kompagnon gregor phillips zugetragen wird! und außerdem ist das kommende album nicht ihr erstling, die hörner wurden mit dem selbstbetitelten full length in 2007 und der "small run" ep in 2008 bereits abgestossen. auffällig am spiel der beiden ist der immer wieder stolpernde beat, das hohe maß an sensibilität im umgang mit dem eigenen material, das wie ein rohes ei durch das arrangement getragen wird. außerdem können die beiden wohl jedes erdenkliche instrument bedienen und bilden so ein flexibles, auf eventualitäten ausgerichtetes team. in der heimat haben sie bereits für einige furore gesorgt, wurden auf festivals herumgereicht und die tonträger wurden ihnen aus der hand gerissen. das neue werk kommt trotz allem als self release heraus und muss wohl auf tour oder aber über das web bestellt werden. language arts - where were you in the wild?

http://dasklienicum.blogspot.com/2009/10/neue-tone-681-language-arts.html - not available

CKXU 88.3FM (Lethbridge)

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Language-Arts' Where Were You in the Wild? Ranked #22! - Ear Shot Charts

CKLU 96.7FM (Sudbury)

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Language-Arts' Where Were You in the Wild? Ranked #4! - Ear Shot Charts

CKDU 88.1FM (Halifax)

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Language-Arts' Where Were You in the Wild? Ranked #25! - Ear Shot Charts

CFBU 103.7FM (St. Catherines)

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Language-Arts' Where Were You in the Wild? Ranked #9 - Ear Shot Charts

Ear Shot Top 50 National Charts

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Top 50
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Other charts: Top 50 Electronic Hip Hop International Jazz Loud Folk/Roots/Blues
Reporters: !earshot | CAPR CFBU CFBX CFMH CFOU CFRC CFRU CFUR CFUV CFXU CHMA CHRW CHRY CHYZ CILU CIOI CISM CITR CIUT CJAM CJSF CJSW CJUM CKDU CKLU CKUT CKUW CKXU CSCR
TW LW Artist Title Label
1 1 You Say Party! We Say Die! Band Website XXXX Paper Bag Label Website

2 2 Islands Band Website Vapours Anti- Label Website

3 10 Do Make Say Think Band Website Other Truths Constellation Label Website

4 3 The Hidden Cameras Band Website Origin: Orphan Arts & Crafts Label Website

5 6 Cuff The Duke Band Website Way Down Here Universal Label Website

6 8 Two Hours Traffic Band Website Territory Bumstead Label Website

7 7 Spiral Beach Band Website The Only Really Thing Sparks Label Website

8 36 Lou Barlow Band Website Goodnight Unknown Merge Label Website

9 5 Ohbijou Band Website Beacons Last Gang Label Website

10 17 Metric Band Website Fantasies Last Gang Label Website

11 26 Said The Whale Band Website Islands Disappear Hidden Pony Label Website

12 -- Rick White Album Band Website 1-3-7 Blue Fog Label Website

13 -- Flight Of The Conchords Band Website I Told You I Was Freaky Sub Pop Label Website

14 -- The Parlour Steps Band Website The Hidden Names Nine Mile Label Website

15 4 The Raveonettes Band Website In And Out Of Control Vice Label Website

16 -- The Mountain Goats Band Website Life of the World to Come 4AD Label Website

17 21 Vic Chesnutt Band Website At The Cut Constellation Label Website

18 -- SubCity Band Website Where's The Noise? Transistor 66 Label Website

19 27 Bloodshot Bill Band Website Git High Tonite! Transistor 66 Label Website

20 31 Various Band Website Friends In Bellwoods 2 Out Of This Spark Label Website

21 47 Black Mold Band Website Snow Blindness Is Crystal Antz Flemish Eye Label Website

22 19 Built To Spill Band Website There Is No Enemy Warner Label Website

23 -- Atlas Sound Band Website Logos Kranky Label Website

24 -- Black Feelings Band Website Black Feelings Alien8 Label Website

25 -- Dragonette Band Website Fixin' To Thrill Universal Label Website

26 25 Lightning Dust Band Website Infinite Light Jagjaguwar Label Website

27 12 Land Of Talk Band Website Fun And Laughter Saddle Creek Label Website

28 -- Wilco Band Website Wilco (The Album) Nonesuch Label Website

29 -- Magneta Lane Band Website Gambling With God Last Gang Label Website

30 49 Moneen Band Website The World I Want To Leave Behind Dine Alone Label Website

31 -- We Are Wolves Band Website Invisible Violence Dare To Care Label Website

32 43 Joel Plaskett Band Website Three MapleMusic Label Website

33 -- Volcano Choir Band Website Unmap Secretly Canadian Label Website

34 -- Tony Wilson Sextet Band Website The People Look Like Flowers at Last Drip Audio Label Website

35 15 No Age Band Website Losing Feeling Sub Pop Label Website

36 39 Health Band Website Get Color Lovepump United Label Website

37 22 Rain Machine Band Website Rain Machine Anti- Label Website

38 -- Tinariwen Band Website Imidiwan: Companions Outside Label Website

39 16 The Wooden Sky Band Website If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone Blackbox Label Website

40 20 Jay Reatard Band Website Watch Me Fall Matador Label Website

41 -- The Jolts Born Speedin b/w Gimme Gasoline 7-inch Eat Shit Die Label Website

42 -- Rose Melberg Band Website Homemade Ship K Label Website

43 24 Spirits Band Website Spirits Sonic Unyon Label Website

44 -- Language Arts Band Website Where Were You In The Wild? Self Released

45 -- Carolyn Mark and NQ Arbuckle Band Website Let's Just Stay Here Mint Label Website

46 -- Baaba Maal Band Website Television Palm Pictures Label Website

47 -- Dinosaur Jr. Band Website Farm Jagjaguwar Label Website

48 -- The Flaming Lips Band Website Embryonic Warner Label Website

49 44 Zeus Band Website Sounds Like Zeus Arts & Crafts Label Website

50 -- Shotgun Jimmie Band Website Still Jimmie You've Changed Label Website - Radio Stations Across Canada

-

The Peak (SFU)

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Language Arts: Where Were You in the Wild?
By Kaylin Metchie


LANGUAGE-ARTS.NET

Most pop bands nowadays are either trying to be radiostars or experimental, artistic acts, whose fans are drawn to their oddities and unique qualities. Language Arts fit into the latter: their strange lyrics, vocals, and quirky arrangements come together to make a very refreshing sound.

Language Arts is another band from Vancouver that recently released their sophomore album Where Were You in the Wild. Starting off with a beautifully thought-out bass and drum line, then adding expertly crafted layers of acoustic guitar and piano, the album has all the makings of a popular indie-pop song. However, once the vocals, performed by Kristen Cudmore, begin, Language Arts’ potential audience might dwindle. There’s nothing incredibly off-putting about her singing style, it reminds me of a mix between Bjork’s intonations and Regina Spektor’s singing style. She is definitely grounded in vocal control; it’s just an acquired taste. At first I was tempted to disregard the entire album because of the first lyrics, “Did you know most things are microwavable?” but as I pressed on, I actually began to like the uniqueness of her voice.

The members of Language Arts, Cudmore and Gregor Phillips, are definitely familiar with basic jazz sensibilities, immediately made evident by the opening bass-line on “Cavity,” or some of the subtleties on the title track, “Where Were You In The Wild?” However, they use this knowledge to make an interesting musical statement. Where some bands revert to proven, and overly-used, indie or rock clichés, Language Arts takes a different route, mixing jazz influenced chords and harmonies with New Age lyrical choices.

Most of the vocal lines are more spoken- word than melodic, as she recites the odd line in a musical way. This may be very different to those used to hearing the vocals commonly played on the radio, and there will most definitely be some who dislike this tone. However, it is certainly unique, and I can’t really picture this music having the same effect without the odd vocals.

The album’s choruses have more of a melodic effect, and for the most part, are quite catchy and effective. This is a band aware of their sound, and they execute it fantastically. While the music sounds simple on the surface, it possesses rich layers of violins and cellos, acoustic guitar and electronic sounds, as in the song “White Socks in Birkenstocks.”

It is somewhat disappointing that a band like Language Arts, who actually understands music theory and the meaning of being creative, may be pushed aside by my fellow radio-obsessed schoolmates just because they want to be different, they want to creatively express themselves and not be another overly-produced pop band. Of course, maybe it is too much to ask people to try something new, something that goes outside their comfort zone. I sincerely suggest people check out Language Arts. Go to their MySpace or their website (Language-Arts.net), and give them a serious listen. You may not like what you hear, but your ears may thank you for introducing them to something new. - Kaylin Metchie

Scene and Heard

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Language Arts
Where Were You in the Wild
Independent

- Luke Champion

There are a lot of surprises on Language Arts’ new album.

Where Were You in the Wild is an eclectic mix of indie-folk-funk-jazz-rap, but none of these monikers really do the album justice. Quirky would be appropriate, but the music seems too accomplished and the lyrics too adept for such a condescending word. The reality is Language Arts have whittled out a niche all their own.

Guitarist/vocalist Kristen Cudmore exhibits a combination of barbed delivery and anxious poise. She is at times cunning and affectionate. What makes the marbled mix so palatable is the clarity and unity of the band’s vision.

This is a very good album, one that flaunts as much lyrical dexterity as it does heart. It swings dramatically in theme and style not just from song to song, but from verse to verse - all the while remaining distinctly Language Arts. - Luke Champion

Scene Magazine

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

LANGUAGE-ARTS • WHERE WERE YOU IN THE WILD? (INDIE) Language-Arts second CD blends alt-rock with acoustic jazz and comes up with an intriguing listen. I especially enjoyed Gregor Phillips’ string arrangements, which feature a lot of acoustic bass, cello and violin. They help frame the quirky Joanna Newsom-style vocals of Kristen Cudmore, and make for a pretty unique sound. Outstanding tracks include ‘Cavity’ with its West Coast Jazz feel and 7/4 time signature updating the popular sound of Dave Brubeck. Kristen Cudmore’s stream-of-consciousness vocal style may be an acquired taste but I found it made for a nice mix for the beat and bossa feel of the CD. Performance: B+/Production: B+ - Dave Clarke

Backstage Vancouver

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Language-Arts are very unusual. This show celebrates the release of their new album, Where Were You In The Wild?. Their conversation with fellow blogger AlexofAnders is fascinating (especially the parts about Whistler and their tour van), and their live performance is just as intriguing. At the heart of Language-Arts is Kristen Cudmore (guitar, vocals) and Gregor Phillips (drums, percussion), but on stage they are accompanied by two girls on backing vocals and keyboards, a guy on upright bass, and Cris Derksen on cell (whom I recognized from her part in the uber sexy E.S.L. band). Kristen’s classical guitar playing consists of both picking and strumming, but looks quite unusual. I’ve never seen a girl play the guitar like that at a live show, so this was especially inspiring. While playing complicated and precise melodies on her acoustic guitar, she manages to sing (almost but not quite rap) at an impressive speed. It’s different, weird-in-a-good-way, and reminds me of the unusuality I love about Rilo Kiley combined with the unique voice of Joanna Newsom. They’re playing two shows in the Interior and two shows in Alberta in November, so stay tuned for a Vancouver gig coming up later this year or early next year. - Lauren Eldridge

The Province

Monday, September 28th, 2009

The E-List


Language Arts, with The Ghost is Dancing and Rubik

Where: The Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward St.

Why: Hailing from East Van, Language Arts's hippie hop likely takes a lot of people by surprise. Vocalist Kristen Cudmore's delivery has been described as "rapid-fire pixie-rap." But her verses aren't set against beats -- rather Cudmore and her bandmates craft an indie-pop-with-classical-influences sound that's being compared to Stereolab and Suzanne Vega. The overall effect is whimsical and refreshing.
- Hans Ongsansoy

The Vancouver Sun

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

Vancouver art poppers Language-Arts cover territory from dreams and beyond

By Chantal Eustace, Vancouver Sun

Language-Arts

Sept. 28

The Biltmore

Opening acts: The Ghost Is Dancing and Rubik

8 p.m.

$8

VANCOUVER — Vancouver art poppers Language-Arts aren’t afraid to be a little out there for the sake of their music.

And that’s a good thing.

Their latest effort, Where Were You in the Wild?, is packed with creative tunes — like the spinning dental ditty, Cavity, or the catchy thinker, White Socks in Birkenstocks — twisted around interesting, other-worldly melodies.

In other words, it’s a fun listen.

So it’s no surprise that a discussion of their music sweeps over topics like backyards getting flooded by flipped swimming pools and killer unicorns — not to mention a little oedipal imagery.

Here’s some of what Language-Arts’s Kristen Gordon (Cudmore) and Gregor Phillips revealed in a few e-mail questions about their new album, Where Were You in the Wild?

How would you describe your new album's sound — and your music in general?

GP: I would say it’s an adventure. Every song covers different territory with lots of twists.

KC: The music in general has a swaying feeling, lots of peaks and valleys — dynamically — and I think the songs are all very different from one another. Layers and textures are present and we're mindful of our own individual playing style and how it fits together.

It can be at times slightly odd.

What inspired you guys while you were making it?

KC: It is really hard to say what inspired us because I think just day-to-day things inspire me.

I draw from simple things that don't come to mind that often too — like petting the neighbour’s cat, christmas sweaters . . . cleaning out a stable, how soothing a cough drop feels, and that quiet kid I used to know in my math class. (I wonder if he talks now.)

GP: I was inspired by my bike ride to the studio for each session!

I read that many of your songs begin as dreams?

KC: A good example would be the song, Tuck It In, based on a dream I had that was very vivid.

It was basically about how my mom went missing. [The] phone rang, [and] it was my grandmother — who has passed — explaining that she was going to take care of my mom.

The rest of the dream was how my father, sisters and I reacted to her passing:

We flooded our backyard by flipping our swimming pool over and sailing away on it on a quest to find answers.

So what’s the craziest dream you’ve had lately?

KC: I have a reoccurring dream that I am being chased by a 'muscley' unicorn that is scuffing and huffy — like it wants to turn me into a shish kebab on it's majestic horn.

I'm at the edge of a cliff — like the one in The Princess Bride — and behind me is the killer unicorn and in front of me is a far fall.

I decide to jump. When I get to the bottom, I somehow — like a miracle — land on my feet. Behind me is the unicorn, using it's wings to safely land.

At the bottom of the cliff, there are two doors.

They're the same doors as the washrooms at my elementary school: The orange door is the girl’s washroom, the blue one is the boy’s.

I run into the girl’s for cover and I yell at him from behind the door: “You can't come in here because you're a boy!" — and then I wake up.

Any notable challenges making the album — technical or otherwise?

KC: There are so many challenges as a new artist: balancing time developing your art and promoting it with a day job, scheduling shows and rehearsals, coming up with funds to cover all of the costs of making records and touring, feeling satisfied with what you have created and arranging it appropriately so it's best represented — all of the work is worth it in the end.

I wouldn't feel whole if I didn't try my best.

GP: I wanted to make a record that didn’t get in the way of the instruments themselves — and by that I mean the classical guitar and double bass.

They really sound so rich and full on their own, I didn’t want to compromise that.

What does the title refer to?

KC: I like to see how people interpret the question, Where Were You in the Wild? It means something slightly different to everyone — it makes me think.

GP: To me it refers to a kind of domestication. It makes me think about what we would, or could be, if circumstances were different.
- Chantal Eustace

Two Way Monologues

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

NXNE Night Two

I love Toronto. The streets were humming last night—from a bar crowded at eight o’clock until I was tripping over tired concertgoers sitting on the curb at 2am.

My night started at the Elmo with the lovely Alicia. It felt very “industry” in the bar, we were approached by a representative from Musebox as soon as we got through the door. I managed to catch a little of the Vancouver group Language Arts, who I saw a full set from last Friday at Rancho. It’s difficult to describe this band. At first you think that it’s folk with pretty soft vocals, upright bass and acoustic guitar, yet the lyrics are delivered so quickly that they almost feel rapped and the instruments pluck out quirky, delightful melodies. Their music is really unique and worth checking out.

Next was Blood Group, who I did not expect to enjoy. They are a dance band and well, I love Language Arts. I started to warm up when I discovered that they are an Icelandic band. I don’t know much about sampling and beats: there were three guys with boards covered in gear with plentiful knobs and blinking lights. It was amazing to see live and the Elmo was pumping. They did some songs that were atmospheric, felt as though they belonged in an independent film full of stark, almost bleak landscapes. The female singer’s high, airy vocals were suited to this. Where the band shone was their dance tracks. The last song managed to get even the middle-aged wall of photographers who were blocking the stage tapping their toes.

After Blood Group I made my way home to Rancho where Yellow Wood were getting ready to play. This band’s introduction contained a “this is our second show in a long time” warning; and if they hadn’t mentioned it, I probably would have guessed it. Their music has a lot of potential, but it wasn’t coming together last night. They didn’t fit into a genre and I think it’s because they don’t really know what they want to do: the tracks on their myspace are different then what I heard last night. It seems like they are moving towards a reliance on electronic sounds, in a style that is a little reminiscent of Postal Service. The singer’s voice, which has a little bit of an emo feel (not a bad thing in my opinion), does not carry over some of the beats and is best when used melodically. Again, this band has a lot of talent, they just need to return to their roots a little (their myspace tracks are great!) and incorporate new elements with care.

Next was supposed to be Experimental Dental, however, I got denied at Sneaky Dees, where a bouncer on a bit of a power trip demanded ID from me. Apparently I look as though I am 19 years old. Sure. Instead, I got back to Rancho in time to see Rah Rah, a buzz band at the festival, play their set. Rah Rah is worth the buzz. They are being hailed as a new Arcade Fire and they do have a lot of typical Canadian, indie-type elements: a big group, violin, multiple singers, but they are not a copy. Their cute pop-rock is solid and a whole lot of fun to see live. A special note goes to their fun lyrics: “it’s fashionable to be single in big cities but not in small towns/ In Regina, Saskatchewan, I fell in love with her frown”.
My last Rancho band of the evening was The Wilderness. I liked them. They play accessible alternative rock. It’s rock music that makes your heart swell with tom-heavy drum parts that crescendo at the perfect moment in a well-crafted chorus. There was nothing really different about what they did, but they did it very well and the crowd had a fantastic time. It was the first time all night that I saw a crowd behave as though they were at a rock show and not in an art gallery where you are supposed to stand back and look. Finally, Terri and I made a brief trip to the Supermarket to check out Kill the Lights. It was my first visit to that venue and the first thing I noticed, interestingly, was the lights behind the stage. The Supermarket is a nice place. I especially enjoyed the cushy booths at the front where Terri and I rested our weary feet. Unfortunately I remember more about chatting with Terri about her up-coming trip than I do about the band. I was tired. They were rockish—sounded pretty tight. Sort of your normal alternative rock with a little more alternative than The Wilderness.

Tonight starts with $100, who I have wanted to see for a long while. I’m excited and hopefully will be a little less sober! - na

ChartATTACK!

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

"Where Were You In The Wild" is the quirky indie pop title track from Language-Arts' upcoming album of the same name, due out Oct. 27. The record is the follow-up to the East Vancouver band's 2007 self-titled debut. Listen here: http://www.chartattack.com/media/audio/74420/charttrack-language-art-where-were-you-in-the-wild - Edward Skira

AW Music

Sunday, August 9th, 2009

Language Arts – Small Run
9 July 2009, Jay @ 6:09 pm

Language Arts Small Run

Acoustic rock, although an extremely pleasant genre, can get to sound very generic. Most of the time if an acoustic rock band wants to stand out it is usually through creative lyrics. So when a band can take acoustic rock and make it stand out that much more it becomes even more impressive. That is exactly what you have with Language Arts Small Run EP.

Language Arts, who hail from British Colombia, take acoustic rock and puts a nice twist on to it. For the most part it has the standard acoustic rock set up to it, one acoustic guitar, clever lyrics, soft drums and mellow bass. However they put a bit more into it. First of all the tone on the guitar is absolutely beautiful, which may not seem like it would make that much of a difference but gives the sound of each song such pleasant feeling to it. Also instead of mellow electric bass, they opted for using a double bass, often times using a bow as well. This allows each song to have a richer sound to it, and a nice undertone that works really well with the rest of the rest of the band. Also the keyboard provides a great change using more whimsical tones, sounding almost like something from a final fantasy (the game not band) soundtrack.

Now that alone might not make them seem like they would stand out that much, but the real beauty comes from the vocal style. Their singer Kristen Cudmore, has such a unique and awesome vocal style. Instead of standard acoustic vocals Cudmore adds a bit of a hip hop style. This is especially present on the track “Tuck it in” where at times she sounds almost identical to Busdriver. This makes the songs stand out, and the rest of the instrumentation supports her vocals so perfectly that it makes this short EP absolutely magnificent.

Although it is only 4 songs long, the EP is defiantly worth a listen. When I caught up with Cudmore at their NXNE performance she stated that this EP is a preview of what will be coming out later this fall. You should defiantly look out for these guys, as it will not be long before you will be hearing a lot more about them.
Language Arts – White Socks In BirkenStocks
Language Arts – Tuck it in
- Jay MacDougall

Tangible Sounds

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Live Review And Photos: NXNE, June 19-21, All Over Toronto Every year NXNE brings hundreds of bands to almost every venue in Toronto. This is who we covered this year.

For all the NXNE photos clickhere...

NXNE
Thursday June 18th

Language Arts
8pm
El Mocambo (Downstairs)
Grade: A+

Language Arts may be the most interesting thing I’ve heard in a long time. The four-piece band from Vancouver walked on stage with a double bass, drums, keyboard and nylon string guitar. There are a number of thing that were absolutely amazing about them. Firstly the tone on the guitar may be the most amazing thing I’ve heard in ages, with lead singer and guitarist Kristen Cudmore using a classical guitar better than I ever though possible. Secondly Cudmore’s vocal style was great, fusing folk singing with a hip-hop feel, sounding at times identical to rappers like Busdriver. I got a few words with Kristen who confirmed the Hip-hop influence on her vocals. The rest of the band work insanely well with the double bass giving them a stead drive and the keyboard providing perfect compliment to the leads. Overall it was the best show of the night, unfortunately with such an early start time there were not nearly enough people there to witness the beauty of this band, but that can hardly be blamed on them.
- Jay MacDougall

Bloodgroup
9pm
El Mocambo (Downstairs)
Grade: A

There really isn’t enough trip-hop out there right now; it is a strange genre that really isn’t that accessible to a lot of people. Yet the Icelandic Trip-hop band Bloodgroup managed to take this obscure genre and make it much more accessible. Playing both straightforward standard trip-hop songs yet at times playing Dance songs with trip hop elements. Overall it created an amazing combination that allowed the genre to be a bit more accessible to the audience who may not have had experience with trip-hop before. The crowd very quickly took kindly to Bloodgroup, whom had most of them dancing only a few songs in. It was an all around fantastic and fun show that left everyone screaming for more.
- Jay

Black Lips
10pm
Dundas Square
Grade: A

Dundas Square filled up quickly right before the Black Lips took the stage on a black night lit up with synthetic light (Dundas Square is like the daytime all the time). Introducing the show was fat Damien from Fucked Up who asked and perhaps proclaimed to the audience to ‘please, please, please start a fucking riot.’ Surprisingly the Toronto audience did, but it was all fun. And how could you not with Black Lips launching into one of their fan favourites and fastest and dirtiest songs, “Sea Of Blasphemy” as a first song. People rushed the stage and danced with the Lips as the band made sure no fans (hipster, attention seeking girls) was removed by security. A highlight occurred when Lips friend and new recording partner King Khan joined them on stage for one of their new originals and then it was back to business with Joe drumming like an unchained animal and Cole spitting into his own mouth and making out with Ian. - Jackson Main


Pirate Love
10pm
El Mocambo (Downstairs)
Grade: C-

Nothing is more painful to watch then a band try so hard and fail so much. Pirate Love hit the stage wearing ponchos and sequence shirts and instantly exclaimed that they were from Norway. They fell into the standard trap of trying to mix so many genres it just fell flat. They played a mix of noise, punk, new wave, and pop that just sounded like a big mess. They were at least having fun on stage so they deserve a little bit of credit but they took themselves way too seriously. They had the potential to be fun, and at some points the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves but ultimately it was a little too much.
- Jay

Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head
11pm
El Mocambo (Downstairs)
Grade: A

It’s hard to say what people were expecting when Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head hit the stage, but it is easily said that everyone enjoyed the hell out of it. This dance electro pop group quickly had the entire crowd dancing like high school kids when their parents are out of town. Their sounds were based around heavy synth beats but still had elements of guitar pop or rock at times. They sang songs about anything from beards to dating someone’s daughter to the popular girls in high school. Yet one of the most impressive things was that they were completely aware of what they were; they know they’re gimmicky but it’s exactly what they want to be, therefore completely pulling it off. An all around impressive entertaining and interesting show that left no one unsatisfied.
- Jay



You Say Party! We Say Die!
12am
El Mocambo (Downstairs)
Grade: C

You Say Party! We Say Die! Played a decent set at 10pm. They didn’t do anything wrong necessarily but there wasn’t anything interesting making the set pretty forgettable. They played both fan favourites and songs from their upcoming album, which were all fine it was just an average, run of the mill set. The crowd defiantly didn’t hate them but they didn’t seem like they were having the time of their life either. There really isn’t much else to say about the show, nothing bad, but nothing great either just an average show that will probably be quickly forgotten.

Friday June 19th
The Coathangers
9pm
Sneaky Dee’s
Grade: B

The Coathangers did a pretty good job of starting off the night at Sneaky Dee’s. The four-piece Riot Grrl band took quick control of the crowd and played a very solid set. They sounded closer to Atari Teenage Riot than Bikini kill combining more elements of noise then punk. The only complaint was at times they had this feeling of trying really hard to be the in your face punk band, but that is really just nit picking. Overall they played a very solid and enjoyable set.
- Jay

Bobby Conn and Monica
9pm
Lee’s Palace
Grade: B

A duo of electric guitar (Bobby Conn) and violin (Monica) playing very avante garde music with falsetto singing (again from Bobby) and kept in time with a drum machine. Monica looked like a cartoon character with flowers in here hair and Bobby looked like a mental ward orderly pimp and they went from weird to danceable to 80’s metal to !!!.
- Jackson


AIDSwolf
10pm
Sneaky Dee’s
Grade: A

AIDSwolf very rarely disappoints, being known for their intense live shows. This was of course no exception, with them going immediately into their great blend of noise and punk. It was barely two songs in before most of the crowd was engulfed into a mosh pit (or trying very hard, and failing to avoid it). Their singer spent a good half of the set in the crowd, often right in the middle of the pit screaming her heart out, leaving to make sure anyone who wasn’t in someway moving quickly started. All eyes were focused on her before long as she continued to the lead the crowd. Music wise it was typical Noise punk, the band made as much noise as fast as they could. Even If you’re not a fan of noise punk the show would have failed to disappoint, leaving everyone there questioning what they just witnessed and why they loved it so much.
- Jay

Mika Miko
10pm
Lee’s Palace
Grade: A

These girls stole the show playing their stripped down straight up suburban rock/punk but from LA. The sounded a little more polished than Erase Errata and way more hot and dirty than The Donnas and were cool because they were a Hodge podgy of style and their act was having no act. Two lead singers fronted the band and a guitarist and bassist who had their hair in their eyes the entire time blasting out songs of rebellion and turkey sandwiches taking a break only for lead singer Jennifer Clavin to take a turn on guitar (and she fucking rocked).
- Jackson

Dead Science
11pm
Lee’s Palace
Grade: B

Art scenesters from Seattle were much louder and prouder on stage than their album. Their noise was trippy and ballsy and it had a double bass for added girth but was hard to watch and listen to when you started getting drunk. Or maybe it was easier?
- Jackson

No Age
12am
Lee’s Palace
Grade: A

Holy shit was this LOUD! No Age is one fantastic band even though they don’t do a lot other than fire their noise punk into the crowd like a cannon but goddamn if you didn’t know the songs off of their full length Nouns you may have been lost since it was blisteringly deafening. But this didn’t matter, because the crowd was packed by this time and in full force with frenzy drinking and body tossing to No Age’s blast of no rules rock!
- Jackson

King Khan and BBQ
1am
Lee’s Palace
Grade: B+

The last thing I remember King Khan was sitting cross legged wearing a turban and playing with guitar like a Sitar. Then he terrorized the crowd with this outfit made of luxurious gold mesh and jewels and garage rock.
- Jackson

Jun 28, 2009 Punk, Rock, Live Photos, Live Review Add comment Bookmark & Share rss - Jay MacDougall

Much Music .com

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

NXNE: To CanCon or Not to CanCon "...Sounding more, in name, like an EYE WEEKLY Arts Best Bet, British Columbian via the East Coast band Language Arts were already well into their set at the MuseBox NXNE line-up. With a guitar that might as well been a lute, the renaissance loving, moccasin wearing frontwoman, Kristen Cudmore, hit the stage in all her meek and geek glory.

An anthemic tune about cough drops? Score 1 for Team Canada." - Perez

News Fix .ca

Friday, June 19th, 2009

--Beach and Blood: NXNE Recap, June 18-- "...Next on the itinerary was the El Mocambo, for Vancouver four-piece Language-Arts, which offers a sophisticated collection of quirky jazz-tinged pop songs. Like a good Canadian frontwoman Kristen Cudmore was friendly, polite and a little awkward – all of this to her credit.
With an 8pm start time, the kiss of death for many NXNE bands, they still managed to draw a respectable crowd of enthusiastic supporters." - Luke Champion

Two Way Monologues

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

--Days That Are Over-- "7. Language Arts (http://www.myspace.com/languageartnet): Not to future bands — If I have never met you before and you come up the stairs dropping hilarious obscure quotes from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, you are going to be my new friends. Language Arts are from Vancouver and played a tour stop at the Rancho and absolutely killed it. Kristen Cucimore’s (sic) quirky singing/rapping is oddly compelling and their song “White Socks and Birckenstocks” still gets regular mention around the Rancho when talking about year-end lists etc. Hopefully they’ll come back someday as I would push that show with everything I had." - Dan Wolovick

NXEW

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

"Vancouver's amazing Language Arts are headed east - for NXNE and stops in Windsor and Montreal. If you're not a fan of these folks yet, it's only a matter of time.
However, I'm more of a fan of letting you hear the music for yourself than trying to talk you into liking it." - not available

She Does the City

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Language-Arts "El Mocambo (Downstairs), 462 Spadina Ave. 8pm As is pretty common in this post-modern world in which we live (*bang swipe), L-A defies categorization, plunging ahead instead into the unknown realms of hip-hop/chamber pop. See them because they’re lovely" - Heather Christie

Much Music . com

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

NXNE @ EL MOCAMBO, THURSDAY "First up was Language-Arts, an East Vancouver band who drew quite the crowd for an early 8 pm show. I had never heard of Language-Arts before, but last night I couldn’t help but fall in love with them. They play a mix of folk, indie-rock-pop, jazz, and a touch of hip-hop, with their keyboards, guitar, drums and a double bass. Singer/classical guitarist Kristen Cudmore is cute as a button as she staccato-ly sings about friendship bracelets and cough drops. Their music is heart warming and fun without crossing the line of becoming too cutesy sugary sweet. Just a charming lovely balance. They will be touring again this October, when their album comes out, and thus you should check them out and take a listen. " - muchmusic.com

NxEW

Saturday, May 9th, 2009

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009

Last Thursday @ The Biltmore: We Are the City, Language-Arts and Bend Sinister
This last Thursday I had the great pleasure of seeing not only a great band I'd heard little about and one of my hometown favourites but a band that I've been trying to see for almost 2 years! We'll go in the order they appeared on stage so first up is something new.

We Are the City

We Are the City is a trio out of Kelowna BC that boast a great mix of songs that range from a raw electric energy to a heart felt melodic ballads such as the song Time, Wasted. Although these guys seem young, the arrangments of their songs feels strong and likely draws on the years of musical training already under the belt of vocalist and keyboardist Cayne McKenzie. Don't get me wrong, David Menzel (guitar) and Andy Huculiak (drums) are no sloaches and they bring everything together to make songs that stray from a lofty melody to a stronger rock sound. If you haven't given these guys a listen, I recommend you do. With this strong addition to this set, I already knew I was in for a spectacular show. Next up was a local favourite of mine...

Language-Arts

xcellent as always, Language-Arts brought their unique blending of hip-hop style vocals with everything from jazz and classical styles to newer alt-rock. When I saw them the first time I went off hearing one song, I had few expectations. I was blown away and captivated right after their they hit the stage and have been a fan ever since. Having a full double bass was one of the first things that caught my attention, it really is the strong backing that Kristen's quick vocals needs alongside he excellent work on the guitar. Couple this with keyboardist Karma Sohn and Gregor Phillips on drums gives this band a sound that you just can't find anywhere else. This may not be the first time I've seen this band, but this will not be the last. There's no one like them and I'm highly anticipating their sophomore release.

This brings us to the final band of the night, some how I have missed them time and time again but after a pining to see them, I finally got to see...
Bend Sinister

I will say, I had fairly high expectations for these guys. I've listened to Stories of Brothers, Tales of Lovers inside and out and fell in love with the song Time Breaks Down (and it's music video). Everyone I've talked to who's seen them told me how fantastic they are live, how great of a show they put on. Going in with all this feeding my anticipation and expectations, how does someone live up to them, right? My question is how does someone completely eclipse them. If you have even a moderating like any of their songs, go see them live. The amount of raw energy and stage prescense that every member in the band gives off would floor you if you could stop dancing. Blending in many styles I've heard them labelled as tons of different styles of rock but a these guys just can't be nailed down as a certain style of rock, nor should they need to be. Bend Sinister is one band that I can't wrap my head around why they aren't a household name for anyone who likes to rock. I'd be willing to bet any reputation I have that someday we'll be seeing them fill up the Commodore ballroom.

I hope you give all these bands a try, oh and sorry for the lackluster pictures. I forgot my camera and had to use my phone. - Alex Cameron

CiTR FM (Vancouver)

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Language-Arts placed #20 with Small Run EP! - Earshot Charts!

CKDU FM (Halifax)

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Language-Arts placed #30 on the charts with Small Run EP! - Earshot Charts

CIUT FM (Toronto)

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Language-Arts placed #28 on the charts with Small Run EP! - Earshot Charts

Hi-Hat Comp Blog

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Hi-Hat Comp #3 -- Art Party @ Rancho!
February 3, 2009

Ok it is that time again! Some of you already know how this works but for those who don't or who need a reminder here is the deal!

On February 13th Hi-Hat Recordings will be holding the release of our 3rd Compilation CD. This time the theme is sort of loosely themed around Valentine's Day and we have some fantastici artists lined up for the compilation AND the show itself.

At the Art Party on Tuesday February 3rd we will all get together at the Rancho Relaxo where the tables will be covered in NOW Magazines and art supplies such as paint, pastels, glue sticks, stickers, glitter, sharpies, construction paper and who knows what else. Everyone who comes will be given a handful of blank CD cases to design however they deem fit. These very cases will house the compilations that will be released on February 13th.

Like last time we will supply some food and be spinning the compilation most of the night. And since we are at a bar of course booze will be available to inspire those of you with artistic inhibitions.

Hi-Hat 3 features artists like:
These Electric Lives (Toronto)
Language Arts (Vancouver)
Walter Mitty & the Realistis (Ireland)
Pants & Tie (Toronto)
Parlovr (Montreal)
and many many more.

Hi-Hat wouldn't be the same without the help from all of you so we thank you in advance and we'll see you on Feb 3rd! Location Rancho Relaxo (300 College, Toronto, Ontario) - Dan Wovolock

CHOU FM (Ottawa)

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #7 with Small Run EP. - Earshot Charts

CFXU FM (Antigonish)

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #12 with Small Run EP. - Earshot Charts

National Earshot Charts

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts placed #34 with Small Run EP! - Earshot Magazine

CHRY FM (North York)

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts placed #29 with Small Run EP! - Earshot Charts

CiTR FM (Vancouver)

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts placed #10 with Small Run EP! - Earshot Charts

CKDU FM (Halifax)

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts placed #8 with Small Run EP! - Earshot Charts

CKLU FM (Sudbury)

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Language-Arts placed #21 with Small Run EP. - Earshot Charts

CKDU- Halifax

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

Language-Arts ranked #17 on that CKDU charts the week of January 13,2009 with Small Run EP. - Charts

Earshot Top 200 Artists of 2008

Thursday, January 1st, 2009

Language-Arts placed #184 on the top 200 artists of 2008 with their Small Run EP. - Earshot Charts

CBC Radio 3

Friday, January 9th, 2009

Un-Live on CBC3; Facebook is putting the guy who does my POSTERS for me OUT OF BUSINESS!!

Posted by Chris Alscher on Jan 09, 2009
8 comments | » Post a Comment

I feel like a protective mother sometimes when it comes to certain unique parts of being in a band. I love playing at secret venues. I love band logos, band stickers, band belt buckles and anything else that you could put your band name on. I love planning your own tour (even though I suck at it). And I start to worry whenever I feel that one of those avenues is being threatened.

Gigposters have got to soon be a thing of a past. I hope that never happens, but I hyped up a show of mine using nothing but my lady's Facebook account and got 50 folks to the show. It took 10 minutes!

Postering sucks, truly. I don't mind asking a friend to make a poster. I have been going to this fellow, Brian Tong, whose poster is above this blog. I have been paying him 60 bucks, but that will change when he realizes how good he is and ups the charge to 100$!!

It's the postering part that blows. Vancouver is so bloody spread out that it could three evenings to put posters up in the right spots. My friend Kristen from the band Language-Arts is amazing at it. You cannot turn your head in any direction without seeing a poster of hers up if she's got an upcoming show. But she's a warrior and most of us are not. And the weather sucks here, despite what you've heard. Oh...you've heard it sucks?

But there is this malicious poster posse in Vancouver that will tear your poster down without batting an eye lash, so you got to be savy, but who has the time!?

In Montreal, home of poster maker extraordinaire Jack Dylan and SeriPop, you get a heavy fine for postering up the streets. I remember a friend tell me she was fined $350 dollars for getting caught putting up a friend's poster.

I have always loved the art of the gigposter. Some blow, but there are some that I have seen that are very inspired and truly art.

Do you read the gigposters on the poles to find out what shows to go to?

Have you been using facebook and myspace more to find out what shows are happening?

Have you ever seen a more smug Grand Piano in your life?

- Chris Alscher

Hero Hill

Monday, December 22nd, 2008

If you told me I was going to sit down with a high-pitched, female, indie /rap hybrid vocalist backed by classically trained musicians and that I would be engaged in the results, well I’d be quite willing to call your bluff. That combination has more potential for bad news than Puffy’s idea to become the new black James Bond. All too often when talented musicians – and there is no doubt the members of Language-Arts are talented – try something outside of the box, the results fall short of the vision.

But when the Halifax/Vancouver quartet start to play, you get sucked into the sounds. Musically, the preview EP – Small Run - uses nice double bass lines, keys, acoustic guitar and hip hop influenced drums and the textures they create change shape in interesting ways to support Kristen Cudmor’s vocals. The guitar notes that dance around the groove on the stand out track, Tuck It In, could have dominated the mix, but the restraint Cudmore uses helps shine the spotlight on Gregor Phillips and Michael Finn's beat. The flourishes of keys Karma Sohn adds thicken up the sound and give the gritty track a more organic feel. Each member of the band know the role and is happy to stay within those boundaries.

I guess it’s not surprising classically trained musicians with a love of jazz can find the beat and run with it, but the vocals are the big surprise for me. Cudmore has that Anticon, speak/sing rap technique well in hand, but she wisely avoids the potential for disaster by using her childlike lyrics as just another element of the song, not the star. You can listen to the song and treat her voice as another instrument – one that moves quickly and never strays off beat – or you can focus in on her words that flow more like a stream of consciousness than a penned verse. Her vocals are versatile, as she bends and twists into the spaces left free on a folk track (White Socks in Birkenstocks) or spits out a staccato delivery on a more straight ahead jazz-indie songs like Boxed In.

I hate to try to pigeon hole the band with some forced sounds like attempt, but Language-Arts would be a perfect addition to a bill with another Vancouver based outfit – Brasstronaut – or any of the tons of backpackers that dwell in the city for some amazing collabos. But at the end of the day the music has to speak for itself and if you give Language-Arts a chance, you will be surprised by how well the Vancouverites pull off this creative blend of sounds. - n/a

CKLU 96.7FM (Sudbury)

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

Language-Arts ranked #8 the week of December 16/08 with the EP Small Run! - n/a

CHUO 89.1FM (Ottawa)

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

Language-Arts ranked #14 the week of December 16/08 with the EP Small Run! - n/a

CKLU FM (Sudbury)

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Language-Arts charts #21 with Small Run EP the week of December 2-9th 2008. - n/a

CiTR FM (Vancouver)

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Language-Arts charts #28 with Small Run EP the week of December 2-9th 2008. - n/a

CKXU FM (Lethbridge)

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

Language-Arts charts #18 the week of November 18/ 08 with Small Run EP. - N/A

CKLU FM (Sudbury)

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

Language-Arts placed #21 the week of December 2 with Small Run EP. - N/A

CiTR FM (Vancouver)

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

Language-Arts placed #28, the week of December 2 with Small Run EP. - N/A

CKDU fm (Halifax)

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Language-Arts' "Small Run" EP (Independent) charts at #17 - the week of November 25, 2008 on CKDU fm in Halifax. - Radio

CKLU fm (Sudbury)

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Language-Arts' "Small Run" EP (Independent) charts at #23 - the week of November 25, 2008 on CKLU fm in Sudbury. - Radio

CKXU fm Lethbridge

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

Language-Arts' "Small Run" EP (Independent) charts at #18 - the week of November 18, 2008 on CKXU fm in Lethbridge. - Radio

Turquoise Wave Sights

Tuesday, July 1st, 2008

Working on My Language Arts Jive
So I went and saw this Vancouver band Sunday night at Lydia's called Language Arts. I was with Eddie -- who is momentarily rich having just collected some cash from social services or something, and has nice dolache coming in from his simple painting work he's doing for the new immigrant network service centre downtown. Instead of the faux-gangstas at the Overdrive who dance to songs like "Party Like a Rockstar" and think they're hardcore, Eddie (who's actually in a metal band) and I were actually rocking out hard in genuine devil-may-care punked-up fashion to the swanky indie-hop bliss of the co-ed band on stage. Headbanging to alternative harmonies. Very sweet stuff.

Eddie told me he thought their music was "different" -- but then again, you have to understand he's more accustomed to singing about limbless bodies and necrophilia a la Cannibal Corpse. In fact, Language Arts spun lovely lyrical lilt with their voices and yet dolled out complex time signature changes and tempo changes with their smooth instrumentation. It was very listenable. Dancable. Math-rock indie-pop.

The drums sounded like they could have been programed, only just a bit fresher. The Nord synth the backup singer played had the most authentic sultry Rhodes piano sounds I have ever heard emanate from a piece of electronic machinery. The bassist played a stand up like a funky punk rocker. Oh -- and the lead singer with the Spanish guitar rapped real quick over top of it all. The general atmosphere of the east-side bar turned into a kind of imported-samba swing fest.

Just imagine listening to the Cranberries churned up with Buck 65. Or like Bonobo remixing the Camera Obscura. Or a beachside reincarnation of former Western female underground loved ones Andre's Last Chance (since disbanded, but not without having left their mark). Or think about the limitless possibilities of what might happen if female jungalist MCs wore your grandma's old cardigans. File next to Scratch Bastid or Kid Koala. Maybe one day they'll be signed to Anticon and open for Why?, Dose One and the lot of 'em. They deserve it.

For my Toronto peeps, you can check them out a Rancho Relaxo on July 5th (maybe bring them some Chinese food or tell them about the street meat in the area) coming up. If you're doing any hitchhiking heading east in the next couple days from Western Canada to Hamilton -- you just might run into these fine musicians. They'll be spending Canada Day living it up on the road in their van -- passing stranded hikers no doubt along Lake Superior's awe inspiring northern shores. They'll be on the road all summer -- heading east then right back west. That's the life. - not available

Beyond Robson

Sunday, August 10th, 2008

Taxes, Brasstronaut, Language Arts, and David Eby: Great Music and Compelling Local Politics

* Posted by Jon
* Filed in City, Music
* August 10, 2008

080809-david-eby-taxes-2.jpgI complain about our largely apolitical populace on a pretty regular basis in the Morning Brew, and recently drew attention to the fact that in the 2005 election only 32% of us turned out to vote. For most of my life I've been just as guilty as the rest of my peers; living within my own comfortable bubble of school, work, friends, and art while willfully ignoring civic politics. Since covering the Morning Brew for BR, however, my political awareness has skyrocketed, along with my discontent for the state of things in this city so full of potential.

One man who's been key in exposing the darker side of Vancouver's sociopolitical landscape while actively helping to foster a fairer situation in downtown Vancouver is Pivot Legal's Eastside advocate David Eby. He recently announced his intention to seek a Vision Vancouver nomination for the November election, and what better way to round up support from the Jon-demographic of underinvolved twenty-somethings than by hosting a cheap night of local music?

It was obvious Wednesday night's fundraiser had attracted a good crowd as soon as I caught site of the mass of bikes chained up outside the East Van Anza Club, not to mention the group of Eby, Orr, and Edo fans gathered outside...

After snapping some shots of those wheels ("pick up a rock!", someone yelled from inside) I stepped inside to see a table of eager volunteers ready to enlist new Vision members, a full house of packed seats, smiling faces, busy conversation, and David Eby doing the meet-and-greet rounds. I didn't catch sight of any infants, so can't confirm whether or not Mr. Eby was successful in his plight for baby-smooching (did 'Taxes' scare away the moms?) Regardless, there were a lot of people at the Anza, either explicitly to support Dave or excited for an excuse for beer and music on a Wednesday night. I'd be surprised if any of the latter weren't converted to the Eby cause after the evening was over.

Why Eby?
In short, to date Vision Vancouver offers the most viable, left-of-center alternative to Peter Ladner (Sam Sullivan's Mini-Me?) and the NPA, with their focus on bumping up security while perched behind an environmental image that's an all too suspicious shade of green. With Gregor Robertson as the mayoral candidate, the addition of David Eby to Vision's roster only adds to their potential success in leading us through what may be the most important years Vancouver has seen in a long while.

Eby's personal platform has a strong focus on the promotion of 'an inclusive city,' one with a fairer development situation and a priority on the creation of new social housing solutions, in addition to concrete support for environmental initiatives like curbside compost pickup. He's also been throwing around the words "Twenty Eleven" quite a lot, as a symbol of his devotion to hosting a 'sustainable' Olympics, ensuring the games "don't undermine our city's long-term social and environmental goals." David clearly draws a lot from his extensive experience as a Downtown Eastside advocate, including years of work with Pivot, authoring several reports on housing and social sustainability in Vancouver, and even an invitation to present before the UN in 2007.

For having spent so many years around the political scene, Eby's words remain remarkably unminced. He'd probably describe himself as 'keeping it real,' and it's pretty refreshing for a cynic like myself to realize that our political candidates have the potential to act like sincere human beings. The man is obviously very intelligent, and probably knows more about the city than the vast majority of life-long residents, but I'd have trouble imagining him ever really talking down to an audience or assuming that air of politico-superiority. He described the event himself as a super-rad success, and a lot of the credit for that radness obviously needs to go to Mr. Eby himself. Thanks to everyone who gathered in support, the place was teeming with positive vibes.
I'm not forgetting Eby's promise to support the arts, it's just the perfect way to segue into his own between-set acoustic performance. And although he didn't offer the full-on protest ballad that some may have been hoping for, he did play a fun little number in which he expressed his disgruntlement with the current administration and his pledge-turned-refrain to "do things that'll make you happy." He followed it up with a brief speech about his hopes for Vancouver and the fact that "when you sit in on City Council for three years you learn you can do things a hell of a lot better," a statement he followed up with a laundry list of complaints about the current administration and decisions poorly made.

The Anza was pretty packed, Eby was the man of the night, and I'm easily distracted by good music, so I didn't get a lot of time to chat with David personally. I did manage to steal him away for a moment during Brasstronaut's set. He thanked me for the support at BR, and was responsive to my sarcasm about the lack of a hipster-fueled campaign-pin design competition ("It's all the Union..."). I'll definitely be following the campaign, and as it stands Dave Eby and Vision Vancouver have my full support.

Brasstronaut
Brasstronaut really held their own despite being short two members. The band is one that finds their melodic engine in Edo Van Breemen's keys and Bryan Davies' trumpet, so they were more than able to offer a compelling shorthanded set. Without the drums or bass to flesh out the sound, I found myself more drawn to Edo's wonderful lyrics than before. The dystopian hipster anthem 'Requiem for a Scene' felt particularly relevant in lieu of all that recent online bickering; "these days its nothing but Vice magazines and cocaine and DJs and tamborines... pick up your pitchforks and burn down the internet..." Brasstronaut are playing in all their full band glory tonight at the Media Club, opening for Nomo, the Detroit afrobeat octet. Should be a lot of fun.

Language Arts
I hadn't seen Language Arts before, but I was beyond impressed by the local quartet. Kristen Cudmore's classical guitar, cardigan and thick-framed glasses combined with Michael Vaughan's double bass were a good sign of the experimental folk-pop sound that would await... but I wasn't quite prepared for Cudmore's mile-a-minute, decidedly rap-like vocals. It's no wonder they've been hit with the 'folk hop' label, now that I do my research... and I'll admit in retrospect I definitely had flashes of CocoRosie. While I more than enjoyed the band, I spent most of their set catching up on the socializing. This was a political fundraiser, after all, and while the majority of the crowd was conversing all night long, everyone made sure to stop and give the bands their due for a night of great performances.

Taxes
At the beginning of the night, Dave Eby proclaimed that he was "a politician that supports Taxes." Proving the man has some musical balls to match his deft use of bad puns. I honestly had no idea what to expect from the local 'post-hardcore' band Taxes. I'd met frontman Sean Orr a couple of times through our Beyond Robson connection, and realized long ago that he was a guy who's as artistically active as he is outspoken. Normally I'd be hopping at the chance to see a friend's band... but when it comes to those local acts that veer towards the louder side of things, I've always been a little bit cynical (i.e wheres the melody? just an excuse to get hammered and check the testosterone by slamming one's skinny ass into the floor? Ahem.)

It was clear the Taxes guys were about a lot more than merely assaulting ear drums when I talked to drummer Steve and learned that the band members had a history of poppier, more 'melodically accessible' efforts -- including current output with local staples Ghost House. Taxes was their place to explicitly experiment with the louder side of things (and maybe channel all that aesthetic rage?).

Sean's angry, surreal, but socially-charged lyrics were pretty damn compelling -- when they weren't lost behind the violent riffs and pounding drums, which were so unexpectantly catchy and ultimatley enjoyable I'm downloading some 'Ghost House' material as I write (I'll buy it, I swear!) And while I'm still on the fence with the whole shouting&screaming thing... Sean tapers his occasional lapses into complete vocal aggression with some charming stage presence that was almost Byrnian at times. That's right, 'Byrnian'.

And watching Orr hurl himself around the stage with total conviction made me realize that this noise or hardcore or whatever scene is about a lot more than just music... it's about creating that moment of emotional energy and escape; that all-to-rare, genuine expression of what it means to be alive and independent. An exaggerated celebration, for sure... but perhaps the most logical artistic reaction there is to a modern society which so often demands we spend our hours like herds of emotional zombies. I've heard people say similar things before, and so have you, but I never really understood it 'till I found even myself teetering on the edge of full-blown headbang. It's a simultaneous act of social rejection and celebration; it's about letting yourself get swept up in something positive for once... and there couldn't have possibly been a better way to end the evening.
- Jon

Sled Island Guide 2008

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

Palomino
8:00PM LANGUAGE-ARTS

Classical guitarist Kristen Cudmore could easily rely on the finger-lickin' good finger picks of her guitar to wow an audience, but instead, has decided to team them with a near hip-hop vocal delivery, a jazzy backing band and some contemporary soundscapes to create an art-folk that sounds kind of like it was being beamed to us from a far away planet. Luckily, wherever it's coming from, it's in a language we can understand. - Scott Kannberg

Uptown Magazine

Thursday, July 24th, 2008

Language-Arts
July 26, 9 p.m., The Lo Pub
Tickets $9
Opening for Consumer Goods

Formed by Halifax expats Kristen Cudmore (classical guitar/vocals) and Michael Finn Vaughan (double bass) in 2004, Vancouver art-folk outfit Language-Arts is taking its quirky mash-up indie rock, chamber pop and hip hop on the road this summer for its inaugural national tour- and it's about time. The band- which is rounded out by Karma Sohn (keyboards/ vocals) and Gregor Phillips (drums/percussion) - became campus-radio darlings in 2007 following the release of its debut album " ", and is continuing to generate some serious buzz with its live show. Here's your chance to see what all of the fuss is all about. - Jen Zoratti

Two Way Monolouges

Friday, August 1st, 2008

Language Arts
Short Run EP
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Review Date: 2008-07-22

Literate and verbose, Language-Arts flood their verses with word-jumbles and playful imagery. Dense and classically-trained instrumental passages form the base, while slow-moving double-bass lines swell under Kristen Cudmore�s rapid-fire pixie-rap. Essentially, they�re blending disarming indie-pop with classical influences and an ear for jazzy hip-hop textures. This is Small Run, a 4 song tour-only EP, available� er� right now in unique CD sleeves, in what my best estimation is homemade screened ink. It�s probably too late already. Only 100 copies made, says the sleeve, and I have one. You don�t. I win.

A short treatise on rapping: Effective rapping firstly needs competent flow, marked as in poetry by metre, cadence and speed. This is, as results can prove, all that is needed to succeed in rap. The underlying meaning of the wordplay can be overlooked through compelling delivery of nonsense words, stream-of-consciousness blathering or, more commonly, inane bullshit. What tends to break a rapper out from merely being competent is, in my opinion, the ability to impart wisdom.
One could make the case for there being a dearth of wisdom in the rap game currently. One could also make the case for a lack of intelligence across the board, in all musical genres. One could also make the case that I�m using this CD as a vehicle for my own petty musical concerns. There is plenty of evidence for all of this. So can Language-Arts, a band full of mildly awkward, bookish-looking young people, working in the fields of indie-pop and hip-hop, bring the goods?
They�ve got the flow. Kristen Cudmore can spit out more syllables than you can in a shorter time. She�s on the beat, or dancing around it, finding ways to cram in two to four verses of words into one measure of music. She does it with an unaffectedly childish voice, and is not afraid to speak-sing and hold notes with a charming and pure voice, akin to Joanna Newsom except not abrasive or so obviously put-on. She�s got some things to say, as well, and they�re clearly articulated, if you can process the strings of sounds hitting your eardrums. Cudmore�s delivery will leave you looking for a lyric sheet (they�re printed on their website, thankfully) as some of the more percussive passages of words are so clipped and crisp they lose their recognisability as sentences as cut their way into the rhythm of the song.
The lyrics are solid, though. Perhaps no grand revelations are present, but there is certainly a broad ground covered on only 4 songs. Opener �White Socks in Birkenstocks� meditates on stripping down pretensions and �getting back to basics�. It runs from questioning the sincerity of tattoos and trendy religion (yeah, we all know that guy who smokes a lot of pot and is �totally Buddhist�) to passing over pharmacology for a wholesome breakfast solution. It ends with �What of it really matters? / Call me an anthropologist questioning our culture�s patterns� which I believe may qualify as boasting, another feature of some kinds of rap music. Except this rap music is built on a shuffling beat, heavy tom hits, an organ freak-out, and a lilting chorus melody that�s burning itself into my head forever.
�Boxed In� follows a sombre guitar progression into musings on emotional confusion and defending the sincerity of her own heart. She asks �Cause I want to know you in my next life / Does being young make it any different? / will I ever be able to comment?� while the song picks up from slow and sad to an up-tempo stomper before finishing with fluttering nylon-stringed guitar and plenty of delicious fret noise. �Tuck it In� opens with multi-tracked pleading �Let�s sing about the things we see when we sleep / and how they feel real� before hitting a quick rhythm, heavy on bass. Lyrics come in double-time detailing a slightly creepy and surreal scene where her mother dies and the family receives a call from their deceased grandmother before the kids flee the house, overturn the pool and sail away on it�s overturned shell.
�Stay There!� builds up a slow layering of �ahhs� and double-bass before leading into a mellow keys-driven jazz section. The musicianship of the band should not be overlooked because of the idiosyncratic vocal delivery. Eventually the band locks together into a ride-driven burn-out slow-jam of back-up harmony �bop-bops� and cymbal crashes that should leave the body swaying pleasantly, lighters held aloft.
This is what EPs are good for. These are all, apparently, songs from their upcoming album, and if Small Run is an accurate sampling of said album, it should be well worth the purchase. All four tracks are dense with musical ideas; each song is stuffed full of guitar riffs, playful bass lines, synth textures and shifting drum patterns that rarely rely on time-worn structures. There�s a wealth of creativity here, more than most bands use for an entire album. As I mentioned, this EP will probably not be available to you. But you can find 3 of the songs on this album at their website: http://www.language-arts.net/language-arts-media.php At the very least, try �White Socks in Birkenstocks� because your inner (or perhaps outer) nerd demands it.
Score: 8

- Jeff Geady - Jeff Gready

The Chronicle Herald

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

One of the big hits at last year�s jazz fest was the half-Nova Scotia, half-B.C. quartet Language Arts, which played a sold-out show at Argyle Fine Art Gallery. The band returns this week with its mix of acoustic grooves and Kristen Cudmore�s classical guitar and winning sung/spoken vocal style. The group is touring with a new limited EP only available at shows, titled The Small Run, and you can hear early versions of new songs White Socks in Birkenstocks and Tuck It In on its MySpace page.
Occupying a musical twilight zone where folk and hip-hop collide with art rock, Language Arts perform tonight at the Al Whittle Theatre in Wolfville, and on Friday at the Seahorse Tavern with the Aaron Green Trio and the progressive trinity of guitarist Jeff Torbert, bassist Adam Fine and drummer Doug Cameron, also known simply as TFC. - Stephen Cooke

CBC 3 Comments

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008

* great beats Posted on Jul 25, 2008 shades of buck 65 and ani difranco... a delight to listen to. posted by teteaupain * not.robb Posted on Jul 25, 2008 you ever see that movie where the queen plays a bike messenger? weird stuff....... posted by not.robb - CBC Friends

Radio 3 - CBC

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008

Tour Diary: Language Arts

Posted by Chris Alscher on Jul 25, 2008 | 2 comments | � Post a Comment
Her wordplay and flow causes one to recall a young Queen Latifah. On their MySpace, they credit Brazilian classical composer and guitarist, Hector Villa-Lobos as a major influence.

They are Vancouver folk-hop troupe, Language-Arts, and I got the chance to speak to singer Kristen Cudmore before they played a club on the streets of St. Laurent in glorious Montreal. They will be back home to play the Railway Club on August 1st. - Chris Alscher

The Coast Magazine

Friday, July 11th, 2008

photo: Kyle MacNeil
Language-Arts have a secret EP for you
July 11, 2008 | 10:42 AM

Language-Arts is the musical creation of classical guitarist and vocalist Kristen Cudmore and double bassist Michael Vaughan. Along with Karma Sohn (keys and vocals) and Gregor Phillips (drums and percussion), the band makes their way to Halifax---on their first cross-country tour---for the JazzFest (at the Seahorse Tavern. Fri Jul 18, with TFC). But they aren't coming empty-handed. They have made a limited edition tour EP for their friends and fans. "The EP is a four track release which makes up about 25 mins of music. It is to commemorate our first cross-Canada tour and is only available on this tour (100 copies have been made). It's a sampler of what's to come on our new album which is going to be recorded this fall. We're really excited about the new music and this EP is an example of the new changes we've made as a complete group," says Cudmore. The band play exciting, unique music, garnering them media attention and loyal fans, and earning them comparisons to Buck 65, Stereolab and Suzanne Vega. Cudmore's lyrics are engaging and her rap-style delivery is the perfect compliment to the pretty arrangements. "I am usually in the worst places when I come up with an idea, like on my bike or at work," says Cudmore. "I always try to hold on to ideas until I get home and find a pen and paper and my guitar just let it go." Their plans post-tour involve more song crafting, recording and releasing their much anticipated record. "We will be finalizing arrangements for our new songs and recording them starting late August. We will be releasing the album ourselves but haven't chosen a release date yet since it will depend on when we will be able to tour it. We want to take our time and make sure we do everything right." And what is it that makes it all worthwhile for the band? "I would say that the most amazing feeling is when people come up to us after to tell us that they really liked the music," says Cudmore. "Our music seems to go over really well which makes us feel great about what we're doing." - Stephanie Johns

She Does the City

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

Anyone feeling a void in their heart for deliciously complicated folk music will be happy come July 5th. East Vancouver's Language Arts brings their Canadian tour to Toronto to dazzle the city with their beautiful, summery sound. Language Arts songs jump from airy, delicate melodies with hippie lyrics, to darker efforts with Aesop Rock-type vocals, and at their best they combine both. Reminiscent of concrete streets, and staring out your apartment window at a blinking neon sign or a melting ocean sunset, rarely is something at once experimental, ground-breaking, and listenable in a very addictive way. It's not every musician who could find her name in the liner notes next to 'classical guitar and hip hop vocals,' but that is the beauty and mystery of Kristen Cudmore and Language Arts. About their sound, Kristen says, "We're like a family. We all bring different ideas to the table, which is exciting...[our sound] keeps re-defining itself and we're OK with that."
They've drawn crowds and sold-out shows at festivals, venues, and bars from coast-to-coast, ("You get to see so many different landscapes [touring Canada]...we are lucky to have all of this space!") but this is their first time doing it all in one go. Next Saturday, go eat some nachos and drink some beers, and be the first to see a band all of your friends will be talking about come August.
July 5th, 11 pm @ Rancho Relaxo
http://www.myspace.com/languageartsnet
- Haley Cullingham

Rocky Mountain Outlook

Thursday, February 21st, 2008

Language-Arts offers hip music 101

Ordinarily, if you were planning to leave Canada and study in another country, it would be high drama indeed if you visa was fouled up and you couldn't attend your school of choice.

For Nova Scotian Kristen Cudmore, though, a sudden stop in Vancouver's airport caused her visa difficulties en route to Hawaii resulted in the four-piece band Language-Arts.

Language-Arts plays the Canmore Hotel, tomorrow night, Feb 22.

Cudmore and Michael Finn Vaughan, also of Nova Scotia, played together as students at Acadia University. Both studied there (Cudmore in music and Vaughan in engineering) and teamed up to perform - she as classical guitarist and vocal, and he as double bass.

"We played stuff I wrote and he played standup bass along with it. I was playing classical guitar and talking," said Cudmore. "It's a mild hip hop with a jazzy feel, with some funk and folk in there too."

From Acadia, though, Vaughan headed west to study at Vancouver's UBC. Cudmore had a plan in place to study in Hawaii. En route, though, the visa incident occurred, she hopped off her plane in Vancouver, the pair hooked up, were joined by Matt Dawson (keys) and Gregor Phillips (drums, percussion) and Language-Arts was born in 2004. For their Canmore gig, Dawson will be replaced by a cello player Shin Jung Nam.

Since then, their unusual hip hop, jazz, funky mix has attracted a lot of attention. Their first show together was in Whistler where they opened for Aussie multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd. They've put out a full length CD, quirkily dubbed " " and have made experimental touring forays to feel out life on the road and deal with bookings - to get into the gist of the business end of the music business.

"With our sound," said Cudmore, "we open doors to folk fests or jazz fests. We can alter our set list to fit right in."

Presently, she said, the foursome is playing weekend gigs, as all are involved with day music jobs. "It'd be awesome to tour all of the time, but we want to get the right record out and have everything in place the way we want it.

"We're booking a summer tour for 2008 and we're addming more vocal texture. A lot of people find it super fast when I rap. I like to put out a vibe and be rhythmic with a beat. It's very original, very fresh and many people haven't heard music like ours before.

"I love being in different places and meeting different people. It's the best way to learn. We love playing at the Canmore Hotel."

Language-Arts has gained radio play on a number of college stations across the country and the band is working on new material for a (likely) summer '08 release of a new CD. - Dave Whitfield

Victoria News

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008

Rapper blends folk into mix
By Patrick Blennerhassett - Victoria News - January 30, 2008

Kristen Cudmore isn�t your average, everyday emcee. A quiet woman, she�s barely above a whisper during a phone interview. Put a microphone in front of her and this little lady can compete with any of the big boys. Cudmore offers up some spectacular, stream-of-consciousness lyrics on Language Art�s debut self-titled CD.

Cudmore is half Buck 65, half Ani Difranco, supplying both rap-style vocals and classical guitar licks for Language Arts. The quartet: Cudmore, double bassist Michael Finn Vaughan, keyboardist Matt Dawson and drummer Gregor Phillips, features a unique blend of folk and hip-hop, woven into a distinctly Canadian sound that hits Logan�s Pub tomorrow (Jan. 31). Cudmore and Vaughan met in 2004 while the two were attending Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S.

�I was just playing around on the guitar one day and (Vaughan) came by and asked if he could play with me,� said Cudmore.

It was actually a botched travel visa application that truly set Language Arts into motion. Cudmore planned to go to the University of Hawaii, but messed up paperwork meant Hawaii was a no-go. She decided not to forfeit part of her ticket and check out Vancouver.

�Michael was going to UBC and I came up with the idea of hanging around a bit and playing some shows. Then things just kind of took off and I decided to stick around, get a place and stay here.�

It doesn�t hurt that the band�s second official show was opening for multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival in Whistler. The band followed up with an EP titled The Baby before recording their full-length debut disc, which blends folk with rap-style lyrics.

�When I first started to sit down and write some songs I realized I had way too many lyrics. So I sort of thought to myself, I�m going to rap these because it will fit them all in. I�m also a huge fan of the underground rap scene.�

A few years ago Canada had a burgeoning national rap scene. Such acts as Swollen Members, Kardinal Offishall, Choclair were making waves and even Snow had returned to the mix. But then the Montreal indie music scene exploded, with acts like Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene drowning out most of the Canuck hip-hop beats.

�It seems like the indie rock scene hipsters kind of came in and overthrew that a bit,� Cudmore said.

Getting signed to a big label isn�t way up on the band�s priority list.

�I�d rather take out a loan from the bank. And all it is really is distribution. You�ve got to get your name out there on your own now anyways.�

Language Arts plays Logan�s Pub, 1821 Cook St., from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Doors open at 9 p.m. - Patrick Blennerhasset

The Music Hub

Wednesday, December 5th, 2007

If we try to define the current state of my relationship with music in one word, that word would be "a lot". А если двумя, то - � очень много �. And if two, it - "a lot". Очень много музыки: старой и новой, простой и замысловатой, гениальной и проходной, плохой и хорошей. A lot of music: old and new, simple and intricate, ingenious and passing bad and good. Много музыки - много времени. A lot of music - a lot of time. И больше всего этого времени тратишь именно на борьбу с этим � много � - поиск нужного, оценку, сортировку, а вовсе не на прослушивание от начала до конца.Но вот, нашел то, что понравилось, скачал и положил в заветную папочку Music на винте, и� Лезешь в Интернет искать что-то новое. And most of the time spend at combating this "a lot" - desired search, evaluation, sorting, and not to listen from start to конца.Но has found that liked, downloaded and put in cherished papochku Music at the Screw , and� Lezesh go on the Internet is something new. А это, отобранное, так и лежит. This selective, and lies. Ладно, титаны - про них время от времени вспоминаешь и таки слушаешь. Well, titanium - about it from time to time and remember there listening. А просто хорошее послушать - куда там. And just listen to the good - where there. И названий не вспомнить, чтобы в iTunes найти. I do not remember the names to find in iTunes.

Получается, что ведешь себя как сумасшедшая белка: только складываешь про запас, но никогда не ешь� Безумие какое-то. It turns out that act as mad protein: only skladyvaesh pro stock, but never eat� Bezumie some.

language-arts


Группа Language Arts из Канады - как раз такой потерянный в глубинах моего iTunes тайтл. Language Arts Group from Canada - such as time lost in the depths of my iTunes taytl. В свое время послушал первый трек, понравилось - скачал, кинул в папку с музыкой и забыл. At one time late first track, liked - downloaded, threw in a folder with music and forget. И вот только сейчас, месяца через два, вдруг наткнулся - �Это что такое?� And only now, after two months, suddenly came across - "This is what?"

А я даже и не знаю :) And I do not know:)

Когда девушка ( Kristen Cudmore ) учившаяся по классу классической гитары начинает начитывать под эту гитару рэп, а помогать ей берутся джазовые музыканты - Michael Finn Vaughan (контрабас), Matt Dawson (клавиши) - результат довольно сложно дефинировать. When a girl (Kristen Cudmore) lessons on classical guitar class starts reading into this guitar rap, but it is taken to help jazz musicians - Michael Finn Vaughan (contrabass), Matt Dawson (keyboards) - the result it is more difficult to define. Наверное если бы Morcheeba решала сыграть акустический сет с Cardigans получился бы такой звук :) Просто, ярко и здорово. Perhaps if Morcheeba play an acoustic set coped with the Cardigans would get such a sound:) Just, bright and cool.

Причем музыка не страдает никакой головизной - это именно поп и даже, пожалуй, лаунж. And the music does not suffer any goloviznoy - this is pop, and even, perhaps, the lounge. И главное, в ней нет ни капли продьюс-синтетики - вот этого выравнивания и подчистки всего и вся на компьютере. And most importantly, it is a drop-Produce synthetics - something of which the entire alignment and erasures and the whole computer. На альбоме группа звучит так же, как она звучит наверное в клубах и пабах во время концертов. At Album group sounds like it probably sounds in clubs and pubs during concerts. Живая, веселая, красивая музыка. Live, joyful, beautiful music.

Надо сказать, что Last.fm выдает этому проекту в сего 194 прослушивания . I must say that this project Last.fm issues in this 194 listening. То есть группа не просто малоизвестная, она просто никому не известная. That is not just a little-known group, it is simply not known to anyone. Просто одна из тысяч и тысяч, колесящих по пивным Северной Америки - планктон поп-культуры, самое дно шоу-бизнеса. Just one of thousands and thousands of beer pit North America - plankton pop culture, the very bottom of show business. А звучит - замечательно. And sounds - wonderful. У нас бы так в �Аэлите� играли :) We would be well to "Aelita" played:)
- Russian Translation (not exact!) - Kmonk

Music Hub - Russia

Tuesday, January 1st, 2008

Если попытаться определить состояние моих нынешних отношений с музыкой одним словом, то это будет слово �много�. А если двумя, то - �очень много�. Очень много музыки: старой и новой, простой и замысловатой, гениальной и проходной, плохой и хорошей. Много музыки - много времени. И больше всего этого времени тратишь именно на борьбу с этим �много� - поиск нужного, оценку, сортировку, а вовсе не на прослушивание от начала до конца.Но вот, нашел то, что понравилось, скачал и положил в заветную папочку Music на винте, и� Лезешь в Интернет искать что-то новое. А это, отобранное, так и лежит. Ладно, титаны - про них время от времени вспоминаешь и таки слушаешь. А просто хорошее послушать - куда там. И названий не вспомнить, чтобы в iTunes найти.

Получается, что ведешь себя как сумасшедшая белка: только складываешь про запас, но никогда не ешь� Безумие какое-то. - Music Hub

Harbour Living Online

Friday, January 25th, 2008

Language-Arts has such a fresh and compelling sound that people in the industry are talking about this group.

Don�t miss this one of a kind act. Advance tickets are $15 available at Joe�s Garage on 5th street. Come early as seating is limited. For info visit www.cumberlandvillageworks.com - Vig

Comox Valley Record

Friday, January 25th, 2008

Band�s name fits its music, says Kristen Cudmore

Kristen Cudmore can blame a non-refundable airline ticket for her change in a coastal address.

The Nova Scotia native is now plying her trade as the lead singer with Language-Arts, with Vancouver now the classic guitarist�s home. The band will be in Courtenay Feb. 1 for a performance at Joe�s Garage starting at 8:30 p.m.

How did Cudmore find herself coming to Canada�s West Coast to start up a band that sounds like an art-folk boogie mixed with hip-hop, jazz and classical moments?

�When I graduated, I was accepted to a university in the U.S. to do my graduate studies, but they failed to complete my visa forms in time to move there. By the time I found out, I had already purchased my plane ticket and it happened to connect in Vancouver,� she recalled.

�Because I bought it through Travel Cuts and got a sweet deal on the ticket, it was non-refundable. I couldn�t bare to waste the money so I took it to Vancouver and stayed to see what would happen.�

Her fellow Nova Scotian Michael �Finn� Vaughan also travelled west, but he had education reasons. He had been accepted into UBC to study music.

Cudmore concedes the music scenes on both of Canada�s coasts are relatively the same.

�I think that the scenes are quite similar,� she said. �They are both very diverse and involved, the only difference is that there�s less competition to deal with on the East Coast as far as becoming known locally. There�s a lot more of everything on the West Coast in comparison.�

Initially a duet with Vaughan in Nova Scotia, the twosome continued to perform in Vancouver along with a DJ who �made beats and scratches.� Then a chance encounter on a bus changed everything.

�One day someone on the bus noticed Finn�s huge bass and they got talking,� recalled Cudmore. �Next thing we knew we were recording at a recording school. One of the more advanced students Matt Dawson, decided to put a lot of work into our demo engineering and showed interest in playing.

�After that we met a great drummer who introduced us to his best friend who fit the band perfectly and he started playing with us last fall while we went on a B.C. and Alberta tour.�

How did the band�s name evolve?

�We played with a few names before Language-Arts was thought up. I was thinking of how fun language arts class was in elementary school, our teachers always tried to mix spelling and story writing homework with going out to see puppet shows and plays,� she said.

�I thought the name would fit our music well. It�s sort of a descriptor � story like lyrics mixed equally with a spectrum of sounds.�

Language-Arts has been well-received since the band cut their Baby EP and garners it�s share of good press and fan support. Cudmore acknowledged performing does differ from east to west coast.

�Our band has been praised by all sorts of people. Some people even surprise us, like Finn�s nanny. She didn�t think she�d like rap but she loved it,� she said.

�Each coast is completely different. We seem to fit into both the indie and jazz scenes in Nova Scotia and we almost always manage to sellout our shows there.

�The west coast is amazing because some nights we have a packed house and some nights it�s got more of an intimate feeling. We do have a loyal following and because of the nature of east Vancouver, we have become close friends with most of the people we have met through playing shows.�

The band�s debut full-length album last summer did well, charting on campus and community radio here, Alberta, Ontario as well as Nova Scotia.

What is the equilibrium between the band�s lyrics and the music?

�Some people write so the music is more up front and the lyrics are melodic, but don�t bring in the focus,� explained Cudmore.

�Some people write the lyrics with weight and leave the music as a backdrop. We tend to give the words a chance to shine and then the backdrop to become the painting. Then it leaves people wondering what kind of music it actually is.�

In one word, describe Language-Arts?

�Imaginative,� offered Cudmore.

Language-Arts has been known to intrigue audiences with their pasture of styles and sounds in performance.

�People find the music incomparable and usually when we start playing in a chatty room,� said Cudmore, �people stop and turn their focus. Plus, we give out lots of compliments.�

A Joe�s Garage audience will hear roots of hip hop through rap, classical through techniques and structure � in the way the songs flow from section to section � jazz through improvisational portions of the set, folk through the nature of the lyrics, indie pop through it�s catchiness, funk through the energy and sounds used on the keys section.

�From song to song it is very different,� noted Cudmore, who will be joined on stage by Gregor Phillips on drums and percussion, while Dawson handles the keyboard and Vaughan looks after the rhythm while playing his double bass.

Some of the �catchy� songs which the band perform include Running at Sunset in a Moonlit Town, St. Stephen�s, Overcome It, and Filled Up to the Brim.

�We have a lot of new songs we also like to play� said Cudmore. �It�s hard to decide sometimes (what to play). It even changes from audience to audience.�

There�s a co-operative effort when it comes to song-writing with Language-Arts, according to Cudmore.

�The band has just recently begun writing together and we have one song we have done together. We are in writing mode lately since we want to record a new album this spring.

�The other 16-plus songs were written by me. I usually write lyrics as they come into mind. One time on the Greyhound I thought of an idea and ripped my garbage bag off the seat wall and started writing in the dark.

�I wrote Running at Sunset while running. Then I ran home and wrote it down. Then I usually come up with a classical guitar line and then put it on my looping pedal so I can play around with the other instrumental parts.

�When the songs are introduced to the band I�ll let them take their parts and use them or write their own because all of the different perspectives really make these songs shine.

�Writing as a band is really fun and we have all really grown together so it�s a very natural progression for us.�

Since forming, the band�s work has been described as �cutting-edge.� How does this define what Language-Arts brings to the music table during a show?

�Cutting-edge, it�s amazing,� noted Cudmore. �The energy we put into making the songs and bringing them to new ears and ears that have already heard our stuff really comes through in a performance.

�We treat our audiences like our guests or friends and we share who we are. We�re not trying to impress anyone � we�re playing our music and we�re having fun.�

As a songwriter, Cudmore draws on life�s experiences to come up with lyrics for new songs. Words are key. Her own imagination is tapped. Plus the band draws on its own varied backgrounds as part of the creative process.Br>
�The band is an inspiration through our varied backgrounds. Finn is very much into jazz and classical music � he plays in two symphonies � and has a passion for hard rock music on top of the other two.

�Matt has an extensive record collection of old funk music and seems to appreciate and know a lot about jazz through his study at Malaspina College.

�Gregor is a jazz drummer from Capilano College and has been deeply immersed into the improv scene. He is also very much in the know of new music of all genres.

�And me � I studied classical guitar for 15 years seriously and have a strong interest in classical/ latin guitar, underground hip hop and have to admit that I am still a fan of 90�s grunge music.�

So how does a classical guitar figure in the creative music writing process?

�It�s the device that allowed me to explore music and the launch pad for the beginnings of writing any song,� she said.

A reviewer for The Coast in Halifax described her sound as �(Kristen) delivers a steady flow of conscience contemplation, with an unaffected clarion-like voice.�

Is this accurate?

�The words come fast. I don�t have vocal training, but my ears can guide me,� said Cudmore. �My voice is hard to explain since I don�t know what it sounds like when it�s my own. I guess when I listen to it myself, I don�t hear it the way other people do so I can�t really answer.�

Besides stopping in Courtenay, Language-Arts will perform in Victoria. But before heading south to B.C.�s capital, the band will likely spend an extra day in the Comox Valley and take in some skiing at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Tickets at the door are $15. - Jules Xavier

The Coast

Wednesday, July 18th, 2007

The art of musical language
July 18, 2007 | 09:48 PM

Language Arts, Wednesday July 18, 8pm

Argyle Fine Art Sound Gallery Series

Vancouver-based Language Arts will hopefully return to Halifax soon, perhaps on a bill in a club, because they're ready for it.

They certainly attract a crowd, judging from the enthusiastic folks on the stairway and some seat-dancers down the middle. All got smiles from Language Arts vocalist/guitarist Kristen Cudmore.

Cudmore, the native Nova Scotian (from New Minas), was a treat to listen to and to watch. Picking mostly (but strumming as well) notes on her nylon-stringed classical guitar, she played some beautiful melodies while delivering a torrent of lyrics. (She has that sing/talk style that sounds smart and sweet.) You can hear careful crafting in the words and their delivery.

"Either Way" and "Running at Sunset in a Moonlit Town" showed off Cudmore's skills, and that was just in the first set.

She joked how the band was "smoking through" the songs in the first set. They did seem to be playing a little ahead of Cudmore's comfort zone at times, especially during a song called "Stolen Laundry," though that was a newer, untested tune. And they had a substitute drummer in the band, Neil MacIntosh. In the end, the speed wasn't enough to detract from the performance. Michael "Finn" Vaughan demonstrated how warm and robust the double acoustic bass can sound, especially in a wood and brick interior. And he showed how you can rock the big instrument. He and keyboardist Matt Dawson, who seemed to take more of a backseat than he does on their self-titled album, traded off one another during one song.

It's great to go to a new venue too for the Jazz Festival. Though a word of advice to the gallery owners: put away the work, at least the ceramic pieces that jut out into heavily trafficked areas. That could've been bad news, man. Also, the bulk of the crowd sat under a low ceiling and it got pretty stuff under there. Not sure if another configuration could work, but it may be worth looking at. - Sean Flinn

The Chronicle Herald

Thursday, December 27th, 2007

An in-depth study of Language Arts

By STEPHEN COOKE Entertainment Reporter
Nightclub Notebook
Thu. Dec 27 - 6:37 AM


IF I TRIED to describe the mix of folk, hip hop, jazz, pop, classical guitar and spoken word that goes into the sound of Language Arts, you�d expect to hear some sort of multi-headed musical hydra.

But the Vancouver-based combo is remarkably cohesive, as Halifax listeners discovered during its sold-out show at the Argyle Gallery during this summer�s Atlantic Jazz Festival.

Formed in B.C. by a pair of Annapolis Valley ex-pats, Language Arts is home for the holidays, with shows on Friday at On the Verge in Wolfville and Saturday with special guest Tanya Davis at Halifax�s Seahorse Tavern.

The group first came together in Whistler, where former Acadia classical guitar student Kristen Cudmore had moved for a year, and teamed up with bassist Michael Finn Vaughan to perform at a talent show. That led to an invite to open for Australian folk wonder Xavier Rudd at the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, which got the snowball rolling, so to speak.

Now with keyboardist Matt Dawson and drummer Gregor Phillips, the songs that Cudmore started writing in private at Acadia are becoming very public, with her winsome sing-speak delivery turning daily thoughts and life-changing experiences into winning musical material.

"Sometimes I�d be in the midst of doing something, and start humming a little tune in my head, and instantly write it down on a piece of scrap paper. Or I�d get a line in my head, and write it down and take it home and play around with it," she explains.

"But a song like Running at Sunset in a Moonlit Town, you can tell it was written while I was jogging. I started singing it, and I was seeing things and experiencing things, and I ran home and started jotting these thoughts down on paper, and immediately started putting them to music."

Since the band formed in 2004, writing has become more of a group effort, with Cudmore�s words and trained melodic skills meshing with the quartet�s ability to generate an atmospheric vibe.

"In my experience with the band, the best songs come about accidentally," says Phillips. "If we say we�re going to get together and write songs, it doesn�t really go anywhere.

"For example, we have a song that took a month-and-a-half to finish," adds Cudmore, "and we weren�t trying to make it hard. But we had this idea to play it in 5/4 time because we liked the groove we were playing. But then I�m trying to fit a rap part into that time signature, which isn�t easy.

""But then we made the chorus in 6/4 time, but we�re all counting it differently, and to get from one part to the other there�s an 11/4 drum part. When we get through it, it sounds really great � it�s not confusing to listen to, it�s a really digestible tune � but it�s just tricky to find where beat number one is when you�re changing the time signature so much.""
As for the subject matter, Cudmore�s lyrics range from the experience of coping with her grandmother�s death in the song St. Stephen�s to the Dr. Phil-inspired Welcome to the Words You Want in Your Life, which sees the mustachioed TV therapist as the tip of a pop culture iceberg that makes her want to turn off the set and crawl back under the covers.

""I hate that guy,"" laughs Cudmore, who does her bit to help by teaching guitar to disadvantaged students at a Vancouver centre created by Sarah McLachlan. ""Here he is making all this money off of being a chump on TV. "Here are these people who are all so desperate, and I�m gonna yell at them.�

"It just seems so wrong, like backwards therapy. Who would ever sign up for this crap? But so many people watch it! Maybe it makes them feel better about their own lives, but then you see someone in a book store in the self-help aisle holding a Dr. Phil book, and you want to tell them to put it back!"

After Language Arts� set on Saturday, you may still have a chance to catch a grittier shade of East Coast hip hop, with the welcome return of DJ Skratch Bastid at the Marquee Club, with Kutting Kracker, Gordski and DJ Cosmo. The show starts at 10 p.m., but is likely to go into the wee hours.
- Stephen Cooke

CKUA Radio Alberta

Monday, September 3rd, 2007

Language-Arts are a featured artist this week on CKUA online www.ckua.org - CKUA Online

CBC Radio 3

Sunday, September 9th, 2007

Language-Arts are a featured artist this week on www.radio3.cbc.ca - CBC Radio 3 Online

The Commoner

Friday, October 27th, 2006

http://journalism.ukings.ca/files/commoner_061027.pdf - Robyn Young

Nova News Now

Monday, July 23rd, 2007

Jazz East in the Valley went very well at On the Verge in Wolfville.

The hometown crowd turned out in force to hear Kristen Cudmore and Language Arts. - Wendy Elliott

The Georgia Straight

Thursday, September 6th, 2007

Music Notes
Burning hunk of junk
Music Notes By John Lucas
Publish Date: September 6, 2007

Burning hunk of junk It's never fun to have your tour van burst into flames, but in the case of Vancouver's Language-Arts, at least the vehicle had the decency to catch fire before the band left town. The folk-jazz group found a van through Craigslist and went to Richmond to purchase it. Driving the van back into town, band members started to smell smoke, recalls singer-guitarist Kristen Cudmore, calling from Nelson, B.C. "We were right between our friend Sarah, who was leading us home, and a transport truck behind us, and we couldn't really pull over, because we were in a middle lane."When the band's members eventually pulled over and exited the vehicle, they discovered that it was on fire, the result (they learned later) of an oil-gauge explosion. After the smoke cleared, Cudmore and her bandmates took the van in for some very expensive repairs. "After it got fixed, it started smoking again," she says. "Like, the next day. So we had to send it back again." All's well that ends well, however. Thanks to a pre-tour fundraiser and some negotiations with the van's former owner the group managed to cover some, but not all, of its repair bills. As of press time, Language-Arts is on the road, playing dates as far afield as Calgary. Let's hope the band's apparently cursed vehicle doesn't flame out somewhere in the Rockies. - John Lucas

Discorder Magazine: CITR (UBC Campus Radio) Strictly the Dopest Hits of July 2007

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

CITR's charts reflect what has been spun on the air for the previous month. Artistes with stars along side if their names are from the great land o' ours. Most of these platters can be found at finer (read independent) music stores across vancouver. If you can't find them there, give our music director a shout. His name is Luke. If you ask nicely, he'll tell you how to get them. To find other great campus/ community radio charts check out www.earshot-online.com

#1 The Tranzmitors* " " Reranged
#2 They Shoot Horses Don't They?* Pick Up Sticks Kill Rock Stars
#3 Legion Of Green Men* Baqontraq Post Contemporary
#4 3 Inches Of Blood* Fire Yo The Blades Roadrunner
#5 Wednesday Night Heros* Guilty Pleasures BYO #6 Hot Little Rocket* How to Lose Everything File Under Music
#7 The Pointed Sticks* My japanese Fan/Found Another Boy
#8 Lightning Dust* Lightening Dust Jajaguwar #9 Fucked Up* Year Of the Pig What's Your Rupture
#10 Tokyo Police Club* Smith Paper Bag
#11 Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Merge
#12 Shellac Excellent Italian Greyhound Touch & Go
#13 The Bloggers* The Bloggers Hockey Dad
#14 Caribou* Melody Day Merge
#15 Immaculate Machine* Fables Mint
#16 Ulrich Schnauss Goodbye Domino
#17 Rick White Memoreaper Blue Fog
#18 Language-Arts * " " Independent
#19 Raising the Fawn* Sleight of Hand Sonic Unyon
#20 Amy Honey* Pioneer Woman Self Righteous
#21 The Russian Futurists* Me, Myself and Rye Upper Class
#22 Colleen Les Ondes Silencieuses Leaf
#23 Bob Marley and the Wailers Roots, Rock, Remixed
#24 Ghost House* These Are Ghost House Reluctant
#25 Wan Manequin* Ochard & Ire Infinite Heat
#26 Montag* Going Places Car Park
#27 Pride Tiger* The Lucky Ones EMI Canada #28 Bad Brains Bad brains (Reissue) Roir
#29 Azeda Booth* Myterious Body Independent #30 Dizzee Rascal Maths + English XL
#31 The Shimmys Drive You Wild! Off the Hip
#32 The Cribs Men's Needs, Woman's Needs, Whatever Warner
#33 Interpol Our Love to Admire Capitol
#34 Ohbijou* Swift Feet for Trouble Times Independent
#35 Jennifer Gentle The Midnight Room Sub Pop
#36 Music Roots* Parade of Noises 2006 Independent
#37 Rick White* Memoreaper Blue Fog
#38 The Pipettes Your Kisses Are Wasres On Me Universal
#39 Love and mathematics* " " Independent
#40 Afghan Whigs Unbreakable: A Retrospective Rhino
- Discorder Magazine

CFBX 92.5 FM

Friday, July 27th, 2007

Charts the Week of July 27/07 Top 40 Weekly Charts: #11 - Language-Arts " " Top 10 Hip Hop Charts: #4 - Language-Arts " " - Kamloops Community Radio

CKDU

Tuesday, July 24th, 2007

Language-Arts has ranked 9 on the top 30 charts of this week and 1 on the hip hop charts at Dalhousie's CKDU campus radio. - Laura Peek

The Aesthetic Poetic

Monday, July 9th, 2007

"Last Tuesday at the Media Club, I was fortunate enough to catch an act by the name of Language Arts. How rad of a name is Language Arts? Very fitting, as Kristen, the band�s Spanish guitar playing front-woman, is a really talented lyricist and emcee. Backed up by stand up bass, keys and some hella tight percussion, their sound is a unique blend of hip-hop jazz fusion. Their live set was amazing and my personal favorite of the night. Be sure to check out their CD release party at the Media Club on August 9th. Enjoy the mix."

Track Listing:

Running At Sunset In A Moonlit Town
Filled Up To The Brim
Overcome It
- Matthew Nelson

CJAM Review

Tuesday, June 12th, 2007

Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Week #23:
1) Gore Gore Girls "Get The Gore"
One of my favourite Detroit bands finally releases an album that really captures their sound. Here is some information: The band took their name from the 1972 grindhouse classic directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis, it was distinquished by its extreme gore and weird humor, as dancers were stalked by a killer. Lewis contributed the liner notes to Get The Gore. Their sound "finds both the gum-snapping punk in The Ronettes and the sweet and dirty romance in The Stooges."

2) Language Arts "S/T"
The name of the band reminds me of the title of an early Buck 65 album, so it wasn't surprising to discover that this group is a fresh-sounding, hip-hop-incorporating group from Canada (although they're from BC instead of the NS). Self-described as "an art-folk boogie of acoustic based improvisational hip hop, jazz, classical, and funk." I really can't think of a better description.

3) Neurosis "Given To The Rising" I'm a little late to the party on this one, as Neurosis have apparently been around for 20 years or so. Founded as a hardcore outfit, it has gradually progressed through a variety of styles, arriving at a unique and profound mixture of heavy metal and acoustic, minimalistic ambiance which has proved influential on the doom metal scene. This won't be for everyone, but it should please hard rock fans.
4) Various Releases...
-The new Carolyn Mark album is wonderful. If you're crazy about Neko Case, you should probably feel the same about Carolyn. -Ford Pier in enjoyable in a semi-Joel Plaskett kind of way. -Juliana Hatfield & Frank Smith recorded a short country album that is pretty good. -The Nick Drake rarities collection should burn up our charts and your hearts. -Pissed Jeans are amazing. The band is, I mean. -That John Doe album I recommended last week too!!!!

5) Arthur & Yu "In Camera"
Tom and John of The Breakthrough have a music blog at http://mp3this.blogspot.com/. At the end of May they wrote a small entry about Arthur & Yu. I'm lazy so their great taste earns this album an honourary spot on the top 5. I think they like that new Two Gallants release on Saddle Creek too. - Chris White

CHRY 105.5 Community Radio

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007

CHRY 105.5 MHz -North York
Top 30
For the week Ending: Tuesday June 19, 2007
1. Eamon McGrath- All Eyes Fiexed on the Boy with the Black Guitar - Cassette
2. Bonde Do Role- With Lasers - Mad Decent
3. Language-Arts- " " - Independent
4. Joel Plaskett Emergency- Ashtray Rock - Maple Music
5. 63 Crayons- Spoils and Survivors- Independent
6. Element Kuuda- Le Village -Independent
7. Wolfcow- Forever Wolfcow - Gourmet
8. Various- Modus Vivendi Music Presents Vol.2 - Modus Vivendi
9. Various- New Folk: Saskatoon To Osaka - Daintydeathy And Noncapable
10. Emilie Claire Barlow- The Very Thought of You - Empress Music Group
11. People for Audio- The New Ancients - Storyboard
12. Various- Backspin - Six Degrees
13. Azeda Booth- Mysterious Body - Independent
14. Elsiane - Hybrid - Universal
15. Elkano Browning Cream- Elkano Browning Cream - Mamusik
16. Sons of Bullwinkle- Sons of Bullwinkle - Independent
17. lllfitOutfit- Proudly Resenting lllfit Outfit- Independent
18. Ester Monk- Nomad- Phlesh
19. Peter La Grand- Duende - Independent
20. The Phonemes- There's Something We've Been Meaning To Do- Recording Club
21. Frivolous- Midnight Black Indulgence - ~Scrape
22. Pterodactyl- Pterodactyl- Brah/ Jagjaguwar
23. Grim Beat- Isle of Man - Independent
24. DataRock- Datarock Datarock- Nettwerk
25. Ben + Vesper- All This Could Kill You- Sounds Familyre
26. Boats- Intercontinental Champion- Independent
27. Frog Eyes- Tears of the Valedictorian- Scratch
28. Shitt Hott- Are You There God? It's Me, Shitt Hott- Independent
29. Immaculate Machine- Fables- Mint
30. Blonde Redhead- 23- 4AD - Matthew Fava

Seattle Sound Magazine: Sasquatch Music Festival '07 - The Commemorative Program

Tuesday, May 1st, 2007

"The British Columbian folk-hop group Language-Arts blends the singer / songwriter aesthetic with hip hop from its cultural roots, updated with a fierce blend of rapping and folk-rock instrumentation. " -Kim Ruehl - Kim Ruehl

CJSW 90.9 FM

Monday, March 12th, 2007

Charts
Updated weekly

(well, sort of...)

* indicates Canadian artist.
** indicates local artist
Week ending March 12th, 2007

Chart ranking reflects airplay during the week ending 12-Mar-2007.

4000 Watts of Our New Music Director, Myke.


Top 30

2007-03-12

RANK ARTIST TITLE LABEL
# Artist Title Label
1 Arcade Fire* Neon Bible Merge
2 Secret Mommy* Plays Ache
3 Do Make Say Think* You, You're A History In Rust Constellation
4 Various* Famed Misfortune & Golden Hands That Hold Them Aaargh
5 Wal Martian** Martian Law Olive Hour
6 Of Montreal Hissng Fauna� Polyvinyl
7 Kris Demeanor** Go Away Indie
8 Trans Am Sex Change Thrill Jockey
9 Besnard Lakes* �Are The Dark Horse Jagjaguwar
10 !!! Myth Takes Warp
11 Field & Stream* Field & Stream Indie
12 Silver Lakes The Great Pretenders S/R
13 Language Arts** Baby EP Indie
14 Diamond Sea* Diamond Sea Indie
15 Subjects With The Ease Grace Precision� Pretty Activity
16 Mardeen* Mardeen Indie
17 Apostle Of Hustle* National Anthem Of Nowhere Arts & Crafts
18 The Cinematics Strange Education TVT
19 Cassette Beautiful California Atomisk
20 Thomas Lunch Diagrams Without Instructions HiFi Alliance
21 Mother Mother* Touch Up Last Gang
22 Good The Bad And The Queen Good The Bad And The Queen Palophone
23 Marnie Stern In Advance Of The Broken Arm Kill Rock Stars
24 Acorn* Tin Fist Indie
25 Ghettosocks* Get Some Friends Alpha Flight
26 Kris Demeanor** The Guilt And The Shame� Indie
27 One AM Radio This Too Will Pass Dangerbird
28 Jesu Conqueror Hydra Head
29 Great Lake Swimmers* Ongiara Nettwerk
30 Bikeride The Kiss Shammm
- CJSW

Pique News Magazine

Thursday, February 8th, 2007

"Language-Arts, a diverse group from Vancouver plays: spanish guitar, double bass, keyboards, drums and percussion under hip hop vocals for melodic lounge vibe." - Quote/Description by Kate Power

24 Hours (Vancouver)

Thursday, February 8th, 2007

"Nearly every band describes their music as 'unique' and 'cutting edge.' Nearly every band's music is neither. In fact, these adjectives come so worn and meaningless through ovruse, you will rarely find a music writer work his or her weight in newsprint that will employ either of them. This, however, causes quite a predicament when describing the music of a band such as Vancouver indie ground-breakers Language-Arts for rarely are we treated to an act so 'unique' and 'cutting edge.' Originally formed as a duo back in 2004 by classical guitarist Kristen Cudmore and double bassist Finn Vaughan, Language-Arts have continued to deliver a melodic acoustic concoctionof folk, jazz and hip hop, topped with lyrics that are borderline spoken word in both delivery and depth. Cudmore and Vaughan later added keyboardist Matt Dawson during the recording of their acclaimed EP, 'The Baby,' (acclaimed for , you guessed it 'unique' and 'cutting-edge') and then recently recruited drummer Max Myth to round out their glorious experiment. And though Kanguage-Arts is presently in the studio recording a full-length debut, music fans need not wait to sample their incomparable vibe. In fact, there's two chances to catch the 'unique' and 'cutting-edge' workings of Language-Artsthis week alone: Friday, Feb. 9 at The Main (free show), and Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Waldorf. Both shows start at 10 p.m."
- R.C. Joseph

The Coast

Thursday, December 21st, 2006

Language Arts, Gordon Isnor, Matthew Grimson Date: Thursday, December 28, 2006 Phone: 455-7432 Location: North End Pub, 2776 Gottingen "This will probably be the best show of the year. If you don't go, you will both be kicking yourself later and missing the opportunity to see such superstars in the flesh." - n/a

Hannah's Thoughts...

Thursday, November 23rd, 2006

"This is perfect music." - Hannah, age 5

The Coast

Thursday, October 19th, 2006

Language Arts Experimental Vancouver quartet goes solo for HPX gig
Machines are letting Kristen Cudmore down. "Everything in our house is breaking," says the 24-year-old New Minas, Nova Scotia, native, now living in Vancouver, with mock helplessness.
The CD burner's fried. She can't create new copies of The Baby EP by her band Language Arts. Her sewing machine is shot. The phone has silenced its ring, so a warbling answering machine picks up.
Michael (Finn) Vaughan's sleepy voice actually answered and he passed the phone to Cudmore. Vaughan plays double bass in Language Arts, while Cudmore rhymes, sings, plays classical guitar and writes the lyrics. Joined by drummer Matt Dawson and keyboard player Cody Osborne, Language Arts plays a unique and spry mix of acoustic pop, hip hop and classical styles.
"Everybody in our group is trained in some way," says Cudmore, an Acadia music graduate. Vaughan got his chops at Acadia, where he studied applied science, but performed in the university's youth orchestra.
The playing is expert, not overindulged. "It's a warm tone with nylon strings," she says of her guitar. Even as she raps and sings, she remains conscious of how plucking a string at a certain angle shades the note just that little, necessary, bit�a classical nuance.
Cudmore delivers a steady flow of conscience, contemplations, with an unaffected clarion-like voice. There's no pretense or overwrought emotion on tunes such as "Running at Sunset." That came out of time of grief, when her grandmother died. "She was really dear to me," Cudmore reveals. At the same time she struggled with the "what now" question in life. "I went running a lot." The repetitive and rhythmic motion triggered the song.
Fans of The Doers or Josh Martinez, artists who make carefree, smart and well-crafted music, and whom Cudmore mentions herself, will appreciate Language Arts.
Cudmore will be flying solo�just her and a very reliable sampler�for this gig, which will provide a perfect chance to meet this singular artist. SF
Saturday, October 21 at One World Cafe, 9:30pm, $5 - Sean Flinn

XLR8R Magazine

Wednesday, November 1st, 2006

"I would classify this track as folky but not folky-slow-soulful but more folky-fun. It's upbeat, positive, not to dance to but to tap your foot to. Her style of singing is almost like rapping, it's fast and unique. For not being super into this particular genre of music, I like it. It stands out and they are good at what they do." - Sarah, from Scream Club

Lefthip Magazine Comments on Language-Arts

Saturday, April 1st, 2006

"I was blown away by Language-Arts at Moonshine the other night and then I managed to get ahold of some rough mixes from their upcoming EP. They haven't left my stereo - a completely unique sound that makes perfect sense - hip hop producers have been using classical samples for years and Language-Arts just removes the 'sampled' part and does it live. Couple that with extremely catchy songs and I sense this could be one of Vancouver's next big acts." - Gordon B. Isnor

Co-op Radio's Future Past Show - Upon First Listen Quotes:

Saturday, July 29th, 2006

"It's an excellent CD [The Baby- EP]. Even the feel of the paper and artwork. I've never heard this style of playing and variety that you have put in. My congratulations to you." - Virginia "Jazz" of 'Future Past' Radio Show, Co-op Radio Vancouver http://www.futurepast.ca

Lefthip.com

Monday, May 1st, 2006

"Language Arts - Running At Sunset Nepotism alert! Language Arts is Left Hip writer Kristen Cudmore's project - combining classical guitar, acoustic double-bass, indie-folk and rap. Yeah, it might sound like a hellish combination but the music is anything but. Extremely catchy, endearing, emotionally-charged songs and really nice instrumental bits. Plus the live classical instruments echo the classical samples that so many hip hop producers use. I highly recommend anyone in Vancouver to check out a show now before they're selling out auditoriums." www.language-arts.net - Gordon B. Isnor

Whistler Question

Thursday, December 30th, 2004

Kristen Cudmore overcomes her fears, gets set for Tuned Women III Although Kristen Cudmore has played classical guitar for more than 10 years and earned a degree in music, she has never performed in front of an audience. So when the Tuned Women III auditions came up, it took her boyfriend to convince her that she needed to confront her fear of performing.

�I just want the experience to give me more confidence in my playing,� she said. It has, and she is bringing her unusual mix of hip hop, rap and classical guitar to Tuned Women III, a concert dedicated solely to female Sea to Sky corridor musicians performing original work, Feb. 18 and 19 at MY Millennium Place.

Already, the confidence has led to Cudmore recording her own demo to help market her music. She hopes the exposure of the concert, which will be aired on local television and radio stations, will help lead her toward her dream of a career in music. Cudmore, who recently graduated from a university in Nova Scotia, has pushed off her Masters studies for a year. She said she has struggled with many of her decisions, and those struggles have found their way into the three songs she will sing at the performance.

Her songs are called �Either Way,� �I Have A Lot to Say� and �A Piece of the Pie.� �A lot of them are about decision making in life,� she said. �This summer I thought, �What am I going to do with my life?� So I started writing down some of the stuff to let out my frustrations.�

- Nicole Fitzgerald