May. 19, 2010 - Issue #761: Public Enemy

Prevue

The sound of history

Music and hors d'ouevres at Rutherford House

At some point in the last year, Bronze Leaf, Jom Comyn and Giraffedactyl all independently found themselves in Eric Cheng's Champion City studio, putting together a new release in anticipation of Edmonton's brief but wondrous summer. Sharing a musical affinity beyond the locational coincidence, the three have decided to combine the release into a massive, of sorts, triple release party.

Such an occasion demands something more special than the average club show, though, so in the interest of spreading some wings, the bands have decided to host the party at Rutherford House. Whatever its reputation as a tea house, it's one of the last places in the city you'd expect to find an independent music show—which was, as Bronze Leaf singer/songwriter Amy Macdonald explains, absolutely part of the charm.

"One of the things about touring that I think all of us have been talking about and thinking about is the old buildings, because Edmonton has so few and does such a terrible job of preserving the ones it does have," she says from a stop in Kingston, where Bronze Leaf is continuing its tour before coming back to release Bread Crumbs. "A lot of the buildings we've been playing [on this tour] have some kind of history, the owners have stories about what the building's past lives were, and I'm really drawn to those places, so to find out that Rutherford House is hosting shows—it's not just another place: it has a storied feeling to it that I think is very cool."

"I've played pretty much everywhere I can play here, I think, all the usual spots. This is something different, and might be a nice way to get the parents and grandparents out," she says with a smirk. "And I'm pretty stoked about the hors d'ouevres."

History and hors d'ouevres seem like a solid enough reason as any to put a show together, but even the space of Rutherford seems particularly appropriate for these three bands. Though there are distinct differences, all three make music that has a certain delicate but lived-in feel, an abject prettiness and comfortable songcraft that seems especially suited to one of our rare historic sites.

The similarities don't end with sound or recording spot, however. Talking to both Macdonald and Comyn, they reveal that something crucial to the songwriting process is a kind of unconscious creation, an intuitive process that seems to do little more than channel their surroundings into something unpolished but still glimmering.

"I very much trust my unconscious," says Comyn, who makes relatively simple pop songs that seem whittled down from something more grandiose. "I don't even write the songs in a way, as funny as that sounds. When I do try too much, it sounds too forced—it's just, if this is the song that's here right now, I should just go with it."

"Songwriting is a place where I can't think too much, or it just doesn't work," agrees Macdonald, whose songs tend to sound a little more traditional, but which frequently encompass an emotional nakedness that is bracing. "Sometimes it's just a way my hand will go on a guitar—or walking is another good one. Especially walking across the High Level Bridge. I've lived downtown and gone to the U of A the last couple years, and there's lots of time for songs to figure themselves out over there." V

Thu, May 27 (7:30 pm)
Bronze Leaf, Jom Comyn
With Giraffedactyl
Rutherford House
$10 (advance), $15 (door)
Call 780.422.4697 for tickets

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