Take some Smokey
Robinson, a dash of Dusty Springfield, and a pinch of Punk delivery and you
have a Rock ‘N’ Roll band the likes of which this earth hadn’t seen prior to
the conception of the magnificent Ballantynes. The band have three 7”s under their buckle on the equally
fabulous La-Ti-Da recording label. So, do yourself a favor and partake in the
good times that will ensue after you place their records on your
turntable. It’s undeniable! It’s unmistakable! It’s the Ballantynes!
Interview by Jay Castro
Who’s
answering the questions?
Vanessa and
Corey
Who is in
the band and what instruments do you play?
Jarrod Odell - Hammond/Vocals
Vanessa Dandurand -
Vocals/Tambourine
Jennifer Wilks-
Vocals/Hammond/Tambourine
Corey Poluk- Guitar/Vocals
Max Sample - Bass/Vocals
Michael McDiarmid- Drums
Trevor Racz- Drums
Is the band
originally from Vancouver BC?
Oh ya.
How did the
band start and what bands/musicians did you have in mind when starting out?
Out of necessity
and cacophony. We all come from varied backgrounds but classic soul, motown,
stax artists form common ground between us as well as a lot of punk and garage
both contemporary and quintessential.
I saw that
the band is scheduled to play the Squamish Music Festival in August, a pretty
immense occasion. Will this be the
biggest audience you’ve played in front of? How do you feel your music comes across in a festival type
atmosphere as opposed to a smaller dimly lit club?
We’ve been lucky
enough to play some pretty cool gigs like Victory Square Block party and
opening at The Commodore, I guess it will all depend on how many people come
and get wild in the wild with us. We will take as much or as little room as you
give us but its definitely exciting to get that much room to spread out
sonically, it doesn’t happen everyday.
The
Ballantynes have a look and sound, which to me, is quite sophisticated and
debonair. No easy feat to pull
off! Anything other than music
influence the band’s musical compositions and appearance?
We all have our
comfort zones when it comes to how we dress. It’s actually pretty basic if you
think about it. Maybe we all kind of recognized something and gravitated
towards each other. Or maybe we all just figured out you can get away with a
lot more if you look like you’re put together. Who knows?
The band
has quite a robust membership, did the idea of having two drummers, two
guitarists, four vocalists etc. develop over time or was this the master design
from the beginning?
We’ve always had
the same members, and there are definitely things like having two drummers that
were decided from the get go. Other things like vocals or second guitar roles
fell into place wherever they were needed. A master design sounds ominous.
I got into a lot of older music by
way of punk music. I have noticed
that you have shared the stage with a lot of more traditionally punk sounding
bands. What do you think is the
connection between the type of music The Ballantynes play and punk rock?
The connection
is probably with us socially. Punk rock is definitely part of our shared
histories in one shape or form. Plus, when you run out of bands that make sense
together on a bill you just want to play with your friends because that’s the
most fun.
With the
band’s sound drawing influence from so many different eras of pop music, if
given the opportunity, what band/or musician from the history of pop music
would you want to tour with the most?
Who else’s music/attitude or style do you feel would fit together with
what The Ballantynes do?
Can we say ‘The
Boss’? Bruce Springsteen though, not Rick Ross. He’s the other boss. We also
have to say The Clash. Because Jarrod’s not with us right now. His blood would
boil.
I recently
read a quote stating that music, above all other art forms, has the ability to
drastically change the disposition of a person. I know for myself, a bad mood and a radio playing Sam
Cooke’s Twistin’ The Night Away can’t
exist in the same room. Do you
agree with this? If so, can you
think of any examples of what and how certain pieces of music have affected you
for the better or worse?
We definitely
agree with that idea for sure, especially when it comes to Sam Cooke. At the
end of the day music can and will attach itself to moments in your life, some
of them good and some of them bad. It’s not necessarily the music but the
moments attached to that music that we feel affect people the most.
50 years
ago people used to buy music and get their water free; now people pay for water
and get their music free. How do you think this affects the music industry?
Even if it's a different
set of rules, the people who need to make music will still make music. Worrying
about it might just give you a headache, it pays to stay thirsty.
Where can
people hear the band or purchase your music?
What’s next
for the band?
Our new 7" Faith/Velvet which is part of
the LA-TI-DA Spring Singles Club and a weekender in Alberta! We're super stoked
to be back on that side of the mountains for the first time since Sled Island.
We are going with Needles // Pins! We've also got a show coming up at The
Astoria in May with our friends BIG EYES from Seattle who totally rip, and
we'll be back on the road this summer!Follow @AAmmunition
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