SYLVIE RELEASES TREES AND SHADE ARE OUR ONLY FENCES
Three years since the release of An Electric Trace, Canadian indie quintet Sylvie is brimming with anticipation to present their new full-length Trees and Shade are Our Only Fences to the world. The album will be released in Canada October 21st, 2008 through Smallman Records.
Recorded and produced by the legendary J. Robbins (Against Me, Jets to Brazil, Jawbreaker) in Baltimore, MD, Trees and Shade are Our Only Fences exceeds expectations, succinctly balancing songs that are musically complex and persuasively melodic. Noticeably more focused, Sylvie’s gorgeous arrangements have a more finely tuned sense of precision. The addition of Erin Passmore on keyboards and vocals results in a welcomed new layer of pop happiness and stunning group harmonies.
Lyrically the album exudes a sense of cautious hope for the future through songs about environmental fears, war, heartbreak and the passing of time. Lead singer Joel Passmore explains,
“The lyrics on this album tell more stories; they reflect the reasons we have to open our mouths, not just filler. In some ways they have a more somber tone, but in other cases songs talk about first loves and coming home. There is a bit of trepidation about the future at times, but I think it’s balanced with a light heartedness in the music. I guess it reflects our hopes as well.”
Formed in Regina, SK in 1999, Sylvie debuted with their first full-length album I Wish I Was Driving in 2003, garnering the band a nomination for outstanding independent album of the year at the WCMAs. An Electric Trace was released in 2005 through Smallman Records. Sylvie has played with Minus the Bear, Pony Up, Hot Hot Heat, Controller Controller, Death From Above 1979, Wintersleep, and Small Sins, and has showcased at CMJ, NXNE, CMW and SXSW. In 2006 Sylvie won the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award, which was presented to the band during a live CBC recording at NXNE.
Sylvie will be touring North America in support of Trees and Shade are Our Only Fences; watch here for updates:
http://www.myspace.com/sylviemusic
http://www.sylviemusic.com
Three songs from Trees and Shade are Our Only Fences can be streamed here:
http://smallmanrecords.com/epk/sylvie/
TRACK LISTING FOR TREES AND SHADE ARE OUR ONLY FENCES
Please Make it Home
Breakout for Summer
Satellites
Instruments of War
Listen Up
Dark Ages
Notes on Counters
she sells sea shells
Mallets
When We Were Young
Suitcases
SYLVIE TOUR DATES
Oct 10 – Regina, SK @ The Distrikt (CD RELEASE)
Oct 12 – Thunder Bay, ON @ Jack’s
Oct 14 – London, ON @ Call The Office
Oct 16 – Toronto, ON @ The Horseshoe Tavern
Oct 17 – Ottawa, ON @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
Oct 18 – Montreal, QC @ Il Motore
Sylvie, an absolutely breathtaking rock band …
~Dose
A tidy little album of post-punk rock full of maturity, aggression and beauty.
NNNN
~Now Magazine
Frankly, no one in Canadian music these days makes a sound like this. Sylvie did, with synthesised keyboard loops and teasing washes of guitar squall over the driving beats from that amazing rhythm section. Arenas, cold and silent as tombs, await their crazed sound.
~Exclaim
