Dead Child Star

Warning to Vakar: Only read this post when you have caught up on your music! :)

I just got back from a walk to two different libraries on campus. While walking I listened to Q the podcast. This episode was taped before a live audience in Vancouver to gear up for the Junos. Jian Ghomeshi (the host) was particularly lively this episode! I was very much amused by the playful banter between Jian and his guests. I was grinning all the way there and back and I burst out with a stifled laugh a few times! I bet people I past were wondering about me...

The point of this entry is that Torquil Campbell from Stars (my all time favourite band) was randomly in the audience. Jian recognized him and had Torq come up and talk for a little (this was one of the times I burst out with a laugh- Torquil is pretty funny). Torq corrected Jian on the name of his new band called Dead Child Star (Jian mistakenly called it "Death Child Star"). I hadn't heard anything about this new band! So I am now listening to it. I really enjoy Torquil's voice and I listen to Stars all the time so as soon as it began there was a sense of um, comfort, I suppose. The songs sound reminiscent Stars' album "Heart" and "Nightsongs". There are a lot of similarities between Stars and Dead Child Star (notice the "star" them? hmm). Upon simply listening to the songs of Dead Child Star, you would probably think some of them were from Stars- there is the same soft rock sound, some spoken word, synthesized instruments, lyrics with similar themes, and more. For a lover of Stars, this is amazing! Although my favourite album was "Set Yourself on Fire", so I wouldn't mind if they pursued a similar direction to that.

Here is an interesting note: Dead Child Star is a collaboration of bands under the Arts and Crafts label. Members from Apostle Of Hustle, Broken Social Scene, and Metric -and of course Torq from Stars are all coming together for this project. As well the (?) producer Minotaur Shock has joined in. (citation)

If you are following any of these bands you may know that Amy Millan (from Stars) also plays in Broken Social Scene with Emily Haines and James Shaw (both of Metric), among others, such as Lesley Feist (yes Feist). As well Emily Haines has "appeared" as a guest in few of Stars' songs. Getting confused about all this collaboration? Yes, it is quite a lot.

The thing that I find even more interesting is that I had no idea about the affiliation between Emily Haines and these Canadian Bands (Metric was formed in the States, but is now based in Canada) until I noticed that Emily reminded me of Amy Millan. So I looked it up. It turns out that they formed a short lived band together. I felt pretty awesome for noticing similarities! Or maybe it is just chance...

Ok, so this ends the insanely long post about Arts and Crafts Bands, Canadian music, and collaboration in the music industry! :) Enjoy your Saturday!