Listen to the new album, Magpie Waltz

Giving credit where credit is due:
The Band
Sarah Frank is a power-house of talent. She is an undergraduate student at McGill, studying classical violin, which she plays like its an extension of her body. Playing fiddle throughout the album, and singing vocal harmony on My Goddamn Country, Twenty Dollar Bill and Bad Weather, Sarah was vital to the beauty of each arrangement. She understood the artistic concept fluidly, with so much passion for folk music. The entire album has her finger-prints all over it.

Luke Fraser is one of the best mandolin players in Montreal. He’s completing a Masters degree in classical guitar at McGill University, and given his musical savvy-ness, has taken to bluegrass mandolin like a duck to water. His mando licks range from delicate to sassy even within one song, which contribute greatly to the dynamic range we find so appealing about the album. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, he picked up his guitar for the last song, Magpie Waltz. I’m not going to say anything more, just listen to it.

Mathieu Lacombe is the most charismatic bass player I’ve ever seen, not to mention the busiest in Montreal. I found him playing with his band The Steady Swagger, growling out lead vocals, with his bass between his knees. He isn’t the typical choice for bluegrass-style music, but we were never going for typical anyways. With a degree in classical bass from Memorial University, he switched with seamless grace to fit with our style. His bass-bowing makes you want to eat your heart out.

Anna Scouten has a voice that makes me think I was dealt the short end of the genetic stick. It can be described as nothing but pure and powerful. Thanks to her being my sister, our voices blend without even having to think about it. Although she’s six years younger, I learn from her talent all the time and her presence reminds me why we make music in the first place: for ourselves, for our family and close friends. Anna sings harmony vocals on Til the Wheels Come Off and Magpie Waltz.

Engineering and Mixing
James Finnerty is in the greatest way responsible for the album’s creation and completion. Most people have the impression that all you do is write the songs, teach them to musicians and somebody who knows computers will record it for you, and DONE!
This is folly.

James oversaw every detail with such care and attention, from where we recorded, to who he trusted to help him out, to thoughtfully choosing his equipment, to finally spending countless hours mixing, seeking feedback and doing a hell of a fine job. He also co-produced the album, and I could almost say for all the energy he put in, the project was as much his as it was mine.

Mastering
Dimitri Condax is a mastering engineer who James trusted with our project, and therefore so did I, and I’m so glad I did. The mastering process is a mysterious art, but all I know is that he took the mixes and within a day or two presented me with my album, exactly the way I wanted it. On top of his intuition with the way music is meant to be heard, Dimitri is the easiest person I’ve worked with up to date. All my requests were taken care of quickly, simply and he seemed to know what I needed for the final master better than I did. The last full album he mastered was “Natural History” by Sweet Mother Logic, and has since showed himself as a talented engineer who understands the specialized needs of an array of music genres.

Graphic Art
Mike Rigby is responsible for the beautiful art you’ll see on the album cover. When asking artists to do something you don’t know the first thing about, such as drawing, its always good to be able to admire their work, so you can trust them with yours. I gave him pretty free reign on the cover, and he managed to produce great work that really captures the feel of what you’re about to listen to when you pick up the album.