Arts
Tuesday, ocTober 25, 2011
queensjournal.ca
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Castle’s in the sky Jennifer Castle is headlining her own tour but finds it difficult to connect with fans while constantly travelling A lEXAnDRA G REEnE Contributor Jennifer Castle has been described as a Canadian secret. She’s featured on songs by the Fucked Up, The Constantines, Elliott Brood, Wyrd Visions and has collaborated with Sebastien Grainger and Dan Werb for the National Parks Project. But you probably haven’t heard of her.
[My music] is like “a balloon. I want it
to float away and be natural. But I also need a strand to it, so that I can perform it.
”
— Jennifer Castle Her third album Castlemusic is named after the moniker she used to release her first two albums — 2006’s Live at the Music Gallery and 2008’s You Can’t Take
Anyone. Castle said she’s switched her stage names but not her style. “I feel that there’s a narrative that runs through them,” she said. “It’s all an extension of my writing. I don’t forget any of the work I’ve done or wish it away. I hope to just continue it in a line.” Castle described her last album as tight, but said she wanted her new album to sound bigger. “You can make a tiny gesture in such a big sounding space and it can just be very powerful,” she said. Castle recorded Castlemusic at a studio in Toronto’s Kensington Market with engineer Jeff McMurrich and drummer Dave Clarke. Castle said there’s definitely more dimension to the new album. “[My music is] like a balloon. I want it to float away and be natural,” she said. “But I also need a strand to it, so that I can perform it. I need to still be holding onto it in some way, because the performances so often are just me and a guitar. I don’t want it to live
too much beyond my means.” Her tour started last month, with Castle headlining most of the shows. “I’m more used to travelling and opening for people,” she said. “I’m only starting to get the hang of On her official website, Jennifer Castle says she “takes supplied by eVa MiChon travelling and starting to wrap my the world very seriously, while believing very much in impossible things.” head around the fact that people are coming out to see what I’m doing. That’s definitely been a bit of a trip for me.” The new tour features more air travel, leaving Castle with less preparation time before shows. Despite the new challenges, she said she’s determined to make each performance impactful. “You have to find meaning somehow,” she said. “It’s a meeting of the minds ... You’re definitely all there for the same reason in a way. It’s a coming together. It does feel like a gathering to me.” Jennifer Castle plays Chalmers United Church tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
RatTail got their name from the notorious 1980s hairstyle, which Jasmyn Burke was sporting when the band formed.
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‘Contained crazy’
On their self-titled debut, RatTail attempts to transfer their live antics onto their record B y C Aitlin C hoi Assistant Arts Editor With moaning and a raging drummer, Toronto band RatTail has become known for their spontaneity during live shows. “I might go off and scream,” said guitarist and vocalist Jasmyn Burke. “That was something we tried to capture on the record.” Their self-titled album is the melodic grunge band’s first in-studio record — a follow-up to 2010’s four-track EP George Mounsey. Unafraid of letting loose, it’s typical of Burke to be crawling around on stage and for bassist Tim Fagan to be barefoot. Drummer Jesse Matthews has been known to
“smash through shit,” Burke said. “We can be crazy, but it’s a contained crazy,” said RatTail’s free-spirited frontwoman. “Jesse gets really intense … He’s a crazy drummer.”
voice is more of “myMyinstrument, more than my guitar. Over the years you learn more how to use your voice.
”
— Jasmyn Burke of RatTail The band’s full-length debut will be released next month, showcasing impromptu vocal interjections and one-take tracks. Burke’s endearing
yells and spoken interjections are best featured on “Sicko” and “Tip Toe.” “There would be certain takes where they would say ‘go in the booth and sing whatever you think the song might need,’ ” Burke said. Burke’s voice is a standout element of the indie band’s brand — with a full-bodied throatiness that sounds like a mix of Amy Winehouse and Adele. The singer-songwriter said people often ask the band about her voice. “My voice is more of my instrument, more than my guitar,” Burke said, adding that she’s never had formal singing lessons. “Over the years you learn more how to use your voice and how to control See Musical on page 11