Since their modest beginnings with Australian guitarist Ben Sharples and multi-instrumentalist and producer Jeremy Royal creating a unique home studio project, To Disappear have exhibited two qualities in their music, intense passion and emotional truth. Graceful and percussive, roaring and tuneful, the post-indie pop B.C. quartet’s first EP Into emerges like a miniature tribute to Smiths-like vulnerability. The band channels a dramatic era in music where sympathy in music wasn’t seen as weakness but rather a forceful strength that powers the music forward. Hopefully this Canadian quartet makes their way to the states soon.
You can download Into EP for free here.
This week we have To Disappear guitarist Ben Sharples answer the world famous Kuestionnaire as he provides another reason why the Great American Music Hall is one of the best venues, not only in San Francisco, but of all time (worth traveling far distances for!).
_________________________________________________________________________
1. Could you state your name and what you do in the band?
Ben, guitarist for To Disappear.
2. How would you describe your sound?
Melancholy melodies and layers of guitar. If we could get mistaken for a “You Made Me Realise” out-take we’d be pretty happy. The songs are quite lyric-heavy and we’ve got a singer who was born in Spain that has the most beautiful mournful voice.
3. What is your favorite local band?
There is nothing but dubstep and punk where we live (Whistler), but down the road in Vancouver, Black Mountain are amazing… translates even better live than it does on record.
4. Any concerts that blew your mind recently?
Flew down to see Deerhunter at the Great American Music Hall in San Fran last year and it was worth every penny. Crazily blown-out versions of “Octet” and “Fluorescent Grey” Best band in the world right now.
5. Any non-musical influences you would like to mention?
I love looking at the photography of Diane Arbus when writing lyrics. A lot of our songs are about outsiders looking in, and I feel it ties in nicely with what she did.
6. If your music was to be the theme of a film/TV show, what would it be?
Empire Records. If only to meet Liv Tyler at her hottest. We could have been Rex Manning’s backing band.
7. What musician/artist would you like to collaborate with for a day?
It would be amazing to get production work from either Kevin Shields or Trent Reznor… no-one captures sound like those guys.
8. What is the album you listen to on a cold rainy day?
Eluvium’s “Copia”
9. List four songs you would listen to on a roadtrip?
Traveling Wilburys “Handle Me With Care” (I swear this album was written for no purpose other than to soundtrack roadtrips… it’s all the same tempo and it just flows so seamlessly), Fleet Foxes “White Winter Hymnal” (perfect for camping in the Rockies), Metallica “Hit the Lights” (if it’s late and you need to get somewhere quick), Fleetwood Mac “Gypsy” (if it’s early and you don’t have anywhere to be).
10. Where do you see yourselves in 7 years?
Stealing watermelon from Peter Frampton’s rider at Lollapalooza 2018.
11. What is the last book you read?
Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood”. My Dad has been bugging me for years to read it, and now I know why.
12. Is image a factor in music or is it a waste of time?
Whether you like it or not, I think it is absolutely a factor. It’s certainly not the be all and end all, as good music will always find a way into the ears of the people, but it definitely makes a difference. Would Built to Spill have had more exposure if they looked like The Strokes? It sucks, but it’s just the way it is. That said, some bands (The Cure come to mind) use it really well to enhance music that would still be great without it. And of course, Slipknot haha.
13. Any embarrassing moments on stage you would like to share?
Nothing more salacious than malfunctioning pedals unfortunately. I was at a punk show watching one of my buddies bands once, and somehow a drunken staggette party made their way there… one of the girls ended up paying him to drop his jeans while playing. Would have been embarrassing but for the fact he made more from that than he did from the door.
14. Any favorite tour locations?
Sadly we’re yet to leave B.C., but playing at the Gorge in Washington would be a dream come true. Sasquatch people, if you’re reading this!! Heck, we’d even open for Dave Matthews Band when they play there and get heckled by bros.
15. Lastly, what is your present state of mind?
My beloved Vancouver Canucks are experiencing their usual post-season frailties, so nervous I guess.
_________________________________________________________________________
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
To Disappear – TBC from Into EP (2011)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Black Mountain – The Hair Song from Wilderness Heart (2010)