biographical info
It all started with a single pulse...tempo unleashing rhythm!
A bang and a boom! And a crash and a tune!
Eunoia
is a band of nine multi-instrumentalist/composers that emerged out of
the inaugural Degenrelization sessions from August 2-4th 2008.
Degenrelization
is a musical experiment seeking to create sounds beyond established
categorization. Each participant was invited to contribute a song,
theme, or metaphor for their choice ensemble to explore. In addition to
the traditional rock band arrangement (bass/drums/guitar/vocals)
composers had the opportunity to colour their sound with an eclectic
array of approximately 20 instruments, including the oboe, vibraphone
and french horn.
A two hour time slot was reserved for each
composition to be developed and recorded. Beyond the restriction of
time, the composers were liberated to create a musical statement to
their imaginations content. Ten songs were recorded over the course of
three days.
Eunoia's debut album, Degenrelization, showcases
the results of this experiment and the varied musical abilities of the
artists. This idea culminates with Decline's track Relaxings and Your
Last Thing. It is a remix that is made up of samples from each
performer on the album. Other tracks combine familiar musical stylings
like baroque with bluegrass and funk. Positive Feedback Moon Cycles
contains a samba groove that features mandolin and vibraphone. Homeland
Security is an acoustic rock song which incorporates raga rhythms and
drones.
All the members of the band sing and their lyrics focus
upon natural, social and mystical aspects of life. Sleepwalking Through
Daydreams ponders a spiritual existence within a media saturated
culture. The Ropes and Seeking That Which Creates anticipate a future
where natures wrath forces humankind to reassess their role on Earth.
To
hear a podcast describing the experience of recording Degenrelization
and samples of Eunoia's music visit www.myspace.com/degenrelization.
Eunoia are actively performing in the Vancouver area. To view live
video clips and a trailer for the documentary of the recording sessions
visit www.eunoia.ca.
Individual Experience
The members of
Eunoia have migrated to Vancouver from central BC, Alberta and Ontario.
Rebecca Treherne is a honours graduate from UVIC's music program. She
is an accomplished brass musician and pianist. Jeff Beaulieu, Brandon
Hoffman and Cameron Catalano recorded and released an album under the
name Metragnome in 2005. Since then, they have been honing their
recording skills in Gladgnome Studios. Catalano is an SFU
Communications graduate. His studies focused upon electro-acoustics,
music and dialogue. He has recently completed a three composition
commissioning for NAV CANADA. Hoffman, Matty Brown and Chad Matthews
became acquainted as students of Stylus College in 2006. Hoffman
currently teaches Audio/Midi Recording and Synthesis at Stylus. Mike
Chadwick played drums for Vancouver funk band Foundation with Matthews.
They released an album and toured Western Canada in 2007. Brown and DJ
Decline collaborated on a hip-hop album as the Firearms Quartet in
2006. Syd Beagle plays drums with Reckoner, Hoffman Lenses and David
Croft in Vancouver.
lineup
Syd Beagle drums, guitar, vibraphone, vocals
Jeff Beaulieu banjo, guitar, bass, vocals
Justin Brown drums, extended vocal techniques
Matty Brown piano, guitar, vibraphone, vocals
Cameron Catalano guitar, bass, piano, vocals
Mike Chadwick drums, guitar, trumpet, vocals
Brandon Hoffman bass, guitar, vibraphone, vocals
Chad Matthews bass, piano
Rebecca Treherne french horn, trumpet, piano, vocals
influences
Al Kooper
Dennis Brain
Bela Fleck
Weezer
Our Lady Peace
The Strokes
Deftones
Jimi Hendrix
Milton Babbitt
Ryan Adams
Modest Mouse
The Beatles
Glenn Gould