artist brides

Echo Magazine - "The Burnt Oak gang in Guelph is an interesting bunch. A record label and art collective that grew from a shared house of University kids, Burnt Oak has become one of Guelph's most impressive and unique labels. To begin, they usually hand make every single release, stitching covers and plastering labels on discs. This example of DIY has fostered lasting friendships as Burnt Oak has grown to represent several artists, including Hamilton's Slow Hand Motem and Richard Laviolette. Tamsen and Elliott, another Burnt Oak band, actually met at a party thrown by the house, and released their debut EP on the label last year to critical acclaim. Now the duo have morphed into a quartet, and replaced their namesake moniker for Brides, and continue the Burnt Oak revolution with Queens, their debut LP due out this month. "It's an interesting process working on an album with Burnt Oak, really," explains Elliott Jones. "Also, with the enjoyment we had the last time making the EP, it made perfect sense to do this full length with Burnt Oak again. We are all family." Queens builds on the urgency of the self-titled EP, a coagulate of sounds, buzzes and harmonies that recall everyone from Balkan Beat Box to The Velvet Underground. Always loud, urgent and directed, Queens is sure to be one of the brashest statements in the Burnt Oak catalogue and, if everything goes to plan, one of the most popular as well. "The new stuff is wild and definitely represents which direction Brides is heading in. Although some people can't take the cacophony and booming volume of it all, we are really, really excited about this project. I recall in Montreal, some folks stood way at the back when we played, because it was so noisy. I love that." Melodies trapped inside the bellowing distortion are worthy of their own merit as Brides have grown considerably since the name change. In addition to doubling their size to a foursome, the band have been writing together more as well as touring often, which has only tightened their sound and the playful aggression bleeding out of it. "For the new record, having a full band and all is such a relief. It has only made us sound louder, fuller and in fact, better," affirms Jones. "We want to capture the live raw sound of it all, and we have definitely done that." Brides have always employed an eccentric, sometimes unwieldy approach to songwriting, having song structure change dramatically mid-song. While it showcases their ability, Jones nods to its flaws and subsequent repair made through stronger writing. The songs are still unruly and twisted, but much more playful, and melodically cohesive. "We are all collectively writing songs now, which means we are bouncing off each other, throwing down ideas from each of us. The EP was just a bunch of riffs and ideas with a backbeat puzzled into one. The new record has more flow, but is still very rambunctious and alive." - Shain Shapiro

Tamsen Fields Drums/Keyboard/Violin
Elliott Jones Vocals/Guitar
Michael Pytlik Guitar
Kevin Barnhorst Vocals/Bass
Andrew Epstein Percussion