Details on how to win yourself a copy of The Rest’s Everyone All At Once are at the end of today’s Q&A.
Hamilton, Ontario’s The Rest haven’t really had much time to rest in 2009. They released their debut album, started work on an EP/illustrated book project, and managed to land themselves distribution deal to get their unique cinematic soundscapes heard all over the world. Adam Bentley from the band agreed to a bit of grilling QBiM style:
The Rest
QBiM: State your name for the record, and mention your record while you’re at it.
Adam Bentley: Adam Bentley. I’m the singer/musical performer from The Rest. Our album Everyone All At Once was released in Canada this year, and will be released worldwide this upcoming March 1st.
QBiM: Where are you from, how did you get here, and where are you going next?
AB: I’m from Hamilton Ontario. I think I’m mainly where I am now because I drove a Toyota Tercel for 10 years. It’s getting blown up in a couple weeks, so the future is wide open to me. I’ll probably walk more now that I don’t have a luxury sports vehicle.
QBiM: Do you get a lot of flack for being from Hamilton? Does the city deserve the bad rap it gets?
AB: Not really. I know there’s a very dominant stereotype of Hamilton being this awful city, but it really isn’t like Welland at all (just KIDDING). Now, in all seriousness Hamilton does have it’s fair share of problems, but it also has so much to offer to young artists. It’s a place you can truly explore your own voice, and for us it was easier to grow and evolve without being influenced by all encompassing trends that sometimes pressure new bands in more major metropolitan areas. I also really enjoy living here. While some may see obstacles in the problems that face the city I see hope. Hamilton is a city of hope, and I think if this promise develops into something significant it will be driven by the everyday people that inhabit the city and I’d like to be part of that, the new Hamilton.
QBiM: Who’s hanging out with you (who else is in the band or working with you)?
AB: Anna Jarvis, Blake Bowman, Dwayne Brydon, Jordan Mitchell, Matty Buzanko, and Steve Jones.
QBiM: Anything to declare?
AB: These above people. They’re all lifelong friends, and it’d be nice if we could stay that way. Being in a band is a good way to make sure that doesn’t happen.
QBiM: Other than music or other artists, what influences you as a musician and songwriter?
AB: I’m a huge cinephile, so I would assume that many of the films I watch would have an influence on me. I try not to quantify those things too much, just let things happen organically, so the music we make comes together from a wide variety of places. I’d also say I’m fairly influenced by the Toronto Raptors ability to prepare myself for ongoing failure. You have to take your lumps in the music business, but knowing that their failure rate is so high comforts me—except that I’m obsessed with the team, so it’s a double edged sword.
QBiM: I’m a huge Hitchcock fan, and I know that you are, too. What’s the fascination with him and how has he influenced your music?
AB: I grew up watching his movies on Saturday nights, and I can remember how mesmerized I was by the films. As I grew up I only had a fuzzy memory of any of the movies, so about six years ago I began to revisit the movies of my childhood and subsequently many more that I had never seen before. This point in my life was a crossroads for me. I shut myself away for about five months, tried to figure some thing out, worked the late shift, and immersed myself in the world of Hitchcock. This could have been a complete disaster. I wouldn’t suggest being hermetic to solve your issues, but I needed to escape the constant hustle/parties/destruction. I watched as many of his movies that I could find (still about 10 away). I loved the characters, his way of letting the camera direct your thoughts in place of dialogue, and there was a high watermark of consistency in his work. Not every picture is Vertigo or Rear Window, but I found enjoyment and thought provoking layers in almost (skip The Paradise Case) every one of his pictures. His films are worlds unto themselves, and not just because they were put to celluloid decades ago, but rather that he knew that your can create your own interpretation of what’s around you, bending believability for the benefit of your audience. In our music everything has it’s roots in honesty, but through Hitchcock, I was able to cement my thoughts that honesty doesn’t rule out your imagination.
QBiM: What’s the one sound that drives you crazy?
AB: Hydrologic noises from trucks and buses. They put me on edge instantly.
QBiM: When was the last time you got in a fight?
AB: Hmmm, maybe a few years ago on my birthday. It was a wild night. My one friend threw vodka at another person, and then threw a match at him. Some of my hometown friends kidnapped one of my school friends. A friend from Ottawa was arrested and thrown in jail for wearing no pants. I got thrown down some stairs, but it was probably deserved. There was a fight in there, but not much of one. There was also a bunch of stuff I can’t say on the internet.
QBiM: Define “pain”.
AB: My appendix blowing up.
QBiM: What’s your opinion about the state of Canadian music in 2009?
AB: I think it’s great! It’s the first time in a while that I’m really excited about a bunch of local (ish) acts too.; Dark Mean, Wilderness of Manitoba, Bruce Peninsula, Timber Timbre, and on and on. Big fan of those outfits from Calgary (Women, Chad Van Gaalen, AZEDA BOOTH) too. I’m also getting really into Tune Yards—was suppose to see them last week with the Dirty Projectors, but a surprise birthday got in the way. Now, if I could just get a new Besnard Lake or Plants and Animals record I’d be a pretty happy guy!
QBiM: What’s this EP/illustrated book project is all about.
The Rest: The Cried Wolf Book will chronicle the life of the boy who cried wolf as an adult. It’s separated into four different sections and a song accompanies each one. Our good friend MLXNDRSC, an amazingly surreal and inventive visual artist, is illustrating the story. We are releasing each section online for free through Auteur Recordings every month until January first (started Oct 1st). It’ll be later sold in physical form in the late winter. The novel kicked off with our cover of Robyn’s “With Every Heartbeat”, and it can be downloaded and heard while viewing the first section of the story here. The second section is up and the third is coming December 1st. But you can get a sneak peak of the song in this video.
QBiM: What was the first concert you went to see?
AB: Mr. Dressup.
QBiM: If you could spend an hour having a conversation with any Canadian (alive or dead) who would it be?
THE REST: I wouldn’t mind speaking with the guy that created the kids show Read All About It. That show was messed up insanity in the best possible way! I’d need to see the ending because both times I watched the program in elementary school I got the flu as we were completing the series. A coincidence? Maybe, but I think someone didn’t want me to know the secrets!
QBiM: What was your best subject in school?
AB: Probably history and geography. When I was young it would have been gym, I was awesome at gym, but that quickly faded in my teenage years.
QBiM: What’s the one song you wish you’d have written?
AB: These days I wish I had written “Can’t Hardly Wait” by The Replacements. Usually I’d say anything off of Talk Talk’s Laughing Stock.
QBiM: Is there anything left to explore?
AB: Tons.
QBiM: What’s the worst bit of musical advice you’ve ever been given?
AB: Have less people in your band. Glad I didn’t listen.
So are we, Adam.
MP3: The Rest “Over The Hill” (from the Cried Wolf project)
MP3: The Rest “Coughing Blood/Fresh Mountain Air” (from Everyone All At Once)
Myspace: The Rest
Facebook: The Rest
Buy: The Rest Everyone All At Once
~~~
In order to get your hands on a copy of The Rest’s Everyone All At Once, just follow these simple steps: a) drop us an email at CONTESTS [at] QUICKBEFOREITMELTS [dot] COM with “Gimme The Rest!” in the subject line. b) In the body of the email be sure to include your mailing address and a one or more questions you’d like us to ask feature Q&A interviewees. That’s all it takes! This contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 11.
1 Comment so far
Leave a comment
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>