Regina’s Library Voices reached a new level in the indie rock stratosphere when the multi-member group’s latest album, entitled Summer of Lust, beat out the Muppets on the Top Ten of iTunes Canada chart.
Although the feat was akin to a wrestler grappling a child – any resemblance between vocalist Carl Johnson and Fozzie Bear is completely coincidental – Library Voices have managed to garner a substantial amount of public notice since, according to instrumentalist Mike Dawson.
“It’s sort of a blessing when something like the Muppets thing happens because you can publically poke fun at it and no one is going to take offense at it,” says Dawson. “It certainly feels a little more silly as opposed to something like Nickleback. But we do respect the Muppets’ artistic integrity more than we do some of the other rock bands that are on those lists.”
In addition to the Muppets debacle, Summer of Lust has been charting across Canada on college radio lists, including Saskatoon’s own CFCR. With a combination of smooth vocals paired with breezy Motown-inspired indie pop dance tracks, Library Voices have resonated more deeply with fans than ever before, reports Dawson.
“Denim on Denim popped up on a few charts here and there, but we didn’t expect to ever get to this point so quickly,” says Dawson. “We didn’t anticipate this happening.”
In addition to signing with Nevado Records in Canada, the band recently inked a deal with Dine Alone Records in America, the label that’s home to the likes of Neon Indian and City and Colour. And with the attention that Summer of Lust is receiving, Dawson admits that Library Voices have their collective eyes trained on south of the border.
“It is definitely one of our goals to get down to the States and play more shows,” says Dawson. “We talked about it for a long time and we are excited to drive down some new highways and stop in some fresh gas stations.
“And, of course, meet some new people who are music fans.”
