Saskatoon folk rock group to play Vangelis tonight
Fisticuffs, a rambling folk rock group that gives a generous tip-of-the-wide-brimmed-hat to agrarian influences, recently returned to Saskatoon after recording with JP Maurice at Vancouver’s Blue Light Studio.
While front man Jordan Kurtz says that the album won’t likely make its way into the public light until early 2014, the group has tentative plans on releasing video footage of their time in the studio.
And, of course, rocking out live.
Ominocity recently caught up with Kurtz for a quick chat on why it’s good to have someone around who will call you on your bullshit.
Ominocity: Describe what it was like recording in Vancouver with JP Maurice.
Jordan Kurtz: Recording was legit. It felt really good to finally move beyond tracking songs on GarageBand in my room. We went in with 12 songs and came out with 10. JP’s best quality, other than a savant-like understanding of pop, is to call out your bullshit and find the best take. I felt like he was always asking for more than what I was able to give, but it always turned out for the best.
I like to think that I know what’s right at all times. It’s frustrating and humbling to work with someone that also does.
OM: What can people expect from the upcoming album?
JK: The number one reaction when I tell people our band is called Fisticuffs is “oh, I’ve seen that on a poster.” Which is nice, but I hope that’ll change to “oh, I saw you guys last weekend and it was great.” The live show has come a long way in the last year, and the record is a good snapshot of that. It’s a mix of old and new songs that have found a way to tie together naturally. It feels big. It’s clean and just country enough.
Fisticuffs play Vangelis tonight along with Groenland and Anna Haverstock.