Octoberman

Twenty years into its existence, indie folk rock collective Octoberman’s latest single, We Used To Talk of Death, reckons with aging and the evolution of relationships, both to people and places. The regular lineup of Marc Morrissette (vocals, guitar), Marshall Bureau (drums), Tavo Diez de Bonilla (bass, background vocals), J.J. Ipsen (acoustic guitar) and Annelise Noronha (background vocals) was recorded primarily straight to tape and live off the floor by Jarrett Bartlett (Howe Gelb, The Acorn, Jim Bryson) at Little Bullhorn studios in Ottawa, Ontario.  

Described as “Stephen Malkmus at his loosest” by Pitchfork, and “like a sunnier Elliott Smith or Sparklehorse” by Uncut Magazine, Octoberman’s songs have garnered numerous television placements, including a prominent spot on Grey’s Anatomy. Having toured regularly across North America, the UK and Europe, Octoberman has shared stages with acts such as Owen Pallett, Chad VanGaalen, Sam Amidon, Mount Eerie and Julie Doiron. After long stints in Vancouver and Toronto, members are currently spread across Ontario.

Andy Swan is the type of musician who often gets politely referred to as a "critic's favourite"—that's short hand for "really good, but tragically ignored". Unlike many critic faves, however, Swan's music doesn't require a wealth of musical knowledge or esoteric tastes to 'get'. In fact, whether as the songwriter for The Michael Parks (formerly Detective Kalita), or in his solo incarnation, his music is just the opposite: direct, catchy, and immediate.

This is especially evident on his beautiful album, Ottawa. In just over a half an hour, Swan plays thirteen songs whose choruses get comfortably nestled into your head the second you hear them; a good thing seeing as most of the tunes only last long enough to reach the chorus twice. Swan has stated a desire to make this record the kind of album that people would sing along to. It's an admirable objective—one as difficult as it is innocent—and when you listen to a tune like "Can I Pay You With Sunshine?", you gotta admit: he nailed it.