“I imagine us as a rock band, trapped inside of a nightclub,” says frontman Harry Parsons of the Newfoundland rave punk band Ctrl+V (pronounced Paste). After more than a decade of being a drummer in touring bands, he began to experiment with making electronic music. Along with co-writer/producer Sweetboy Music, the songwriting soon began to flow, and the pair began shaping their sound, influenced by darkwave, hard rock, and a dash of punk.
Their debut EP,Prequels, is dark, yet optimistic. Mysterious yet fun. The bittersweet opening track, “Apple Blue,” sets the mood with a feeling of isolation and loneliness. “The title puts me in a neo-noir film headspace. It’s like a David Lynch version of a heavy song,” says Parsons.
This road to glossy and gritty darkwavey goodness was augmented by producers/mixers John Fryer and Mark Needham (who mixed the debut Killers album, Hot Fuss) and the guidance of Ted Sablay (touring guitarist with The Killers), giving the songs a slick and heavy delivery.
1. What did you enjoy most about the recording process of this new release?
The recording process of this EP was really great, because we (myself and Elliott) did everything ourselves, in our own home studios. This created a much more stress-free environment. I am really lucky to have been able to record at some nice studios in the past, but it can create a lot of pressure, to try to get things done really quickly, and it can weigh heavily on your mind, while you are trying to be in a creative headspace. So I think the most enjoyable part about recording Prequels was being able to take our time and let the process happen, let the sounds take shape, and let the songs take shape.
2. Share a nugget of advice that has resonated with you most over the years.
Have a good time… all the time. Ok, Spinal Tap references aside, I think probably the simple saying of just be true to yourself. Not even sure where or when I first heard it, but it was many years ago by now. Some solid, simple words to live by.
3. Who would be your dream artist/band to co-headline a tour with?
Any of my favourite artists really – Alkaline Trio, HIM, The Killers. How about this for a co-headline tour: Ctrl+V and INXS!
4. What sets your music apart from others in your genre?
We try our best to blend together rock music with electronic elements, in a way that hasn’t quite been done before. I mean, most things that you thought of have already been done before, 30 years ago. But the way in which we program our instruments is a little different than what I usually hear. I’m a drummer, so I get really intricate with the types of patterns and drum beats. We have a lot of ghost notes and some different velocities in our patterns, which is a nice subtle touch. I also will sometimes start a song with a drum beat. This sets up a foundation for the song, which then influences everything that comes after it. So that might be a little different way of writing, whereas a lot of people start with an instrument melody and vocal melody.
Apart from that, my vocals are kind of different, for better or worse! I have a fairly one-dimensional voice, so I have to try to make it work within the context of the songs. I’m not a screamer, so the softer side of my voice, against some of the harder musical elements sounds unique. I think so, anyways!
5. Tell us what your favourite song is at the moment and why.
At the moment, it’s a song called Downtown Fred, by Albert Hammond Jr. This is a really great track off his most recent album. He is, of course, a member of The Strokes, and I am a huge Strokes fan. I’ve always enjoyed his solo albums as well. Downtown Fred is a great song with a big chorus. The rhythm instruments of the song stay very constant throughout, and the vocals and lead instruments set the intensity. This is a very Strokes-ish characteristic! Especially in the earlier Strokes material. Not a crash cymbal in sight! This song has been stuck in my head for the past few weeks at least.
