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SPIRITS have drawn a line: on one side, lies two accomplished frontmen, vocalists and multi-instrumentalists with a history of album releases and international touring; on the other, lies a self-contained duo that is as comfortable channeling The Clash and The Cure as it is U2 and Hall and Oates, “something with less inhibitions, really fun, and as dance-y as possible,” says Ian
The line is drawn between what you expect and what you've been waiting for.
SPIRITS ask if you will you cross it with them?
SPIRITS is the new project from Ian Smith and Brad Germain. Both have a solid history in music, and their back story could proudly fill the page; but this project is not about resting on laurels, nor playing it safe.
According to Ian, what started in the summer of 2006 “for shits and giggles” has developed into more than 15 multi-layered, guitar and keyboard-filled songs. Self-produced on Ian’s Pro Tools rig in Kitchener, Ontario, the pair managed to put it all together “with cheesy keyboards,” some interchangeably played guitars, and a hassle-free atmosphere. “It just seems easier that way, if you can keep everything in-house,” says Ian. “Between the two of us, we know how to play a good amount of instruments, so we didn’t have to bring in anyone else.”
The process was simple. About once every two weeks, Brad would toss his toothbrush and deodorant in the car and make the 45 minute drive from Hamilton, Ontario to Ian’s home-studio in Kitchener. According to Ian, the process was painless and they’d spend a couple of days collaborating with ease: “He’ll write a verse; I’ll write a verse; we talk about what we want and it just comes out pretty effortlessly.” “Forbidden Flame” and “Open The Door” were both recorded through the night.
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For SPIRITS, the songwriting is a two-man process. “Ian’s really good at telling me if something’s lame or sending me in the right direction,” says Brad. “I’m not used to bouncing ideas off people and having ideas bounce off me for lyrics, so it made it interesting because you have someone to edit you through the process, as opposed to when the process is finished.”
“White Light Flashes” was inspired by a Newsweek article Brad read about a woman who reconciled with her father when he was dying. “It was an interesting article about letting things go,” he says. “These two people that were so far apart their whole lives only had a really small window to fix everything, to have some closure.”
“Forbidden Flame” deals with the universal issue of socially unaccepted relationships. The lyrical content captures the angst of wrestling with one’s own sexuality. When asked what propelled two straight guys to write a song about “coming out,” Brad explains, “Morrissey would write songs about boys and about girls, so it’s not so inclusive to people who are a certain way.”
As for the musical direction, they both say that it didn’t take much of a discussion. “We didn’t want it to be a heavy band. We were shooting for it to be a little more ‘poppy,’ just focusing on the melodies of the song,” says Brad.
Gearing up for their upcoming Canadian tour, the pair will bring in a live drummer (Nick Skalkos) for the occasion, in addition to using “a full symphony of samples.” Rest assured, any thoughts of this being strictly a studio project were forgotten as the band took the stage at this year's INDIE awards during Canadian Music Week; the band is as comfortable on stage as they are in the studio. “It all really worked,” says Ian. “It was a really good vibe and Brad really got a chance to open up and sing. With the samples, it sounds like 10 people up there.”
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