While the High Dials busy themselves putting the final touches on an upcoming album (release date imminent!), their back catalogue of spaced-out pop continues to drift out into the wider world.
The band is currently enjoying mainstream exposure through the popular Netflix series “House of Cards”. Listen for their song “Uruguay” off of 2010’s “Anthems for Doomed Youth” in episode 208 of Season 2, released last week!
With little advance notice to fans, The High Dials ended a long period of creative introspection that almost broke up the band today with the launch of the Yestergraves EP via their Bandcamp page.
This is the first of two EPs planned by the group as they work towards releasing their new full-length LP in 2014.
The songs were recorded in fits and starts over the past year with producer Marc Bell in Montreal.
Hear the finished fruit of High Dials labour in all its cassette-warm glory here and spread the love.
The official launch for the EP happens Friday, November 29th in Montreal at Centre Fusion Culturel.
And watch this space for the Yestergraves official video, coming very soon!
On April 23rd, it will be 50 years to the day that an über-cool 19-year old kid walked into a UK club to catch a set by a local blues band called the Rollin’ Stones.
Young Mr. Oldham promptly added a “g” to their name before making over their sound and style for long-term adulation by world teen-dom. You know the rest of the story.
Less known is how this young hustler then created one of the world’s coolest-ever labels – Immediate – where, inspired by Phil Spector and Brian Wilson, he arranged and released the cult classic – “The Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra Play the Rolling Stones Songbook”.
Fast forward to 2011. The High Dials receive a call from Mr. Oldham’s Colombian headquarters. Would they like to be a part of Rolling Stones Songbook Volume 2? In a heartbeat, “She Smiled Sweetly” is snapped up, string sections are summoned and timpanis dusted off, all in time for the Stones’ golden jubilee.
Plenty far more famous people are also invited to the party- like Johnny Marr, Gryff Rhys and Elliot Easton of the Cars, each collaborating on a different Oldham-era Stones gem.
Rolling Stones Songbook Vol. 2 was released in Canada this past week on Universal. Get it via iTunes or Amazon. A High Dials video is also coming soon – details to follow.
The High Dials with Andrew Loog Oldham!
The High Dials are currently recording for a new album (release date unknown).
Here’s a fly-on-the-wall view of the boys as they work a new song entitled “Flags”. No vocals in this preview, but an interesting background blend of folk, cumbia, and spaghetti western sounds that is bound to intrigue!
Keep your eye on this site for more studio updates over the coming months.
Hours after stepping offstage at Osheaga in July 2011, The High Dials hunkered down in one of Montreal’s top studios for a mega recording marathon.
What could have lured the band away from Canadian cottage country and into confined city spaces on that hot summer week? An invitation from legendary rock ‘n’ roll svengali Andrew Loog Oldham to enlist in his international orchestral army and reinvent a classic yet oft-overlooked tune by the Rolling Stones from “Between the Buttons.”
Mr Oldham is best known as the discoverer and mastermind of the Stones, producing their string of early monster hits including “Satisfaction”, “Last Time” and “Ruby Tuesday” while guiding them to superstardom. He’s also the maestro behind the epic arrangement sampled by the Verve in “Bittersweet Symphony”.
The High Dials and Andrew have been mutual admirers since way back in 2005 when he appeared unannounced at one of their shows in Vancouver. Years of vague plans to do something creative together finally took shape as the band put their reworking of “She Smiled Sweetly” to tape.
In addition to managing the Stones and other legends like the Small Faces and Marianne Faithful at the height of the 20th century pop explosion, Mr Oldham dabbled in instrumental music, which he released as “The Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra” on his ultra-hip and sadly defunct label Immediate.
The High Dials are in good company, joining the likes of Gryff Rhys (Super Furry Animals), Johnny Marr (the Smiths), Al Kooper, Elliot Easton (The Cars), Vashti and Gary Lucas in participating in the project.
A video for The High Dials collaboration is in production. The album is slated for a 2012 release. Expect a sneak preview of the song on this site. According to Trevor, “our take is a pretty big departure from the original, with electronic and orchestral touches, plenty of High Dials swirl, and a downbeat church vibe.”
Over many bitterly cold February nights in 2011, the High Dials composed and recorded soundtracks for two films, one of which has its theatrical release this week in Montreal, after a successful run at the Montreal International Documentary Film Festival (RIDM).
“Inside Lara Roxx” tells the story of 21-year-old girl who left her hometown of Montreal and headed to L.A to try and make a ton of cash in the adult entertainment industry. Within two months she contracted the most virulent form of HIV while performing sex in front of the camera. Miss Roxx’s story created a media sensation, but it’s when the media hype dies that “Inside Lara Roxx begins” – in a psychiatric ward in Montreal.
The film opens on Friday, November 25 and screens everyday at 3:10 PM and 7:15 PM (except Monday) @ CINEMA PARALLELE (Ex-Centris: 3536 Boulevard St-Laurent).
Here’s a sample from the score:
Our fourth song is a first peak at Side B. It features the trademark reverb of the old ballroom where the album was recorded. Lyrically, it’s a bleaker perspective on the long-term possibilities between people than ‘Uruguay’, but the High Dials always like some darkness in their sunshine. Shane Watt plays the groovy bassline, Trevor Anderson plays the speeding car. What You Call Love Is A Lie by The High Dials
Only three days till the High Dials take the stage at CMJ in New York City!
This is song 4 from Side A, “Uruguay”. Song was written in, you guessed it, Uruguay! Lyrics are about that rarest of treasures- the lifelong friend. Music sounds like a sunny Uruguayan beach. Featuring local jazz cat “Big Red” on saxophone (uncredited on the album). Enjoy.
Enjoy this second tune off the new album. It’s song two on Side A. As with Chinese Boxes, we encourage you to share the player! (just click < / > ) I’m Over You (I Hope It’s True) by The High Dials
