BRAIDS News, Interviews, Tour Dates, Videos, Photos, Reviews
Monday, September 21, 2015
Updates soon!
Sorry for falling behind on updating here, I'll fix that soon. Until then, please check the Twitter account (@BRAIDSnews) for all updates.
Friday, August 21, 2015
Leeds, England on Nov. 25th
Another date for the upcoming European tour! Nov. 25th at Headrow House. Tickets on sale here.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
2 new Interviews
2 new interviews with Austin. One at Ottawa Citizen (which reveals that the band will be doing a headling tour of Europe), and at Apt. 613 (which reveals that the band will be touring North America again early next year, and that they'll be mixing in some of their older material in the upcoming sets, starting with the Autumn tour).
Friday, August 14, 2015
Bristol, England on Nov. 26th
While the band haven't officially announced it yet, they will be playing at The Lantern at Coston Hall in Bristol, England on Nov. 26th.
Los Angeles & El Paso shows added
BRAIDS have added 2 new shows for their North American Autumn Tour:
Oct. 7th - Los Angeles, CA at the Lyric Theatre (Tickets - Promo code is IRIS)
Oct. 10th - El Paso, TX at Lowbrow Palace (Tickets)
Oct. 7th - Los Angeles, CA at the Lyric Theatre (Tickets - Promo code is IRIS)
Oct. 10th - El Paso, TX at Lowbrow Palace (Tickets)
KTRU interview in Houston, TX
Interview backstage at House of Blues in Houston, TX on May 24th, 2015.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Friday, July 31, 2015
#3 on the DiS Communities' list!
The results are in... The DiS Communities' Favourite Album of the First Half of 2015 is... https://t.co/wUpRWylrrH pic.twitter.com/Fjq6HgXhNr
— DrownedinSound (@DrownedinSound) July 29, 2015
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Monday, July 27, 2015
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Photos from Hillside Festival (July 26th)
Most fun show at all of @HillsideFest was definitely @braidsmusic on the Sun Stage Sunday. pic.twitter.com/AVP4UKbjdg
— Tim Aarons (@MusicSoop) July 27, 2015Saturday, July 25, 2015
Photos from Hillside Festival (July 25th)
Saturday @braidsmusic on the Island Stage @HillsideFest pic.twitter.com/obSB3lAQ43
— Tim Aarons (@MusicSoop) July 27, 2015Hillside Hum Q & A
From The Hillside Hum:
Hillside's artistic programmers have always had their eye on emerging talent, especially when artists are still on the rise. One such act that played the fest long before they were tastemaker faves is Montreal-via-Calgary electro-acoustic trio Braids, who bring the pointed lyrics and heady atmospherics of their Polaris Prize-shortlisted Deep In The Iris album to the Island Stage this afternoon.
Recorded in Arizona, Vermont, and upstate New York, Deep In The Iris (the group's third LP) marries singer Raphaelle Standell's arresting vocals with sharp-eyed lyricism that covers some pretty heavy modern territory, including pornography, abuse, and slutshaming (as on the track "Miniskirt").
If that all sounds pretty serious, don't worry – Standell (who's joined by bandmates Austin Tufts and Taylor Smith) clearly has a quirky sense of humour, too, if her responses to the Hum questionnaire are anything to go by...
Have you been to Hillside before?
YES!
What do you think sets Hillside apart from other summer festivals?
It’s on an island and is primarily Canadian bands. Also there's a softness to the festival that other festivals do not have. A lot of festivals are dirty and loud – Hillside is like a pillow and grass with a cold cider.
Any artists you're keen to see at Hillside?
Doldrums! Because he is seriously one of the best musicians I’ve ever seen live. His latest album, The Air-Conditioned Nightmare, is incredible.
What's your favourite part of playing festivals? Least favourite?
LIKE: I like being taken care of. It’s honestly like a summer camp for adults.
DISLIKE: Playing in daylight. It’s really hard to see the lights on our controllers.
Are there any songs that have become a 'fan favourite' in your live set, or that you particularly love to play?
Yes – "Blondie". Because we have this crazy ending [to the song] – you'll see...
Favourite festival food?
Exotic fruit platter.
Tell us something interesting about you (either personally or musically) that we might be surprised to know.
U: "Choose a door."
Me: "I choose door Number 6."
U: "Are you sure?"
Me: "Yes, I’m sure."
U: "But what if there are thousands of snakes behind this door?"
Me: "Well, I never really thought of that..."
U: "Well, you should probably consider the possibility of snakes behind that door."
Me: "Then I choose door Number 8."
U: "Well, how do you know there aren’t 10 horses demanding to be groomed?"
Me: "Because I’m allergic to horses and I currently don’t have the sniffles."
U: "That’s a keen awareness."
Me: "I’m pretty perceptive."
U: "So you’re allergic to horses?"
Me: "Yes, terribly so."
U: "That’s too bad – they have such beautiful coats to pet."
Me: "I know, I’ve had to learn to observe such beauty from afar."
U: "Oh."
Me: "I think I’ve come to love them more because of the distance."
Braids plays the Island Stage on Saturday at 3:55 p.m., and the Alternate SoundSunScapes workshop with Doldrums on the Sun Stage on Sunday at 6:15 p.m.
Hillside's artistic programmers have always had their eye on emerging talent, especially when artists are still on the rise. One such act that played the fest long before they were tastemaker faves is Montreal-via-Calgary electro-acoustic trio Braids, who bring the pointed lyrics and heady atmospherics of their Polaris Prize-shortlisted Deep In The Iris album to the Island Stage this afternoon.
Recorded in Arizona, Vermont, and upstate New York, Deep In The Iris (the group's third LP) marries singer Raphaelle Standell's arresting vocals with sharp-eyed lyricism that covers some pretty heavy modern territory, including pornography, abuse, and slutshaming (as on the track "Miniskirt").
If that all sounds pretty serious, don't worry – Standell (who's joined by bandmates Austin Tufts and Taylor Smith) clearly has a quirky sense of humour, too, if her responses to the Hum questionnaire are anything to go by...
Have you been to Hillside before?
YES!
What do you think sets Hillside apart from other summer festivals?
It’s on an island and is primarily Canadian bands. Also there's a softness to the festival that other festivals do not have. A lot of festivals are dirty and loud – Hillside is like a pillow and grass with a cold cider.
Any artists you're keen to see at Hillside?
Doldrums! Because he is seriously one of the best musicians I’ve ever seen live. His latest album, The Air-Conditioned Nightmare, is incredible.
What's your favourite part of playing festivals? Least favourite?
LIKE: I like being taken care of. It’s honestly like a summer camp for adults.
DISLIKE: Playing in daylight. It’s really hard to see the lights on our controllers.
Are there any songs that have become a 'fan favourite' in your live set, or that you particularly love to play?
Yes – "Blondie". Because we have this crazy ending [to the song] – you'll see...
Favourite festival food?
Exotic fruit platter.
Tell us something interesting about you (either personally or musically) that we might be surprised to know.
U: "Choose a door."
Me: "I choose door Number 6."
U: "Are you sure?"
Me: "Yes, I’m sure."
U: "But what if there are thousands of snakes behind this door?"
Me: "Well, I never really thought of that..."
U: "Well, you should probably consider the possibility of snakes behind that door."
Me: "Then I choose door Number 8."
U: "Well, how do you know there aren’t 10 horses demanding to be groomed?"
Me: "Because I’m allergic to horses and I currently don’t have the sniffles."
U: "That’s a keen awareness."
Me: "I’m pretty perceptive."
U: "So you’re allergic to horses?"
Me: "Yes, terribly so."
U: "That’s too bad – they have such beautiful coats to pet."
Me: "I know, I’ve had to learn to observe such beauty from afar."
U: "Oh."
Me: "I think I’ve come to love them more because of the distance."
Braids plays the Island Stage on Saturday at 3:55 p.m., and the Alternate SoundSunScapes workshop with Doldrums on the Sun Stage on Sunday at 6:15 p.m.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
"Something exciting is brewing!"
Who knew building a website would involve grade 12 math. Something exciting is brewing ! pic.twitter.com/d9V8k0XJ3w
— Braids (@braidsmusic) July 23, 2015Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Autumn Tour Dates!
as leaves turn to, the colours of fire, we embark across yonder america...
tickets / info ! – http://t.co/pcQhrgjvF2 pic.twitter.com/jK9Pgj7ZIb
— Braids (@braidsmusic) July 22, 2015
More dates for the Autumn tour have been announced! Sept 17th - Montreal, Canada at Little Burgundy Piccolo Rialto. (Tickets)
Sept. 22nd - Toronto, Canada at Lee's Palace. (Tickets)
Sept. 24th - Chicago, IL at Subterranean. (Tickets)
Sept. 25th - Champaign, IL at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (Tickets)
Sept. 26th - St. Paul, MN at Turf Club. (Tickets)
Sept. 27th - Winnipeg, Canada at The Good Will. (Tickets)
Sept. 29th - Calgary, Canada at Commonwealth Bar & Stage. (Tickets)
Sept. 30th - Edmonton, Canada at Denizen Hall. (Tickets)
Oct. 2nd - Vancouver, Canada at The Cobalt. (Tickets)
Oct. 3rd - Seattle, WA at LoFi. (Tickets)
Oct. 4th - Portland, OR at Bunk Bar. (Tickets)
Oct. 6th - San Francisco, CA at Bottom of the Hill. (Tickets)
Oct. 8th - San Diego, CA at Soda Bar. (Tickets)
Oct. 9th - Phoenix, AZ at Valley Bar. (Tickets)
Oct. 12th - Dallas, TX at Club DaDa. (Tickets)
Oct. 13th - Austin, TX at Mohawks. (Tickets)
Oct. 16th -Atlanta, GA at The 529. (Tickets)
Oct. 17th - Raleigh, NC at Kings. (Tickets)
Oct. 19th - Washington, DC at DC9. (Tickets)
Oct. 20th - Philadelphia, PA at Boot and Saddle. (Tickets)
Oct. 21st - Boston, MA at Great Scott. (Tickets)
Oct. 22nd - Brooklyn, NY at Baby's All Right. (Tickets)
Monday, July 20, 2015
The F Word Interview
New interview with Raphaelle at The F Word. An excerpt:
Could you talk us through the lyrics to ‘Blondie’? While the music is joyful the lyrics have a certain darkness in them.
There has been abuse in my life, and I needed to regain strength from it, to rise above it, so we made two really awesome songs that helped in that. I’m not ashamed at all. I am proud to have given a voice to issues of abuse as no-one should be made to feel quiet about anything that has hurt them.
Could you talk us through the lyrics to ‘Blondie’? While the music is joyful the lyrics have a certain darkness in them.
There has been abuse in my life, and I needed to regain strength from it, to rise above it, so we made two really awesome songs that helped in that. I’m not ashamed at all. I am proud to have given a voice to issues of abuse as no-one should be made to feel quiet about anything that has hurt them.
Champaign, IL on Sept. 25th
BRAIDS will be part of The Pygmalion Festival in Urbana-Champaign, IL. They are playing on Sept. 25th at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts with Zola Jesus. Tickets are on sale here.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
HONGQIAO mix
After releasing their third record Deep In The Iris on Montreal's burgeoning Arbutus imprint, (also home to fellow MIX SERIES contributors Blue Hawaii) Braids have been busy touring across Asia.
Amongst the hustle and bustle of some of the continent's largest cities including Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai, the band felt themselves searching for a moment of calm:
“The original theme we had in mind for this mix was 'Cotton Candy', the idea being we pull together a run of bursting pop tracks, sparkled and bright. We've been touring in Asia the last few weeks, and while trying to make this 'Cotton Candy' mix, I kept being drawn back to calmer, more explorative music, mostly instrumental, atmospheric, warm.
“Perhaps it's the overload of being in Asia for the first time, seeing these endlessly enormous cities, fractured and overflowing, disparate and stimulating. So much sensory input all the time, resulting in a desire for music that's more therapeutic, something to reground with.”
Offering a moment of relief from the unrelenting noise of any city, Braids' mix features a range of subdued, mellow tracks from Bill Evans, Deerhunter and Flash Palace, alongside a vocal sample recorded by the band at Shanghai's Hongqiao airport.
For more from Braids, follow them on Facebook, Soundcloud and Twitter.
TRACKLIST
1. Flash Palace - (IS)
2. Autechre - Rae
3. Family Music - Untitled
4. Azeda Booth - Ben
5. Flash Palace - moveice=blueair
6. Bill Evans - Alice In Wonderland
7. Morgan Greenwood - humidife
8. Deerhunter - Tape Hiss Orchid
9. Morgan Greenwood - mic gun19
10. Flow Child - Cool Rider
11. Free Nude Celebs - Fwiends
BRAIDS play Dallas on Oct. 12th!
Hell yes! Looks like that Autumn headlining tour is starting to take shape. BRAIDS will be playing Club DaDa in Dallas, TX on Oct. 12th. Tickets go on sale July 24th at 10am.
Friday, July 17, 2015
Thursday, July 16, 2015
'Deep in the Iris' on Polaris Prize Short List!
— Polaris Music Prize (@PolarisPrize) June 16, 2015
Congratulations to the band on making the Long List. Very well deserved! The 10 album Short List will be announced on July 16th.Update (07/16/15): And even better news today, as the band have made it to the Short List! Congratulations again!
— Polaris Music Prize (@PolarisPrize) July 16, 2015
'Miniskirt' in Vietnam
BRAIDS live at Cargo Bar, D4, HCMC.
Posted by Khuê Minh Phạm on Thursday, July 16, 2015
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
"It's gonna be hot!"
BRAIDS will be playing at Kilo Lounge this Saturday! Here's a friendly video greeting from them.Don't miss this chance...
Posted by Moonbeats Asia on Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
More Best of 2015 honors
The Music Times have 'Deep in the Iris' at #7 on their Best Albums of 2015 (So Far) list:
"Braids is like this generations Dirty Projectors, but with only one singer and more experimentation. Ditching twinkly guitars for piano-based composition, the Canadian art rock outfit released one of the most impressive albums in years with Deep in the Iris. This record runs the gamut of musical numbers—including ballads, anthems, dance tracks and slow-burning rock tunes. We’re told stories through lyrics complimented by really incredible orchestrations and understated underscores. The lyrics are incredibly personal, ranging from childhood stories to straight-up just talking about pornography, but every subject is equally beautiful and haunting on their own levels. Throughout the album, you can’t help but fall into a sort of hypnosis from singer Raphaelle Standell-Preston’s incredible voice. It’s a subtle but strong voice that ranges from a melodic whisper to an empowering siren akin to Björk. This album is pretty much what Björk would make if she was 25 years younger. -JN"
And 'Miniskirt at #9 on their Best Songs of 2015 (So Far) list:
"This song is such a trip. It starts off as a feminist ballad about rape culture and double standards, but transitions into an autobiographical, Canadian anthem. As the first single off of the impressive Deep in the Iris, “Miniskirt” laid the foundation of Braids’ next evolution. The title itself catches your attention, but soaring vocal melodies and lyrics of frontwoman Raphaelle Standell-Preston brings you deeper into this very personal song and its message. Strong words like “slut,” “bitch” and “whore” jump out early on in the track, adding a taste of taboo, but the second layer’s dizzying drum beat takes over until we’re ready to rewind the track for countless repeats. -JN"
"Braids is like this generations Dirty Projectors, but with only one singer and more experimentation. Ditching twinkly guitars for piano-based composition, the Canadian art rock outfit released one of the most impressive albums in years with Deep in the Iris. This record runs the gamut of musical numbers—including ballads, anthems, dance tracks and slow-burning rock tunes. We’re told stories through lyrics complimented by really incredible orchestrations and understated underscores. The lyrics are incredibly personal, ranging from childhood stories to straight-up just talking about pornography, but every subject is equally beautiful and haunting on their own levels. Throughout the album, you can’t help but fall into a sort of hypnosis from singer Raphaelle Standell-Preston’s incredible voice. It’s a subtle but strong voice that ranges from a melodic whisper to an empowering siren akin to Björk. This album is pretty much what Björk would make if she was 25 years younger. -JN"
And 'Miniskirt at #9 on their Best Songs of 2015 (So Far) list:
"This song is such a trip. It starts off as a feminist ballad about rape culture and double standards, but transitions into an autobiographical, Canadian anthem. As the first single off of the impressive Deep in the Iris, “Miniskirt” laid the foundation of Braids’ next evolution. The title itself catches your attention, but soaring vocal melodies and lyrics of frontwoman Raphaelle Standell-Preston brings you deeper into this very personal song and its message. Strong words like “slut,” “bitch” and “whore” jump out early on in the track, adding a taste of taboo, but the second layer’s dizzying drum beat takes over until we’re ready to rewind the track for countless repeats. -JN"
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