Paul Aucoin vibraphone, glockenspeil, drums
Eric Woolston vibraphone, glockenspeil, drums
Paul Lowman bass
François Turenne guitar
Christopher Sandes piano&organ
Greg Millson drums
Randy Lee violin
Recording / Past Members:
Matthew Faris drums
Patrick Conan vibraphone, glockenspeil, drums
Jason Ball organist, vocals
Nathan Lawr drums
Taylor Knox drums
Jeremy Strachan guitar
Wayne Petti piano, vocals
Rob Gordon drums
Julie Penner violin
Jason Tait vibraphone, glockenspeil
Damian Monyhan drums
Dave Christensen woodwinds
Dave Mackinnon vocals
Ruth Minnikin vocals
Brian Poirier weird
Bryden Baird horns
Lukas Pearse double bass
Dale Murray pedal steel
Monica Guenter viola
Leanne Zacharias cello
Owen Pallett violin
Michael Olsen cello
Peter Conrad cello
Jonina Gibson viola
Influences
Ennio Morricone, Bernard Herrman, Steve Reich, Glenn Gould, Mark Wirtz, all things vibraphone.
Sounds Like
We like: Mark Wirtz, Calexico, Steve Reich, Donovan, many film soundtracks, Air, and all things vibraphone.
The instrumental music of The Hylozoists lends itself well to lofty analogies. One listener might liken it to a soundtrack in search of an arthouse film. Another might find it ideal accompaniment for a macabre carnival carousel. Such comparisons could even coalesce. For example: If Fellini and Leone had started a circus, their organ grinders would've churned out music akin to that found on La Fin Du Monde -- The Hylozoists' sophomore album.
While such flights of descriptive fancy certainly allude to the majestic scope of The Hylozoists' songcraft, they speak little of its immediacy. Appreciation of La Fin Du Monde is scarcely limited to the erudite or elite. Rather, this is music that grips the listener by the heartstrings and affects them on a deeply visceral level.
The Hylozoists were conceived by Paul Aucoin in 2001 when he recorded the debut album La Nouvelle Gauche at his studio in Nova Scotia. A Halifax-heavy line-up of backing musicians was then assembled to perform the songs at a variety of festivals and other dates. However, the project was soon relegated to the backburner as Aucoin turned his focus to responsibilities both in the studio producing numerous acts and performing on stage with The Sadies.
Relocating to Toronto in 2004, Aucoin drafted a new compliment of Hylozoists. Having already commenced production on a sophomore effort, he ultimately abandoned the work-in-progress. For Aucoin, it was essential that he start fresh and capture the collective sound of his new legion of collaborators. At that point, The Hylozoists shed the shackles of "solo project" and blossomed into a group.
Drawing equally from Aucoin's formal music education and field hours logged on smoky stages, La Fin Du Monde delivers songs that are orchestral in composition and pop in actualization. Tilt-a-whirl opener "The Fifty Minute Hour" leaves the listener deliriously off-balance. Horns, strings and organs swirl dizzyingly while vibraphones serenely anchor the melody. "If Only Your Heart was a Major Sixth" evidences post-rock at its propulsive best. Meanwhile, spaghetti western dramatics rise to the fore on "Elementary Particles" and "Man Who Almost Was." The spacey "Journey to the End of the Night" conjures dreamy Parisian grandeur. Finally, the closing title track commences with lullaby eloquence before ceding its demure music box melody to torrents of distortion and wailing vocals.
To realize his expansive musical vision on record, Aucoin (vibraphone, glockenspiel, drums) calls upon a rotating cast of exemplary players that includes Patrick Conan (vibraphone, glockenspiel, drums), Jason Ball (organist, vocals), Jason Tait (vibraphone, glockenspiel), Paul Lowman (bass), Wayne Petti (piano, vocals), Jeremy Strachan (guitar), Matthew Faris (drums), Julie Penner (violin), Dale Murray (pedal steel, guitar). Live the band consists of Aucoin, Turenne, Sandes, Lowman, Faris, Lee and Conan while numerous past members appear in and out of the fold.
Traditionally, hylozoism is the belief that all matter holds life. Evidently, these Hylozoists believe every available minute bears opportunity. In turn, a new slew of haughty comparisons is sure to follow. Don't let decadent descriptors dissuade you from experiencing The Hylozoists for yourself.
I love your band! The video below is my acoustic rendition of "Warning Against Judging A Christian Brother." I love the song so much; the chord progressions are THE BEST.
Hey – just a reminder to listen in SUNDAY night at 7-8:30 pm CST to hear HYLOZOISTS on “This Great White North” an ALL CANADIAN music show from Austin, Texas It’s on 91. 7 KOOP-FM Listen here
Um, Brian Wilson is playing in New Hampshire on July 13th and there are still FANTASTIC seats available. So close we could see every single drug-induced wrinkle on that glorious man's face.
I think we should all meet there. You think I'm even slightly joking? Try me. Let me know ASAP, plz.
Hey – just a reminder to listen in SUNDAY night at 7-8:30 pm CST to hear ONE OF MY FAVORITE BANDS-HYLOZOISTS!! on “This Great White North” an ALL CANADIAN music show from Austin, Texas ! It’s on 91.7 KOOP-FM Listen HERE Cheers, Doug The Canuck
Hello there, this is very lovely music, I've been a fan since 'La Nouvelle Gauche', I still play 'Permeability' when I dj, fantasic Theremin & chimes combination. Got in to you through the Heavy Blinkers, Jason McIssacs recommended it years ago when it came out, still loving itX
Small Sins are playing at Schuba's this month. I'm going to go give Brent a big hug for starting the chain reaction that led me to your music and, more importantly, you.
Thanks for the add folks. Great music, great name. Been wanting to check you guys out for while now... hope to catch you live sometime. All the best. -Jon/KHW
hey - Just a reminder to listen in TODAY at 7-8:30pm CST to hear HYLOZOISTS on "This Great White North" an ALL CANADIAN music show from Austin, Texas! It's on 91.7 KOOP-FM Listen here Cheers!! Doug The Canuck
