While countless new bands have imitated the pop sounds made famous by Montreal’s music export, Clues counts among its members originators of that sound. Alden Penner (Unicorns) and Brendan Reed (Arcade Fire) continue pioneering music, expanding Montreal’s pop music lexicon with reference to the post-punk and experimental music traditions. The band’s shows are frenetic and theatrical: multiple drummers, unique instrumentation, and a bent Commodore 64. In 2008, the band was rounded out by regulars of the Montreal music/art scene’s, Ben Borden, Lisa Gamble, and Nick Scribner. During shows and on recordings, the band share and trade off on their collection of instruments, creating grand versions of experimental pop songs.
Clues began in 2007 and has kept a low profile, playing a series of un-advertised shows in Montreal’s lofts & small venues. Despite a near media black-out (no Facebook / MySpace / Website), strong ties to the underground music community have found the band a comfortable partnership with Montreal’s Constellation Records, who are releasing their debut album in Spring of 2009.
MP3 Download – “Perfect Fit”
Clues Tourdates
11.04.08 – New York, NY (The EXIT ART Gallery)
11.05.08 – Annandale-on-Hudson, NY (Bard College)
11.06.08 – Burlington, VT (TBA)
11.07.08 – Dartmouth College, NH (FUEL)
11.08.08 – Bennington, VT (Bennington College)
