Introducing: Revelstoke (an interview by Charmaine Santos)

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 marks the anticipated debut release of Revelstoke’s EP Espirit d'Escalier. Although considered a rookie within Toronto’s music scene, it is evident that Revelstoke’s eclectic sound is the product of his meticulous orchestration of stories and symphonies fostered by time. A traveling journalist and a literary buff, his music is inspired by his attraction to confusion and the pursuit of cohesion in our everyday life through the act of story-telling. As a one-man band, he has enrapt listeners with the dulcet sounds of his aerial guitar as he graces it with a violin bow, the chilling tunes of his 40-year old mandolin and a banjo that he named Freedom, and his ensemble of rhapsodic lyrics. Despite the recent release of his debut EP, Revelstoke has already gained attention for his captivating live performances as he opened for local big names like Brett Caswell, Appleseed Cast, and more. The Toronto Quarterly chatted with Andrew Seale, the man behind Revelstoke and the experimental folk jams that had already captured the ears of music enthusiasts who are anxious to hear something new.

To listen to Revelstoke’s music, visit his myspace page. Also check out http://revelstoke.bandcamp.com/album/esprit-descalier for a free download of Espirit d’Escalier.

TTQ - What made you decide that being a musician was something you wanted to do?

Revelstoke - Growing up in a small town. Watching my dad strum out old cigarette commercial jingles on the guitar. I got the mandolin when my great aunt passed away. It felt weird to own it without playing it.

TTQ - Not everyone has it in them to openly expose their thoughts through creative means such as writing and creating music. What inspires you to do what you do?

Revelstoke - I'm fascinated by people and culture. Why we act the way we do, why we do what we do. I've studied and worked as a journalist for seven years. It's taken me some places and introduced me to people I might have taken a lot longer to meet. I don't really have a right to tell people what to do or what's right but it gives me license to tell stories. Everyone should tell their stories. Sometimes the easiest ways to tell stories is through music, it's my way of making sense of things - people, geography, politics.

TTQ - How would you best describe your music and your live shows?

Revelstoke - It's folk music. Storytelling. Sometimes about Canada and places/people I love. Other times it's about the physical landscape. I like to add a bit of abstraction to the music, shake it up with loops and violin bows on the guitar. Maybe experimental folk music? I don't know. The live sound allows me to expand on it and tweak different elements so the songs don't sound the same twice. That's vital to my interest in the songs. It gets boring playing the same thing over and over. To be honest, I find the recorded songs restricting compared to the live compositions. I get more space to breathe up there.

TTQ - While kids are mostly picking up electric guitars, you grace the stage with a banjo, mandolin, and guitars with a violin bow. Tell us about your musical upbringing and the reasons why you opted to play unconventional instruments.

Revelstoke - I wouldn't say the instruments are unconventional. I mean the banjo is called "the people's instrument" for a reason, it's a staple of folk music. Even the mandolin is pretty traditional - my mandolin itself has been kicking around in my family for nearly fifty years, it just took a bit for someone to pick up and play it in a performance setting. If anything's unconventional, it's the way I patch the pieces together. As for an upbringing, my family always had weird instruments lying around - a sitar, accordion, broken pianos, guitars. It just took a bit of time to get around to getting them in one spot and figuring them out. My family and friends have always supported me.

TTQ - Why folk music? What do you think it has to offer to Toronto’s ever-flourishing music scene?

Revelstoke - I don't think I have the credibility to speak on behalf of people's interest. I mean I like how eclectic the Toronto music scene is as a whole. I think it stems from our generation's uninhibited access to all types of music through the internet. But folk music itself is one of the doorways to the human condition. Storytelling plays such a big role in understanding what's going on around us. If it all made sense we probably wouldn't have much use for music and art.

TTQ - What is the difference between your music now as Revelstoke than when you were Andrew Seale?

Revelstoke - It's less boring. I used to be obsessed with immediacy. You tap out a few chords and write about your ex-girlfriend. I put more thought into my music now, I'm a bit more grown up I guess.

TTQ - Why did you decide to name yourself Revelstoke?

Revelstoke - It's this sleepy 'lil mining town in the rockies. It's synonymous with freedom for me. I guess it's hard to explain. But it's just one of those places where the air is a little bit different.

TTQ - As a newcomer, where do you see yourself going in the future with your music?

Revelstoke - World's first concert at the bottom of the sea. A seahorse benefit show. In the meantime, drifting around and playing some tunes. Maybe make some new fans.

TTQ - What comes first for you: the music or the lyrics? Describe your writing process.

Revelstoke - It varies. Sometimes the music comes first. Other times it's the words. It's tough because by the time I play the songs for people I'm already too attached (and stubborn) to change them too much. I very rarely play songs for people that I don't enjoy playing myself. Sometimes I eat a slice of cheese before bed and then I have weird dreams and write about them. Other times I need to be on a beach. It really depends when inspiration pops its head in the door.

TTQ - Is there a particular musician or band that you would like to work with or share a stage with? What is it about the quality of their work that you most admire?

Revelstoke - Devendra Banhart, because I feel like he gets it.

TTQ - Do you have any final words for the Toronto Quarterly readers and prospective fans?

Revelstoke - Drink milk. Spinach is a super food. Try surfing before you're forty. Learn to play an instrument. Vote in the elections. Read both fiction and non-fiction. Create something every day. Keepsies wasn't a legitimate rule in pogs - you were scammed. Thank you for your love and support thus far. Check out a live show if you can and grab the album for free at revelstoke.bandcamp.com.





Lyrics: Roots that Curl like Lips

"Tell the children the truth" — Bob Marley

Old folks homes and other places you thought you wouldn't miss.
Like grocery bags and laundry smells and roots so old and tired they curled like lips.

To wait in line in Brooklyn clubs and sing of new prescriptions torn to bits.
And Steels grew out his hair for Dave and Jordashes foosball championships.

And it went like this:
I spilled my beer
Ashed on the chair
And we talked for miles
Like you were there.

But you weren't.


credits
from esprit d'escalier, released 06 July 2011
Guitar, Harmonica and Vocals: Andrew Seale.









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