Nicoll, Jake - Wild Machines

Tracks

		Track Name	Length
	1	Intro
	2	Socrates Says
	3	Wild Machines
	4	Bedtime Stories
	5	Waiting For The Fall
	6	Comfortable Me
	7	The Activist
	8	Icebergs
	9	Je Me Souviens
	10	Stealing Lives
	11	Train Tracks
	12	All Is White

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Information/Write-up

Jake just released his spectacularly melodic synth-folk solo album Wild Machines, but performs most often with the Hunter Gatherers. “The Hunter Gatherers is a band formed by my brother Billy, my sister Ilia, my friend Noah, and me,” explains Jake Nicoll. “I think of The Hunter Gatherers as an umbrella group; each member is a talented songwriter who could fare quite well on their own.”
Answers by Jake Nicoll

How and when did the group get together?
When I set out to create this album I had several specific ideas for how I wanted it to sound. Just prior to the writing and recording of Wild Machines I had recorded a small instrumental concept album that was based largely on piano and strings. The songs were long, atmospheric and downtempo, many parts threaded together. As a reaction to the instrumental album I decided I wanted to make an album that was faster, louder and composed of songs that followed a more traditional western pop structure (obvious verses and choruses, for example). Basically I wanted to make a pop album, yet keep it strange and unique.

How would you describe your sound?
The Hunter Gatherers is a band formed by my brother Billy, my sister Ilia, my friend Noah, and me. The name ‘Hunter/Gatherer” was originally thrown around as the name for a record label Noah and I wanted to start. Then we started playing shows together and needed a band name fast, so we chose “The Hunter Gatherers” and it stuck. I think of The Hunter Gatherers as an umbrella group; each member is a talented songwriter who could fare quite well on their own. Most of the songs are written by an individual then worked out with the collective. I think this gives us a diverse set because each member has their own particular influences and writing style.

What makes the group stand out in the local scene?
I try really hard to make unique music. If I had to choose, I would rather make completely bizarre and unrelatable music than make music that is bland and uninteresting (luckily, those aren’t the only options). Because I can do virtually every step of the CD production process myself very inexpensively, I have the freedom to create what I want to create. I make music for its own sake, because I want to make music.

Plans for the future?
I am always making plans. I have at least three potential recording projects floating around waiting to be realized in the future. The most obvious project is to record a Hunter Gatherers album. Many people have asked us for recorded material and it is always sad to say no. Another musical project is underway between Billy and I but I won’t say much about it now.
In less specific terms, my future plans are to keep making music with a variety of bands, keep learning new instruments and keep recording albums. Someday soon I may consider opening up a more public recording studio.
-Thescope

I recorded this album over the course of a year, while living on Prescott Street in St. John's. It is my last album officially released to the world in any significant way. Recorded with a Juno 106, a mandolin, and some help from a few friends. I played everything but what is listed below.

The album was shortlisted for the Atlantis Music Prize in 2010.
credits
released 01 May 2010
Accordion and Vocals on "Train Tracks": Noah Bender
Violin: Ilia Nicoll
Cello and Vocals on "Je Me Souviens": Billy Nicoll

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