Inhabitants
Inhabitants: One example of Vancouver experimental music jazz scene
Their style is a mix of jazz, improvisation, experimental instrumental music that goes beyond traditional rock music. Their noise reminds of John Zorn’s posse of intelligent musicians. Flashes of post rock, experimental music, desolation in the forest, gray skies, landscapes of solitude and yes Vacant lots, everything in this CD. If you want to get out of the ordinary and experience a true world class movement go check these guys. They have a new CD out called A Vacant Lot and it is fantastic. The album was launched on Drip Audio records, a label that is releasing all this advanced music for the delight of everybody. Check them out as JP Carter is probably the best trumpeter of Vancouver.
Formed in 2004, Vancouver’s Inhabitants have ascended to become one of Canada’s most prominent creative music ensembles. In 2009, Inhabitants were nominated for a Juno Award for ‘Instrumental Album of the Year’, a National Jazz Award for ‘Electric Group of the Year’ and a Western Canadian Music Award for ‘Instrumental Recording of the Year’.
Their singular approach defies genre, melding jazz, rock, noise and free improvisation with new perspective. Trumpeter JP Carter, guitarist Dave Sikula, bassist Pete Schmitt and drummer Skye Brooks find a rare cohesiveness in Inhabitants, cultivated from years of musical collaboration in groups like Fond of Tigers, Copilots, Carsick, DarkBlueWorld, The NOW Orchestra, Tony Wilson’s 6tet, and the Aeroplane Trio. Inhabitants continue to push forward into new sonic territory with “A Vacant Lot”, their third full-length on Drip Audio.
Spacious and expressive, the new album explores the dynamic relationship between chaos and form through experimental sound, intuitive group interplay and instrumental composition. There is new diversity in the music; rich textured landscapes augmented by electronics and feedback are contrasted with moments of intimate acoustic minimalism. A reflective mood pervades the new landscape Inhabitants occupy on A Vacant Lot, their improvisations and compositions permeated with an uncommon, yet alluring lyricism.
photo by Tamara Lee
