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“I've got a story lend me your ear… these words, they'll echo with the fallen tongues of poets, drunks, and thieves... and that sounds good to me.” – From the soon to be released song, “Things Fall Apart”, by Windmills.
Cory Myraas, the gifted man behind local solo act, Windmills, is set to release his second record on February 9th. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Kelowna music scene over the last little while, or you've read this column piece, or listened to this episode of the Music City Podcast, you’ll be familiar with Cory's work. However, if you're unfamiliar with Windmills, please allow me to acquaint you. Windmills began in 2011 and makes experimental Indie rock music. While his music is the work of just one man, it could easily be mistaken as the product of a band. That's because Windmills utilizes a looping technique in his music. In essence, he repeats certain vocal elements and instrument sounds in his act. He layers these pieces to create the backing track to his songs. He does this not only on his records, but at his live performances too. This gives a great depth to the music created by Windmills and enables him to create a sound that is much more than you might expect from one man.
His soon to be released EP is a five track offering entitled Tilting, and much like his debut album, 2012’s, Keep Moving, the record is a quality piece of work. In fact, Tilting is an excellent addition to the indie-rock landscape, and I don't just mean the Kelowna indie-rock landscape, I mean the Canadian scene in general. I'm not being hyperbolic when I say that. Tilting is the work of a very talented musician. Filled with anguished lyrics, such as these from, “Things Fall Apart”, the EP’s first track, “As I drag myself through these naked streets there's a part of me that clearly sees the center, simply cannot hold. Things fall apart. Things fall apart…” or these from, “Architects”, the third track on the EP, “Everyone I've learned to love, I've slowly learned to fear.” As you can tell by those snippets, the EP is filled with lyrics that give it a real haunting quality. The catchy hooks and gentle melodies composed by Windmills are juxtaposed within songs that lament love lost and broken relationships. The lyrics are further complemented by guitar work that expresses the sadness contained within the lyrics. The EP is powerful in that you are almost caressed with pain, as Windmills invites you into his suffering. Tilting will make an excellent addition to your music collection. I encourage you to buy this record and catch a live performance from Windmills. You will not regret it.
(Photo credit: Valaura Vedan) Windmills at TGFM: A Very Indie Thanksgiving
With that in mind, the release of Tilting is taking place at the Streaming Cafe on February 9th at 8pm. Windmills will be performing and James Roy from local band, JoyfulDoor, will be opening. Tickets are available for $8. As with other shows at the Streaming Cafe, the performance will be live streamed on the cafe's website. In addition, Windmills will also be playing at Fields of Green's upcoming EP release show too. That show is taking place at the Kelowna Community Theatre on February 21st, 2013 at 8pm (click HERE for additional details.) You can also catch Windmills at ecotone 2013, which is taking place at the Rotary Centre for the Arts on February 2nd at 4pm (click HERE for additional details.)
I'd also like to add that I am going to be interviewing Windmills ahead of the release of Tilting. The video from our meeting will be posted soon, so keep an eye out for that.
You can find Windmills on Facebook, Twitter and Bandcamp.
Do you want to contact Vince? E-mail him at: vince@welcometokelowna.com or connect with him on Twitter or LinkedIn. You can also hear Vince play some of Canada's best indie music from emerging artists every Wednesday on the Music City Podcast.
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