Interview with Brendan Canning

Brendan Canning

Brendan Canning of Toronto’s Broken Social Scene has gone solo.

Brendan Canning of Toronto’s Broken Social Scene has gone solo, and created an album of, well, Broken Social Scene-like walls of sound, Elliot Smith-like vocal textures, and gorgeous, heartfelt hooks. Something for All of Us sounds like the Broken Social Scene artist collective having a lot of fun...and that is a very good thing. The album’s cover art hints at the sounds and the story behind the album: people getting together, sharing instruments, and playing music in a kaleidoscope of creativity.

Brendan gracefully answered questions for us about his new album. 

Tell me about the inspiration behind this solo record.  Why and how did it come about?

Brendan Canning: My next door neighbour Ryan Knodrat had been asking me for a couple of years to come and “record some shit” at the studio where he and his partner, John LaMagna operated. I enjoyed working with these guys, so I suppose that was where the original inspiration came from.  Where I am happy in a space or place, then I can and will be creative.

I love the artwork on the cover of this album.  It looks like so much fun, and it looks cool to be a part of the whole BSS artist community.  Describe what the Broken Social Scene artists/community is like.  DO you all live near each other?  Have morning coffee with each other?

BC: The album concept was conceived by Sarah Haywood and executed by Juliana Newfeld.  It’s my version of a day in the life of where I live and have always lived in Toronto.

We do live relatively close to each other and yes, sometimes we have coffee together.  It doesn’t always happen in the morning...hey, look who just popped by, Torquil Campbell from Stars, fresh home from his European tour.  Sounds like the flight home was a bitch.  He’s throwing around words like “smug” and “perfunctory.”

What emotion or feeling are you trying to convey with this record?  When Something for All of Us stops spinning in cd players, what feeling do you want people to be left with?

BC: I want people to feel that, despite the world being a slightly intolerable place at times, it’s our duty to do something good.

Complete this sentence: “This is the perfect record to play when you’re feeling _____”

BC: Like stepping and/or dropping out for an hour.

What are the "roadblocks to the 7 Chakras" (mentioned on the back cover)?

BC: That was a title I had for the record.  The roadblocks are what hold us, or at least me, back...and I’ll be honest, I am no expert on chakras (surprise!).  I understand there are actually nine.

What was Bonnaroo like for you guys?  Do you like playing festivals?  Is it your preferred venue?

BC: Bonnaroo was a tiny bit frantic and I preferred our short set in the afternoon, to be honest.  The overall vibe of the festy was great...nice artist area, and lots of cool kinds hanging around.

I like festivals and they can be a tonne of fun, but I would not like to make a career of festies only.

Are you going to tour with this record?  Please come to Colorado!

BC: We will tour the rest of the year with BSS...I am not sure if we’ll hit Colorado...but I do miss and really like Boulder.

2009 will definitely see us in Boulder.

*Photography by Norman Wong