Music
Press
There's a great "everything and the kitchen sink" vibe to this debut EP from Toronto, ON's Hi Fi Phantom. That most likely has something to do with the way the quartet rotate instruments and singers with each song, ensuring that just when you think you've got them pinned down ? Talking Heads wannabes, heirs to the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah throne ? they'll toss in a new element that throws your cleverly reductive comparison out the window. Let's just say they like echo-laden pop music. The group met on Craigslist, but British ex-pat Bill Bedford previously did time in short-lived Toronto band Young Flux. While there's really no way to tell what direction these guys are going to head in, there are more than enough ideas (and pretty stellar songs) on this debut to keep even the most fickle ears interested. - Exclaim Magazine
My mysterious friend, the Lonely Vagabond, passes along this one. HiFi Phantom features members from both of Canada's coasts but coalesced in Toronto. - Alan Cross
To say that we were pleased with what we heard from Toronto’s HiFi Phantom when we opened up inbox the other day, would be the understatement of the year. We can’t seem to get enough of their debut release here at The iM and now it’s time to share it with you.
Have a listen to All At Sea in the Bandcamp player below – standout tracks include Tear Me Down City and Rhun Soon.
The band is set to play the The Silver Dollar on September 29th and Lees Palace on October 21st. Get out and show this bunch some support, chances are you won’t be disappointed. For more on HiFi Phantom, visit them over on Facebook. - Indie Machine
Most people look for sofas on Craigslist. The founding half of Canadian quartet HiFi Phantom was looking for bandmates. Brett Kibbler and Zorn Pink reached the end of their ropes in the search for collaborators, so they took out an ad that read: “Looking for people with the right fit and the right ear and taste in music. Our focus is ultimately on sounds and rhythms rather than melodies and licks. YOU MUST BE CONCERNED WITH YOUR SOUND AS MUCH AS YOU ARE WITH YOUR CHOPS.” Bill Bedford and Candy Spencer answered the call. The foursome took to the studio Zorn and Kibbler had built in Toronto and used it like a tailor’s workshop, sewing together each member’s back catalog of unused material. The result is the five-song All At Sea EP, a blend of electro-pop, rock and a dash of disco.
Kibbler and Pink met at film school in Vancouver. Pink had failed his grade two conservatory exam for piano as a kid but discovered the bass in high school. When he met Kibbler, Pink introduced him to the instrument, and the pair eventually left the movie biz for music. Discouraged at first by their prospects of finding like-minded musicians, they finally gave in and placed the fateful Craigslist ad with no expectations. Spencer had a master’s degree in public health nutrition but was working as a waitress in Toronto. She’d learned to play drums and guitar through friends. Bedford had bounced around Canada and the U.K. for a while before he settled in Toronto and joined the band while his own electro-rock outfit was on permanent hiatus.
Together they make big-sounding music, largely a credit to sustained chords from an electric organ. The rockish “Backwards Children” is aided by organ fuzz and plays against the shout of the chorus; on “Tear Me Down City” with Bedford on vocals, the dynamics change, and the keys give off a very British new-wave feel. The results of the cross-genre synthesis HiFi Phantom does allows listeners to sense some sound borrowing but never outright imitating. “Our influences are always there and inform what we do, but when we are doing it,” says the band, “we often use certain songs as reference points or examples for what we are trying to accomplish. Yet that varies from song to song.” - CMJ
With members hailing from both coasts of Canada, Jamaica and Great Britain, HiFi Phantom is a band whose members met and reside in Toronto. They released their debut EP back in August, and it’s still available on a pay-what-you-want basis from their Bandcamp page. Check out “Geography”, the anthemic first track, which features raucous guitar and drums over clattering electronic drums. - Silent Shout
The first EP from Toronto group HiFi Phantom truly showcases the power of the collective. Though only four guys, one is from the west coast of Canada, another the east coast, one’s from Jamaica and the last is from Great Britain.
As can be imagined, when these four converge they create something quite unique. The band has a love for fuzziness and grittiness- most of the EP’s five songs have a synth in their somewhere.
The EP will grab you right away with the opening song “Geography.” The song is by far the strongest of the five, not to say that the other four are weak. “Geography” starts with the quiet whirring of a synth before drums start tapping away. Then a tropical-sounding keyboard joins the mix. When the song kicks into full gear the song becomes laid-back but at the same time anthemic. It reminded me of Oracular Spectacular-era MGMT.
Next up is “Backwards Children” which starts out as a more straight-forward pop rock song. As it nears the end, however, the song takes on the fuzzy sound that the band loves so much.
“Tear Me Down City” has a different vocalist at the forefront this time- the musician from Great Britain. His accent is one that is rarely ever heard in the Canadian music scene (I believe the last time I heard a European accent was hearing the Tranzmitors). The song is backed heavily by synths here, and features a pretty classic line: “I don’t know why you’re lookin’ in my eyes/Is there someone there you recognize?”
“Rhun Soon” is easily the most distorted song of them all. A very fuzzy sound forms the backbone of the song, but the introduction of a fun electric guitar riff and keys makes the song quite listenable.
Finally the slightly-longer song “Summer’s Dead” finishes things off. The song, while sounding laid-back and casual, actually comes across as rather depressing. The “Summer” in this song could either be the season or a girl’s name, and the lyrics don’t make this 100% clear. It’s a song that will make you think.
This EP is surprisingly catchy and energetic for a first recording and I can only look forward to any future recordings. All at Sea is a name-your-price download at Bandcamp.
Top Track: “Geography”
Rating: Proud Hoot (Really Good) - Grey Owl Point
Every now and then, I’ll proclaim that a certain act is going to be a big deal. Sometimes I am right; other times, it doesn’t work out that way. But some of Ontario and Quebec’s most successful bands right now started out playing TWM shows for audiences thirsty for great new music. I will not be remotely surprised if HiFi Phantom soon ends up as another one of those bands.
HiFi Phantom are a fuzzy, deceptively dancey indie-pop act, on the more experimental side. They are a four-piece and have connections to Toronto buzz band Young Flux (RIP), who themselves were an excellent local band on the rise just a few years ago. Their debut EP All At Sea is streaming on Bandcamp and shows a poised band with great range and loads of talent. Personally, I can’t get enough of it.
It seems that the trend in Canadian indie these days is to either take an indie-pop sound and make it entirely dancey and electronic OR to take an indie-pop sound and mask it in all sorts of layers and experimentation until it’s barely recognizable as poppy. Don’t get me wrong — I like plenty of the bands that do both of those things and do it well. That said, it’s nice to hear a band that can straddle the middle area between both of those ideas,. and just play and write great catchy-yet-experimental pop music.
You’ll be introduced to HiFI Phantom at Rancho tomorrow night, but for now their Bandcamp steam is embedded below: - Two Way Monologues
If you’re not already hip to HiFi Phantom, get to it kids. Their sounds make us feel like it’s summer again and we’re battling out the sweltering heat in a music festival, downing our share of PBR and turkey legs. We are so on board for this kind of nostalgia; hell, we even think their name is dope. We’re also digging the fact that this band came to life via Craigslist. Yes, so while the rest of us were looking for “jobs” and browsing (cough) missed connections, these kids were planning out their awesomeness. That’s what’s up. We know it’s fall already and the cold is rearing its nasty head, but their “Summer’s Dead” track makes us feel like it’s really not. - Antenna Mag
If you’re not already hip to HiFi Phantom, get to it kids. Their sounds make us feel like it’s summer again and we’re battling out the sweltering heat in a music festival, downing our share of PBR and turkey legs. We are so on board for this kind of nostalgia; hell, we even think their name is dope. We’re also digging the fact that this band came to life via Craigslist. Yes, so while the rest of us were looking for “jobs” and browsing (cough) missed connections, these kids were planning out their awesomeness. That’s what’s up. We know it’s fall already and the cold is rearing its nasty head, but their “Summer’s Dead” track makes us feel like it’s really not. - Antenna Mag
Checked-out this local bands EP “All At Sea”. Worth a listen if you like experimental, New Wave-ish synth-pop and bands like Animal Collective. - Lonely Vagabond
Checked-out this local bands EP “All At Sea”. Worth a listen if you like experimental, New Wave-ish synth-pop and bands like Animal Collective. - Lonely Vagabond
Checked-out this local bands EP “All At Sea”. Worth a listen if you like experimental, New Wave-ish synth-pop and bands like Animal Collective. - Lonely Vagabond
Checked-out this local bands EP “All At Sea”. Worth a listen if you like experimental, New Wave-ish synth-pop and bands like Animal Collective. - Lonely Vagabond
The first EP from Toronto group HiFi Phantom truly showcases the power of the collective. Though only four guys, one is from the west coast of Canada, another the east coast, one’s from Jamaica and the last is from Great Britain.
As can be imagined, when these four converge they create something quite unique. The band has a love for fuzziness and grittiness- most of the EP’s five songs have a synth in their somewhere.
The EP will grab you right away with the opening song “Geography.” The song is by far the strongest of the five, not to say that the other four are weak. “Geography” starts with the quiet whirring of a synth before drums start tapping away. Then a tropical-sounding keyboard joins the mix. When the song kicks into full gear the song becomes laid-back but at the same time anthemic. It reminded me of Oracular Spectacular-era MGMT.
Next up is “Backwards Children” which starts out as a more straight-forward pop rock song. As it nears the end, however, the song takes on the fuzzy sound that the band loves so much.
“Tear Me Down City” has a different vocalist at the forefront this time- the musician from Great Britain. His accent is one that is rarely ever heard in the Canadian music scene (I believe the last time I heard a European accent was hearing the Tranzmitors). The song is backed heavily by synths here, and features a pretty classic line: “I don’t know why you’re lookin’ in my eyes/Is there someone there you recognize?”
“Rhun Soon” is easily the most distorted song of them all. A very fuzzy sound forms the backbone of the song, but the introduction of a fun electric guitar riff and keys makes the song quite listenable.
Finally the slightly-longer song “Summer’s Dead” finishes things off. The song, while sounding laid-back and casual, actually comes across as rather depressing. The “Summer” in this song could either be the season or a girl’s name, and the lyrics don’t make this 100% clear. It’s a song that will make you think.
This EP is surprisingly catchy and energetic for a first recording and I can only look forward to any future recordings. All at Sea is a name-your-price download at Bandcamp. - Grey Owl Point
With members hailing from both coasts of Canada, Jamaica and Great Britain, HiFi Phantom is a band whose members met and reside in Toronto. They released their debut EP back in August, and it’s still available on a pay-what-you-want basis from their Bandcamp page. Check out “Geography”, the anthemic first track, which features raucous guitar and drums over clattering electronic drums.
- Silent Shout
MY TAKE: I was given this 5 track EP over a week ago and I have been playing this track (Rhun Soon) on repeat. HiFi Phantom is a local four-piece band that has a very unique sound combined with catchy choruses. Rhun Soon is one of those songs that get stuck in your head for days! The perfect track for @TDils9's first official Song of The Week. If you are a fan of Indie music I recommend you give this a track a listen! - The Show T.O. Blog
That was a great set at Rancho Relaxo. A colourful fusion of indie-rock, post-punk, and pop, packaged in a way that's ultra-cool. Brooding vocals, swaggering riffs, and splashes of melody make HiFi Phantom a band to keep your eyes on. - Lonely Vagabond
If you’re not already hip to HiFi Phantom, get to it kids. Their sounds make us feel like it’s summer again and we’re battling out the sweltering heat in a music festival, downing our share of PBR and turkey legs. We are so on board for this kind of nostalgia; hell, we even think their name is dope. We’re also digging the fact that this band came to life via Craigslist. Yes, so while the rest of us were looking for “jobs” and browsing (cough) missed connections, these kids were planning out their awesomeness. That’s what’s up. We know it’s fall already and the cold is rearing its nasty head, but their “Summer’s Dead” track makes us feel like it’s really not. - Antenna Magazine
Most people look for sofas on Craigslist. The founding half of Canadian quartet HiFi Phantom was looking for bandmates. Brett Kibbler and Zorn Pink reached the end of their ropes in the search for collaborators, so they took out an ad that read: “Looking for people with the right fit and the right ear and taste in music. Our focus is ultimately on sounds and rhythms rather than melodies and licks. YOU MUST BE CONCERNED WITH YOUR SOUND AS MUCH AS YOU ARE WITH YOUR CHOPS.” Bill Bedford and Candy Spencer answered the call. The foursome took to the studio Zorn and Kibbler had built in Toronto and used it like a tailor’s workshop, sewing together each member’s back catalog of unused material. The result is the five-song All At Sea EP, a blend of electro-pop, rock and a dash of disco.
Kibbler and Pink met at film school in Vancouver. Pink had failed his grade two conservatory exam for piano as a kid but discovered the bass in high school. When he met Kibbler, Pink introduced him to the instrument, and the pair eventually left the movie biz for music. Discouraged at first by their prospects of finding like-minded musicians, they finally gave in and placed the fateful Craigslist ad with no expectations. Spencer had a master’s degree in public health nutrition but was working as a waitress in Toronto. She’d learned to play drums and guitar through friends. Bedford had bounced around Canada and the U.K. for a while before he settled in Toronto and joined the band while his own electro-rock outfit was on permanent hiatus.
Together they make big-sounding music, largely a credit to sustained chords from an electric organ. The rockish “Backwards Children” is aided by organ fuzz and plays against the shout of the chorus; on “Tear Me Down City” with Bedford on vocals, the dynamics change, and the keys give off a very British new-wave feel. The results of the cross-genre synthesis HiFi Phantom does allows listeners to sense some sound borrowing but never outright imitating. “Our influences are always there and inform what we do, but when we are doing it,” says the band, “we often use certain songs as reference points or examples for what we are trying to accomplish. Yet that varies from song to song.”
HiFi Phantom plays Knitting Factory on Wednesday, October 19, as part of CMJ 2011. - CMJ
To say that we were pleased with what we heard from Toronto’s HiFi Phantom when we opened up inbox the other day, would be the understatement of the year. We can’t seem to get enough of their debut release here at The iM and now it’s time to share it with you.
Have a listen to All At Sea in the Bandcamp player below – standout tracks include Tear Me Down City and Rhun Soon.
The band is set to play the The Silver Dollar on September 29th and Lees Palace on October 21st. Get out and show this bunch some support, chances are you won’t be disappointed. For more on HiFi Phantom, visit them over on Facebook. - indie Machine
Every now and then, I’ll proclaim that a certain act is going to be a big deal. Sometimes I am right; other times, it doesn’t work out that way. But some of Ontario and Quebec’s most successful bands right now started out playing TWM shows for audiences thirsty for great new music. I will not be remotely surprised if HiFi Phantom soon ends up as another one of those bands.
HiFi Phantom are a fuzzy, deceptively dancey indie-pop act, on the more experimental side. They are a four-piece and have connections to Toronto buzz band Young Flux (RIP), who themselves were an excellent local band on the rise just a few years ago. Their debut EP All At Sea is streaming on Bandcamp and shows a poised band with great range and loads of talent. Personally, I can’t get enough of it.
It seems that the trend in Canadian indie these days is to either take an indie-pop sound and make it entirely dancey and electronic OR to take an indie-pop sound and mask it in all sorts of layers and experimentation until it’s barely recognizable as poppy. Don’t get me wrong — I like plenty of the bands that do both of those things and do it well. That said, it’s nice to hear a band that can straddle the middle area between both of those ideas,. and just play and write great catchy-yet-experimental pop music. - Two Way Monologues
Discography
All at Sea EP
Photos
Bio
Not many bands try to be everything to everybody, but then there is HiFi Phantom. Meeting in Toronto, but hailing from Canada’s East and West coasts, Jamaica and Great Britain, HiFi Phantom hope to soundtrack your ecstatic joy and darkest despair. Sometimes both simultaneously.
The glue that holds the whole mess together is a love of pop songs, grooves and fuzzy noises. But delivered on a rotating selection of instruments and lead singers, the results are always unpredictable and the possibilities abundant. There’s a party at death beach and all are welcome. But brace yourself for the tidal wave.
Hifi Phantom was formed as a response to the following Craigslist Ad:
Looking for a few musicians to complement our on going music projects. Looking for people with the right fit and the right ear and taste in music. Our focus is ultimately on sounds and rhythms rather than melody's and licks. YOU MUST BE CONCERNED WITH YOUR SOUND AS MUCH AS YOU ARE WITH YOUR CHOPS. In the end it's about the music and creating nuanced and interesting whole piece rather than a showcase for your talent.
Ideally you'll be like us, able to play a few instruments well enough to come up with parts for various songs. If you are a 'guitarist' who likes to shred all over everyone to show how 'awesome' you are. Don't apply.
That means being interested in the following:
Synthesizers
Guitar pedals
Radiohead
Drum Machines
Samplers
Keyboards
Distortion
Pavement
Animal Collective
Vocal harmonies
Experimental Sounds
Heavy bass
Feedback
Delay and reverb
A good pop song
John Cage
Pet Sounds
The Recording process
Hip hop
the Beastie Boys
The Dark side of the moon
The Talking Head
New sounds
A genre-less music
Brian Eno
We own a recording studio and are interested in putting together a live show and band for future projects. We are down to just jam and see what comes of it and hopefully something pans out. If not jamming is fun so who cares.
Hopefully we can put something interesting and enjoyable together.
Z
Links
