Jamie Nudds

By Shain Shapiro


HAVING WRITTEN FOR this fair mag for
almost three years, I continue to marvel
at the breadth of talent available to
write about. Every week a new band
emerges and there’s always something
to fresh. The live music scene seems to
grow unconditionally, offering something
different every week to pen a
story about. Such is the case with St.
Catharines’ In Its Wake, a band I had
only heard about when a press release
hit my inbox. The band, whose music is
not all that easy to describe, is made up
of seasoned musicians formerly of
Sound The Alarm, Wisconsin and
Pilate, and have made a strong name
for themselves both at home and on the
road. Their debut EP, self–released but
distributed by DEP/Universal, has garnered
the quintet heightened buzz,
their longest Canadian tour to date and
heaps of press.
Talking with singer and principle
songwriter Jamie Nudds about the band
and its steady growth is a treat. He is as
cautious to label their music as I am,
because In Its Wake amalgamates the
fringes of pop, but rarely bobs its melodic
head through the mainstream.
Instead, a patchwork quilt of sounds
ranging from punk to reggae, pop and
folk weave through In Its Wake, creating
this tough to describe sound that is
remarkably easy to enjoy.
“The only theme that would be on
this record and our music is a sort of
realism,” explains Nudds. “It does not
particularly matter if it is from our own
personal experiences or those that have
happened before our time. Yet, it’s hard
to write and to do justice
by writing about something
that is not an “actual”
experience that has
affected you in some way.”
All these sounds and
ideas present themselves
vividly on this EP that
the band will release at
home this week. Each song, and there
are seven of them, is contagious, ebullient
and rich in metaphorical texture,
decisive lyricism and bouncy rhythms.
There is a mainstream ethos permeating
what is going on here, especially on
the folk–rock buttressed
“Unbelievable” and reggae–tinged
“Give My Regards.”
“Each listener thus far has had their
own experience,” adds Nudds. “A lot of
people like the fact that
not every song sounds
the same and that we
have created a variety of
styles, although the exact
opposite could go as well
that every song is too different.
I guess only time
will tell.” While Nudds
and I agree that there is a definite disparate
theme embedded in the EP, this
variety the band preaches is one of their
greatest strengths, as they are equally at
home busting through a fast-paced
country tune and as they are waxing
poetic about a girl through power
chords. “Each song has its own mood to
it, so sometimes you have to experiment
with different sounds to create a sound
that compliments the song,” affirms
Nudds. “The songwriting process for
the band emotes that. Musically it
doesn’t start out in a specific genrestyle.
It is whatever we feel like playing
naturally. From there the music takes
on its own personality and mood. It is
as open–ended and democratic as it can
be, which attests to the variety you hear
on the EP.”
In Its Wake will release their EP
with a celebratory affair on August 3 at
the Legendary Red Rooster, before
embarking on a lengthy Ontario/
Quebec tour. This is the band’s longest
jaunt to date, culminating in big shows
in both Toronto and Montreal. Live, the
band is a treat as they should be, as each
song on the EP takes on yet another life
when experimented with in the flesh.
“For starters, if someone comes expecting
to see one specific thing, then they
are in for a treat. With our music being
so diverse, we try to make our live show
just as important as the songs themselves,”

replies Nudds. “We thrive on
crowd interaction and try to make people
feel that they helped make our show
what it was for the evening, and that
fans are just as important during our
show as the band is itself, because the
only ones that truly matter in this business
are the fans. We could not survive
without them, of course.” And it is the
fans, in addition to the bands, that make
our music scenes so strong. V

IN ITS WAKE
Friday, August 3
LEGENDARY RED ROOSTER
484 Plains Rd., Burlington
905.632.9992
myspace.com/initswake - hamilton view magazine

This is the debut, self-titled album from four-piece Ontario band In Its Wake
The greatest track on this record
is “Give my Regards,” not only because it breaks free of the rock/alternative/soul mould in favour of reggae but because the musicians are great at playing this type of music.

This song was a very pleasant surprise it made me want to sit back, light up a smoke, and enjoy myself.

BY: Mandy Gardner
ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY
THE VOICE - THE VOICE MAGAZINE

Well, this is certainly weird. Normally when an album’s chucked onto my lap and 300 words are demanded, I end up hating the artists, their songs, their studio, and their instruments with a fiery passion. But what’s this? Can it be that I’m actually enjoying the first track on In Its Wake’s self-titled debut EP? No! The music is filling my cold black heart!
In Its Wake are a small up-and-coming Toronto pop/rock band, self-produced and self-recorded, with songs written by lead singer Jamie Nudds and guitarist Ernie Meggison.
The big shock, though, is that their music is actually quite good. The band works together quite well and manages to pull together seven very listenable do-it-yourself tracks. They have enough smarts to open with their best effort, “Need to Breathe,” and by the time you get to “Unbelievable,” I defy you to not be dancing down the sidewalk. It’s infectious
In Its Wake has produced a very successful debut disc.
I’m apprehensive as to whether they can stretch their talent over a full album, but they’ve gotten my attention enough to want to check them out. And that is their greatest achievement of all—even better than using a cowbell as an instrument and not coming off as pretentious or Texan.

Reviewed by David Johnston, Arts & Entertainment Staff - the gateway magazine university of alberta

three members of this newly formed band hail from St. catharines while the other two come from toronto.
The band gathers influences from all genres to create a melodic acoustic, yet edgy sound.
required listening " beneath the waves"

By Jordy Yack
pulse niagara - Pulse Niagara

Canadian Band "In Its Wake"is definitely serious about their passion for music! In this their debut album you hear spetacular rhythms and clear catchy vocals and well thought out lyrics. This is a CD that I can listen to now and love, and put in the player again in 6 months and love all over again!!! This is a band to watch! In my Top Ten folks for 2007!!

marlene palumbo
indienink music
indienink.com - indienink music Ft. Collins colorado

IN ITS WAKE - In Its Wake

(Universal/DEP)

***

The first effort from this Niagara/Toronto hybrid doesn't break any ground, but doesn't overstep its boundaries either. In Its Wake offer tuneful guitars, loud choruses and club-friendly rock songs, and if that ain't your cup of cool, move along.

Even some muddy production can't hide the potential here, or the band's influences: The bristling rocker "Faces" recalls early Pearl Jam, "Unbelievable" has a peppy Dave Matthews Band vibe; and "Give My Regards" goes the Police route. Playing name-that-band is usually a bad sign, but there's solid stuff found on most every track, and the band will surely benefit from a producer who can lead the way.

It's only seven songs, which means you can scoop it for just $3.99 at most stores. A fair price to support some homegrown talent.

jlaw@nfreview.com

- niagara falls review

IN ITS WAKE - In Its Wake

(Universal/DEP) ***

The first effort from this Niagara/Toronto hybrid doesn't break any ground, but doesn't overstep its boundaries, either.

In Its Wake offer tuneful guitars, loud choruses and club-friendly rock songs, and if that ain't your cup of cool, move along.

Even some muddy production can't hide the potential here, or the band's influences: The bristling rocker "Faces" recalls early Pearl Jam; "Unbelievable" has a peppy Dave Matthews Band vibe; and "Give My Regards" goes the Police route.

Playing name-that-band is usually a bad sign, but there's solid stuff found on most every track, and the band will surely benefit from a producer who can lead the way.

It's only seven songs, which means you can scoop it for just $3.99 at most stores.

A fair price to support homegrown talent.

n Read John Law's music reviews every second Saturday in The Sudbury Star
- sudbury star

"We have the edge to be classified as alternative," said Nudds. "But when I hear the word soul I think feeling and meaning. And that to me is put into our lyrics. And rock, well that's kind of self-explanatory."

The soul that Nudds describes is exactly what sets In Its Wake apart. This passion and drive makes their music truly unique, and can be experienced fully when they perform live. They make every minute on stage count, loving every second of it.

by
Mike Dirisio - the brock press

Publication Date:
2008-01-17





Reviewed by Alex Brien



Independent

4 stars



Upon first listening, one would be fooled into thinking this was a Nickelback album featuring David Usher on vocals. It is that very sound which opens this seven song EP by way of "Need to Breathe", the first single from this St. Catherines band. However, what lies within the song is surprisingly refreshing. The guitar line and lyrics on "Unbelievable" are inspiring, as are the tight melodies and full acoustics of closer "Drowning Me Out". But the biggest shock comes in the form of "Give My Regards" – a painfully simple yet catchy pseudo-reggae/rock tune. This small set is simply a taste of what future greatness may befall this group in the near future.

- The Ontarion, University of Guelph