Ollie North

Musicians who choose to use loops for their music are always fascinating subjects to attempt to deconstruct. They can start with something simple- a riff, a vocal phrase, whatever- and suddenly build something lush and imaginative, something one might not believe was crafted by a single person.

Ollie North, the project of Jack Deming, has resurfaced after the release of the Lindenfels EP in March of this year. What makes the Bringer EP different than its predecessor is how far Deming decided to push the looping.

Using what he called a “ridiculous” number of layers, his looped guitars and banjos are no longer always added in a step-by-step process. They’ve also taken on a characteristic rumble, of who-knows-how-many layers of sound playing at the same time to create something that astoundingly isn’t just a formless cacophony.

The familiar sense of building up can be heard in opener “Bringer,” though. After about twenty-five seconds of a slow build, the sound suddenly explodes as Deming’s vocals come. The song has a serious warmth about, in fact a joyfulness that should easily ensure the listener will keep listening.

The “rumble” can first be heard on the considerably shorter “Arabesque I” (perhaps a hint that that the next Ollie North EP will feature an “Arabesque II”). There are no vocals here, instead just the sound of an uncountable number of layers of sound. The end features a few ghostly-sounding noises which flow into the final track.

“Nearernesses” is truly the pinnacle of this EP, featuring the “rumble” as well as another guitar line, and even what sounds like horns. It’s also likely to be the song that will stick in your head later thanks to Deming’s vocalizations at the end of each verse.

The Bringer EP is another notch in Jack Deming’s progress with this project. Each new EP brings something slightly different to the listener’s palate, and it’s quite likely that Deming has a lot more tricks up his sleeve. The EP is a name-your-price download from Bandcamp.

Top Track: “Nearernesses”

Rating: Proud Hoot (Really Good) - Michael Thomas

There are some musicians who fear a world beyond a simple six-string guitar, and on the other hand, there are some musicians who are seduced by the idea of full bands and the subsequent space filling sounds. But there are some some musicians who find the unique balance in between – relying on creative methods to create a simple space filling sound.

Ollie North is one of these musicians. His newest recording, Bringer EP, is a complex and captivating mosaic of sound. The title track, “Bringer”, drones over short riffs and clever vocals. The final track, “Nearernesses” builds itself up through an emotion exploration of loops and words. North is a true master of layering simple sounds and creating an addictive harmony out of a cacophony of creativity — his short EP is sure to leave his sound echoing in your mind in a way you can’t articulate outside of your own imagination. - Pinkkiosk

Nearernesses

Another song that has skipped my attention is by Ollie North, a Brian Eno of the guitar. And when I mention Brian Eno, I am talking about his older solo albums, as in Before and after science, Another green world, etc… I know those are large shoes to step into, but this guy is definitely worth the compliment. I have been listening to this hypnotic song over and over..and over again and lllllove it. Buy the Bringer EP and support this wonderful artist thus enable him keep on making such great music.
- Lofiles

Nearernesses

Another song that has skipped my attention is by Ollie North, a Brian Eno of the guitar. And when I mention Brian Eno, I am talking about his older solo albums, as in Before and after science, Another green world, etc… I know those are large shoes to step into, but this guy is definitely worth the compliment. I have been listening to this hypnotic song over and over..and over again and lllllove it. Buy the Bringer EP and support this wonderful artist thus enable him keep on making such great music.
- Lofiles

OLLIE NORTH
Bringer EP
(Self-Released, 2012)
For: Bird by Snow, Douglas Firs, Chris Rehm

Ollie North creates an album of equal parts drone and nostalgic acoustic numbers

Who names their solo musical project Ollie North. Seriously? I guess kudos can be given for softening a name synonomous with the Iran-Contra scandal. Nothing on this album hints at anything close to sinister enough to reference the clandestine sale of arms to Iran from the profits gained from selling arms to rebel groups in Nicaragua. Instead, this short, three song EP is quite nice. Bringer is a collection of songs performed in hushed tones, buried under loops and loops of loosely strummed guitars and just enough lo-fidelity to soften it’s edges.

Jack Deming (the real Ollie North) is walking in some well-worn shoes with this release. Bird By Snow’s 2012 release worked folksier, acoustic numbers into the all-encompassing maw of the drone. Chris Rehm’s sweetly nostalgic acoustic numbers straddle that line with messy, bloody precision. Ollie North draws comparable strengths from artists who treat small, acoustic songs with wide screen possibilities. Built around relatively simple acoustic songs, Bringer builds towering structures above and below a guitar line and vocal melody creating cascades of acoustic strings, surging drones with propulsive, hypnotic qualities. The bookended vocal-centered tracks are centered around a repeated phrase, which, like the endlessly looped guitar lines, gather meaning the more they are repeated.

A strength here is the lack of instruments on this album. It is conceivable that this album is Deming, a guitar and a microphone. Each track is doubled, tripled, millionth-quadrupiled but always just a bit off, creating a double shadow of itself. A slight aberration from the source peeling off into bits and fragments of audio data, rushing apart into any open space that isn’t crowded with a thousand other notes clamoring for space.

Bringer is an incredibly promising start. If I really wanted to bring some GRE vocab into this I would say this is an auspicious release.

Ryan H.

P.S. How did you get a photo of my wall unit air conditioner from my SLC apartment on the album cover? - Ryan H.

OLLIE NORTH
Bringer EP
(Self-Released, 2012)
For: Bird by Snow, Douglas Firs, Chris Rehm

Ollie North creates an album of equal parts drone and nostalgic acoustic numbers

Who names their solo musical project Ollie North. Seriously? I guess kudos can be given for softening a name synonomous with the Iran-Contra scandal. Nothing on this album hints at anything close to sinister enough to reference the clandestine sale of arms to Iran from the profits gained from selling arms to rebel groups in Nicaragua. Instead, this short, three song EP is quite nice. Bringer is a collection of songs performed in hushed tones, buried under loops and loops of loosely strummed guitars and just enough lo-fidelity to soften it’s edges.

Jack Deming (the real Ollie North) is walking in some well-worn shoes with this release. Bird By Snow’s 2012 release worked folksier, acoustic numbers into the all-encompassing maw of the drone. Chris Rehm’s sweetly nostalgic acoustic numbers straddle that line with messy, bloody precision. Ollie North draws comparable strengths from artists who treat small, acoustic songs with wide screen possibilities. Built around relatively simple acoustic songs, Bringer builds towering structures above and below a guitar line and vocal melody creating cascades of acoustic strings, surging drones with propulsive, hypnotic qualities. The bookended vocal-centered tracks are centered around a repeated phrase, which, like the endlessly looped guitar lines, gather meaning the more they are repeated.

A strength here is the lack of instruments on this album. It is conceivable that this album is Deming, a guitar and a microphone. Each track is doubled, tripled, millionth-quadrupiled but always just a bit off, creating a double shadow of itself. A slight aberration from the source peeling off into bits and fragments of audio data, rushing apart into any open space that isn’t crowded with a thousand other notes clamoring for space.

Bringer is an incredibly promising start. If I really wanted to bring some GRE vocab into this I would say this is an auspicious release.

Ryan H.

P.S. How did you get a photo of my wall unit air conditioner from my SLC apartment on the album cover? - Ryan H.

Ollie North – Bringer
Album Review by Fredy M. Iuni

Ollie North’s latest EP Bringer resonates a beautiful folksy aesthetic, which is firmly grounded in an urban sensibility. The softness and warmth of his sounds mix to construct a dreamy atmosphere, while his unassuming voice, almost hidden in the music, adds a homely comforting feel for the listener.

The first track on the EP, “Bringer”, starts off with tons of energy conveyed through the fullness of the sounds and the slightly distorted vocals. The guitar sparkles adding an uplifting feel to the song.

“Arabesque I” is a short musical interlude, the track flowering with sounds throughout.

The EP concludes with the subdued “Nearernesses”, a song structured around a canvass of repeating loops, interwoven with a variety sounds pulsing in and out from beginning to end. The vocal phrasing of the song is beautifully done.

Bringer is a three-track EP that gives you just a little taste of the potential of Ollie North; the layered and rich sounds create a full and pleasant atmosphere. The EP leaves you wanting more.
- Fredy M. Iuni

Ollie North – Bringer
Album Review by Fredy M. Iuni

Ollie North’s latest EP Bringer resonates a beautiful folksy aesthetic, which is firmly grounded in an urban sensibility. The softness and warmth of his sounds mix to construct a dreamy atmosphere, while his unassuming voice, almost hidden in the music, adds a homely comforting feel for the listener.

The first track on the EP, “Bringer”, starts off with tons of energy conveyed through the fullness of the sounds and the slightly distorted vocals. The guitar sparkles adding an uplifting feel to the song.

“Arabesque I” is a short musical interlude, the track flowering with sounds throughout.

The EP concludes with the subdued “Nearernesses”, a song structured around a canvass of repeating loops, interwoven with a variety sounds pulsing in and out from beginning to end. The vocal phrasing of the song is beautifully done.

Bringer is a three-track EP that gives you just a little taste of the potential of Ollie North; the layered and rich sounds create a full and pleasant atmosphere. The EP leaves you wanting more.
- Fredy M. Iuni

Ollie North - Lindenfels
Posted on July 16, 2012 by BurlyLetter

These are songs of the deep autumn morning. The yellow grass is coated in frost and the trees are slick with just-melting hoarfrost; you draw your collar against the chill. The lyrics are nearly indecipherable, but the cyclical swell of the songs instills a sense of conversation — every additional layer is a constructive response to the last, moving the song closer to its resolution.

There is a cinematic quality here that fosters reflection and visualization. “Aurochs II” is heavy clouds, moody fields gone blue and grey with rain. “Cold Apppearaance” is the crisp and still winter morning, first thing, before the cars break the snow. And “Lindenfels” is the company of rolling hills, the watchful flock of birds and the livestock. Close your eyes and enjoy this one. - Tyler Butler

Ollie North - Lindenfels
Posted on July 16, 2012 by BurlyLetter

These are songs of the deep autumn morning. The yellow grass is coated in frost and the trees are slick with just-melting hoarfrost; you draw your collar against the chill. The lyrics are nearly indecipherable, but the cyclical swell of the songs instills a sense of conversation — every additional layer is a constructive response to the last, moving the song closer to its resolution.

There is a cinematic quality here that fosters reflection and visualization. “Aurochs II” is heavy clouds, moody fields gone blue and grey with rain. “Cold Apppearaance” is the crisp and still winter morning, first thing, before the cars break the snow. And “Lindenfels” is the company of rolling hills, the watchful flock of birds and the livestock. Close your eyes and enjoy this one. - Tyler Butler

Review- “Bringer EP”- Ollie North

reviewed by Michael Thomas

Musicians who choose to use loops for their music are always fascinating subjects to attempt to deconstruct. They can start with something simple- a riff, a vocal phrase, whatever- and suddenly build something lush and imaginative, something one might not believe was crafted by a single person.

Ollie North, the project of Jack Deming, has resurfaced after the release of the Lindenfels EP in March of this year. What makes the Bringer EP different than its predecessor is how far Deming decided to push the looping.

Using what he called a “ridiculous” number of layers, his looped guitars and banjos are no longer always added in a step-by-step process. They’ve also taken on a characteristic rumble, of who-knows-how-many layers of sound playing at the same time to create something that astoundingly isn’t just a formless cacophony.

The familiar sense of building up can be heard in opener “Bringer,” though. After about twenty-five seconds of a slow build, the sound suddenly explodes as Deming’s vocals come. The song has a serious warmth about, in fact a joyfulness that should easily ensure the listener will keep listening.

The “rumble” can first be heard on the considerably shorter “Arabesque I” (perhaps a hint that that the next Ollie North EP will feature an “Arabesque II”). There are no vocals here, instead just the sound of an uncountable number of layers of sound. The end features a few ghostly-sounding noises which flow into the final track.

“Nearernesses” is truly the pinnacle of this EP, featuring the “rumble” as well as another guitar line, and even what sounds like horns. It’s also likely to be the song that will stick in your head later thanks to Deming’s vocalizations at the end of each verse.

The Bringer EP is another notch in Jack Deming’s progress with this project. Each new EP brings something slightly different to the listener’s palate, and it’s quite likely that Deming has a lot more tricks up his sleeve. The EP is a name-your-price download from Bandcamp.

Top Track: “Nearernesses”

Rating: Proud Hoot (Really Good) - Michael Thomas

Review- “Bringer EP”- Ollie North

reviewed by Michael Thomas

Musicians who choose to use loops for their music are always fascinating subjects to attempt to deconstruct. They can start with something simple- a riff, a vocal phrase, whatever- and suddenly build something lush and imaginative, something one might not believe was crafted by a single person.

Ollie North, the project of Jack Deming, has resurfaced after the release of the Lindenfels EP in March of this year. What makes the Bringer EP different than its predecessor is how far Deming decided to push the looping.

Using what he called a “ridiculous” number of layers, his looped guitars and banjos are no longer always added in a step-by-step process. They’ve also taken on a characteristic rumble, of who-knows-how-many layers of sound playing at the same time to create something that astoundingly isn’t just a formless cacophony.

The familiar sense of building up can be heard in opener “Bringer,” though. After about twenty-five seconds of a slow build, the sound suddenly explodes as Deming’s vocals come. The song has a serious warmth about, in fact a joyfulness that should easily ensure the listener will keep listening.

The “rumble” can first be heard on the considerably shorter “Arabesque I” (perhaps a hint that that the next Ollie North EP will feature an “Arabesque II”). There are no vocals here, instead just the sound of an uncountable number of layers of sound. The end features a few ghostly-sounding noises which flow into the final track.

“Nearernesses” is truly the pinnacle of this EP, featuring the “rumble” as well as another guitar line, and even what sounds like horns. It’s also likely to be the song that will stick in your head later thanks to Deming’s vocalizations at the end of each verse.

The Bringer EP is another notch in Jack Deming’s progress with this project. Each new EP brings something slightly different to the listener’s palate, and it’s quite likely that Deming has a lot more tricks up his sleeve. The EP is a name-your-price download from Bandcamp.

Top Track: “Nearernesses”

Rating: Proud Hoot (Really Good) - Michael Thomas

Hailing from New England, Jack Deming has called Montreal home since 2008. Lindenfels is his latest musical output as Ollie North which fluctuates between languorous pensive resonant states where each melodic line is weighted with outward reflection and inward refraction and cyclical additive song structures with pulsing rough edged vocals.
In my imaginary listening space the EP embodies the passage of a day, conjuring up affective spaces along the way. Cold Apppearaance's rocking motion is the kind of space i want to wake up in, where I can remain submerged in the haze of dreamland for the first few hours of the day with just enough motion to make me ambulatory and tones that engage me and coax me out of the haze. Lidenfels carves out my dayscape of undulating hills, grasslands, and sweet winds carrying the scent of little leaf linden blossoms. Aurochs II embodies the quiet time, just after the fading of the golden hour at dusk, it's stark, but not in a desolate way.
When asked about what Genre we should attribute to Ollie North Jack prefered to discuss mood over gerne. The space or place that a piece of music cconjures uis always easier to describe than the arduous taks of attributing a genre qualification or making up some kind of cross section that contains all of the elements you are integrating. I think it pulls inspiration from a few places along the musical spectrum, and believe that creations to come will continue to conjure up pastoral ambiances that envelop your imagination and carry you to a place where you can take pause and breathe some fresh air. It's not ambiant music, it's music that seeks to create an ambiance.
As for future releases, Jack says he'll be working in some of the tumbling, looping, drone-clusters that i've heard him construct during a killer set at the first in a series of sleepover drone shows at The Plant in Montreal.

You can check out Ollie North's First Self titled EP that was released January 1st 2012.
- Free Music Archive

"Heady, meditative northern-folk excursions bind Ollie North’s sophomore EP to a deeper, holographic mood. Strange visions extol the steel-picked perturbations as distorted vocals quiver between grooves of acoustic mellow. A strange and welcomed occurrence within the haloed streams of the folk ritual." - Aaron Levin

"No, I did not typo and hit too many letters in the title of this post. The song is in fact called Cold Apppearaance. Maybe it’s supposed to represent the stutter of the words on a cold winter’s day. From Montreal, Ollie North’s music is a type of calm acoustic ambient-folk. They recently released an EP titled Lindenfels which you can grab free on Bandcamp." - Tiana Feng

"Montreal folkies Ollie North make some gorgeous sounds." - Marc Z. Gold

"Montreal folkies Ollie North make some gorgeous sounds." - Marc Z. Gold

"I was just listening to M. Ward's first album while I was washing the dishes. This is of a similar ilk. To the M. Ward album. Lovely astral folk from the edges of the northern tundra." (From BH Facebook Page) - Bandcamp Hunter

"I was just listening to M. Ward's first album while I was washing the dishes. This is of a similar ilk. To the M. Ward album. Lovely astral folk from the edges of the northern tundra." (From BH Facebook Page) - Bandcamp Hunter

"Mantrafolk i skymningen, från det kanadensiska träsklandet."
Trans. "Mantra-folk at dusk from the Canadian swamplands." - Skogsgospel