The Superlative

I recently sat down with Kiel (Guitars/Vocals), Pat (Guitars/Vocals) and Zach (Drums/Percussion) of The Superlative to find out a little more about them discuss the band’s future plans.

While most bands form out of a love of making music, many also hope to make a living from their art. However most tend to leave their success to chance. Talking with The Superlative, I quickly got the sense that they had a plan for the future and are willing to put in a little hard work.

It was obvious they were proud of the results of their efforts to date. Kiel was quick to point out, "We are in control of our future. We don't have anyone helping us out with artwork, music, management." And while they realize it will take a lot of work to realize their dreams, they also don't have their heads in the clouds. As Kiel put it, "We've got a good grip on it, but I don't think there is any real plan for a band. No band has made it the same way twice." Zach added, "It's all about being creative, doing what you can with what you've got."

The guys recently played a few shows in Timmins and Sudbury with new friends Junkie and the Spider. They are looking into booking some southern Ontario dates, in addition to being part of the Body Rock Tour. However they're not getting ahead of themselves when it comes to touring. "You really have to be ready for touring. You can't assume that the show was booked and we're set. No. You have to advertise. There's press kits to prepare," mentioned Kiel.

The Superlative want to be sure people have heard their music before hitting the road. To that end, they have hooked up with Tinderbox Music to help get their music on radio stations across North America. They've found the relationship to be very beneficial. Pat shared, "Our stuff was out on the internet before, but now we find it's actually getting into the hands of the people we're trying to reach." They've been getting messages from people across North America praising their music.

The other benefit from Tinderbox is that the band has seen an increase in iTunes sales for their album Chester which was released in March. It was recorded with Terry Benn at Sonic Pit Recording Studio in Napanee. They really liked working with Terry. "He was always one step ahead of us. He was a great guy to work with," Zach mentioned.

The guys loved the studio experience and look forward to possibly returning this winter to cut some more tracks for their next disc. They have a growing collection of songs and they are eager to get some of them recorded. Every song tends to be a group effort, developed through their jams, piecing things together from various riffs and structures that someone has come up with.

As mentioned earlier, the guys are part of the Body Rock Tour which will be hitting Mavericks July 30th, so if you want to check them out live, now is your chance. You can also catch another Ottawa band that same evening as Suns of Stone will also be on the bill. Check out the Facebook event page for all the details. - http://www.spotlightottawa.com/

I recently sat down with Kiel (Guitars/Vocals), Pat (Guitars/Vocals) and Zach (Drums/Percussion) of The Superlative to find out a little more about them discuss the band’s future plans.

While most bands form out of a love of making music, many also hope to make a living from their art. However most tend to leave their success to chance. Talking with The Superlative, I quickly got the sense that they had a plan for the future and are willing to put in a little hard work.

It was obvious they were proud of the results of their efforts to date. Kiel was quick to point out, "We are in control of our future. We don't have anyone helping us out with artwork, music, management." And while they realize it will take a lot of work to realize their dreams, they also don't have their heads in the clouds. As Kiel put it, "We've got a good grip on it, but I don't think there is any real plan for a band. No band has made it the same way twice." Zach added, "It's all about being creative, doing what you can with what you've got."

The guys recently played a few shows in Timmins and Sudbury with new friends Junkie and the Spider. They are looking into booking some southern Ontario dates, in addition to being part of the Body Rock Tour. However they're not getting ahead of themselves when it comes to touring. "You really have to be ready for touring. You can't assume that the show was booked and we're set. No. You have to advertise. There's press kits to prepare," mentioned Kiel.

The Superlative want to be sure people have heard their music before hitting the road. To that end, they have hooked up with Tinderbox Music to help get their music on radio stations across North America. They've found the relationship to be very beneficial. Pat shared, "Our stuff was out on the internet before, but now we find it's actually getting into the hands of the people we're trying to reach." They've been getting messages from people across North America praising their music.

The other benefit from Tinderbox is that the band has seen an increase in iTunes sales for their album Chester which was released in March. It was recorded with Terry Benn at Sonic Pit Recording Studio in Napanee. They really liked working with Terry. "He was always one step ahead of us. He was a great guy to work with," Zach mentioned.

The guys loved the studio experience and look forward to possibly returning this winter to cut some more tracks for their next disc. They have a growing collection of songs and they are eager to get some of them recorded. Every song tends to be a group effort, developed through their jams, piecing things together from various riffs and structures that someone has come up with.

As mentioned earlier, the guys are part of the Body Rock Tour which will be hitting Mavericks July 30th, so if you want to check them out live, now is your chance. You can also catch another Ottawa band that same evening as Suns of Stone will also be on the bill. Check out the Facebook event page for all the details. - http://www.spotlightottawa.com/

Radio interview about our record "Chester" and band life with DJ Tic.

Direct link:
http://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/82/11775.html
- CKCU

When 5 music loving guys from Ottawa come together and create music, something magical happens.Debut album Chester is an interesting piece of alternative rock that captivates the listener from start to end.Opener Anthem of the Degenerate is a steady building track that journeys into an exploding chorus. It’s surrounded by a fat bass line that is reminiscent of the classic guitar funk of the new age movement in the 90's. Dark Nights is the sort of track you’d listen to walking home from a long night out. For a rock song, it’s very atmospheric and again, the chorus here is rather epic sounding. Vocals on this LP range from raspy Kurt Cobain-esque melodies to growls that perhaps touch on the post hardcore movement, but these guys keep in line with their indie roots and keep everything palatable.Hot Summer Dub is definitely my favourite track off the album, it’s a sort of reggae meets indie psychedelia track that makes you nod your head as if you were at some Jamaican music fest. It ‘s a track that would work fantastic in the live setting, it’s a medium/slow track that could easily be a radio hit. Driving home with this on the radio could perhaps create a rather surreal experience.Overall this album is an enjoyable listen but in terms of consistency, some tracks are a lot stronger than others. That said, if Chester is anything to go by, these guys will be bursting onto the indie rock scene spreading their brand of alternative, indie rock to the masses in no time.Album Rating: Favourite Tracks: Inner Muse // Hot Summer Dub // Dancing in my MindLeast Favourite Track: Beast Within - iwanttohelpyourband.com

Click the link to read the interview! - SometimesAlwaysMusic

Click the link to read the interview/story. - Metro News Ottawa

The Superlative released their 6 track debut album, Chester, in March 2013. I was pretty upset that I didn’t find out about it until December, 2013. Influenced by the likes of The Who, The Flaming Lips, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, The Allman Brothers, and I Mother Earth, among others, had me interested. This 5 piece band from Ottawa, On., delivers a sound I can best describe as rockgae.

“Inner Muse” has great fuzz guitar over a reggae beat. There are great changes and a wonderful guitar solo that lies just under the power rock vocal track. In “Anthem Of A Degenerate” we are treated to nice transitions from reggae to rock and back again, a great melody and very cool guitar riffs and solo. The wonderfully creative vocals at the end of “Dancing In My Mind“, take nothing away from the great guitar solo, nice change in tempo and a way cool blues riff. I really like “Hot Summer Dub“, with its sweet melody, and cool changes. There are some interesting
psych
rock guitar effects here that make me think of Tommy James & The Shondells. tsup3 “Dark Nights (Don’t Look So Pretty)” nails it. A great pop melody and harmonies, with wonderful guitar work underneath, amazing transitions, and a kick ass ending. Yep. Nails it! There is a way cool bass line in” The Beast Within“, as well as, a great vocal track and a dynamite riff.

These guys are definitely talented. They rock, and they rock hard. The songs contain a reggae beat, layered with a pop melody, rock guitar, and hints of blues and psych rock. The album is dynamite, providing a guitar driven sound with a wonderful rhythm section. And if that is not enough, the album artwork is very cool. Definitely 1 for the collection and a band to keep your eyes on. - I can't believe my earz.

Has anyone ever noticed how I always start my reviews off with a question?
Probably not, but I couldn’t think of one to start off this review, so here we are.
Anyway, I feel like I need to say this: The Superlative have got to be one of the most ‘musically pure’ bands that has submitted themselves to us.
“Why?” you ask? Because they don’t play one of the ‘popular’ genres, they don’t follow any of the ‘core trends, and they just genuinely seem like a bunch of good friends who love to play music together.
It actually sounds like they got together, started jamming, and this is the sound that came out. There was no “We have to go for this sound, because that’s what’s cool” forced bullshit.
That’s just how I see it anyway; I could be entirely wrong, but that’s just how this band comes off to me.

Now, to kick off the actual review, I have to point out how cool this video is.
Shot in a comical style, with your standard, sleazy record company rep talking on his phone about how much money he earns while he pulls up to the bands house to scout them out.
He spends the entirety of the video acting like sleazy record company reps do, trying to sign the band whilst at the same time trying to change everything about them.
I won’t spoil the rest, but it’s a cool concept with some good humour injected in to boot.
Much better than the atrocious lyric videos that so many bands are doing these days.

The song kicks off with a nice little guitar riff, with an absolutely beautiful tone, before the rest of the instruments jump in.
The guitar work, in my opinion, is spot on. It adds so much to the song, and makes it really stand out from a lot of the shit I’ve had to endure writing for this page.
The bass is pretty good, too. It’s nothing too amazing, but it’s definitely nice to see a bass player that at least knows what he’s doing.

Drum-wise, ‘Keep It Here’ is solid as fuck. A great sounding kit, coupled with a competent drummer is always a winning combination. The drummer kept it interesting, without going over the top, and I think what he produced fits this song perfectly.

Now I’m in definite disagreement with one of our other reviewers regarding the vocals of this song.
I think this guy is an amazing vocalist, he kind of reminds me of Bret Bollinger from the band Pepper.
The vocals, in my opinion, are definitely one of the most solid aspects of this song. I really don’t think there’s any advice I could
offer
this guy to help him improve, because he really doesn’t need it.

So all in all, I really loved this track.
I’m definitely going to buy this bad boy and chuck it straight on my iPod, because it’s awesome songs like this, that I’d never hear about if I wasn’t a part of this page, that make me love this gig.
You guys have done a top job with this track, and I honestly can’t wait to hear some more from you!
So, much love from your newest Aussie fan!

Vocals –
Cleans: 10/10
Guitars: 9/10
Bass: 8/10
Drums: 8/10
Production: 9/10
Lyrics: 8/10
Songwriting: 9/10
Overall IPHYB Rating: 9/10
Personal Enjoyment Factor: 10/10

-Thrillhouse - I Probably Hate Your Band

A radio interview we did with CHUO 89.1FM to support our single "Inner Muse" for the up-and-comers segment: Do You Hear What I Hear?

Check them out on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/doyouhear891 - CHUO 89.1FM Ottawa/Do You Hear What I Hear

Click the URL for photos and a show review. - Andrew Carver