As we journey through the waters of life, we navigate toward our hopes and dreams. Life can be topsy turvy for a time, but ultimately we keep the horizon in view and travel ever onward. Exit 451 puts this life voyage into a musical ebb and flow.
“Seek it all and follow your calling” says “Where the Sea Meets the Sky.” We do our best to steer clear of turbulent waters. And yet, the most beautiful moments of life sometimes require that we face the storms head on. “Western Child” with its childbirth references, calls us to “give like never before” saying “it’s time to free some of my love.”
The Fall 2010 debut ‘The Sea above the Sky’ blends widely popular Duran Duran / Tears for Fears new wave elements with quirkier Queen style funk rock sounds. Weaving ambient and experimental threads into the retro fabric, Exit 451 creates a unique modern day pop rock sound.
Based in Montreal, Canada, Exit 451 consists primarily of brothers Alain (guitars, keyboards, piano, arrangements) and Martin Avon (bass, arrangements) and JP Alepins (lyrics, vocals, piano). To capture the essence of their debut album, the trio recorded ‘The Sea above the Sky’ during a one-month closed retreat at Studio 451.
For the album, Steve Nistor (Daniel Lanois’ tour drummer) recorded all drum and percussion tracks. Two drum kits were used, one of which was Jeremy Gara’s (Arcade Fire) C&C kit which Gara graciously lent to the band for the recording sessions. Pierre Marchand (Sarah McLachlan’s producer) also contributed to the recording, lending his vintage guitars and amps to the band. Out of the 12 complete songs recorded, 10 were carefully chosen for the album.
JP Alepins spoke to Resonance about the album’s essence and the meaning behind, ‘The Sea above the Sky.’
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Soft vocals whisper against jolts of revving guitars, like a thug speaking low and deliberate commands to surrender or else. This is Le Recourder Larouge, the musical project of Rei Soto, which deals with the fringe emotions that frequently pose as love. Possessiveness. Greed. Lust. The passion of these pathos-laden emotions is enhanced with a mixture of hardrock pounding, industrial darkness, and dreamscape atmostpheres. A series of four EPs are planned, with two already released, titled simply “L” and “E.” Rei Soto spoke with Resonance about the creative process of a DIY musician, depressing prom music, and lyrical inspiration provided by horror films.
