Contrived
Contrived | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Genres | Rock, alternative |
| Years active | 2000–2010 |
| Labels | Dependent Hand Drawn Dracula |
| Members | Mike Bigelow Loel Campbell Mike MacNeill Tim D'Eon Jon Samuel |
| Website | www.myspace.com/contrived |
Contrived was a Canadian indie rock band, active in the 2000s.[1] Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Montreal, Quebec, the band consisted of Mike Bigelow, Loel Campbell, Mike MacNeill, Tim D'Eon and Jon Samuel.[2] Four of the five members are also in the band Wintersleep, and two are in Holy Fuck.[2]
They released two full-length albums and one EP on Dependent Music[1] before signing to Hand Drawn Dracula,[3] which released their third and final album in 2008.[1]
History
Contrived was formed in June 2000 by McNeil, Campbell and Bigelow while they were high school students in Stellarton.[4] Although Wintersleep achieved national fame first, Contrived in fact existed earlier and Wintersleep was originally a side project in collaboration with Paul Murphy of the band Kary.[5] Campbell has stated in interviews that the band's name was a sarcastic riposte to the popularity of mainstream boy band pop at the time.[6]
They began performing in the Halifax area,[5] and in 2002 released an album, Pursuit of Plots, on the Dependent Music label.[7]
Contrived appeared in video for a television pilot in 2003, and became known locally for their highly energetic live shows; they released an EP in 2004.[4]
Their next album, Dead Air Verbatim, was recorded partly in London, Ontario and produced by Andy Magoffin.[8] It included a second guitarist, Jon Samuel,[9] and was named as one of 2004's most anticipated releases by !earshot.[10] The album was supported by their first major national tour, on a bill that included both Contrived and Wintersleep as well as singer-songwriter Jill Barber.[11]
In 2008 the group released their final album, Blank, Blank, Blank.[12] The album pursued a less heavy rock sound than the band's previous work,[9][13] and was produced by David Newfeld of Broken Social Scene.[12]
By 2010, Wintersleep had been established as major national rock stars by the success of their breakthrough single "Weighty Ghost",[14] and Contrived were performing only occasionally.[9]
Members
- Mike Bigelow – bass
- Loel Campbell – drums
- Mike MacNeil – vocals, guitar
- Tim D'Eon – keyboards, guitars
- Jon Samuel – vocals, guitar
Discography
- Pursuit of Plots (2002)
- Starshine (2004, EP)
- Dead Air Verbatim (2005)
- Blank, Blank, Blank (2008)
See also
- Music of Canada
- Canadian rock
- List of bands from Canada
- List of Canadian musicians
- Category:Canadian musical groups
References
- ^ a b c "Contrived draws a blank, blank, blank". The Coast, November 7, 2008.
- ^ a b Kate Harper, "Contrived Prep Third Album". Chart Attack, October 22, 2008.
- ^ Mike Doherty, "Able labels; Who would start a music imprint at a time like this? Only the passionate". National Post, January 31, 2009.
- ^ a b Jennifer Vardy, "Stellarton rockers launch new disc". New Glasgow Evening News, June 11, 2005.
- ^ a b Kevin Maimann, "Fans warming up to Wintersleep; Side project catches on for Nova Scotia friends". Edmonton Sun, February 15, 2008.
- ^ "Call & Response: Contrived". BlogTO, February 5, 2009.
- ^ Neil Haverty, "Contrived: Pursuit of Plots". Exclaim! December 01, 2002.
- ^ Sandy MacDonald, "Contrived's 'hexed' CD finally set for release". Halifax Daily News, June 9, 2005.
- ^ a b c Alison Lang, "Contrived’s comfort". The Coast, March 11, 2010.
- ^ "The Best, The Worst and the Rest". !earshot, December 2004.
- ^ Mike Devlin, "Dream streak for Wintersleep". Victoria Times-Colonist, March 30, 2006.
- ^ a b Ian Gormley, "Contrived: Blank, Blank, Blank". Exclaim!, January 26, 2009.
- ^ Lorraine Carpenter, "Contrived blank, blank, blank (Hand Drawn Dracula)". Montreal Mirror, December 4, 2008.
- ^ Mike Devlin, "Wintersleep won't hibernate in search of catchy chorus". Calgary Herald, November 16, 2010.
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