FFF Fest Interviews: Islands
During our triple the fun weekend at Fun fest, ATH had the good fortune of speaking with Nick Thorburn and Patrice Agbokou of the Montreal based band Islands. Nick and Patrice offer insight into a few various topics about Canada, music and some secret new side projects. Follow the jump to read our entire interview.
ATH: Your newest album Arm’s Way has less of a hip-hop influence than your debut album Return to the Sea. Why do you think that happened?
Nick: I’m not really sure. Maybe Jaime, the drummer on the first record, who was really into rap and beats had something to do with that. On the first record we also had two people rapping on it which is something we didn’t do with the new album. That might have been an overt reference to hip-hop.
ATH: Nick, you always seem to have a lot of projects going on outside of Islands. What are some new things you’ve got going? Anything secret that we don’t know about yet?
NT: Islands is always my current focus with the other things being more pleasure based. I’m starting a band with Ryan (Kattner) from Man Man. I’m also starting a band with a ton of people in New York called The New Beatles. I can’t really disclose who’s a part of that project but it’s a super group and it’s going to blow your mind. I’ve also got a solo project in the works, two new Islands records, and another Human Highway record.
ATH: When can we expect that new Islands record?
NT: I don’t know really. Probably in the fall of next year. The material is already there more or less.
ATH: Seeing as how everyone at this festival seems to be drinking, what is your drink of choice?
NT: Jameson on the rocks or a micro brewery pale ale.
PA: Water.
ATH: What’s the best thing about being a band from Canada?
NT: I guess the grant system is pretty good. You can get money to tour, make music videos, make a record, and get money for pretty much any facet of making music through government or private grant systems. You have to prove that you need the money with receipts but you don’t have to repay that money. They’re trimming it down a little bit because people are taking advantage of it. It’s a way they try to promote Canadian culture because we are in a pretty large shadow.
ATH: We recently ran a feature on our site about the worst things going on in the music industry. What would be something that you could change about the current state of music?
NT: I would just say f*ck off to the industry in general. All the people who aren’t making music are just leeches. I’m not joking about that either. They are there to make money off the people who actually create the music and work hard at performing it.
ATH: Do you have a solution to the problem?
NT: Yeah, f*ck off, that’s what my solution would be. I’m not saying that to you guys obviously but to everyone who is just there to profit off of it.
ATH: What are the top things about Fun Fun Fun Fest?
NT: People, music, bands, live shows
PA: Austin.
NT: Dr. Octagon (As he walks by, head covered in shiny silver scarf). Oh and skirts.
ATH: A common theme in this band is that “Islands Are Forever”. With everything else you’ve got going on, will Islands really be forever?
NT: Yeah, that’s my main focus.
ATH: Our friends from Oklahoma, Colourmusic, played in all white yesterday. Why are you guy choosing to play in all black?
NT: Well black is all colors.
PA: This is a darker album when compared to the first record. I think the color choice really reflects the music.
Let this all be a lesson to those of you in the music world, Nick Thorburn means business. Thanks again guys for the time.