These Electric Lives
Doing It Our Way

Most new bands follow the same routine. They play a few shows, build up a little fanbase and then venture into the studio to record their first demos. But Toronto’s These Electric Lives aren’t your typical new band. With most of the members meeting at the Harris Institute while taking music production, it only made sense for them to record an EP before they even played a show.

“We made a 4-song EP for our very first show and played just those four songs, the only ones we'd written at that point. Like a lot of first gigs, we kind of got our shit together once the gig was already booked. We did go to a music production course, so it was kind of like a grad project or something,” says Gary Peter.

The band who are rounded out by singer Mark Stanfield, Guitarist Brian Lowe, keyboardist Griffon March and drummer Adam Balsam are in the studio working on their new EP with João Carvalho. The disc will be followed up relatively quickly by a full length album.

“We had considered jumping right into a full length, but thought we'd like to hone our skills a bit more, get something on the market that we can build on. And since we're doing it ourselves, with João that is, a 5-song EP is cheaper, and faster to make. We're already planning work on our full-length with João this summer.”

With a dance-rock sound that fits into the musical scope right now it won’t be difficult for them to hop on tour and go from there.

TS: Who are you?
Gary: We are These Electric Lives from Toronto
Mark: Hoping to be your new favourite band

TS: What do you sound like in five words or less?
M: We'll give you one word...melodic-electro-indie-dance-rock

TS: What's your guilty pleasure band/album?
G: Mark's hesitating because he feels too guilty about his answer
G: One of mine is Yes and ABBA...but I don't listen to them that much...retro 80's In general for me I suppose
M: I love the latest Madonna record.
G: He's really "hung up" on it
M: Good track

TS: What has the last year been like for your band?
M: Really exciting. Things seem to be moving pretty quickly for us and we're just in constant awe of how much things have progressed.
G: Lots of shows, playing out of town, working with João has been amazing and meeting lots of industry people who are interested in helping us. Writing new music, one of our favourite things to do

TS: There's over 300 bands playing CMW, why should people go and see you?
G: We could brag about our music here, but truthfully every show we play in Toronto now is a big party! We're just a part of that vibe and it's really fun to see everyone having such a blast at a show you're putting on. Humbling.

TS: What's the best perk about being in a band?
M: At this point none of us are making a living from our art, but we do get free beer at shows so that's a great start.
G: Cliché answer, but it's the best job in the world

TS: What are you most excited about doing during CMW?
G: I really like going to the seminars and meeting people in the biz who have a lot of great ideas and advice to dish out Terry McBride is someone I'm excited to hear speak this year
M: Just being part of the festival is exciting. We’ll be playing it the first two years that we've been a band and we think that's great. We know many bands that took much longer to get in and we're just grateful.

- Alyssa Caplin



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