The next chapter in the story of gorgeous, hook-laden alternative rock music from Atlantic Canada is here. From the home of highly successful and critically acclaimed groups like In-flight Safety, Two Hours Traffic and Wintersleep, this is Mardeen.
Mardeen brings together the very best of the genre with distinctive pop hooks all their own. Think of the bright shimmering guitar of Built To Spill and Teenage Fanclub accented with the swirling distortion of My Bloody Valentine. Imagine the anthemic vocal delivery of Bob Pollard (Guided By Voices) or early Michael Stipe (REM) mixed with the sweet high harmonies of Rivers Cuomo (Weezer).
Mardeen’s upcoming debut album, Read Less Minds, and 2005’s critically acclaimed Friends Don’t Love EP were recorded by Halifax indie rock veteran Charles Austin (The Super Friendz, Buck 65). “They have a great melodic sense going for them,” Austin says, “that harkens back to the hookiest moments of Teenage Fanclub, or dare I say it, The Beatles or Zombies, coupled with ferocious guitars that owe as much to The Ramones as they do the current crop of jingle janglers!”
Music as expertly crafted, and as confidently performed, as this doesn’t just happen. It requires a solid foundation, a dedicated and shared vision. “It’s all in how deep the rock goes,” sings Travis Ellis in “Can You Feel It” from Read Less Minds. In the capable hands of these musicians, the rock is sourced from deep within that foundation, each song a polished gemstone.
“Matthew, Jon and I have been playing music together since we were 12,” explains Travis. The three grew up in the small community of Whycocomagh in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. “We are first cousins. The three of us write and record all of the songs.”
The song’s chorus asks two questions all music fans should ask themselves when assessing new songs: Can you feel it in your mind? Can you feel it in your body? In the case of Mardeen, the answer to both is a resounding yes.
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Live, Mardeen brings a sense of urgency and slightly controlled mayhem in their performance that crests over the tight melodies. Mardeen released a four song eponymous titled EP, and 2007 saw the band showcase at the East Coast Music Awards, Canadian Music Week, NXNE, POP Montreal and The Halifax Pop Explosion.
Mardeen has been busy getting their live show together after the long-awaited introduction of full-time drummer, Jason Burns. The band is now ready to introduce the newly released record to the rest of the country through extensive touring plans and performances at HPX, Pop Montreal and a slew of others
“…fantastic sense of melody…” ~ The Coast.ca
“…a promising debut…” ~ cokemachineglow.com
“…perfect pop songs...” ~ CBC Radio 3
