Quick & Dirty - Claire Jenkins Avec Band
By: Melissa Bessey
When every member of your musical ensemble is a highly trained multi-instrumentalist, you're bound for success. This is especially true for the Toronto-based ensemble, Claire Jenkins Avec Band. The list of instruments played on their album is so impressive I can't resist listing them all. But first, Claire Jenkins gives SoundProof an in-depth look at her passion for music and where it all began.
"I've always loved music. I moved to Toronto from Montreal to go to theatre school and when I was done I felt the need to do something with music. I got a guitar for my birthday and told my friends (from the band the Undesirables), when I have seven songs I'm going to open for you guys. I don't know if they thought I was serious but that's exactly what I did."
Thanks to the networking powers of MySpace, Claire connected with producer Don Kerr who recorded her album, Crow's Nest/Nid de Pie, at Rooster Studios (the ex-Rheostatic also played cello, horsey glock, tambourine and additional percussion on the record). The lovely Jenkins not only composed the songs with Kerr and sang lead vocals, but also played acoustic and electric guitar as well as xylophone. There were five other collaborators on the album including Sean Cotton on acoustic and electric guitar; Brad Hart on hydrophone and percussion; Tom Howell on organ, piano and violin; Treasa Levasseur on accordion, acoustic guitar, bass, glockenspiel, marimba and piano; and Joe Phillips on bass and acoustic guitar. I don't know about you, but even in these days of sprawling music collectives, I can't think of the last time I heard a local indie band with so much diverse talent.
Another notable feature of the album is the little handmade paper hat that comes with each CD, matching the one found on the album cover. It's not often these days that one sees such a personal touch, but it's a welcome surprise.
Jenkins' voice is smooth and sounds equally beautiful in both English and French. The overall sound is reminiscent of the most laid-back Stereolab tunes with lead vocals that sound a little like Feist, a little like Bjork (but without the groaning) and a little like Edith Piaf (only happier). Jenkins' melodies are so relaxing they could almost be lullabies - but don't fall asleep because the words of every tune are worth listening to.
Jenkins is most proud of the way Crow's Nest was recorded. "The entire album was recorded in sequence with no overdubs, which is rare in this age of digitally mastered technology," she says. "In addition to all the instruments listed that were played on Crow's Nest, additional sound effects include bells, boxing gloves, rocking chairs and the wind." As a theatre major it's no surprise that Jenkins has quite the imagination, and it comes through in her music.
When she's not busy with the band you can still find Jenkins in the cast of many plays, most recently in a production at the Factory Theatre last January.
Not to mention that if you have a chance to see Claire Jenkins Avec Band live, you should definitely do so.
