4TheRcrd Mag.

There must be something in the air we breath or the water we drink that provides such a fertile birthing ground for raw talent in this city. There’s no doubt that we really do have an excellent local music scene that deserves a lot more attention then some of us tend to give. One such band that is quickly rising to the top of the heap to claim their stakes is Vancouver’s own Parlour Steps. After 9 years in the game, a win at the international songwriters competition, their 4th full length album(titled Ambiguoso) being picked up by US label Nine Mile Records and a live show that leaves fans in a breathless fervour, the buzz is finally growing steadily. With a warm confidence, beautiful vocal melodies and a touch of humour, these cats play with a sound that will drip down your spine and resonate in your heart for hours. I spoke with band-leader and engineer/producer Caleb Stull about new albums, new labels and new horizons. He was nice.

Including the band, how long have you been active in the music scene?

“I’ve been playing rock and roll since i was 14. I was in a band and we were playing bars and stuff. Yes, at 14. Nobody asked and i didn’t tell. But we’ve(Parlour Steps) have been banging away for nearly 9 years now, but it’s only been in the last couple of years that it’s really started to bear some fruit. Just when i thought it was time to quit and throw in the towel we start to propel forward” Stull laughs. “But it’s good, really. I definitely see some longevity!”

What kind of territory is explored in the new album?

“Views on spirituality, you know, God and whether he or she exists and what that means, relationships, expectations that come with living in the modern world, technology and it’s rapid pace and how it affects our body and mental state, weather. I come across these big questions, and they don’t necessarily make for light reading but i try to throw them into the songs where and when i can. I ask a lot of questions, but not so much out of a need for answers. I just like to get myself thinking.”

You’ve been picked up by Nine Mile Records, do tell!

“We released Ambiguoso independently in May of ‘07. Then Nine Mile found us and we were able to re-release it in Feb. ‘08. NMR is based out of Massachusetts. They’re really great people who love music and are helpful in feeding the small indie music machine and they’ve been really supportive when it comes to promotion, tour support and Internet/radio play. So it’s been getting us a lot more attention in places that wouldn’t have known about us previously.”

What are your thoughts on the Vancouver scene, supportive or a struggle?

“It seems that on the indie circuit people are really down to earth and willing to help, kind of a ‘we’re all in this together’ kind of feel. I mean, i wish people would go out more, and I’m guilty of this myself. But it seems that Vancouver lacks in a lively night culture. On a musicians level there’s a good sense of inclusion and there isn’t much in the way of destructive ego’s going on here. Nobody really has a cull to much of it. So it’s generally good. We have some surprisingly good venues, like the Biltmore who just re-did their sound system and interior making for a great venue. The Railway is a favorite!”

What to expect from a live show and when?

*laughs* “A cramped stage if it’s at the Railway, good old rockin’ melodic toe tappin’ times. We really charge into it and hopefully it gets people moving. Sing-a-longs, dynamics, some witty banter. And when? We play on April 4Th at the Biltmore along with The Buttless Chaps.”
I ask if there will be flash pots in the live show any time soon, but Stull assures me that as cool as that might be, fire restrictions hold strong, though he does tell me of a band he once saw playing The Railway, who brought in a bubble machine and a confetti machine. So who knows? Confetti is SO rock and roll!

IMAGE CREDIT: here.