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Bang Bang << Nightwood: Nager dans les mêmes eaux >> (click to read article)
Carta Marina album review from The Ones That Are Mad:
- “Call back harmonies, tight drumming, and clear cut guitar riffs frame the album, giving it a dark, hypnotic tone. [...] If you dig bands like Black Mountain, Pink Mountaintops, or the darker early stuff from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, then I can guarantee that you’ll be a fan of Nightwood’s music. If you listen to the album through your headphones, you’re bound to be entranced; drawn in to the brooding intensity; waiting for the violence of the imminent storm from the lighthouse lookout of your mind.”
Carta Marina album review from The Singing Lamb:
- Nightwood’s first LP was bound to be a nearly perfect album. Carta Marina is a collection of carefully arranged rock songs complimented by beautiful, powerful voices. The album is a 12” vinyl and digital release only and can be purchased at shows and on the interwebs at the band’s website. Carta Marina flows freely and swiftly allows the listener to adopt each and every song. (Read more)
Carta Marina album review from Quick Before It Melts:
- “You’d do yourself a great injustice be just listening to one or two tracks before making up your mind about Nightwood, because just when you think you have them figured out, the next song comes on and it’s not what you expected to hear. The influences may be of a DIY punk stripe, but these influences cross and intersect like lines in a madras shirt rather than a woolly checkered plaid.”
Carta Marina album review from EMORAGEI (4.5/5):
- Depuis sa sortie le 1er octobre dernier, l’album Carta Marina m’a ensorcelé à un point tel que j’ai dû l’écarter de ma vie, l’enfermer dans un coffre-fort à double tour et jeter les clés par la fenêtre. Tout cela pour demeurer en bonne santé physique et mentale. Je me doute qu’il n’est pas nécessaire de vous dire que je n’ai rien fait de tout cela. Je l’ai simplement écouté, savouré jusqu’à la dernière goutte, et aujourd’hui il me fait plaisir de vous partager mes impressions. (Read more)
Carta Marina album review from In Your Speakers:
- Montreal based Nightwood’s full length debut album, Carta Marina, is a fascinating experience. Nightwood have focused their considerable talent on creating a true album. In an age when records are rapidly becoming either a loose amalgamation of songs or hyper-intensive concept albums, it seems the idea of musical albums as they once existed is becoming obsolete. Amber Goodwyn, Erin Ross and Jeremy MacCuish have shown us otherwise(…) Carta Marina is yet another reminder of all that Montreal’s independent music scene has to offer. It is an album made by artists who clearly have both a desire and ability to one day be masters of their craft. It shows remarkable maturity to craft an album which flows together so well and demands such attention from the listener. Nightwood have established themselves as a band worth watching. READ MORE
Carta Marina album review in The Record:
- “Two guitars and drums form the swell instrumentation with shared singing, melding to make melodic music. I am intensely hooked on their harmonics. “Maritimer” has a rollicking, rolling, syncopated start, with ethereal vocals, washing over in waves. “Sunken Mountains” has a jaunty introduction, breaking into beats of drums, ebbing, to flow into something one wants to dance around till the closing bang of the drums and howl of the vocals. The absolutely catchy “Play the Dishes / Wash the Guitar” is pop. Yet gritty. Bite into a bit of it and it wants for more of the call out lyrics and intense drums, with the chorus firmly lodging itself in your head. Beyond these three favourites, there are seven other gems in the alternating spirit of indie, garage, girl and mod rock due to set sail at the album launch on Thursday, October 1 at the Green Room in Montreal.” – Tricia Davidson
Live show review by Meet You at the Show:
- “I quickly discovered that Amber’s petite figure is not to be underestimated – her voice is pretty but also quite powerful. Nightwood’s drummer, Jeremy MacCuish, was amazing to watch as his hands masterfully whizzed through the air and played effortlessly. This is one band you definitely want to see live.”
Live show review by Guttersnipe:
and
8 songsNightwood
destroyed me.”
Live show review by The Lonely Vagabond:
- “Brandishing a spiky guitar-led sound that careens between post-punk and indie-rock, this Montreal trio’s secret power lies in keeping it simple while maintaining an edgy DIY vision. Controlling the energy with fuzz-toned riffs, pop leanings, and brooding heartfelt vocals stylistically akin to a Patti Smith or PJ Harvey, Nightwood is both compelling and strangely catchy at the same time.”
Live show review by MYATS:
- “A live performance to truly capture the magic and charm of the music and the band themselves [...] this band scored big points and made a great first impression, as they brought an intense energy to the stage.”
Live show review by The Singing Lamb:
- “The whole vibe of the LP was multiplied live, so mix that with funny banter and stage presence and you got a pretty perfect show. They use the simple two guitars/drums combination wisely and effectively. It’s never redundant and Nightwood are a great novelty in the Montréal music scene.”
Other stuff:
- Nightwood interview on Apathy is Boring READ THE ARTICLE
- Nightwood interview on Quick Before It Melts READ THE ARTICLE
- Nightwood: Nager dans le memes eaux interview in Bang Bang READ THE ARTICLE
- Crushing on Nightwood interview in Worn Fashion Journal READ THE ARTICLE
Selected press:
- “Another gem from Montreal. I mean wow Montreal I bow down to the talent that you consistently give us.” – NXNE 2009 show review, North by East West
- “Their DIY ethic draws similarities in my opinion to the North-Western Olympia, WA, K Records scene, drawing influences from punk and playing pop music with an edge.” – NXNE 2009 show review, For the Records
- “They’re a band (with) an art and style blog! Montreal’s own Nightwood prove their 21st century mettle.” – Salon 7
- “Nightwood: Montreal’s own take on the lovely lady-smacked scene of dark, moody rock.” – Nightlife Magazine
- “Instead of jamming each chord with enough synth to short a fuse, Nightwood prefer simple, unfettered guitars, dual female vocal work and strong, incisive songwriting.” – Hamilton View + Niagara Pulse
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REVIEWS of the Big City E.P.
“Local long-time collaborators Erin Ross and Amber Goodwyn team up with drummer Eric Lapointe to form Nightwood: Montreal’s own take on the lovely lady-smacked scene of dark, moody rock that the now-defunct The Organ unearthed for our pleasure in 2001. Big City is a debut EP: full of promises, potential and a few minor bugs here and there that can easily be chalked up to the new experience of finally laying one’s craft down on something more tangible than a live show. The promise lies in the unaffected, sexy female vocals that intermingle over a trudging backbeat that can’t be ignored. (NV)” - Nightlife Magazine, October 2008
“Strangely familiar sultry rock music is the taste of summer, like putting little beads on the spokes of your one-speed. As you bump gently down rocky ol’ Esplanade humming throaty sex ballads to yourself, the mountain and the city and your motion suggest something cinematic, and your right brain scans quickly for an appropriate soundtrack. Maybe something fresh- like that Nightwood band- who kinda sound like happy, cocky grrrl goths. Their simple songs make you feel comfortable and the good ones make you want to sing along. Equally good for pre-drinking or 4a.m. seclusion- Big City is good music for good people. Think end credits of a nihilistic ’90s cop movie.” - Nick Cabelli,The Concordia Link, April 15, 2008
“Goodwyn’s voice is commanding and, at times, raw, and it is beautifully paired with Ross’s sweet backing vocals. The music is plodding and driven. One can imagine the power of their live show.” - The Wheat Sheaf, Full review
“It’s low, slow indie rock with guitars and vocals that harmonize and harvest seedy riffs and melodies, sometimes to entrancing effect.” - Lorraine Carpenter, The Montreal Mirror Full review
<<Trio emotif montrealais, Nightwood lancera son premier EP a la Casa del Popolo le 17 mai prochain. Lancement double d’un beau video (pour la chanson Cave of the Spleen) et d’une tournee canadienne. Au premier plan, deux filles qui ont du chien, appuyees de leurs guitares et de la batterie de Famous Eric. Tout en sentiments profonds et noirs, les six chansons de ce premier EP sont assez lineaires dans le ton. L’aspect vocal peut rappeler Melissa Auf Der Maur, mais l’esprit rock est moins energique et plus introspectif chez Nightwood. Une autre facette de notre scene locale a regarder faire son chemin.>> (LL) – Bang Bang, vol. 3 no. 5
