The Pink Flowers takes the term “garage band” in the most literal sense. Ryan Faist and Nolan Bennett give low-fi music a fresh new sound, with an old-school twist. Their music is made different by recording using low-quality equipment in a garage. Calming, yet alluring, vocals brought together with melodic instrumentals create a unique listening experience. In 2014, they released two mixtapes online. Then they kicked off the New Year by releasing their three-track EP “Joy,” on January 19th. The EP features the songs “Kids,” “Wallflower,” and “Agnosia.” When listening to the EP in order youre transported into their world. Ryan took the time to answer a few of our questions.
Lola Who: First of all, how did you come up with that name and what does it mean?
Ryan: It can be whatever your mind determines it to be. To us, its peacefula nice juxtaposition of the songs. We came up with it after realizing our last name was sh*t.
Lola Who: How did you guys meet and start making music together?
Ryan: We met through a friend, at a show in Toronto. We were both wearing leather jackets, and probably didnt like each other at first. We realized that we liked the same music early on.
Lola Who: How would you describe the local music scene in Toronto?
Ryan: Eclectic. You can go to the Horseshoe on a Friday and see three rock bands, then walk over to the Cameron House and see three folk acts, then hop in a cab to the Air Canada Center and see Katy Perry. I guess its like any other metropolis theres something for everyone.
Lola Who: What equipment are you using for recording?
Ryan: We use a DIY setup; a laptop that can only handle 8-tracks, a couple of low-end mics, a mixer, and some guitars. The eight tracks limits us in a way similar to an older recording process
That is nice. A box is good. I dont like sterile music. It just sounds like work for your ears to listen to it, like a Nintendo game or something.
Lola Who: How did you develop your sound?
Ryan: I think it happens naturally. Its retrospective really. I think the fuel is taking in as much or as little information as possible, depending on what you want to do. For me, I dont like to listen to other artists when Im writing. I fear that their music will always be better, or that Ill rip them off. Ill just listen to a bunch of things all at once when Im not making anything.
Lola Who: Do you have any confirmed plans for an album?
Ryan: I think well put out an album once we have the set of songs that were happy with. It could be in a month or a year. It all depends on how much we enjoy the songs that were making. Were still learning what The Pink Flowers are. Ive always liked prolific people, so hopefully we can follow that path.
Lola Who: Where was the bands first show and what was it like?
Ryan: Weve played around for a while, in other bands. Nolan was in Australia for a while too. The first Pink Flowers show was at the Handlebar. Its a paper-thin dive in Kensington Market in Toronto. You can fit 50 people in the room, and you run the PA as youre playing. Its DIY, and we continue to play there.
Lola Who: Where do you see yourselves in the future?
Ryan: Dead. Just kidding. Sort of.
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