Interview : Two Hours Traffic
November 18th 2010 10:11
Canadians Two Hours Traffic have just kicked off a tour with The Jezabels. Before touching down on Australian soil, the guys took a moment to answer a few questions about their great album "Territory", the songwriting process and what they hope to get for Christmas.
not stuck in traffic
What’s new in Two Hours Traffic’s world?
We are coming off a great string of shows in Western Canada, as well as a few dates in the United States and southern Ontario. We have a added a few new songs into our set, including a tune called "great migration" which was written as part of a national radio contest. With our newest material, we are leaning towards two electric guitars which is not something we've done much of in the past.
You’re about to start a tour down in Australia with The Jezabels, what are you most looking forward to with this tour?
We are looking forward to playing for a ton of new people on this tour. The Jezabels are doing extremely well, and I am told that every show on the our is sold out. This is going to be one of the most exciting tours we've ever been a part of.
Tell us a bit about the album Territory?
Territory is our latest record and we are proud of it. Our fans didn't take to it as immediately as our previous album, Little Jabs, but as time goes on and we continue to tour, it seems like the album has grown on a lot of people. We wanted to make songs that were catchy but also more complex and challenging. It was a necessary move for us.
Can fans expect to hear some new tracks on this tour?
We currently have three new tunes that we pull out from time to time. We usually keep it to two new songs per evening.
How do you guys approach the songwriting process. Is it collaborative effort or do you write individually?
We write individually at first, coming up with vocal melodies and perhaps guitar or keyboard hooks. Then we come together in different combinations to work those ideas into a working song. We like to take our time, working on the song for weeks before we play it live. And then after playing it in front of audience, we learn more about the song and almost always make further changes at that point.
Canada has become a hot bed for some great bands in recent years, anyone you recommend readers keep an ear out for?
There are lots of great bands in Canada at the moment...I would recommend that you check out Yukon Blonde from Vancouver and Boxer the Horse from our neck of the woods on the east coast. Also, if you ever come across anything by the Two-Minute Miracles or the Museum Pieces, don't hesitate to snatch it up.
What’s a bizarre fact about the band fans may not know?
Derek (our drummer) and I were bitter ice hockey rivals growing up. I played center for the Charlottetown Abbies and he played goal for the North River Flames. Thankfully, our love of music allowed us to get past this and work together in the band. Also, Andy and Alec played in another band before Two Hours Traffic ever formed. They were called Later Daze, and they were a big part of the all-ages scene in our hometown.
Whats on top of your wish list from Santa this Xmas?
We are hoping that Santa brings us some new Fender amps and hopefully a new keyboard as well. Perhaps a Roland of some sort. We have been relying on the generosity of other bands for the last while and it's time for us to do an upgrade on some of our gear.
First song you would put onto a mix tape?
At the moment, the first song we would add to a mixtape would be a song by Jonathan Richman called "her mystery not of high heels and eye shadow". It's a strange and beautiful song.
8/11/2010 Wollongong – Harp Hotel
19/11/2010 Sydney – Gaelic Club
20/11/2010 Katoomba – Clarendon Guest House
25/11/2010 Geelong – Bended Elbow
26/11/2010 Melbourne – East Brunswick Club
27/11/2010 Adelaide – Edinburgh Castle
28/11/2010 Melbourne – East Brunswick Club (2nd Show added)
29/11/2010 Melbourne – East Brunswick Club (3rd Show added)
02/12/2010 Byron Bay - Great Northern
03/12/2010 Surfers Paradise - Miami Tavern
05/12/2010 Brisbane – The Zoo (Venue change)
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