Tim Knight of Toronto's +nurse, did an email interview with me in June/06.
Maytina: What is it about this lineup that makes it work?
Tim: You know what? I think we're trying not to quantify it, so we don't jinx it! We've had other guys in the band before (Phil Crechiolo, now in Luz Atomica; John Fortin, now in The Threat; Dan Pollon, now working at Long & McQuade), and they were great guys/musicians. But it's only since we've scaled down to the current 4 piece that we really feel our creativity has been unfettered. And again, I don't think that has anything to do with the old guys, but more to do with we now have room to breathe.
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Maytina: How does songwriting come together for you guys?
Tim: Slowly! Oh, you meant something different! haha
It's totally a collaborative effort. I think only once has anyone come to the band and said 'Hey, I have this song, and it goes like this, this, and this. No, I don't want you to change anything'. Usually, someone starts playing a riff or progression at rehearsal, while everyone else is tuning up. Someone else will jump in, and we'll look at each other and say 'Right, what have we here, lets look at this'. Then we get more analytical: 'Thats definitely a verse, so we need a chorus' 'Do we need a bridge, or some other part in this?' 'Hey man, you know that part you were playing in that song I hated? Put it in here...yeah, thats nice'. Etc etc etc. Basically, we give song ownership primarily to the band, and secondarily to whoever came up with the original nugget. So, a writing credit on an album would show up as something like '+nurse/knight'
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Maytina: Do you feel that you have any specific challenges or advantages because you're from/based in Toronto?
Tim: Well, yeah, I mean, the challenges/advantages are usually one in the same. There are so many bands to play with; There are so many bands all looking to play. There are so many bars to play at; all those bars have seen so many bands, and you're just one of a million. There are so many people to try to get interested in your band, to promote to; there are so many people who are 'hype fans' not 'music fans', who go where they're told to, and like what they're told to.
Maytina: Are there plans for recording on the horizon?
Tim: We actually just recorded our debut EP with John Critchley (13 Engines) at Green Door Studios, on the last weekend of May. Just 3 songs, 'Gideons', 'Faker', and 'Leaving Now'. It's funny, Faker and leaving Now are two of our oldest songs, and are really the foundation of our sound: Straight ahead melodic rock. We've started branching out on more recent songs, incorporating our love of bands like Interpol and Bloc Party.
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I think we said 'These are great songs, so lets get them recorded and we'll release another EP in a few months.' Thats the plan actually, to release a lot of 3-5 song EP's, instead of putting all of our eggs in one basket...I think it allows us to stay more current, and sell product cheaper.
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Tim on 'why'?
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'We just love writing and performing music. Period. We hope people like what we do, and we think that they do, otherwise we wouldn't record anything.'
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Maytina: Who are some of your favorite bands to play shows with?
Tim: Well, we're big fans of The Dunes. We're actually sharing a rehearsal spot, starting this month. MaryJayne are great guys, although I haven't heard from them in a while(I believe they are looking for a drummer). And The Jones and I go way back(two members were in my old band, zoolab). I think our favourite bands all have something in common: They have little to no attitude at all. They are fans of songwriting and music, 'the craft' if I can be that cliche. They understand that they are not 'rockstars' and don't even want to BE 'rockstars'. A lot of people have approached us after a show and told us they really enjoyed the fact that we get up there and play, without a lot of pretense. Don't get me wrong, I know that rock has a healthy relationship with pretense and bombast! But it's not for us, and I know there are a lot of people out there that appreciate that.
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Maytina: Are you looking for label support? What are you looking for in a label?
Tim: I don't think we are, at least not major label. The nature of the Canadian Music scene is, that a major won't touch you until you don't need them anymore. Like, they won't come after you until you've already sold 25000 records or something. And why would you sign with them and make $.90 an album when you were making all profit before? Well, I guess if you were tired of doing the leg work yourself. Seems pricey to me though. I think we'd be interested in distribution, that sort of thing. But the thing is, we all have lives, and families, and we're older than your average band. We're not going to quit our jobs and sleep on peoples floors while we tour to Edmonton. It's just not an option. But that would be necessary should we get a deal with someone. We know and accept that. I think we're content to play in the city, and get out there on 'mini-tours', where we can leave for a few consecutive weekends and hit southern ontario and quebec. We're actually in the process of hammering out the details on that right now, looking to play a few dates out of town with a really cool band called The Amber Room.
Maybe one day we'll take a week off and hit further east or west, but no plans for that just yet.
Maytina: How important is it to you to be hands on about the non-musical aspects of the band? (fliers, web design, cd artwork…)
Tim: Well, it's been entirely necessary to this point. I pretty much do all of our posters and art work, and I'm not a graphic designer by any means, but I do enjoy doing the layout. Obviously, this can't always be the case, and I'm pretty good about allowing people with talent to do what they do, and putting myself in their hands. But until someone volunteers to do that, I'm the guy. Some people would call this band "Cheap". I say we're "Thrifty" or "Frugal". We have a DIY mentality when it serves us, but we realize we have to shell out the cash for somethings. As much as we can do ourselves, we will.
Maytina: What do you hope to achieve with +nurse?
Tim: We hope to change the world through the majesty of rock, one ear at a time. We think rock music can heal the sick, blur or obliterate borders, and bring everyone together under a rainbow of peace, frollicking pegasus', and puppy dogs and ice cream.
Ain't that some bullshit? Hahaha
We just love writing and performing music. Period. We hope people like what we do, and we think that they do, otherwise we wouldn't record anything. But thats about it. It's completely self serving; we get off on it, so we do it. If you get off on it too, then great, join us!
That sounded kind of dirty...
What are you reading right now? [and dammit don't say these questions! Haha :P]
Heh, I have a lot of books that I tend to read over and over and over again. I'm just finishing up Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy for the, oh, 15th time? Next will be Microserfs by Douglas Coupland, and that will be about the 8th or 9th time for that. I love On a Cold Road by Dave Bidini(one of my heroes) of The Rheostatics, and I think it should be handed out to every kid when they get their first instrument.
Check them out Thursday July 20 at The Corktown in Hamilton, and we'll be at their show at O'Grady's the next day in Toronto.
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