Biography
When you fix up a classical guitarist who loves underground hip-hop, with a double bassist who’s into composers like Strauss & Mahler but listens to a awful lot of alt-rock, to a keyboardist who is perfecting her singer/songwriter craft and join them with a drummer who has dabbled in everything from free-jazz to folk; what do you think you will hear?
They dole out an endearing potluck of ideas and are often being compared to artists like Stereolab, Buck 65 and Suzanne Vega. With their organic nature and varied musical backgrounds, the four continue to intrigue audiences with their pasture of styles and sounds.
Classical guitarist Kristen Cudmore and double bassist Finn Vaughan started Language-Arts in May of 2004. A faulty VISA left Cudmore in BC where Vaughan was coincidentally studying. In April 2005 the two were invited to open for Xavier Rudd at the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival. Gregor Phillips, drummer, was sought out at the start of their Western Canadian Tour in summer/fall 2007. Karma Sohn (keys/vocals) then added to the sound aesthetic of Language-Arts at the beginning of their debut national tour in summer 2008.
Each member became active in many music scenes following music school. L-A started a buzz at the Halifax Pop Explosion in ‘06, then at the NW Folk Life Festival where Seattle Sound Magazine announced their signature blend of styles in the Sasquatch Festival Guide. Following the release of their debut album, “” (‘07), they charted on numerous campus/ community radio stations across Canada. Their sold out show at the TD International Atlantic Jazz Festival led to their invitation to Sled Island Festival (Calgary) in the summer of ‘08. The “Small Run” EP has been recorded to commemorate their debut national tour and is a limited run of hard copy CD\\'s only to be available from stage on the summer tour. Language-Arts are pleased to announce that “Small Run” will be available digitally on itunes starting mid-fall of ‘08. This EP is a sampling of what will be on their upcoming disc ”Where Were You in the Wild?” which will be recorded this fall and released in ‘09.
Language-Arts have been compared to Stereolab, Buck 65, and Suzanne Vega. Their sound combines alternative obscure hip hop and chamber pop but it dabbles in many other realms unmentioned. With their organic nature and varied musical backgrounds, the four are equipped to intrigue many audiences with their pasture of styles and sounds.
Classical Guitar, Vocals: Kristen Cudmore
Double Bass: Finn Vaughan
Keys, Vocals: Karma Sohn
Drums and Percussion: Gregor Phillips, Cody Osborne & Max Myth
Keys: Matt Dawson
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