Philadelphia-based band The Canon Logic shares stories through harmony-drenched, poppy tunes.
By: Megan Sullivan
The most compelling music has a good story to tell. All too often today, catchy song beats lure listeners in and many forget that the lyrics being spewed out over the radio waves are a nonsensical mess. It’s even worse when you know the song is horrible, but can’t help but sing along. Think Fergie’s "Fergalicious" or Gwen Stefani’s "Hollaback Girl."
For Philadelphia-based band The Canon Logic, the storytelling aspect is just as important as the music. Inspired by classic literature and steering clear of overused song topics like failed relationships and lost love, the band’s music explores more complex themes and even a certain level of theatrics. "It creates a new level to music," says lead vocalist and lyricist Tim Kiely, "and a lot of the best bands are able to cover that ground really well."
Among the indie rock group’s five members are Hamilton natives and longtime friends Mark Alu and Sean Enright, who were equally impressed by Mr. Kiely’s songwriting abilities. "Sean and I have a unique perspective since we joined the band after a lot of the songs were written," Mr. Alu says, "so we had the opportunity to evaluate them as outsiders. The songs just don’t let up."
For example, "The Run" follows a character whose existence in his dreams makes more sense than his waking life. "It’s about a person who is unable to differentiate reality from fantasy and so because of that, he’s a really paranoid character," Mr. Kiely says. "It’s the realization that you can’t live in the fantasy world, even though sometimes that’s what fits."
In addition to shooting a video for "The Run," the group also is anticipating its official CD release party at Kenny’s Castaways in New York City April 7. Other upcoming performances that will highlight songs from The Canon Logic’s debut, self-titled EP include Doc Watson’s Pub April 13 and Mill Creek Tavern April 19, both in Philadelphia.
For the past couple of weeks, The Canon Logic has been among the top 10 unsigned artists on purevolume, an Internet site that helps rising artists gain exposure and share their music.
Aside from The Canon Logic’s thought-provoking lyrics, the band also wanted to draw in audiences with a sound unlike many of today’s emerging artists. "A lot of bands don’t ever challenge themselves, they put out what they’re told," Mr. Kiely says. "We’re challenging ourselves and doing things that are different."
"We’re not trying to stick to the same old formula that a lot of other bands are now," adds drummer Mike Mignano. "That’s a dying genre."
Instead, these 20-something musicians propel the 1960s rock scene into the present day with impressive vocal harmonies and multi-layered instrumental accompaniments. The pop-driven tunes are full of movement and variety, featuring vocals by all five members. "I think that’s something that definitely makes us unique and makes people attracted to us we all sing," Mr. Mignano says. "We really, really focus on the vocals, some of our rehearsals are even strictly vocals."
While the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson probably contribute to their harmonies more than anyone, the band members mesh a lot of different styles in their music. Other influences among the group include The Beatles, Radiohead, Phish and The Shins, to name a few.
"A friend of mine from (Saint Joseph’s University) came to a show once and after our set he said, ‘So, do you guys just sit around and listen to ‘Pet Sounds’ on repeat?’" Mr. Alu recounts. "Musically, though, we’re all over the place, especially our newer material. My favorite part of writing songs as a group is the push and pull from five different styles coming together in one song."
Electric and bass guitars, keyboard, drums and synthesizer beats accompany their vocals. "We play a lot instruments and have a lot of harmonies, but we practice a lot so we can nail it pretty well when we play," says guitarist Josh Greenfield. "It’s difficult but it looks easy when we do it, and we have a lot of fun.
"A lot of bands try to get by on skill and speed," he adds, "and for us it’s more about creativity and doing things different."
The idea behind the band, originally named Greenfront, came about while Mr. Greenfield and Mr. Kiely were sophomores at the University of Delaware (they are now finishing up their senior year). From Mr. Kiely’s extensive catalog of lyrics, the two roommates fleshed out some songs and realized they had something. They searched for another guitarist, finding Mr. Alu online, and went through a couple of different bassists and drummers before recruiting Mr. Enright in the fall of 2005 and Mr. Mignano in the summer of 2006.
Friends since elementary school, Sean and Mark were happy to reunite musically, having played together in a rock band as teenagers. "We played a lot of generic hard rock that was clearly written by naive high schoolers," Mr. Alu recalls, "but it was fun and it was important for us all to build songwriting skills and learn to mesh with a band."
Mr. Enright had also played in a band while a student at the University of Pennsylvania, but figured those days were over once he started working as a computer programmer in Philadelphia.
"When Alu asked if I’d be interested in playing, I was apprehensive at first, but ultimately couldn’t deny the catchy songwriting and original harmony-driven sound," Mr. Enright says. "I would have never joined if I didn’t firmly believe that the band had something special going on."
The Canon Logic’s official CD release party will be held at Kenny’s Castaways, 157 Bleecker St., New York City, April 7, 10 p.m., (212) 979-9762. Additional upcoming performances include Doc Watson’s Pub, 216 S. 11th St., Phila., April 13, 10:45 p.m., (215) 922-3427, and Mill Creek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave., Phila., April 19, 9 p.m., (215) 222-1255. The Canon Logic on the Web: www.myspace.com/thecanonlogic