Double Tooth
The Halifax Jazz
Festival wraps up tomorrow night with the instrumental, psychedelic, danceable
music of Joshua Van Tassel's Double Tooth. Recently we caught up with the
former Nova Scotia native.
What
inspired you to take up music?
Both my parents
are huge music fans and supporters, and music was always on in the house. I
have early memories of my Dad sitting with giant 70's style headphones
listening to records in the living room, and getting in trouble if my sisters
and I ran around too much close the stereo because the record would skip. It
was a really early lesson in respecting music and it's importance.
Are they
the same reasons you do it today?
I obviously still
hold on to the value my parents taught me directly and indirectly for music,
but have added my own reasons into the mix as well. Music is a way for me
to express all the strange things and stories I have happening in my
imagination.
What are
the challenges of the vocation?
It's
increasingly hard to be financially stable as a musician, and you have to
be prepared to invest tons and tons of time for no guaranteed tangible
outcome.
What are
the rewards?
I'm
extremely lucky to have my job be to make music with the people I love. I'm
surrounded by an unbelievably talented musical community, and am
constantly rewarded and inspired by working with them.
What have
been some career highlights?
To
be honest, every time I pay rent at the end of the month feels like a
highlight! Like I said, I'm extremely lucky to be able to survive as a
full-time musician.
Why are
festivals like this one so important for artists?
Halifax
Jazz Fest in particular is extremely important in terms of the musical
community in the city because it has the prefect balance of bringing in
well known international acts, recognized local acts, and then always some
great surprises. Lulu Healey and the whole staff does an amazing job, and
the festival allows relative newcomers like my own solo project an audience and
exposure where I may not otherwise be able to get it.
What can
audiences expect at your show?
The
project I'm bringing to this festival is called Double Tooth, and it's a
psychedelic dance party. The band consists of myself on drums and sampler,
Robbie Grunwald on Rhodes and synthesizers, and Kyle Cunjak on electric
bass and percussion. Our goal is to keep things danceable and super fun, but to
also sonically push ourselves and everyone there into some different sonic and
experimental territory.
What are
your thoughts on the state of jazz in Canada today?
I feel
like jazz there are some amazing players in Canada who aren't concerned
with the definition of the term "jazz", and are pushing the
musical boundaries and allowing all their influences to shine through in
their music. It's extremely healthy and important for jazz as it continues its development
as an art form I have a great amount of respect for.
What’s
next on your musical agenda?
Recording
a new solo album in the fall, producing a number of records for other
artists, touring in the fall as a drummer with Great Lake Swimmers and Amelia
Curran
Joshua
Van Tassel's Double Tooth
Saturday, July 13, 11pm
The Company House, Halifax
