POTTERY - Handle With Care.
God, aren’t we happy that Pottery met. Formed via another musical project on the vibrant Montreal music scene, Pottery are the most energetic band to come out of 2020. Their debut album ‘Welcome to Bobby’s Motel’ was released in June, and transported us to a world of dimly-lit rooms lined with peeling, garish wallpaper and the sweet sounds of the desert highway lulling you into your much needed sleep.
Formed of Austin Boylan (lead vocals), Jacob Shepansky (guitar), Peter Baylis (keyboardist), Paul Jacobs (drums) & Tom Gould (bass), this five-piece radiate energy – Bobby’s Motel is populated with seamless tempo changes, genius lyrics and instrumental breaks which we dare you not to dance to. If you can’t tell, we’re pretty big fans, and we don’t doubt that soon you will be too.
This week, we sat down with keyboardist Mr. Peter Baylis to talk creativity in lockdown, touring partners, future ambitions, and finally found out who the elusive Bobby is.
Hey Peter, how’s it going over in Montreal? How’s the band doing?
We’ve been operating under strict 8pm curfews that don't look like they’re going to ease up any time soon, but it is what it is. We had some ideas flowing in late 2020 for a new record but lockdown means we haven’t been able to meet up since September, so it’s a waiting game. We all have our own stuff going on individually (check out Paul Jacobs’ new record here) which is nice to work on because we've been touring for almost three years straight – it was both a needed and forced break. There’s definitely going to be stuff to bring to the table when we can meet up again. And I’ve been teaching myself drums and bass, sticking to a routine so I don't feel loopy.
I totally get that! So tell me – was Pottery formed from musical friendships, overlapping musical taste or a mix of both?
I think it was both! We have different but also overlapping musical tastes that intertwine… like the Olympic rings. This gives us the opportunity to bring something to the table that the others might not. We were also always hanging out all the time, so it made sense.
I’ve heard you guys much prefer the live experience more than an isolated track-by-track recording experience because of the energy live playing generates. I’ve only heard the album through my headphones, but the songs radiate excitement – it’s almost like they weren’t studio recorded. Can you tell me how you get your songs to sound like that?
When we were making the EP, we wanted to make songs that would get the crowd moving – expand on those aspects of feel-good, dancing and jamming music. Through touring with Viagra Boys, we saw how they got the crowd pumping every night and were inspired by that as well.
Speaking of dancing – when I first heard the bridge of Texas Drums, Pt. I & II it blew me away. Can you elaborate on what the inspiration behind the video was?
Texas Drums was the hardest song to take from demo to release. We were supposed to have a friend called Pablo involved and film someone playing drums on the roof, but Pablo got a toothache and there was a snowstorm… We asked these two brothers from Paul’s other band to help out, and just filmed them being their flamboyant self. And it worked!
Your visual artwork – the album covers and music videos – are pretty much kept in the family with Paul, right?
Paul went to school for that – he has the programs, he knows what do to, he’s really good. Everyone fulfils a role in the band like a family – someone goes out to get the groceries, etc. Paul will throw something at us and we’ll give him feedback and from there he takes it and runs with it. Paul pretty much shaped the world of Bobby’s Motel.
Each song seamlessly fades into the next. Is there a story that runs through the album or are Bobby and his motel more of an abstract idea?
Personally, I’ve never wanted the album to have that stop feel – it’s something I pushed for, and the others agreed. I remember listening to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon and loving how each song flowed into the next. We had some placeholder names which ultimately all became related to the album title. The title song, ‘Welcome to Bobby’s Motel’, was originally called Blast Off because that’s how we’d always start off the set (imitates rolling drums). We weren’t trying to make a concept album though it gets perceived like that, because there is no concept really. It just represents songs we had fun making.
You’ve supported Fontaines D.C., Parquet Courts and Viagra Boys – a pretty decent line-up. Going forward, is there anyone else you’d want to tour or collaborate with?
Cate Le Bon and Dry Cleaning – we’ve seen them both on tour and love them. And of course any of the bands we’ve played with, because you end up building new friendships. Maybe Femi Kuti too? Anyone you could make friends with.
Speaking of band friendships, Montreal’s music scene has a real community of young creatives. Do you feel that spirit’s woven its way into your music?
It’s definitely woven into how our friendship group developed, because of all these people coming in and out of the scene constantly. It’s really cool to see your friends’ bands doing something cool, which in turn excites you for your own projects – it’s a self-fuelling community. I really miss going to shows and playing with people you have a connection with.
Looking forward to the future…
Always!
What’s the weirdest you’ve hobby taken up during lockdown?
Well I’ve been working intensely on trying to fix these stereo amplifiers. I’m really interested in helping people fix gear. Besides that…what else have I been doing? Looking back on this year, everything feels the same because you haven’t gone to any momentous events where you’ve had the time of your life. You look back and it all feels the same. I suppose I’m cooking a lot more, making pizza…
Where’s the weirdest place you’ve found inspiration for a song?
You mean like physical or non-physical?
(Laughs) Let’s just say the most unexpected – something that just hit you and then became a song.
We weren’t even going to put Hot Like Jungle on the album at first. It changed a lot from start to finish – it started off really upbeat. Paul has this Yamaha keyboard we call Yammy, and it all came together with Austin singing these raunchy lyrics about making love to somebody. Jacob suggested making a slow version of the song, and we were on the verge of scrapping it when Paul came up these nice lyrics about his girlfriend – the two came together easily and unexpectedly. It’s quite different to the other songs, in my opinion at least.
Yeah definitely! It’s a nice finale to the album – it eases it to a close. Now, the album name – it’s evokes a lot of imagery. Who is Bobby and how has he decorated his motel?
Bobby is a forever shapeshifter and it depends on what moment you find him in – it’s like all and none of us together. When I think of Bobby and his motel I think of Weed, California but it was through touring and staying at loads of different motels that this album came together. I always picture a greasy motel room, but the greasiness doesn't matter because you’re having a great time.
It’s about who you’re with, not where you are.
Exactly!
You guys performed at the Windmill last year and you were supposed to do a big UK tour too. Any plans to come back?
That was a great night! Nothing has been booked yet because we’re still trying to book time and refocus on the music without constantly touring. We really want to come back to the UK though.
What’s been your favourite gig memory over on this side of the pond?
MOTH Club. We were there for one night only and it was the first time we headlined there. All our instruments got lost in Amsterdam so I had to rent a random synth and it was really shit because we had to reprogram everything. But when we played the support was immense – it was a really special feeling.
Was that the night Pregoblin and CC Honeymoon played before you?
Yeah!
I was there! It was so much fun. Jumping back to present, what's the current situation with the band and what’s in store for the future?
We had been doing that file sharing stuff for a while, but we’d get to a certain level of creativity and then we couldn't break through that level to finalise things. Also not everyone has the same recording processes or software – the computer I have is 10 years old, it’s from mid-2010! It’s different just going to set up your instruments and playing. It's definitely been a hindrance, but maybe this was something we needed to reorient ourselves – we don't want to make the same album again.
Peter Baylis (keyboard) & Paul Jacobs (drums)
To finish off – we’ve got a quick fire for you. Ready?
Oh yeah…
Drake or Celine Dion?
Celine Dion
Maynards or Smart Food?
Ambivalent
Molson or Carling?
Molson. For sure.
Insight on the Montreal Smoked meat scene?
Main Deli’s the place to be.
3 words to describe poutine?
Thick, heavy, delicious.
A common misconception about Canadians?
That we’re all nice?
What piece of pottery would be on your next album cover?
A bong.
What’s been your lockdown soundtrack to sanity?
The Rainbow Goblins by Masayoshi Takanaka. It’s based off a children’s book! It’s been saving me every day.
You’re on the Last Bus home on your first night out after lockdown. What are you listening to?
Anything Fela Kuti.
Fantastic choices. If this were normal times we would’ve taken you to a pottery café… sorry about that. If you’re ever in the UK, you know where to go.
Grace your ears with Welcome to Bobby’s Motel and more treats from Pottery here. That should keep you busy for a while. Thank us later.