Arbutus Records is a Montreal based record label and management company founded by Sebastian Cowan in 2009. Geidi Primes, Halfaxa,Darkbloom, and Visions were released through this label.
The community itself began as a 4600 square foot Mile End loft space called Lab Synthèse, and the label was created in order to promote and cultivate the bands associated with the space. The label defines itself as a community of multimedia artists and musicians that subsists through a DIY ethic, friendship, and collaboration. It has also been described as the vessel for an artistic movement where punk ethos and pop music collide.
Arbutus is run primarily by Sebastian Cowan, Taylor Smith, Mason Windles and Bronwyn Ford, and works closely with Marilis Cardinal of Cardinal PR.
On March 20, 2009 Arbutus released a sampler of 10 tracks, track 3 and 9 were songs by Grimes; Behaviour and The Eye.
Blog[]
Through late 2009 to mid 2011, Arbutus Records hosted a blogspot, [1] in which Grimes contributed a few posts. Below are the blog posts either by, or mentioning, Grimes.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
December 2009 Update
Aaron Levin at Weird Canada did a great review for Sean's CD release of Spread Free Like A Butterfly. There's also a good article in Edmonton's VUE. Read them here (Weird Canada, VUE), and get excited for the 12" that'll be out in one month. It'll have the best of these songs, and others!
We'll also be coming out with limited cassette releases of both Grimes' and Blue Hawaii's first recordings before the end of December. They'll be tastefully hand packaged coloured cassettes, with some sort of fun party to celebrate.
I mastered Grimes' stuff yesterday morning. She walks a line between classic Madonna glam pop and the twisted delay swamp of 80's LSD goth (think Cure, Siouxise and the Banshees, etc.)
Presently, I'm listening to Blue Hawaii mix a song about sea horses. Raph's heartmelting vocals playfully sing a catchy line, while enveloped in the warm washy reverby embrace of Alex's guitar. Oh yeah, and the drums are distorted, loud, and dancey. It sounds amazing.
This will be a great winter.
Written by sebastian at 11/25/2009
Labels: Alex Cowan, Blue Hawaii, Grimes, Raphaelle Standell-Preston, Sean Nicholas Savage, Spread Free Like A Butterfly, VUE, Weird Canada
The conclusion of Sean Nicholas Savage's tour, had him in Edmonton on a radio show. Here he recited his infamous Horrible Tale of Capitan Spotted Dick.
[File was requested to be removed. To hear the tale you must seek a personal audience with Mister S.N. Savage himself.]
Also! On Tonstartssbandht's tour down the east coast, brothers Andy and Eddy had an interview and played a few songs on WFMU in New York City. Their player is embedded below, Tonstartssbandht come on about half way though.
Written by sebastian at 12/18/2009
Labels: CJSR, Grimes, Radio Show, Release Dates, Sean Nicholas Savage, Tonstartssbandht, WFMU
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Sean Nicholas Savage and Grimes release!
Sean Nicholas Savage's "Spread Free Like A Butterfly" is now available on 12" vinyl. It features a selection of his best material, and is presently found at record stores in Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, and Edmonton - and is soon to strike Calgary, Saskatoon, Moncton, Fredericton, and Halifax. For a detailed list of record stores, please view the "RETAIL" tab on the Arbutus website.
Grimes' "Geidi Primes" is a limited run of lovely coloured, hand packaged, cassette tapes. They're available off the website and at shows, as well as in select Montreal record stores. It is also offered as a free download.
...or listen to a track right here: Grimes - Rosa by Arbutus Records
If in Toronto, you'll be seeing Sean perform at an all-ages afternoon show: 2:30pm on January 16th at 167 Augusta (playing with Ohbijou, The Miles, and Ruzan Orkestar).
Tonight (January 14th) Grimes is having a vernissage at Green Room - 5386, St. Laurent, Montréal. Although she won't be performing, admission is free and copies of her tapes will be available.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Emily Kai Bock - Human Heart
Emily Kai Bock documentary short on GRIMES.
Written by sebastian at 8/16/2010 3 comments
Labels: Documentary, Emily Kai Bock, Grimes, Human Heart
Friday, August 20, 2010
Pop Montreal Label Showcase + Grimes Album Release
On September 30th we'll be hosting our label showcase, as part of the Pop Montreal festival. The evening takes place at the beautiful Rialto Theatre, constructed in 1924 and modelled after the neo-baroque Paris Opera House in the Louix XVI style. Tickets are five dollars, and are available in advance from Phonopolis (5403A ave du Parc) as of September 1st.
This show will also be the launch party for Grimes' new album, Halfaxa. Released on CD for $8 + shipping, with a bonus poster, we're now accepting pre-orders. Please send an email to Jasper at orders(at)arbutusrecords.com and include you shipping address.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Sick Video Flyer
In preparation for our label showcase on September 30th during the Pop Montreal festival, the talented Mister Jaysun Humvee has created a video flyer.
This is also the Grimes CD Launch, for her upcoming album Halfaxa.
Pre-order now and receive a free poster! Contact Jasper at orders@arbutusrecords.com. The CD is $8 + shipping.
[missing video]
Written by sebastian at 9/09/2010
Labels: Grimes, Halfaxa, Jason Harvey, Jasper Baydala, Label Showcase, Rialto Theatre, Video Flyer
Monday, September 27, 2010
nomag blue hawaii
Sooo now all the artists on arbutus have been given free license to write stuff on this blog, as long as we abide by certain rules. So I hereby begin with the inaugural post.
Anyway, here's a great fucking video by blue hawaii, my fucking sweet roommates. :)
come see them at pop montreal at the arbutus records showcase!!! Sept 30 for 5 dollars
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sean Nicholas Savage // New Songs
Join us at the Arbutus Records Showcase, as part of the Pop Montreal Festival. It takes place at the Rialto Theatre on September 30th at nine pm, and tickets are $5. We will also be launching the new Grimes album Halfaxa. Pre-order the CD now at orders@arbutusrecords.com, for $8+Shipping and receive a free poster!
The only person who won't be there is our dear Sean Nicholas Savage, presently elsewhere in Europe. Preparing himself for his anticipated return to our northern home, he is tactfully in time to brighten our waning daylight with a brand new album of disco songs. Recorded on Arbutus' sketchy tape machine, and then completely remixed by David Carriere of Silly Kissers, this is an exceptional album.
Listen below to a song off the album, and visit his myspace for more
http://www.myspace.com/seannicholassavage
The release date November 9th, 2010 - with a party at Club Lambi on Saturday the 6th. More details to come.
Written by sebastian at 9/28/2010
Labels: David Carriere, Grimes, Halfaxa, Label Showcase, Mutual Feelings of Respect and Admiration, Rialto Theatre, Sean Nicholas Savage, Silly Kissers
Grimes' new album Halfaxa is available on gatefold CD, and distributed across Canada by F>A>B>. Walk into any record store, and if they don't already stock it they can order it for you! It should retail for $10 depending on the store's markup. You can also find Halfaxa in all popular digital retailers (iTunes, Amazon, etc).
Order off the website and receive a free poster! Email Jasper at orders(at)arbutusrecords.com, or visit the SHOP tab for more details. The album is $8 + shipping - be sure to include you address and method of payment.
Halfaxa is also available for download by optional donation on the DOWNLOAD tab! Paypal is required for donation.
Listen to a song off the album below, or click here to go to her myspace.
Please enjoy, share, and support this music!
Love,
Arbutus
Written by sebastian at 10/03/2010
Labels: CD Release, Grimes, Halfaxa, Jasper Baydala, Pop Montreal
So I've been peer pressured into writing a blog post but I've got some good shit.
Firstly, I'd like to announce two incredible shows. On Nov 6th, for Sean Nicholas Savage's album launch, the extremely handsome D'eon and the unbelievably charismatic Silly Kissers will be playing to celebrate the modern masterpiece; Mutual Feelings of Respect and Admiration. This is honestly the best line up I can think of.
Except that later on (after-party) an equally good line up consisting of Flow Child and myself (Grimes) and probably some other people will also play!
Anyway, you'll regret missing either of these shows (mtl), which are actually one show but in two separate locations (lambi and ++secret++) ???
I'd also like to point out that D'eon is sporting a new haircut and some great new clothes he got in Halifax so you should come check out his stylesss
Written by grimes69 at 10/28/2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Devon Welsh amazing new Songsz!
Devon of Pop Winds has been secretly working on his solo project and I thought it would be cool to share a few songs because they blow my mind. This is one of the most under-rated projects in Mtl right now - check it!
xxxo
p.s. songs are pretty unmastered and rough - best listened too on headphones
Written by grimes69 at 11/07/2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Mutual Feelings for Donatable Download + All Releases Available Digitally Sean Nicholas Savage's Mutual Feelings of Respect and Admiration is now available in record shops across Canada. One may also mailorder off the website by contacting Jasper at orders@arbutusrecords.com Alternatively it's available as a download by donation off the website's DOWNLOAD page, or by clicking here.
Additionally, all new releases and much of our sought-after sold-out back catalogue is now available digitally worldwide!! Find it on iTunes, Amazon, EMUSIC and more!
Titles include....
Sean Nicholas SavageSummer 5000, Spread Free Like A Butterfly, Movin Up In Society, and more! Blue HawaiiBlooming Summer GrimesGeidi Primes, Halfaxa Pop WindsThe Turquoise Silly KissersPrecious Necklace
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
Written by sebastian at 11/10/2010
Labels: Amazon, Blue Hawaii, Download, emusic, Grimes, iTunes, Mutual Feelings of Respect and Admiration, Pop Winds, Sean Nicholas Savage, Silly Kissers
I went to Toronto this weekend to play a show and came upon an unexpected surprise: Fin, my musical soul-mate. If you like Grimes, you will probably like this. It's like a sexy lady version of How to Dress Well or something. I highly suggest that anybody check it out.
I also apologize for this shitty box.com embedded thing, I don't really know how to use the internet....
Thursday, December 2, 2010
SEAN NICHOLAS SAVAGE MUSIC VIDEOS see the light of day
The Ghost is White video all our friends have seen, but I reckon it's pretty new to everybody else!
and this other video is just so well-made and evocative of a very specific feeling I just had to post it.
I guess I don't have much else to say because I'm a pretty bad blogger.
On a crazier and unrelated note, Seb and myself are listening to Autechre. I've never really listened to it before but its pretty crazy. So he tells me, it is all analog.
He is telling me its stupid that I'm putting this on in the same post as Sean but I'm going to do it anyway!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Arbutus presents NYE party in Vancouver, BC
Here at Arbutus we are taking our game westward -- you will find our bands in Vancouver, British Columbia this winter. For New Years Eve 2011, the sickest, next-level party will be held at eatART in collaboration with Unfamiliar Records and the Love Dancing crew. Catch local superstars Makeout Videotape play with Grimes, Sean Nicholas Savage, Blue Hawaii, Resorts (mem. Brasstronaught), and Paula (mem. Silly Kissers). No Gold will also be DJing alongside Love Dancing and Cadence Weapon. Tickets for this unforgettable night are already sold-out, but a Twitter account will be set up for the evening to announce capacity. There may be more spots available. Cool!
However, if you do miss this night, we will be preforming again at the Zoo Zhop on Jan 2nd. You can see Grimes, Sean, Blue Hawaii, Paula play all over again with the help of Terror Bird for an Arbutus Records showcase (Zoo Zhop 223, Main Street, $8 - 7pm, ).
RSVP on Facebook
Written by sebastian at 12/19/2010
Labels: Blue Hawaii, cadence weapon, eatART, Grimes, Love Dancing, No Gold, NYE, Paula, Resorts, Sean Nicholas Savage, Sick Show, Terror Bird, Unfamiliar Records, Vancouver, Zoo Zhop
I opened for Mike Tucker of the Project Blood Diamonds in Vancouver a while back and it blewww my mind. it was the best show I've seen in some time, and I have rarely met such a charismatic person. If you are sad, this music will make you happy. It made me dance in a crowd of strangers.
You can check out his myyyyspaace for mooorreee music: http://www.myspace.com/BLOODDIAMOND5/
The boys have a SECRET from their new album; one of the members died while recording. They refuse to say which member this is, but will acknowledge that they have been replaced. They claim the existence of a hidden message in their most recent (unreleased) recording. The message is subjective, "the message is how you read it" states Devon (singer). "Emphasize that the dead Pop Wind has been replaced," demands Austin (sax virtuoso).
The boys haven't dealt with the death emotionally, but they have requickened the spirit of the dead member into the replacement, "so in a lot of ways, we never perceived the loss in the first place," claims frontman Austin.
Austin: my approach to life is getting healthier. He doesn't know what his problems were in the past but some new knowledge. He is currently attempting to acquire some a problem with video games as he sees them as life. He wants to enter more fully into life through video games.
Austin: three men
Dev: three men?
A: a ya haha
D: I think of kyle struggling to live up 2 that
A: he's there
why do u work out dev?
2 get girls and to date grimes. /// Devon stays mentally healthy with regular workouts, which he cites as "a necessary prerequisite to date grimes"
Stay tuned for a new single early next week
Written by grimes69 at 1/15/2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Pop Winds // Leacock's take away show
Cool new video of Pop Winds performing in a giant fake leather handbag warehouse.
Also check out the Grimes and Braids sessions!
http://www.tvmcgill.com/2011/01/31/tvmcgill-leacocks-sessions-with-grimes/
http://www.tvmcgill.com/2011/01/31/tvmcgill-leacocks-sessions-with-braids/
Written by sebastian at 2/10/2011
Labels: fake leather handbags, leacocks, Music Video, Pop Winds, warehouse
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Arbutus Photo Diary Part I
Gearing up for our tour down for SXSW with Grimes & Doldrums (check out the tour tab in the sidebar to your left for a show near you), I purchased a case of film to document the truck stop haircuts, the kitchen floor sleepovers and the margaritas under the Texan sun. I'll be posting them throughout the month of March and potentially afterward. In the meantime, here's what happened this week. Grimes got a cat and worked on producing some hot new hits. Sexy man Sean Nicholas Savage, poet/rapper/all-around-cool-guy Cadence Weapon and power duo Solar Year (not pictured!) played short sets in the living room of special birthday lady miss Emily Kai Bock (the lady behind our logos and these excellent documentaries and videos). Check out Silly Kissers mastermind David Carriere's homemade Savage Love t-shirt. More soon...
Written by marilis at 2/24/2011
Labels: alberta's best, cadence weapon, Emily Kai Bock, Grimes, instant photos, new cat, photo diary, polafun, Sean Nicholas Savage
Monday, March 7, 2011
Grimes/Doldrums US Tour & SXSW + Sean Nicholas Savage
Internet in a bus in a whiteout in America. So begins the Grimes & Doldrums US tour, to take us down to balmy Austin where we'll see homeslice Sean Savage (promoting his new album Trippple Midnight Karma) and make our way north once more.
[missing image]
March 4 Montreal, QC - Espace Reunion w/ Pat jordache, Cousins, DJ Andrew WK
March 7 Brooklyn, NY - Silent Barn w/ Alaskas, Eola
March 8 Baltimore, MD - Str8 Cavin (Copycat Building)
March 9 Athens, GA - Farm 255 w/ Prince Rama, Quiet Hooves
March 10 Gainesville, FL - the Laboratory w/ Hear Hums
March 11 Baton Rouge, LA - Red Star
March 12 New Orleans, LA - TBC
March 15 SXSW, TX Grimes @ The Spill w/ Diamond Rings, Esben & The Witch (9:00pm)
March 16 SXSW, TX Doldrums @ Club 1808 w/ Rich Aucoin, Zoobombs
March 16 SXSW, TX -Grimes @ club 1808 - w/ Prince Rama, Dominique Young Unique
March 17 SXSW, TX Doldrums @ Havana w/ Japanther, Neon Windbreaker (We Are Busy Bodies Showcase) (10pm)
March 17 SXSW, TX Grimes/Sean Nicholas Savage/Doldrums @ The Spill w/ Pat Jordache, (1:00pm)
March 17 SXSW, TX Grimes @ Headhunters w/ Bikini, Humans (4:30pm)
March 17 SXSW, TX Sean Nicholas Savage @ Hot Mama's Espresso (Kassette Klub/Head Underwater Party) (7:00pm)
March 17 SXSW, TX Grimes @ House of Commons (11:30pm)
March 18 SXSW, TX Grimes @ KLUB KRUCIAL w/ Toro Y Moi, The Fresh & Onlys (Gorilla Vs. Bear/Mexican Summer Showcase) (12:30pm)
March 18 SXSW, TX Grimes @ Side Bar w/ Holiday Shores, BAMBARA, Twin Tigers (6:00pm)
March 19 SXSW, TX Grimes @ Red Eye Fly w/ Cadence Weapon, Jardo & Buck 65 (3:30pm)
March 19 SXSW, TX Grimes/Sean Nicholas Savage @ Club Deville w/ Gobble Gobble, Braids (Pop Montreal Showcase) (8:00pm)
March 19 SXSW, TX Doldrums @ 2109 Scenic Dr w/ Gobble Gobble (2:30pm)
March 20 Shreveport, LA - Dalzell House w/ Rich Aucoin, Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt
March 21 Pensacola, FL - 720 North V Street w/ Rich Aucoin, Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt
March 22 Athens, GA - Farm255 w/ Ava Luna
March 23 Bloomington, IN - TBC
March 24 Detroit, MI - North End Studios
March 25 Sarnia, ON - Trinity Lounge
March 26 Toronto, ON - Everlasting Joy
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Grimes x Doldrums Tour Diary Part I
Monday morning, 8AM, the Woodhead brothers, the Boucher family, Sebastian and myself left Montreal to cross the border into snowy upstate New York. After a terrifying few hours in a white out on the roads, getting stuck in snowbanks, witnessing the crack in our windshield go from a 5mm dent to about a meter in under a minute, waiting in a coffeeshop for the interstate to re-open, we drove through a beautiful icy forest, arrived in New York at dusk, played a show with Alaskas & Eola and tried to go to sleep mid-rave (listen here). I got bored on the drive to Baltimore and learned how to use iMovie. Here's day 1 of the Grimes & Doldrums tour...
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Grimes X Doldrums Tour Diary Parts III & IV
Two more videos of days 3 & 4 of the Grimes & Doldrums tour! Right now we're listening to the David Lynch song 'Good Day Today' in the sunshine, eating burritos, drinking white wine and strawberry soda in a parking lot of a studio in Baton Rouge after driving here in the back of a pick up truck... Having a nice time! See you all in Austin! Listed below is the updated list of SXSW shows Sean Nicholas Savage, Grimes and our friends Doldrums will be playing.
March 15 SXSW, TX Grimes @ The Spill w/ Diamond Rings, Esben & The Witch (9:00pm)
March 16 SXSW, TX Doldrums @ Club 1808 w/ Rich Aucoin, Zoobombs
March 16 SXSW, TX Grimes @ ND Venue w/ Laurel Halo, Sleepover (Altered Zones Party) (12:30pm)
March 16 SXSW, TX Grimes @ Brave New Books w/ Laurel Halo, Hollagramz (Friendship Bracelet Showcase) (8:30pm)
March 16 SXSW, TX Grimes @ club 1808 - w/ Prince Rama, Dominique Young Unique (10:00pm)
March 17 SXSW, TX Doldrums @ Havana w/ Japanther, Neon Windbreaker (We Are Busy Bodies Showcase) (10pm)
March 17 SXSW, TX Grimes/Sean Nicholas Savage/Doldrums @ The Spill w/ Pat Jordache, (1:00pm)
March 17 SXSW, TX Grimes @ Headhunters w/ Bikini, Humans (4:30pm)
March 17 SXSW, TX Sean Nicholas Savage @ Hot Mama's Espresso (Kassette Klub/Head Underwater Party) (7:00pm)
March 17 SXSW, TX Grimes @ House of Commons (11:30pm)
March 18 SXSW, TX Grimes @ KLUB KRUCIAL w/ Toro Y Moi, The Fresh & Onlys (Gorilla Vs. Bear/Mexican Summer Showcase) (12:30pm)
March 18th SXSW, TX Doldrums @ Brave New Books w/ Woodsman, Human Resources (Friendship Bracelet Showcase) (5:15)
March 18 SXSW, TX Grimes @ Side Bar w/ Holiday Shores, BAMBARA, Twin Tigers (6:00pm)
March 19 SXSW, TX Sean Nicholas Savage @ 6th & Waller - w/ Quiet Hooves, Pat Jordache (1:00pm)
March 19 SXSW, TX Grimes @ Red Eye Fly w/ Cadence Weapon, Jardo & Buck 65 (3:30pm)
March 19 SXSW, TX Grimes/Sean Nicholas Savage @ Club Deville w/ Gobble Gobble, Braids (Pop Montreal Showcase) (8:00pm)
March 19 SXSW, TX Doldrums @ 2109 Scenic Dr w/ Gobble Gobble (2:30pm)
Written by marilis at 3/12/2011
Labels: baton rouge, doldrums, Grimes, tour diary
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Grimes X Doldrums Tour Diary Part VII
Here are some photos of the first leg of SXSW and the first of three SXSW video diaries from the Grimes & Doldrums tour. xo
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Grimes // d'Eon Album Launch : MTL April 22nd
Darkbloom, the thrilling new split by d’Eon and Grimes, is now available for pre-order. It'll be available worldwide in both 12" vinyl and digital formats on April 19th, 2011. Copies are $12.99, email Jasper at orders@arbutusrecords.com to get yours!
We've got a Montreal launch at Sala Rossa on April 22nd featuring:
Black Feelings
Grimes
d'Eon
$5 in advance, $8 on the door
Tickets available at Casa Del Popolo, Phonopolis, and Cheap Thrills.
Following the Middle-Eastern-tinged R&B of 2010’s Palinopsia, d’Eon’s continuous, circular suite addresses reliance on technology through lyrical content and sonic allusion. He simultaneously incorporates elements of footwork and new jack swing, but surprises the listener with strange forays into bygone genres such as UK drum and bass and trip hop.
Harnessing the dark energy of her sophomore album Halfaxa with the shimmering dream pop of Geidi Primes, Grimes’s side represents a synthesis of these two sonic personalities. Displaying a level of clarity and craftsmanship heretofore unseen in her releases, she presents a stunning new collection of ethereal dreamscapes that expand her creative palette without compromising the spectral presence she is known for.
Written by sebastian at 3/24/2011
Labels: Album Release, Black Feelings, D'Eon, Darkbloom, Grimes, Hippos In Tanks
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Grimes' "Vanessa" on Altered Zones
Check out the premiere of Grimes' new track, Vanessa, on Altered Zones. Play the single below, and pre-order for $12.99+shipping now! Just email Jasper at orders@arbutusrecords.com, and be sure to include your shipping address. It will be featured on a 12" vinyl split with local superstar d'Eon!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Grimes goes on tour with Lykke Li + New Video!
Grimes - Vanessa from Arbutus Records on Vimeo.
director: GRIMES
director of photography: JOHN LONDONO
stylist: MARILIS CARDINAL
dancers: ALLY MACKINNON, ASHLEY OBSCURA, CAROLINE DUTKA, CLAIRE BOUCHER, EMILY KAI BOCK, JANE PENNY, MARILIS CARDINAL, MING LIN, MIRIAM GALLOU
music: GRIMES
Catch Grimes on a North-American tour with the Swedish songstress Lykke Li this month!
Tour Dates:
SUN 5/15 WASHINGTON, DC 9:30 Club
MON 5/16 PHILADELPHIA, PA TLA
TUE 5/17 NEW YORK, NY Webster Hall
WED 5/18 NEW YORK, NY Webster Hall
FRI 5/20 BOSTON, MA House of Blues
SAT 5/21 MONTREAL, PQ Metropolis
SUN 5/22 TORONTO, ON Phoenix
MON 5/23 CHICAGO, IL Metro
THU 5/26 SEATTLE, WA Showbox
FRI 5/27 VANCOUVER, BC Vogue Theater
SAT 5/28 PORTLAND, OR Wonder Ballroom
MON 5/30 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Regency
TUE 5/31 LOS ANGELES, CA Wiltern
++
MON 7/11 NEW YORK, NY Bowery Ballroom w/ Washed Out
Written by marilis at 5/05/2011
Labels: Grimes, lykke li, Music Video, tour dates, washed out