Band profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
Hunter Ginn, and I play drums/percussion/Fender Rhodes electric piano.
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
We originally formed in 1999, but this version of the band has been around since May 2002. I knew Ben from a band we'd been in together previously, and his personality and style seemed to be a perfect fit. A highpoint in our career would definitely be signing to Sensory Records, home to our heroes in Spiral Architect and Gordian Knot. Thankfully, we've never really any low points
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
Not really, since it's never been a goal of the band to "make it in the industry." We're happy just making music together, and whatever comes of it is fine.
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Our latest album is Penumbra Diffuse, and people should buy it because we don't wear girls' jeans or flat-iron our hair.
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
We started life as a death metal band, and we decided to go instrumental after confronting the limitations of that style. We felt hindered, primarily, by the vocal approach. Let it be known, though, that we're all still dyed-in-the-wool death metal fans.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
Jeff Wagner giving us really positive feedback on our first demo, meeting and working with Jamie King, signing with Sensory, and holding a finished copy of our first record, Sublimation, in my hands for the first time.
How is the writing process in the band?
These days we tend to write as a band. It gives the material more depth, since our efforts amount, more or less, to the convergence of three very different personalities and musical perspectives.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
When I got into metal at age 12, there was little doubt in my mind that I would go on to play an instrument in a band of some sort.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
I have no human idols. I have some heroes, though: Cedric Bixler-Zevala & Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Soren Kierkegaard, Jimmy Carter, Paul Masvidal, John Coltrane, Carl Sagan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Pablo Picasso, Saint Teresa, Aleksandr Tarkovsky, Mohandas Ghandi, Tony Williams, and so many more. Anyone who puts themselves aside to help his/her fellow human being is a hero to me.
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
We haven't been around long enough to have any regrets. Thankfully, we've been pleased with all of our recordings, though we can definitely do better.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
None come to mind. However, we don't have THAT many fans!
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
Well, there's good and bad. My attitude toward the industry has always been ambivalent, though I will say that fashion/emo-core is the worst trend in ages.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
If I had the answer, I'd be making lots of money, likely!
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
Put others before yourself, love your fellow man, be completely and utterly committed to your personal vision, and good things will happen.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
Day begins with a coffee and blueberry muffin, check my email, do schoolwork (I'm getting my MLS in Library and Information Science), talk to my fiancée, discuss obscure metal albums with my friend Jeff, think about the next Canvas Solaris disc, scour the internet for 70s prog albums, read The Wire, watch Dave Chappelle's Show or Aqua Teen Hunger Force, jog 2 miles, eat, listen to music, play drums, read again, talk to my fiancée again, go to bed.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
Reading, taking very long walks in the woods, being with my fiancée, drinking Belgian beer, eating Thai, Mexican, and Sushi, watching long, slow-moving films, etc.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
This one time, in Calgary, 6 girls rushed into our dressing room and we had crazy group sex right before the show.
Nah, I'm just kidding, we've never been on tour.
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Albums: Cynic-Focus
The Mars Volta-De-Loused in the Comatorium
Rush-Moving Pictures
Books:
Cormac McCarthy-Blood Meridian
Flann O'Brien-At Swim Two Birds
Thomas Pynchon-Gravity's Rainbow
Movies:
Tarkovsky-Nostalghia
Polanski-Chinatown
Coen Brothers-The Big Lebowski
What is your favourite joke?
Canvas Solaris
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
We're going to do a short tour up the East Coast this summer, and hopefully play with some cool bands. We're steadily writing new material, enough for several more Canvas records.
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
Thanks to everyone who has cared enough to listen to our music in any capacity. We hope our efforts tickle your brains and ears!
Added by Steen - 3/13/2006
