Following on from a flurry of impactful offerings these last few years, Canadian outfit Original Pairs are back with us once again with their eagerly-awaited new studio album 'Long Play'.
Featuring the previously shared gems 'Concord Avenue' and 'Not Grow Old', this new eight-track collection makes for a wonderfully warm and riveting listen. Filled with rich and swaggering textures, a soaring atmosphere, and mesmerising hooks throughout, 'Long Play' continues their ascent as one of the more exciting names doing the rounds right now.
So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I ever fell in love with was my Guild JF30 jumbo acoustic made in the Westerly Rode Island factory in 1990. I got it in 1991, wrote a hundred songs on it, took it all over the world and had it substantially rebuilt twice. It’s still going. I love it so much, that I wrote a love song to it 'The Big Guitar' which you can find on our 2022 album 'Natural State'. I love it more than any person I know (don’t tell Lisa, she wouldn’t understand but the guitarists out there will).
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
The BeeGees, Iggy Pop, The Clash, The New Trolls (Italian Psych), Them and the Who. Not all at once mind you.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Santa Esmerelda's 'Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood', is a flamenco disco tear-up of the Animals classic. I heard it at the roller rink in 1978 (I was 13) and had to have it. The cover was incredibly sexy and the track was an extended version that filled a whole side of the LP. It had this massive guitar and castanets breakdown in the middle that just used to drive me wild.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Bob Dylan’s 'Tangled Up In Blue'. I just feel that way sometimes and OP used to play a really rocked-up version with a long psychedelic jam. At one point I convinced myself that I had actually written it. That’s how good our version was.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
If I smoke a joint and ride my bicycle, a song usually comes out of it. Especially when the bike needs maintenance and is making some kind of irritating rhythmic noise.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I am really into a Montreal-based band called Corridor right now. They sing in French, wear overalls and jump around on stage. The bassist just kills it on a Hofner violin bass. They are touring in France over the summer. You have to see them. I really love a Toronto band called The Action Sound Band who are a lethal garage blues act. They don’t have a record. You have to go to Grossman’s Tavern on Spadina on a Wednesday night.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Nick Cave.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The fact that, on a good night, you can project what’s in your heart directly out into the world through your body and your instrument.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The fact that, on a bad night, you can’t.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
'Don’t be too uptight- improvise a little, after all, no matter what you play you are always only a semi-tone away from success'.
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Original Pairs' new album 'Long Play' is out now. Check it out in the player below.