Saskatoon, SK-based Close Talker is getting set to release their new EP The Sprawl on March 22, 2024.
After a decade of performing and writing together, Close Talker has been an integral aspect of the individual lives of Will, Matthew, and Chris. The project that started as a passion for three friends in 2012 has become formative to their identities. The Sprawl accounts for the years 2013-2019 in Close Talker: six years of full-on writing, recording, touring, rinse, wash, repeat. Those years included incredible highlights and successes, in exchange for burnout and time away from home.
Listen to the latest single, “Tall Boy,” featuring Wyatt C. Louis below.
First off, care to introduce Close Talker to our readers?
We’re an indie rock trio, proudly from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. More specially, we’re Will, Matt, and Chris; childhood pals who always crossed paths socially and musically, and finally buckled and started a band in 2012.
Congratulations on the upcoming release of your new EP, The Sprawl. Can you tell us what listeners can expect from the new tracks?
In the past we sort of binge-wrote, binge-recorded, and binge-toured. We were relentless for a number of years there and The Sprawl offers hindsight to that season. Celebrating the good times, but also the sort of emotional tax we were subconsciously paying. Musically, this is our strongest effort yet, and I dare say our best record. The lyrics and themes shed light on our earlier records, trying to conquer the world, and spreading ourselves thin, all in the name of art. We have no regrets, but to grow as people, you have to reflect and gain vantage points.
Can you walk us through the creative process behind The Sprawl? How did you approach songwriting and crafting the overall sound for this EP?
The Sprawl was a slow burn. In the past, we were so immersed and artsy-fartsy and I think our approach has been more laid back for this one. We’ve taken our time. Much of that was due to circumstances. The band has had four kids since we wrote our last record. Instead of sleeping on the floor of Breakglass Studios in Montreal for a super intense couple of weeks (our first record, Flux); we now get together on Monday nights, if our kiddos aren’t sick. This slower approach has actually breathed new life into our songwriting and when we reopen a session, it’s exciting every time. Sonically, the record remains coherent despite us recording it with sporadic bursts of energy over the course of three-plus years. It’s allowed us to give the songs the time they deserve and I think the record has benefited.
The Sprawl covers the years 2013-2019 for Close Talker, capturing the essence of those six years of writing, recording, and touring. How does this EP reflect your growth and experiences during that time period?
The Sprawl explores themes that simply offer good old-fashioned hindsight. Understanding the good and the challenging, but ultimately trying to harness those lessons. We simply had our heads down and grinded for a period, without really taking stock, or ever taking a beat. We had an absolute blast, don’t get us wrong, but we never really stopped to make a vision board or expose where we may be missing the mark or draining ourselves. We love music. We love creating it. We love being creative, especially with one another. We don’t love trying to get people to care about it. That part has healthily made its way to the back burner. The music is front burner for life.
Can you highlight any standout tracks from The Sprawl and what makes them particularly special or meaningful to the band?
Every song has earned its place on the record and we love them all for different reasons. Maybe it is because we feel more weathered than most 31-year-olds, but songs like Tall Boy, or The Silence III have a special spot in our hearts. They are less urgent musically and have evening glass of wine vibes. Likewise, the closing track Chevy Floor opens up with some iPhone audio of us playing Crokinole, while writing the record at Chris’s cabin. That particular writing session marked a pivotal shift in the band’s attitude, leaning into the life giving parts, and trying to shed the taxing parts or pressure we put on ourselves.
The band has been together for over a decade now. How has your dynamic as a group evolved over the years, and what keeps the creative spark alive after all this time?
It has definitely evolved and morphed, but at the same time, all the important goodies have always remained. Our Venn diagram of musical tastes has always been pretty healthy. I think the spark has stayed alive because we’ve typically written in a sort of jammy, ‘call and response’ sort of way. We’re always inspired by one another’s raw instincts and where that can push a song. I think a genuine curiosity for music remains, and a childish excitement to just build stuff, and get vague ideas from your brain to your fingers, and then eventually, on a record.
As an indie rock band hailing from Saskatoon, Canada, what unique challenges and opportunities have you encountered while navigating the music industry, both locally and on a broader scale?
I mean, at face value, geography has always been a challenge. It is a lot of fuel and time to get to the next city with a proper music venue. We’re no strangers to long drives and eating black pepper spits to stay awake for an all-night drive to TO. Saskatchewan does well in supporting the arts, although most artists leave, which is a sad reality to see. On a lighter note; when we tour Europe or parts of the States, no one knows where Saskatchewan is. We typically say “It’s in between Vancouver and Toronto” which helps narrow their focus.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are looking to carve out their own path in the music industry? Based on your experiences, what are some key lessons or insights that you’ve learned along the way?
Don’t let your hustle outweigh your passion. It’s nuanced, but there is a difference. If folks jump on board with what you are creating, that is such a rad blessing, but always check in with yourself and make sure your satisfaction is coming from the music, not the industry. No one answers emails on Fridays; Don’t take it personally. Music is such a cool catalyst and foundation for friendship. That’s the best perk. Full stop.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from Close Talker in the coming months and years? Any hints about future projects or collaborations on the horizon?
We’re about to drop a single with an artist that we admire deeply, and to be honest – he is the next big thing. We’ve known this for years and years, but I think Canada is about to catch on. His name is Wyatt and we think he is the bees knees and really going places. We’re thankful we could shoulder-tap him to contribute to the album. Close Talker certainly hasn’t run out of ideas or creative steam. It has served as a really pure and important outlet for us. We have so many ideas for concept albums or off-script musical deep dives. We’ve always wanted to do a two-song record. Just side A and side B, and they function more as “movements”, like classical music. Maybe we will do that next. Maybe a kids album.
Finally, looking back on your career so far, what moments or achievements stand out to you as particularly meaningful or fulfilling, and why?
There are moments when we play live that are sort of intangible and special. We’ve always been really humbled and floored when people come and pack a room, to hear us play and just escape into the music. We’re sort of an “album” band in our live shows, we try to cater to creating space to safely get lost and press pause on life. We try to lead by example in that, and when the audience joins in, it is definitely felt. Those moments are what really stick with us. When we did our cross Canada Immersion tour (silent headphone shows, with 3D immersive audio), it was every night that people would join us down the rabbit hole. Any show we’ve played, we’ve always been very grateful. Now more than ever, post-pandemic, and now that we’re family men, our gratitude has somehow even deepened. The reality of people not just buying a ticket, but carving out time, maybe getting a babysitter, staying up too late, taking a Robaxisal as needed. We’re thankful and we pledge to really bring it this next tour and make it worthwhile!! Hope to see y’all out there.