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High Road Pilots take flight at Kempenfest

Local act set to make its festival debut
High Road Pilots
High Road Pilots

Among the wonderful things about Kempenfest is the sheer variety of arts and artisans on display. And that vibrant arts scene is in evidence in the full spectrum of musical acts performing on the August long weekend – a good number of them being local bands.

High Road Pilots mount the stage Monday afternoon, Aug. 6, at 4 p.m., in what will be the group’s Kempenfest debut.

Front man Liam Davey tells BarrieToday it was enough of an upper to be asked to play the festival, “without having to apply for it. I imagine the organizers asked around town for potential acts and our name must've come up. We've always wanted to do Kempenfest, so we're pretty stoked on it.”

Davey, together with brother Jack on guitar, Scott Grinton on drums and Mike Spencer on bass, “mix and meld the sounds of post-punk, shoe-gaze, surf and psychedelia,” according to the band’s website.

The intriguing names of these different musical forms could cause one’s head to spin, but Liam steers clear of musical labels and tries to keep it simple for the band’s audience.

“We've been a band for a long time now and over the years we've pulled influence from many different genres including punk and post-punk. But it doesn't just stop there. By no means are we a punk band. However, all of us grew up listening to punk, so in a way we've followed a similar path to those bands from the 70's and 80's that were looking for new ways to experiment and express themselves while staying some what true to their roots.”

How to make sense of the term “shoe-gaze”, of which the Pilots are very fond.

“I believe the name came from the originators of the genre staring at their feet while they play... or something like that. Nowadays, they're most likely just staring at the 18 guitar pedals it takes to get their desired tone… very dreamy, atmospheric and often noisy music - all traits that are very appealing to us.

Still, Liam says it’s a constant battle to stay fresh, and so, the boys are constantly evolving.  

“When you do the same thing over and over again it gets boring and that's how you end up burning out. We're always listening to and searching for new music to share with each other, and finding things that intrigue us that we can incorporate into our sound.”

The Canada Day long weekend is a big one for High Road Pilots, with a performance set for Saturday night, June 30 at the Foxx Lounge Rock Bar and Hotdoggery starting at 9 p.m., the Foxx having embraced and gotten behind the group, as it has done with a lot of local talent.

“The Foxx is like our home base and probably the best place for bands to play in Barrie. There's always a decent crowd with good-hearted, like-minded people. And then sometimes there's a lineup around the corner because it's the 'place to be' on that particular night. (Saturday) will be nothing short of a big party.

“We're sharing the bill with some other local bands (the Noolands are on the same bill Saturday) and plan to bust out some new material for the occasion.”

What’s up for the High Road Pilots between the Canada Day and Simcoe Day long weekends?

“We started recording a new LP earlier in the year and plan to continue working on it throughout the summer. Other than that, we've got a couple shows booked around Ontario to keep us hungry.”

Foxx is located at 16 Dunlop St. E. To learn more, click here.


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Glenn Wilkins

About the Author: Glenn Wilkins

Glenn Wilkins, in a 30-year media career, has written for print and electronic media, as well as for TV and radio. Glenn has two books under his belt, profiling Canadian actors on Broadway and NHL coaches.
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