Taking a quick break to freshen up between coasts, indie post-rock collective The Most Serene Republic are about to paint Southern Ontario a shade of eclectic in support of their latest effort …And The Ever Expanding Universe.
After playing 30 shows in just as many days, singer and guitarist Emma Ditchburn explained to The Cord in a phone interview that the universe is in a state of evolution, although not necessarily in size.
“Expansion in this sentiment doesn’t refer to size, but rather to complexity and chaos,” said Ditchburn.
“To me it feels like humans opened this box … and the ingredients haven’t run out yet so we’re still trying to put them together into as many possible combinations as we can.
“Some combinations are beautiful, some we could probably do without,” she added.
Continuous creation is something showcased on their latest album, which combines lofty layers with instrumental precision.
In this revival era of musical experimentation, The Most Serene Republic ignores the demanding definitions of genre and creates a sound that is unique.
“If you are creating music, you should not be limiting yourself in any sense, especially not in terms of what rack you’re on at the mall’s CD store,” Ditchburn explained.
“I find it much more interesting to hear people explore as many areas as they feel are open to them.”
…And The Ever Expanding Universe bursts open with the commanding “Bubble Reputation”, but works its way into the world of Baroque with “The Old Forever New Things”, a song that sounds like an inheritance from their Arts & Crafts godparents, Broken Social Scene.
While similarities between the bands exist, The Most Serene Republic stands as one of Canada’s most emergent indie-rock outfits.
“Don’t Hold Back, Feel A Little Longer” sneaks up as the most danceable tune on the album, nudging those genre borders once again and treading new- wave territory.
Waterloo’s indie crowd should be advised to bring their dancing shoes this Thursday then, when The Most Serene Republic take to the Starlight, well rested and ready to perform the songs that have garnered them so much attention.
“I’ve been in total nesting mode since we got home, listening to classic nostalgic Sunday morning music, knitting, reading and lounging with my dogs,” said Ditchburn.
“We needed this rest… I don’t doubt that we will be back to our old antics as soon as we jump in the van together.”
While road tripping across the country with seven people in a van may not sound like the most comfortable mode of travel, the band still manages to keep the love.
“We all know each other so well now that it’s like a well-oiled machine. If someone’s having a bad day or a moment, we all know how to react to it to make it smoother,” said Ditchburn.
She added that getting along as a band is “all about patience, and Buddhist-like acceptance when you’re faced with a situation beyond your control.”
Remembering what’s good about the world in spite of the bad things that inevitably happen, the band and their ever-expanding universe have remained friends.
“We have a bit of a love/hate relationship, but we’re pretty in tune.”
