Albatross 12''
Side A: ''Albatross''
Side B: ''Four Long Lines''

Hi all,

So the video is out and about! For now I'll have to supply you a cut-and-copy link to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t16xF5bpv0

Also, we just came back from playing some shows and here's a quick rundown:

Friday the 13th at Lee's Palace - opening for much beloved band Swervedriver. It was a total sweatpit in that place but that didn't take away from the glory of Los Swervies. I just about lost my shit during "Duel" and "Duress" was such a slow-burn mind-melter. I did happen to see these fellas back in the day and I have to say, Swervedriver songs are just in a class of their own. Also a great set by Bionic who blasted an intense cover of XTC's "Travels in Nihilon" but not to be outdone by their wicked tight songs such as "Learn to Love the Government". But this night belonged to Swervedriver and it was an honour to have been invited to share the stage with them.

The next couple nights saw us in London and Hamilton. London had us at Call The Office playing with Bionic and The Golden Hands Before God....(Conducts Magic and other stuff! says I). The Golden Hands played their brand of psyche-fonk complete with fully-realized tambourine bashing. Go check 'em out! However, this night really belonged to NIGHT GOAT. That's right, NIGHT GOAT. Will they ever play again?......NIGHT GOAT.
Hamilton greeted us with a thunderstorm of biblical proportions, and an overactive air conditioning system in the club that alas wreaked havoc on my own immune system. Golden Hands joined us once again, local band The Rest played their jubilant songs about everything and nothing, and we played our songs of doom and added "Casino Nanaimo" to the set, as we did the night before. There was a science jokes part of the evening where Jace and Lee from Golden Hands came up with a couple doozies. Here's what I caught of one:

Quantum theory dude (no, not Scott Bakula) Heisenberg gets stopped for speeding by a police officer.
Police officer:"Do you know how fast you were going?"
Heisenberg: "No, but I know where I am."
Ba-dum-ching!

So the last couple shows we played opening for My Morning Jacket, who probably don't need too much of an introduction since there were a few thousand of their fans at Kool Haus in Toronto! The boys from Whisky-soaked Kentucky played a good 2 and a half hours and left the peeps wanting more more more. The next night in Montreal was a cozier affair in the more intimate confines of Le National. I sat in the balcony and took in their multiple song encore leaving off with the hummer of a tune "Anytime". The only regret I felt was that it was only two nights we played with this great band - I wish there could have been more...

Lastly, there was an 8th presence - in addition to the band members and Sharon, the soundgal/saviour of sanity - in our overpacked van. That would be one Patton Oswalt whose unique brand of humour almost had some of us hospitalized from exertion due to overlaughter. Thank you Jean Belanger for those CD's...
And most of all, thank you fine people for lending your ears, hearts and minds.
:o) OG

Hello dear friends,

It's been awhile and a few things have been happening in and around the Besnardworld so here are a few thoughts...
We have some upcoming shows! Toronto (twice), Montreal and we're awaiting confirmation on some South Ontario dates. It looks like European shows and North America at large won't happen for now... sorry peeps who ask about playing in places near you. It's time to start working on a new album, and although it's hard to say for certain when we can expect the next release, a safe bet would be early 2009. More extensive touring will come up around then.

Just got a comment today from a fellow about posting Casino Nanaimo on our player. Well, that kind of brings up a few things, then, doesn't it?! Casino Nanaimo is a new/old song that was released last September as a limited 12" vinyl. "New/old" means that the song goes back a bit, even before Volume One, and was reworked in a way such that it is now. Basically, there are 4 parts to the song, which makes it four times a good little ditty! And if you buy the vinyl, you also get a coupon for download. It is available through the Jagjaguwar website, along with various other sundry items...
http://www.scdistribution.com/cat/jag_catalog.php?usersearch=besnard%20lakes&pagerequest=&label=Jagjaguwar
Meanwhile, all you hankering to hear something different, a track from Volume One called Thomasina has been put on the player for your listening pleasure.

Other things to keep you thinking about us ;o) is that there will be a video for Devastation very soon. Keep on the lookout for that, will ya!
And, there is this Tribute Night to The Kinks coming up May 10th at Les Saints. An eight-eared version of Besnard Lakes will perform a few of their favorite Kinks songs.

Adios!
:o) OG

Happy Western New Year, fine peeps of the world. Here's another cut-and-paste interview from awhile ago:

http://www.truthexplosion.com/live/interviews/interviews.php
?id=221

Now, we've been getting requests left, right, and center for our top 10 albums of the year. Trying to get the whole of the Besnard Lakes in on a conclusive top ten list is about as easy as taming an angered bull, which is to say that it may not be impossible but...anyway. Most if not all of the band does agree on one overlooked gem that is quite possibly the best thing they've heard all year. That album is David Vandervelde "The Moonstation House Band".

Screw you gently, 2007! Onward bound, 2008,
:o) OG

Hello people of the web,

Just a wee little reminder that we're heading out on tour in exactly one day to open some US shows for Peter, Bjorn, and John. At the end of the tour we'll be playing a headlining show at Bowery Ballroom December 5th and the aforementioned Peter will be opening. So get yer tix before if you can to avoid any last minute hassles!

Worth mentioning at this point as well are the various activities of our band friends: Bionic on tour across Canada with their new album "Black Blood" out now.... Starvin' Hungry with a few shows around Quebec and a new album "Cold Burns", also out now....Young Galaxy with upcoming tour dates in various corners of the UK and Europe in support of their eponymous debut album...Sending the good, better and best vibes out to The Sunday Sinners so they can put out their great new album...
I know, I know, sorry to everyone who I've missed putting shouts out to. I'll get ya the next time...

Once again, we're awed and amazed at the amount of nice comments we're getting, particularly for our European fans who are disappointed at our not being able to make it out for a European tour in November and December. Fear not, good people - we'll see you again soon! We're still trying to hash out some workable dates to do this, so we'll have a better idea when the New Year rolls around.

So, adios for now, and Happy Holidizzles, to coin your phrase, Jenna ;o)

People, sweet people!

Just a short little note to tell of our safe return home from a tour of the midwest and western US and Canada (coast-to-coast, yall!). In a couple days we'll be playing a show in Montreal at Le National with Adam Franklin (ahem, Swervedriver, ahem...). Peeps, you gotta come to this show because the music will be splendid! Oh, and there's an offchance a couple Swervedriver tunes may be pulled out of the hat for fun times a thousand. Not to make any promises, just thought I'd let you know...

Here's a couple links so you can get a better idea of Adam Franklin:

http://www.swervedriver.com/swervedrivernews.asp

http://myspace.com/toshackhighway

Did I forget to mention that The Sunday Sinners are opening the show? They blew me away at Osheaga this year...

Some other news that is very exciting: we're opening for a leg of Peter, Bjorn, and John's tour which starts in Houston, Texas, November 23rd and ends in Pittsburgh, PA, December 3rd. Don't know the names of the venues yet but will hopefully have that information soon.

Also, The Besnard Lakes first album "Volume One" has been re-realeased and is available through Jagjaguwar and also on tour. Don't forget that a limited edition 12" single "Casino Nanaimo" is also available which includes free downloads.

Okay, time to go enjoy what limited sunlight remains. 'K bye,
OG

Greetings peeps,

Yes, there have been some additions to the fall tour schedule with shows in Minneapolis, Chicago, Pontiac, Windsor, London, Toronto and Ottawa. Still awaiting confirmation on the Kelowna show...

And here are the other sundry items:

Vote for "Devastation" for the SOCAN Echo Songwriter prize:

http://www.echoprize.ca/echoenController

And read the following very funny article written by our own Steve Raegele:

http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2007/08/3102.cfm

Oh, and Europe tour in August were sweet good times. Here's what I remember:

The Hives playing the Way Out West Festival in Gottenberg, Sweden.
Oh Oslo...Lady Sovereign tore a few of us some new ones at Oya Fest. Norway National Gallery and the Munch Room: total cathartic experience. If you've ever heard of weirdness upon entering a room with a very famous work of art in it screwing with your being completely and I mean COMPLETELY...this is for real.
No sleep on the ferry boat ride from Oslo to Denmark followed by 8 hours of driving to Uttrecht and I've convinced myself that the city is afloat when obviously my sea legs never found me. It culminates with a declaration that evening: "Somebody stop the stage, I want to get off."
Paper airplane fight with Patrick Watson Band after the Rotterdam show. Sorry, Rotown staff, although it was unregrettably fun.
A day stop at Vimy Ridge as suggested by our intrepid Nottingham-raised tour manager Tony. Expected and unexpected heaviness there. Especially the quote by a veteran of the war saying something about never fighting another war again as it's certain that it will lead to another, and another, and another...
All of this as we're on our way to La Route du Rock in St. Malo, France. Stayed in the quaintest of quaint countryside motels, played in front of 4000 people HOLY CRAP broadcast live on Radio France, Smashing Pumpkins had their own porta-potties and (wait for it) did not disappoint with "Cherub Rock" (or was that at Pukkelpop?). And Guitar Hero got me: must have it at home.
Off to Belgium and Pukkelpop - probably the biggest festival I've witnessed in terms of sheer numbers of performers. Didn't really get the chance to see any performances although I saw J.Mascis in the cafeteria but was too shellshocked to go and say hi...stupid, stupid me. Caught up with some Arcade Fire peeps - good to see soundgal and friend Sharon. Hey, it looks like I'm finally getting sleep! I'm actually cheerful!
That's it, that's all.

OG

Here's some more treats to link to:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070727.windiemusic0728/BNStory/Entertainment/home

Here's a review that a fella sent from Glasgow. It's a good thing it's written out here because if you've ever been in the company of a Glaswegian conversation, well, it's pretty damn hard to understand anything the person is saying. At least to these ears...anywho, here ya go.

The Besnard Lakes,Glasgow King Tuts,May 21st

Every now and then a band comes along and just picks you up and takes you somewhere else. Away from the mundane, allowing your mind to wander and set fire to your imagination. This happened to me a few months ago whilst walking along George St in Edinburgh, the track 'And you lied to me' shuffled its way into my headphones, I slowed my pace and instantly fell in love with what I was hearing, I am not ashamed to say my eyes were a bit damp. I hurriedly looked down to see that the band were The Besnard Lakes and the track was from a Plan B compilation cd I had recently put on my ipod. Needless to say I made my way to Cockburn St and eagerly purchased the album 'The Besnard Lakes are the Dark horse' it did not disappoint and when I found out they were playing their first Scottish date at Tuts,I knew I had to be there.

As the band congregate on the stage, I look around at the crowd and wonder if they know what they are about to hear, questions flirt round my head like "How did they hear about them?" "What songs have they heard?" "Will they respond well?" So protective have I become about the band, I just want it to go smoothly for them, but I needn't worry.

When 'Rides the rails' kicks off proceedings with its heavy bassline giving way to the sort of harmonious wonder which could easily be mistaken for a bonus track from the classic Beach Boys album 'Surfs Up'
With husband and wife Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas, fronting the formidable outfit there will be obvious comparisons to fellow Canadians Arcade Fire but it begins and ends there. While Win Butler et al have looked to Springsteen for influence of late, The Besnard Lakes draw from all over the place including 60's psychedelia, Pink Floyd, Spiritualized indeed there is so much you can hear throughout the soaring, pounding prog romp that is the second song of the evening 'Devastation'
'For Agent 13' starts off sounding like Brian Wilson duetting with Julee Cruise complete with Lynchian shimmering guitar before it all bursts into a glittering crescendo and my jaw is well and truly on the floor. The crowd, including most of Glasgows My Latest Novel, watch aghast at how good the band are as they launch into 'Bedford and Grand' and then an old song which is apparently from their first album which "you cannot buy in stores,only from the warehouse of the devil!"

The next two songs put a seal on tonight as being one of the best gigs I have ever seen. 'Disaster' followed by the sublime aforementioned 'And you lied to me' manage to sound so epic and looking at the audience bathed in the red light emanating from the stage, it is fairly easy to imagine this on a far bigger platform. As Steve Raegeles on guitar recreates the solo to stunning effect bringing the set to a phenomenal climax, I could have gone home happy but the band return with 'Because tonight' and finish things off in some style as the drummer provides vocals on a stellar cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'You make loving fun"

A truly astounding gig and one which will live long in the memory, for the lucky few who attended, it's sure to become one of those "I was there" moments.

JP Mason for www.isthismusic.com

*If you're interested in booking The Besnard Lakes in the U.S., please contact

Daniel Traci or Robin Taylor at Inland Empire Touring
Phone (718) 218 - 7350
info@inlandempiretouring.com

*If you're interested in booking The Besnard Lakes in Europe and the UK, please contact

Ed Stringfellow at The Agency Group
edstringfellow@instantemail.t-mobile.co.uk

*If you're interested in booking The Besnard Lakes in Canada, please contact

Rob Ziffarelli at The Agency Group
(416) 368 - 5599 ext. 245
robzifarelli@theagencygroup.com