Band of the Week: Darren Eedens

There’s dust on these songs. When Darren Eedens sings, it’s like stumbling upon an old record at your grandparents’ house, pulling it out, wiping off the years and dropping the needle in the groove; the Harry Smith Anthology comes to mind. But make no mistake: these songs are as informed by the past as they are a product of today (certain songs betray a bit of a Dave Matthews influence).

We met up with Eedens to talk about roots music as he prepares for the release of his three-part album, Cardboard Caribous and Artificial Trees, on Sept. 1 at Clinton’s.

I notice a strong old-time, traditional element in your music that you don’t hear much these days. Is that a natural sound for you, or is it the type of thing you have to study up on by listening to old music like the Harry Smith Anthology to get right?

Traditional music is where it all began; simple, raw, storytelling, finger-pointing songs. If you are in a rock band you need to realize this. The blues, roots and folk are worthy of a thank you; a big one. There is no studying involved, just a whole lot of respect. When I pick up an instrument it comes naturally, but only because I know and love the reasons why we do what we do. â€¨â€¨Different songs feature different instruments as the focal point.

How many instruments can you play and how long have you been playing for?

This is a real hard question to answer without sounding like a dick. I play a bunch of instruments, and I write on those too. I own less, because I’m hungry. I have been playing for a while and writing for about the same amount of time. See? Dick.


Is it just you on the record or are there co-conspirators? Are the people on the records the same as your backing band when you play live?

There are other people playing on the record for sure. I mean, I’m only one person. A huge amount of respect goes out to Sydney Galbraith for producing, performing and all-around being awesome on the record. I could not have done it all alone, as much as I wanted to.

The Cardboard Caribous EP online now is volume one. Are the other two volumes out as well? 
For sure, all three are available online. They are intended to be sold as a set, but if someone prefers one of my songs over the rest they can buy one disc. It’s broken down into three sets, the first being more energetic folk roots, the second more tame — with some mandolin — and the third being banjo only. I waited two years between albums, which I will never do again, and so I felt the need to put out three at once. If I didn’t make it a challenge to myself I would have become too bored to do it at all.



Any plans to put them onto one album in the future?
To be honest, never. These are never, ever going to be on the same record. I separated them for good reason, and they will always be that way. I do feel that maybe one day I will pick my favourite five or six songs and put them on one LP, but that will strictly be a special edition thing, and probably only on vinyl. Saying that, though, you will much sooner find a new EP before an album of previous songs. The new solo EP is already in the works.



How’d you hook up with Treestump Records? How’s that relationship treating you?

[Laughs.] I own and operate Treestump Records. I release my records, and soon, the records of others. You can catch a Treestump showcase in Toronto once a month at various venues. Lately we have been holding them at Mitzi’s Sister on Queen West, and they have been a huge success. 



Any plans to tour with the records in the near future?

Lots. I’ve toured a lot with my previous album, of course, and this one will be no different. I don’t think I will be touring through the winter; froze my ass off too many times in the past. But all three volumes will be toured for everyone’s listening pleasure.

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Ty Trumbull is a Toronto writer. He works as an editor at 680News and can be seen playing banjo with his band, The Sure Things, every Monday at the The Dakota Tavern.

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