Described as an “experimental electronic yacht duo,” Fur Trade is a Vancouver-based band comprised of Hot Hot Heat frontman Steve Bays and singer/songwriter Parker Bossley of Gay Nineties. Their debut album Don’t Get Heavy was recently released on Last Gang Records. The electronic duo combines both members on vocals, often singing together to create a unique voice entirely their own. Bays and Bossley admit to being obsessed with the minute details of production. Their experimental arrangements and tedious production all create a delicate balance that is apparent when listening to their songs. Big and hi fi, while still sounding dirty; continually distorted, but with a soft vibe– It’s these two sides to Fur Trade’s music that makes it so unexpected.
Your debut album, Don’t Get Heavy is soon to be released in Australia, but it’s already been released in other parts of the world. Are audiences responding to the record in a way that you expected?
We’ve been lucky to have people from around the world reach out to us and say great things about our music. Expectations can be a vibe kill, we’re more interested in focussing on our music and letting others form their own expectations and opinions.
While Both of you are known for your involvement with Hot Hot Heat, how did Fur Trade come together?
Well there’s a lot of different reasons that Fur Trade came together, but it all really started when Steve developed an interest in DJing and said that he wanted to start an electronic project. I was in the room and I just said “Okay, let’s do it”. I brought in some ideas pretty much the next night and we had half a record finished almost right away. It all really came together though because Steve and I enjoy making music together as much as we do.
Did you name yourselves ‘Fur Trade’ for political reasons or otherwise?
Not for political reasons. Historical, would be more on point. It’s a nod to Canada. We’re still waiting for PETA to contact us…
Tell us a little bit about the album. Where was it recorded? What influenced it?
The album was recorded at Tugboat Place, Steve’s studio in Vancouver. Most songs started with a full box of red wine, and ended with an empty box of red wine. The recording and mixing of the album went through many different changes and approaches over the last two years. It was influenced by light rock from the 70s, psychedelia, dark wave, and electronic music. When you get two unhindered musicians writing in a room, the music is fluid and will inevitably change forms in and out of genres so it’s hard to really pin it down. Nothing about Fur Trade so far has really been particularly intentional– just about making each other stoked.
It’s been said that the lyrics “pretty much wrote themselves”. Were you on a creative surge or was there a theme that allowed you to complete with with relative ease?
Music and writing doesn’t have to be difficult all the time. We were lucky enough to have enough ideas and inspirations rattling through our minds that when it came time to come up with lyrics or music for that matter, it generally came about quite rapidly. There were themes for some of the songs beforehand– we began each song with a title first. That would tend to dictate the beginning subject matter and get the ball rolling.
Given your origins what is it that sparked your interest in making an electronic record?
I think more than anything it was simply the freedom that one feels when they embark on something completely new to them. We both listen to all forms of music, so it makes sense that we would want to experience something new. I think for Steve he was already close to it, as he had been playing with analog synths for years and is such a tech guy. For myself it was the power of the bass line and the merging of organic and electronic that excited me.
Will Fur Trade be hitting Australian shores for a tour anytime soon?
Hopefully very soon! We’re going into the studio soon to work on some new material and dial in our live set up. We both love Australia.
What’s on the cards for Fur Trade for the rest of the year and early 2014?
We’re releasing our brand new music video for “Voyager” directed by Kheaven Lewendowski in the next few days, as well as releasing a new single shortly. You can expect to hear some brand new Fur Trade music early 2014.
Don’t Get Heavy the debut album from Vancouver-based duo Fur Trade is released today via Last Gang Records/Cooking Vinyl Australia.
Watch Don’t Get Heavy here
