Its been almost three years since Canadas kings of the collective, Broken Social Scene unleashed You Forgot It In People to the unsuspecting masses. Not even the Social Sceners knew that their indie rock jams would turn the world inside out. Now, BSS are ready to reclaim their indie rock crown.
How do a band whove single handedly made the U.S. music media salivate all over the great white north follow up a smash record? Apparently, by releasing three more in quick succession.
Jason Collett, one of BSS long-running collaborators, spilled the news during a recent interview.
"Theres about three records that have been recorded," Collett said. "Theres well over 100 minutes of music."
And when will you be able to pick up this cornucopia of indie pop? Collett says the first BSS record will be out in a few months, with the others following close behind.
"Were putting out three records at staggered times. So were starting in the fall and there will be one in the new year and then there will be one within that same year as well."
Release dates arent confirmed yet, but we can tell you that there will be one significant addition to the BSS fold.
Juno winning artist and Canadas current rap God, K-OS, will sing on at least one track. Theres no word on exactly what the B-Boy will be doing, or which disc itll be on, but were pretty sure itll be damn good.
There are sure to be more surprises, but for now the only other detail we know is that Collett will be taking the lead on some BSS songs a first for the folksy rocker since he wasn't with the group when they recorded You Forget It In People.
Collett stepping up to the mic doesnt mean Scene founders Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning are relinquishing their positions as patriarchs of the family.
"Its mostly Kevin and Brendan [writing the songs] right now," Collett says. "Out of all of us we have our various solo outlets and its only fair the two guys, Kevin and Brendan, who dont have anything else but the BSS, should have the biggest voice in the band and so they do. Its only natural. They are both very inclusive of everybody and wanting everybodys input. Its still bizarrely democratic."
With so many songs to get down on tape, BSS had to record in two studios at once, Collett adds.
"We actually had two studios running at the same time. Charlie [Spearin, guitar/trumpet for BSS] and Ohad [Benchetrit from Do Make Say Think] have been working out of Ohads place. And then Dave Neufelds been mixing and having people record."
Collett says that even though its been a while since the last LP came out, the main reason it has taken so long to finalize the follow-up was because of the constant touring of both the main band and all of the members' solo projects.
"Weve been recording for a couple years now, whenever weve been around," says Collett. "Weve never been home long enough until now to make it take shape in order to finish it."
In more immediate news, Broken Social Scene will be heading out on a Japanese and European tour May 12 and will return home mid-June. Collett's new solo LP, Idols Of Exile, comes out June 14.
