Formed in the well-kept, if washed-out, suburb of Brampton, Ontario, the music of Five Blank Pages combines introspective emotion and sanguine honesty.
The groups first incarnation, noyz, was the vehicle for singer-songwriter-guitarist Noyan Hilmi, who began playing open-mic shows in 1997 while attending the University of Toronto. Weaned on the sounds of The Beatles, Hayden, Nirvana, and Neil Young, Hilmi used these early influences in conjunction with the 1990s pop of Weezer and the more the recent sounds of Elliott Smith and Pedro the Lion to create an original work that draws on, but never imitates, the indie/alt-rock tradition that inspires him.
His low-fi, 2002 release, Let Go, is a varied collection of sounds and sensibilities; at once introspective, melodic, and infectious in its combination of garage distortion, hook-laden guitar-pop, and folk sensibility. Let Go expresses emotional landscapes by illuminating the relationships that reside therein. To listen to the album is to feel like an eavesdropper listening to a couple breaking up. It is like reading a friends diary, and it fosters an uncomfortable fascination with the subject matter - uncomfortable because the thoughts expressed could be ones very own.
Hilmis vocals, morose and deadpan, honest and warm, demonstrate an effective constraint that echoes the pent-up frustration of suburban living, an existence from which one eagerly awaits release. The intimate lyrics and simple melodies tap into a forgotten consciousness, reminding us of days past, the memories of which we may put behind us but can never seem to escape.
While Let Go, infused with a subdued nerve and a raw-energy, is a showcase for Hilmis talents, by the end of 2002 he himself realized the limitations of the noyz project. Recruiting the strong drumming of his sister, Chelen, and the steady bass and keyboard skills of his girlfriend, Pinar Ozyetis, Hilmi has added a new dimension of relationship to his lyrical creations, while in the process assembling a three-piece group that adds a new and dynamic force to his songs.
Touring as noyz on the strength of Let Go, the new line-up was introduced slowly, with concerts split between a group set and Hilmis own acoustic segment. By playing diverse venues, a Showcase in Canadian Music Week, and shows at Torontos equally famous Horseshoe Tavern and Lees Palace, noyz has garnered critical acclaim from local papers, while their reputation as a live act continues to grow.
In addition to recording a song for the upcoming second Hayden tribute album noyz contributed Warm From The Inside, from Let Go, for use in the independent short film A Really Good Time for the Beckys House II charity in California.
As they became more comfortable and confident as a group, noyz became less an exclusive exposition of Hilmis skills and grew into a collaborate effort.
Acknowledging this transition, noyz changed its name in October 2003 to Five Blank Pages.
The process of maturation so thematically evident in Hilmis previous work is taken further by the group itself. The music is deepened by Chelens creative arrangements and Ozyetiss knowledge of musical theory, while Hilmis storytelling is enhanced by her subtle vocal accompaniment. In their upcoming eight-song mini-album (set for release in early 2004), Five Blank Pages continues to both expand their musical relationship and refine their sound, driven by their unified desire to create and grow.
We play live as often as possible, mainly around Toronto and other towns & cities in Ontario, for now.
Hayden, Bright Eyes, Elliott Smith, Pedro The Lion, The Beatles, Neil Young, Cursive, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Grunge, Blind Melon, Howie Beck, Poledo, Radiohead, Badly Drawn Boy, Ozma, Weezer, The Pixies & so on.
Visit our website at http://www.fiveblankpages.com.
