cockatoo
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7,797 views
2207/2008 Line Up:
Robyn Bright-vocals/guitar (london burns double 6 (12) string)
Leonardo Gonzalez- Drums
Rod Wolfe-Bass
The Basement Tapes e.p available from www.myspace.com/cockatoomusic
2006/2007 Line-up
Robyn Bright-vocals/guitar (london burns double 6 (12) string)
Alan LeVesque- Drums
Rod Wolfe-Bass
PLEASE NOTE: these songs posted are mostly Robyn's solo demos for now. Once we have finished mixing our e.p., I will take these down. There are 2 unmixed full band tracks from our upcoming album :-)
Like a bird balanced on the edge of a razor blade, singing in the rain, Cockatoo dances on the precipices of the ethereal and the raw, the passionate and the delicate. Thought to be reminiscent of earlier 4AD bands, Cockatoo is a trio consisting of Robyn Bright on vocals, and guitars, Alan Levesque (of electronic project Voice Industrie on the A Different Drum label) on drums , and bassist Rod Wolfe (of SOFT and various projects including early stints with Dwayne Goettal of skinny puppy and Dave Bacon formerly of SNFU) . With a genuine love and passion for music the members of Cockatoo write and perform their music solely for the love of playing, and this jubilant band chemistry is readily apparent .
"Robyn Bright should think about putting out her own album. The local siren has already recorded more than 15 nocturnal tracks over the past 18 months, all of which are available on newmusiccanada.com.
One of the brighter standouts-sorry couldn't resist- is Abyss, which contrasts fuzzy, low guitar growls with Bright's bewitchingly sensual vocals and lyrics about whispers and drowning.
She counts old U2, Nick Cave and The Cure as some of her influences but you can also hear the gothic strains of Siouxie Sioux, Sinead O'Connor and Bauhaus in Bright's dusky vocals and dark and dreamy arrangements.
...you'll likely be staggered by the talent, introspectiveness and musical beauty"
Sandra Sperounes
Music Writer
Feb 17, 2005,
Edmonton Journal Newspaper
PLEASE PLAY THESE DEMOS LOUD! THEY ARE MEANT TO BE PLAYED AT A VOLUME THAT WILL ENABLE US TO TO FILL THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES OF YOUR ROOM WITH SOUNDS! 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 "Sumbanese mythology says that the cockatoo is almost a holy figure which transports the souls of the dead to heaven; cockatoo are often depicted in ikat, the traditional Sumbanese woven clothes. Furthermore, Sumba cockatoos serve a unique, and biologically important, function. Only the cockatoo drops to the forest floor the seeds (called maha on West Sumba and mara on East Sumba) from a tree are called the mayela. The wood from this tree is considered sacred to the Mayela people, to be used only after a special ceremony. Even loggers will not cut down these trees. " from: http://www.indonesian-parrot-project.org/Library/fourkings.htmlBand/artist history
MUSIC
BRIGHT EYES NEW COCKATOO
EDEN MUNRO / eden@vueweekly.com
Edmonton band regroup, revamp, remodel
In the music world, enthusiasm for each new project tends to assume a familiar form, marked by overly familiar statements like this is the best album weve done yet, or were getting back to our roots this time out.
For the members of Edmontons Cockatoo, theres reason to be excited, but its because of the bands potential, not some half-imagined return to form.
Vocalist/guitarist Robyn Bright is the sole remaining member from the groups opening slot at the Brian Jonestown Massacres Edmonton gig last year. After that incarnation of Cockatoo fell apart, Bright made the decision to regroup, putting calls in to the two musicians who she says would be in her dream band: bassist Rod Wolfe (formerly of Soft) and drummer Alan Levesque (of Voice Industrie). The seasoned musicians were impressed by the tunes that Bright brought to the table, and both musicians jumped on board for the reinvention.
With three industry veterans on the same stage (Bright spent several years on the Toronto scene playing alongside the likes of Leslie Feist, Sarah Slean and Peaches), it would be easy for the sound to become obscured by a war of egos, but Cockatoo have no interest in taking that approach.
When musicians dont have too much ego when theyre playing, its not even about them, Bright says. Its just the music. Theyre there for the music, but musicians with egos right there on stage, they cant do that, I dont think.
Wolfe agrees that the music has to come first, especially where Cockatoos dark and brooding sound is concerned.
Often, in the musical world, ego ends up being a fairly large part of peoples performances: here I am. Im playing my instrument. Im big and Im in your face, Wolfe says. Ego is, joyfully, not [present] at all here. I think egos a very dangerous thing and it causes a lot of problems in the world, let alone within a band. We like to work on a more fun, creative level.
While the trio initially debated bringing in another guitarist, they soon decided that the chemistry between the three of them was undeniable. Wolfe is especially pleased with the results, admitting that they can make a lot of sound for a three-piece. Still, Bright points out that Cockatoo is about playing with the dynamics, rather than simply blasting away all the time.
Its a really neat dance with the three of us, Bright explains. There are times when we get quiet and you just hear a bass line and its, like, this is so cool.
Without light, there is no dark, Wolfe adds. Youve got to have quiet to feel power. Youve got to have beauty with beast. You pull them in, you settle them down a bit, you get them cruising on a beautiful shoreline of a soundscape, and then ...
You let it rip, finishes Bright.
The soundscape that Cockatoo spends their time playing with evolved naturally by integrating Wolfe and Levesques musical personalities with Brights ethereal songs, swooning vocals and ringing 12-string guitar.
I thought at first wed be kind of floaty, Wolfe remarks. But, theres a lot of energy in my world and theres a lot of techno in Alans world, so whats ended up happening is that there are certainly some relaxed songs that drift, but theres a lot of tribal groove, and even some upper energy drive and dance. The fusion has just been bloody exciting. V
Wed, Jun 7 (9 pm)
Cockatoo
With Jets to Theory, Seven Devil Fix
Sidetrack Café, $8All comments (1)
604 plays
7,797 views
7,797 views
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rbright
@rbright
"Belladonna" and "Stupid puppy", are majestic and hefty. Great tunes, pro sound.These songs are hot. You should rate me too. Check out my new track,"The MIGHTY".