Carpenter nails it!

The rural advantage 

Carpenter harvest punk-infused rock anthems

Published July 4, 2013 by Christine Leonard


Despite making waves in the Vancouver post-punk sensation All State Champion for over 15 years, Ontario-born singer and guitarist Dan Sioui admits that he’s never considered himself to be a true West Coaster. Secretly fostering a special place in his heart for the grit of blue-collared bards like Bruce Springsteen and John Cougar Mellencamp for decades, the talented singer and guitarist decided the timing was right for a reunion with his musical upbringing.

Eschewing his former hardcore haunts, Sioui linked up with guitarist Ryan Howlett of Speaking of Heroes, and then bassist Dana Edwards and drummer JJ Heath of Daggermouth. By 2005, Sioui and company were working up a sweat in the Hive Studios (Pride Tiger, Black Mountain), labouring under the humble name of Carpenter.

“It was sort of strange getting into the vibe of a purely rock ’n’ roll feel,” says Sioui. “Taking on the challenge of emulating a blue-collar classic like American Fool was a complete 180 from the angular post-punk music I had become accustomed to. I know it threw a lot of people off, but I’ve been at it for so many years now that the response has grown into something much more positive.”

Shepherding his forays into folk, pop and rock beyond Vancouver’s cloudy comforts, Sioui ventured back to Ontario’s countryside to compose Carpenter’s bucolic 2010 offering, Sea to Sky.

“I bought a farm in Ontario off the Internet, so I could be closer to where I grew up while I was writing. As cheesy as it sounds, there’s a certain breadth and airiness about being under wide-open skies that allows me to leave the space within our songs. A lot of bands are afraid to let space happen.”

Compelled by the plight of independent farmers, Carpenter swiftly became a conduit for political outrage, effectively funneling Sioui’s ire for the corporate-based Agribusiness into every passionate track.

“As a band, we put a lot of work into writing songs that are effective in communicating big ideas in a simple way,” he says. ”Starting out I never could have imagined a scenario where I would have any political stance whatsoever through music, but I’m not the kind of person who stands by and watches while the little guy is getting squeezed in all industries. We understand the value of supporting our local producers and businesses. I guess it’s a bit of our punk-rock influence fighting through.”

Tasked with striking a balance while styling striking ballads, Carpenter has temporarily moth-balled plans to re-enter the studio, instead opting to embark on a summer tour. Rolling into Calgary just in time for Stampede 101, the East-meets-West hybrid, which has shared the stage with the likes of NoMeansNo, Attack in Black and Minus the Bear, plans to flush the seawater from their veins and replace it with a warm draught of Albertan rye.

“My ideal would be to combine JCM with Hüsker Dü,” says Sioui. “I may draw on roots rock, but I like to play it at an insane volume and fling my body around like a man obsessed. We have a like-minded crowd that knows it’s not a political rally, it’s more of a feeling of connection between band and audience. Every show is a celebration. It’s something that goes back to our hardcore roots, and in a weird way it’s the thing I’m most proud of.”