What are your names?
My name is Rob Johnson and my brother’s name is Peter Johnson. Aka “The Tegan and Sarah of hardcore”
What is your genre of music?
Most people would likely describe it as punk or hardcore. The truth lies somewhere in between I think.
How did you come up with the bands name?
Low Sun is the continuation of our last project entitled Shahman. Low Sun seems fitting for our newest artistic endeavours because it is ambiguous in terms of whether or not the sun is rising on our newest chapter of our lives or falling on our pasts. It represents a balance among changes we began to notice taking shape.
Give us a little bio about you.
Low Sun sets out to create with the adamant belief that music is our greatest ritual. Luscious, colourful and buoyant chords are placed at the feet of the listener. A deliberate and disciplined rhythm hangs onto every note. Lyrically, an attempt is made to seek and expose the divine hidden within the mundane. Through music and writing they hope to offer a compass to their listeners. A touch more light to help note the plurality of the world around us and explore the intricate components that make the whole.
Are you a signed?
We have worked with labels in the past from the U.S. and Canada but are releasing the upcoming albums on our own Toronto, ON based label Art of the Uncarved Block. We’re pretty proud of the releases so far and have a busy release schedule this summer and fall.
You are releasing your debut track’ Into Sun ‘ whats the story behind the track?
Lyrically I wanted to experiment with how I could dissect and ultimately expand on the seemingly mundane experiences we tend to let pass us by. Mostly, I was curious as to what separates an everyday, or random observation, with one that is powerfully religious in its essence. Sometimes we are unaware that attention and perception are the only things that separate the two.
How long did it take to write?
We typically write pretty fast. This one gave us a bit of a hard time so we worked on different variations over the course of last winter.
Will you be releasing an EP or Album?
We’ll be releasing an album early September before leaving on an eastern european/japan tour.
If so what can you tell us about it?
We had the grand idea that we would become more independent and save some money by trying to record ourselves at home. We’ve never been totally happy with studio recordings and have always wanted something a little lo-fi and recorded on tape. I bought a ¼ inch tape machine on a whim one night and the learning process began from there. We knew basically nothing at first and dedicated roughly a month and half to experiment with different mics and the tape recorder which was a sobering and frustrating ordeal. We’ve messed around with 4-track cassette recorders in the past but had no idea how to record a full band. Eventually we got some results that we figured would be good enough and decided to find an isolated space to record outside of the city. We had the bright idea to record in our friends cabin early spring which turned out to be one of the worst cold-snaps of the winter. We spent three days trying to keep the tape recorder warm enough so it wouldn’t break and ate frozen food since we couldn’t turn on the oven or microwave or else the breakers would go and our heaters would turn off. We were more concerned with surviving than recording at the time but I think the songs came out well. At night you could hear the ice breaking on the lake and it sounded like the earth was opening up or something.
Do you have any gigs coming up or maybe a tour of your own?
We have a string of shows this July and a busy fall ahead.
If so where will you be heading?
We’re playing Ottawa, Toronto, and Hamilton, ON, Canada in July to celebrate the release of our split-tape with our friends in Humanities. This fall we’re on tour in eastern Europe, Japan and Hong Kong with our friends in Worst Gift.
Where is your dream venue to play in the uk?
I would love to play in a medieval castle or open up for Oasis at Glastonbury given the opportunity. A basement would do the trick also.
where is your dream venue to play anywhere overseas?
Our upcoming tour has turned out to be a dream come true in many regards. I’ve never been overseas and we’re set to play most of it. Japan will be absolutely incredible I feel.
Do you have any collaborations with any other artists in the planning?
We’re releasing a split-tape with Humanities on July 14th
What made you go in to music?
There’s a point in your life, sometimes at a young age, where you decide who you’re going to be for the next little while. I decided that I would be an artist and that I would dedicate my life to making art and touring. It’s the only thing that I have a resounding interest in focusing on.
Do you play any instruments?
I play the drums and some bass guitar. I have a tibetan singing bowl that I can keep going for a long while.
Who are your influences?
My brother peter (who plays guitar) is a great influence. We’ve grown up learning how to play music together from day one and have formed our musical habits and styles from bouncing ideas and opinions off of one another.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
I think inspiration manifests itself first in the subconscious. Sometimes you’re too busy being an adult to concentrate on art but the ideas come anyway and the making of new music has slowly become a spiritual necessity over the years.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I don’t know. I’ve seen a lot in my life. I’ve seen people come and go and pass away at an early age. I try not to make plans but instead live life as well as I can. I suppose in 5 years I see myself being more at ease with who I am as a human being.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I try to read and write when I can. I like to bowl but am not good at it whatsoever.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Off the Wagon by the Get Up Kids.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
I don’t know. I think my mother always taught me to be honest and care for others no matter the circumstance. A general respect and kindness directed at others. I do what I can.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Trust your instincts. Take pride in art that is not always easily understood or digested.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
The learned are not wise and the wise are not learned
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
My ear plugs, drums, drum stool, drum sticks, cymbals
You are away from home on tour for ages and you get back, where is your go to place in your hometown?
I live in Little Tibet here in Toronto. The ritual has generally been to go out to dinner at Himalayan Kitchen with my partner when I get back into town. Go for the mango lassi…stay for the momos.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
