With a fine debut album just released, Simon Trottier of Canadian instrumental duo Last Ex tell TEN's Harry Guerin how unfinished business became something more.
Harry Guerin: As far as backstories go, Last Ex's is quite special and involves a horror film – tell us more.
Simon Trottier: Timber Timbre [Trottier's other group with Last Ex's Olivier Fairfield] was asked to score the soundtrack to Last Exorcism Pt. 2. We all got together in Hull, Québec with very rough movie reels and started work on the soundtrack. We were all very excited to have a go at it. Anyway, after scoring the first edit draft, it didn't work out. We had put together some very interesting music for those scenes but, in the end, we think the producers were more interested in the horror film music formula we hear all the time now. This is the beginning of Last Ex. We took all that music and reworked what we felt were some of the highlights of the score as well as adding some new pieces.
Given that you're both members of Timber Timbre, do you hate the term 'side project'?
We don't hate the term but we both see Last Ex as a total[ly] different band. Although, it's good that people can make the connection between the two projects.
Were you not sick of seeing enough of each other already?
Not yet. In fact, we have a really strong friendship. We don't live in the same city; that helps.
Last Ex's sound is very, very different to Timber Timbre's – were you both feeling restless in some way?
We've always written and listened to a wide variety of music. We don't think Last Ex is that different from Timber Timbre but one is more about making music to support songs and the other one is about making instrumental pieces of music with sounds. And, of course, both of us are more involved in composition than in songwriting.
Are you both believers in fate? In that maybe the movie soundtrack was never meant to work out and Last Ex was meant to happen all along?
Yes, that's a good way to describe it. In the end, we're very happy with the outcome. The fact that Constellation Records was interested in the project was a dream come true.
Were there key movies and albums that were an inspiration for where you want to go with Last Ex?
Taxi Driver, Twin Peaks, X Files, BBC radiophonics workshops, Can's Future Days, Broadcast and the Focus Group, Delia Derbyshire, Tortoise's It's All Around You, etc...
What has been the reaction so far from Timber Timbre fans?
Very positive. It's still early to get a real feel for it but so far so good. Press and reviews have also been very positive.
Last Ex's debut album has just been released. Tell us about the recording process – did you have stuff all ready before you went into the studio or was there a lot of spontaneity while you were there?
The way we make music together is we go to Olivier's studio in Hull, Québec and we just jam and record ideas. It can be a chord progression, bassline or anything really. Then, we do overdubs and make a full structure. What makes us go for something usually starts as a very simple idea. Interesting sounds, tape loops, etc... We both have a good feel for when something is worth exploring.
Having worked together for so long, what is the most important thing you have learned from each other?
We both realised that at some point, it's important to talk about other things than music.
You're now in the great position of having fans who will like both bands, or either one. Any plans to have both bands on the same bill?
Yes, in fact we've been touring the UK as support act for Timber Timbre for the last week. We've got more shows lined up with this set-up in France, Italy, Switzerland and Netherlands.
Can you see vocals working their way into the Last Ex sound?
Originally, in the rough draft playlist we had a vocal song. It was written and sung by Mika [Posen, former Timber Timbre bandmate]. Ultimately, we decided it was best to leave it out to have a more concise listening experience. When you get into the world of an instrumental record and all of a sudden a vocal song kicks in, the change in space can be too dramatic. That's how it felt in this case. Mika's song was great but just didn't fit. We'll see what happens next time we take a few days to record in the studio. We never really know how things are going to turn out so anything's possible.
And more soundtracks?
We'd love to. Perhaps next time, if any, the music will actually make it in the film.
Any plans to get over to Ireland?
So far, the plan is to release the record, do this tour with Timber Timbre and organise a record launch show in Montreal (December 4) when we return home. That will take us into 2015. We plan on touring then, when and where is to TBD. So, possibly, yes.
What other great new Canadian bands can you tell us about?
You should check [out] bands like Absolutely Free, Wyrd Visions -recently re-released - Jerusalem in My Heart... [and] E-Tron Records bands from Hull, Québec - Scattered Clouds, Her Harbour, FET.NAT.
Last Ex's debut album is out now on Constellation.
