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Querkus News - February 2007
It's been a long haul so far for Querkus as they record their first full-length studio album. The original plans for the recording of this album were for April 2004. All manners of pitfalls thwarted their series of album plans financial problems for both Karen Asmundson and Edgar Ozolins and the depression that coincided, the separation of Ozolins from his long-term girlfriend, and Asmundson's mourning of her mother Marilyn Dunham. Despite these difficult times, 2004-2006 were years of growth for Querkus they wrote a bunch of film scores and vamped up their live shows into an energetic spectacle. They also threw a few good parties, notably Lynch Night a sold out birthday party at the Pyramid for the famous filmmaker. Although these projects certainly kept Querkus busy, the desire to record an album was never far from their thoughts. They made a pact to record 11 of their best loved songs with recording sessions to start in October 2006. First up: solid drum tracks. They had no idea what they were getting themselves into.
Soon, drums became a huge point of contention for Querkus. They almost felt like giving up, that divine forces really didn't want them to make an album
Edgar pondered taking a bath with a toaster at one point. His attitude was turned right around when they recorded the rich and beautiful timbres of the Animata String Quartet, many songs executed perfectly on the first take. This experience allowed them to be positive and try the drums again with a professional drummer who had been given enough time to learn and perfect the material. While returning some gear at Mother's Music they wandered into an old comrade Mike Petkau. They asked Mike about drummers and without hesitating he said, "Hire Steve Martens. He's a Human Metronome". They called Steve and he was very much into the project, being a fan of Bjork and other left-of-centre artists. They gave him 2 months to learn the material before recording over the last weekend in January. The outcome? Professional Player + Well-Organized Sessions = phenomenal drum tracks! They are thrilled and are set to proceed with the rest of the recording. They're stoked that this music is finally coming into being and showing every sign of reaching and even surpassing their ideals for quality.
Karen Asmundson
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