Jul. 02, 2008 - Issue #663: The Bestest of Edmonton

Prevue - Forest City Lovers

Forest City Lovers is all heart and craft

 ‘The connection between music and visual arts is strong for me,” notes Kat Burns, founder and core songwriter of Toronto-based musical project Forest City Lovers. “They compliment each other really well, they’re both able to be arresting—one may be a bit more portable than another, but both music and art evoke feeling and meaning.”

As products of Burns’ capable hands and fertile mind, they both certainly do. Her illustrations and animations seem like new urban folk art, vibrant pieces alive with heartfelt labour, imagination and the DIY joy of craft. 
 

Similar delight in expression pervades her songwriting, even when it bends from giddiness to something more pensive. FCL makes music that sounds like it’s lingering in the wake of a small-scale pop-loving gypsy caravan, whimsy and sweetness balanced with thoughtful intention, wistfulness edged with worldliness. 
 

“The visuals and music feed each other,” Burns explains. “One couldn’t exist without the other. I’ve been interested in combining them for ages, and the band lets me do that.
 

“Merchandise!” she laughs. “Screen printing at home is one of my favourite things to do before our tours. It’s really satisfying!”
 

Distinctive handmade touches mark all aspects of Burns’ creations. FCL’s 2006 debut, The Sun and the Wind, was recorded before the project congealed as a band with a regular roster, but the record’s still lush from contributing guests Burns gathered around her from her corner of Toronto’s sprawling quirky pop scene, pals like Ohbijou and Out of the Spark labelmates the D’Urbervilles. The album artwork is hers, as lovingly pieced together as its contents.
 

FCL solidified into a quartet shortly after the debut was released, freeing Burns to experiment with songwriting and arrangements, more certain of tools and tones she’d have at her disposal. Earlier this year, the group released its sophomore record, Haunting Moon Sinking. It contains the same elements that made the debut appealing, but is more sweeping and confident.
 

Songs unfurl from Burns’ rolling piano or warm shudders of guitar—she has a characteristic bold style with both—and her incredible honeyed voice. Kyle Donnelly’s bass burbles melodically beneath, like an underground spring, while violinist Mika Posen uses her instrument like a wide palette of colours, sometimes just a slight flutter or gloss, at others with orchestral intensity.
 

FLC lost its drummer shortly after Haunting Moon was finished, but Burns and friends are already breaking new sonic ground.
 

“Live arrangements are different from recorded ones anyway,” Burns reasons. “The important thing is that the ideas are clear.” V


Fri, Jul 4 (7:30 pm) 

Forest City Lovers

With Spreepark, Toy Singers, Joel Harding

Faculté StJean Amphitheatre/Campus

 Saint-Jean (8406 - 91 St), $10

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