Biography
Fueled by hours of children’s tv programming and a genuine sense of social awkwardness, Anthill is about the essence of getting on with life in the face of adversity and fear. “Carry on, carry on my backwards song”.
2009’s album release, “Relationships 4 Dummies” explores the pitfalls of conflict and the rewards of communication. “I’m terrified to let you in, but I’m going where I’ve never been”.
Songwriter and vocalist, Mark Osachoff sets his personal diary to music and brings the listener into his daily challenges of making relationships work. “Breathing, holding onto your frustrations - in an endless destination”.
Producer Brian Minato (Sarah McLachlan, The Blue Alarm, Wild Strawberries) keeps the simplicity of the songs intact, adding layers of textured sounds to create a beautiful myriad of harmony and explosive energy.
The record was mixed by Blair Calibaba (Sum-41, NoMeansNo) and Paul Forgues (NIN, Slayer) giving it some solid depth and an added pop-fizz punch.
Drummer Don Short brings his years of experience and considerable skills to the live shows. Guitarists Joe Cruz and Jeff Younger infuse the kaleidoscope of recorded guitar parts on the new album with their own personality and charm.
From the early, soul searching days of the 2004’s “Ascending”, Anthill has matured into a songwriting unit that tries to dispense with the obvious. “It’s true that I burned you, but I burned myself in the end. I’ll do what I can to make it good again”.
Tom Harrison of The Vancouver Province described Anthill’s 2006 release “Waiting for the Sun” as “a quantum leap beyond its first album”. By combining strong pop sensibilities with some very catchy and memorable hooks, 2009’s “Relationships 4 Dummies” goes one step further in the band's evolution towards creating a lasting legacy of music.
2006's Waiting For the Sun reviews:
“These days they're virtually a power pop band all glistening melodies and big choruses. Chuck in a few top quality harmonies and you're left with an album that'll be appearing in 'lost classics' lists a decade down the line.” http://www.zeitgeist-scot.co.uk
“Dave Matthews vocals over an indie pop canvas. Pastel Rain sounds like a sure fire hit you would hear on pretty much any radio station that plays the likes of Good Charlotte, Ryan Adams, Dave Mathews and all points in between” Ear Candy Magazine
“Anthill’s second record is a quantum leap beyond its first. There isn’t a dud on this 8 song recording. A-“Tom Harrison Vancouver Province
“A cross between Counting Crows, Coldplay and Oasis, the most distinctive thing on this CD is lead singer, Mark Osachoff's vocals. They're amazing--fresh and unique, a combination of sturdy expression and grainy emotion - 4.5 stars Discovering Artists.com
“the maturity of the band's style throughout the entirety of "Waiting For The Sun" will ensure that only a few years need go by and Anthill will be a common name.” http://www.neufutur.com/
“They mix in a smattering of power pop and alt country for an alternative pop-rock album that will defy your logical reasoning about what relatively unheard of bands are capable of accomplishing” Smother Magazine
Anthill is fun alt-country with a bit of with a bit of a harder edge, as much to John Mellencamp as it is to Oasis or Travis. Space City Rock
International Band of the Year 2007 Orange County Music Awards - Aneheim, California http://www.orangecountymusicawards.com/
International Band of the Year - 2006 Southern California Music Awards http://www.southerncaliforniamusicawards.com/
Nominated for Best Power Pop Single at LA Music Awards 2006 http://www.lamusicawards.com/
Best out of Area at Toronto Independent Music Awards http://www.torontoima.com/awards.shtml
Finalist in 2006 “We Are Listening” International Song Contest - UK http://www.wearelistening.org/winners2006r1.php
2005 Billboard International Song Contest – Runners Up http://www.billboardsongcontest.com/win.html
Anthill News
Aug 29 2008 International Pop Overthrow at Railway Club in Vancouver
May 16 2008 New Music West showcase - Vancouver http://www.newmusicwest.com
2008 Anthill has been writing and recording its upcoming full length cd at Lemon Loaf and Vogville Studios in Vancouver
- June 6,7th 2007 Anthill played the London City Showcase in London England http://www.cityshowcase.co.uk/ which is a festival that has had bands like Keane and Razorlight play in past years. The band played the legendary Metro Club in London http://www.blowupmetro.com/about.aspx and a fancy instore affair at the Tommy Hillfiger on Regent St.
- June 3 Anthill selected to play at the http://www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/about.htm at the Vancouver show on Aug. 31
-February 14, 2007
Anthill's song "Images" is the lead track on the upcoming Matchbox Recordings - UK, "The Big Indie Comeback vol three" CD Compilation. The album will be out on the 26 February 2007 through Matchbox Recordings, CD Baby, Amazon, Super D, Best Buy, I-tunes and many more worldwide digital sites. http://www.matchboxrecordings.co.uk/artists/future.htm
- Feb. 3, 2007 Anthill's song "Waiting For the Sun" is the #1 most populardownload on the new Rogers "Red Pipe" online music download site:
http://www.redpipe.ca/index1.jsp
http://www.redpipe.ca/htmls/about.jsp
Dec. 28, 2006 Anthill's Images reached #2 on Dec. 28, 2006 on the IRL World Indie Top 40 Countdown in Australia http://www.isonliveradio.com/ ZFM is Australia's largest dance radio nettwork.
-Nov. 17 Anthill’s “Pastel Rain” was nominated for Power Pop Single of the year at LA Music Awardshttp://www.lamusicawards.com/
-Nov.16, 2006 Anthill was be feature on XM Sattellite's RADAR REPORT (Hosted by Billy Zero) a special feature highlighting the station's most notable bands at 10pm EST. http://www.RadioUnsigned.com
- Oct. 5, 2006 Toronto Independent Music Awards –Anthill won the award for Best out of Area (Best outside Toronto).
- Sept. 12, 2006 Anthill has made the Pulse Rated Play List - UK. "Reaching an amazing 8.1 million homes in the UK via Sky Digital channel 0155, Pulse Rated is the world’s leading internet & satellite radio broadcaster playing only the very best music from new, unsigned, and emerging artists from around the world." http://www.pulserated.com/Anthill will be featured as the DOWNLOAD BAND OF THE WEEK - W/B 09/10/2006.
- June 22, 2006 Anthill released the EP “Waiting For the Sun” at the Media Club in Vancouver
- Feb. 11, 2006 Southern California Music Awards 2006 Anthill won best International Band at the Southern California Music Awards, Saturday Feb 11 in Los Angeles (just near). "Pastel Rain" was voted the top song out of 600 submissions.
Instrumentation
Mark Osachoff - vocals
Brian Minato - bass
Don Short - drums
Jeff Younger - guitar
Joe Cruz - guitar
Discography
Anthill - Anthill 1998
Anthill - Ascending 2004
Anthill - Waiting For The Sun 2006
Anthill - Relationships 4 Dummies 2009
Links
| http://www.myspace.com/anthillcanada |