Andrew DeVillers
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | INDIE
Music
Press
THE EXCHANGES
***
The Exchanges Sans Records
Debut EP by local heavy guitar/drums duo treads fairly familiar territory, yet there is no denying the passion: on "Tell a Friend," Andrew DeVillers belts at internal organ-endangering levels. The desperate wails on "Remedy" and "All Day Wants" are also formidable, and would probably make the hardest-core Republican score pity junk for Keith Richards. "Maria" ends the disc in a slightly less harrowing manner (kinda like Glenn Danzig-meets-Bruce Springsteen) . One can only imagine the effects that a full-length Exchanges disc would have on one's psyche. CHRIS ROLFE
The Exchanges play the El Mocambo (464 Spadina Av) July 23.
EYE MAGAZINE - Eye Weekly (Toronto)
Tandem News Review by Kerry Doole 11/12/06
The best local rock 'n roll record to come this way in a while is How Far Down, the full-length debut from THE EXCHANGES. Led by the fiery vocals and gritty songwriting of mainman ANDREW DEVILLERS, the trio have an aggressively virile sound that at various points has echoes of THE JAM, REPLACEMENTS, and SPRINGSTEEN. A band to watch out for (check out www.theexchanges.ca).
- Tandem
Exchanges
How Far Down
(Independent)
By Keith Carman
February 01, 2007
The world of trashy two-piece soul rock has always been on the cusp of a breakthrough thanks to acts such as Black Keys and Canada’s own Leather Uppers. Yet for some reason, the cantankerously lo-fi bashing of static-y cymbals and fuzzy guitars continues to mystify the masses. It’s only when the style of blues-based three-chord ditties is wrapped up in pretty production that anything seems to push past cult status, and that very element becomes its worst detractor. No one knows this better than Toronto’s Exchanges, who prefer realism and spirit to pretentiousness, even after expanding into a power trio with the addition of a bassist. Thankfully, they get it and hope that maybe a few others will in the process as well. Emitting the sensation of plugging up juke joints and booze cans with furious, loose and slightly reckless tunes, How Far Down is a feast of underground rock that blends the aforementioned scene leaders and accentuates with the swagger of early Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Showing growth as songwriters since their debut EP, the tracks here showcase sweet melodies that create a Springsteen-esque quality to what is otherwise a high-energy blast of gritty rock’n’roll delivered on equipment that should probably otherwise be seeing the bottom of a landfill site.
- Exclaim
Formerly the leader of feisty Toronto rockers The Exchanges, Andrew DeVillers now rides alone. His new self-titled solo album is a superb and musically diverse piece of work built around his strong songwriting and gruffly convincing vocals (Paul Westerberg is an apt reference point). One to watch.
- Kerry Doole (Tandem)
- Tandem
Discography
The Exchanges - EP (2005)
The Exchanges - Helltown Strut, Single (2006)
The Exchanges - How Far Down, LP (2006)
Andrew DeVillers - Highway 11, LP (2007)
Andrew DeVillers - LP (2008)
Photos
Bio
Prolific Toronto based singer/songwriter Andrew DeVillers has released four records in the past four years. Beginning with the 2005 self-titled E.P. by gritty indie rock band The Exchanges, there has been a diverse sonic path carved en route to his most recent solo release. As principal songwriter and lead vocalist/guitarist in The Exchanges, DeVillers cloaked his acoustic penned tunes in adult doses of crunch and volume. Aided in his efforts by like-minded cohorts drummer Rob Balon and bass player Jeff Dowdall, The Exchanges can be heard at their finest on full-length 2006 release How Far Down.
After 3 years of touring, international distribution, and the acclaim of many of their can-rock heroes The Exchanges found themselves pulled in different directions. Not wanting to sit idle DeVillers went up to the attic and wrote/recorded a full album of new acoustic tunes in February 2007 called Highway 11 in homage to his northern roots. Completely independent of the band, management, label and distribution DeVillers silk-screened a couple hundred discs booked up a seven week tour of eastern Canada and hit the road for the summer. The tour was a formative experience as a solo artist and solidified his commitment to soldiering on no matter the odds.
Back in Toronto his resolve strengthened and spirits bolstered by signing a record deal with Sunny Lane Records, the musical direction for the next record was none too clear. DeVillers knew he didnt want to do another acoustic record but was still without a consistent band. All the while the work-a-day world of city life was taking its toll on his focus and seemed to pull him further away from his goals.
Escaping to Nepal in the spring 2008 work on the record really started to progress. Having time and space to focus on writing, new material came quickly and easily as did a vision for the direction of the record. The environment abroad proved refreshing and deeply inspirational. Upon return recording quickly took shape with help from The Exchanges Jeff Dowdall, whos co-producing and multi-instrumental wizardry added colour to the mix. Tracked over two months at Sterling Sound Productions, the mood was lively as almost a dozen of DeVillers many talented musical friends performed on the sessions, a few of whom will be joining him on the road. The self-titled new record combines the extremes of The Exchanges with the hushed intimacy of Highway 11 hitting all points in between and was released in September 2008.
Andrew has opened shows for a long list of acclaimed national and international acts such as The Heartless Bastards, Joseph Arthur, Elevator, The Bellrays, C'mon and Die Mannequin to name a few.
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