East of Avenue

Toronto duo Noel Thomson and Sean Fischer are better known as East of Avenue. You may not know their name yet but I can almost guarantee you know at least one of their songs. Their debut single, also featured on this EP, “Paper Planes” was played many times last Christmas season on one of Walmart’s commercials and has been downloaded more than 10,000 times. Since then they reached the #32 position on the Mediabase Hot AC Radio Charts, charted on iTunes Canada, as well as being named Bell Media’s January 2015 Future Star. Their much deserved success has only just begun and when you listen to this EP, you’ll see why.

The opening song “Army of One”, was also released as a single prior to the EP, and aims to be uplifting, particularly to those who feel isolated or alone, and it hits the mark perfectly. “Young Love”, is a bit slower compared to some of the other songs, but marries the vocals and backing music perfectly. “Paper Planes” is definitely my favourite on the EP. I didn’t realize that I knew any of East of Avenue’s music until this song started playing and I was very happily surprised. “In His Hands” is another slower song and the acoustic guitar is absolutely beautiful. “Everything’s Good” does an amazing job of showing off the harmonies in the duo. The closing song, “Old Times”, is a very close second favourite of mine. It’s a perfect song to wrap up all of your fun summer memories with friends and family.

I cannot tell you how many times I have tried to actually finish this review and ended up having to replay the entire EP because I got lost in the music. It is a fantastic debut from this duo and I cannot wait to see what they do in the future. You are going to fall in love with their music and wish that the EP had more than six songs.

Rating: 5/5

Connect with East of Avenue:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EastofAve
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastofavenue - Canadian Beats

On an especially rainy day two months ago, I was practicing driving for my road test on the highway as a song came on the radio. I had never heard the song before that day, nor did I have a clue who played it. Later, I discovered the song was by an emerging band called East of Avenue. They only had two songs out at that point: Paper Planes and Army of One (the song that I heard in the car). I arrived home and, as I do with any band I listen to, I looked for their backstory.

East of Avenue consists of instrumentalist Sean Fischer and vocalist Noel Thomson. They began their rise to (minor) fame when their first single “Paper Planes” was played on a Canadian Walmart commercial for the holidays last year. They then released Army of One as a second single, and have finally released their first EP. The EP is available in its entirety on Soundcloud (http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/east_of_avenue-east_of_avenue_ep_stream), but is unfortunately not in the American iTunes store yet (only Canada’s).

I have nothing but good things to say about the entire EP. East of Avenue is beginning to find its individual sound; vocally driven with use of acoustic guitars and ukuleles, along with light percussion. A bit like Jack Johnson and The Lumineers with the addition of a fast tempo. The songs that stand out most to me are coincidentally the first and last songs on the EP: Army of One and Old Times.

Army of One is interesting because very seldom does one find a song specifically about being alone and independent. In a music landscape filled with songs about a desperate need for someone else, these songs that speak of independence are extremely refreshing.

Army of One’s disregard for the past is directly contrasted by the narrator’s desire for the light from the street lamps to “carry him home” in Old Times. This dichotomy is interesting because it seems as if both of the feelings conveyed in these songs are present in all humans at certain times in their lives. We all have times when we want to live for the present and find that we need only ourselves in order to thrive, but at other times we only wish to turn back time.

So far, East of Avenue’s sound is consistent with many artists in the Adult Contemporary genre, but has enough originality in their lyrics and instrumentals to make them stand out. I would certainly recommend listening to their EP and purchasing it (once available in America), if you find it as enjoyable as I do and would like to help a growing artist. - Odyssey

East Of Avenue are based out of Toronto, and consist of Noel Thomson and Sean Fischer. Their first single, “Paper Planes” was featured in Walmart’s Holiday Campaign, which brought major attention to the duo .August 28th, they released their self titled EP that features six mellow, folk/pop inspired songs.

How long have you been working together to make music?

We’ve been making music together for about two years.

It seems like things have moved quickly in the past year for you, how has that affected you?

It’s been great to turn on the radio and hear our own music. Our EP is now available in Canada and that’s also a great feeling. And people have really connected with our music and that’s probably been the most inspiring part.

Do you have any major influences that you would pinpoint?

Our EP started off with a stripped-down 70’s singer-songwriter feel, and expanding with more pop and alternative elements as we went along.

I see you recently were working on a music video, what song was that for and when should we expect to see that video?

We just shot our video for “Army of One” – the song is about fighting the good fight and the video treatment captured that in a cool way – it will be out very soon!

I saw mention that you may already be working on another album, is that something you are working on now?

We’re digging into the pre-production stage of our full-length. Can’t wait to finish it and put it out.

When you play live, who are the other members of your band?

We have Lewis Spring on drums, John Mavrogiannis on guitar and Jim O’Brien on bass, rounding out our live show. We’ve been playing with them for years, it’s a super natural fit – and also sounds supernatural..

Are there any plans for a tour in the near future?

We’ve been touring Southern Ontario over the past couple of months – Toronto, Ottawa, Peterborough, Hamilton, Barrie. When the time is right, we can’t wait to hit the West and East coasts for a tour!

Who writes most of the lyrics to the songs, can you tell me about that process?

There is no one set process. Sometimes we co-write and something we write songs on our own. Generally the songs we write on our own tend to be a bit more introspective and personal, where as the ones we co-write end up having more general concepts and are much more coherent and easier to follow.

Where did music become something you knew you wanted to pursue?

We’ve both been playing music since we were toddlers, and were very involved with music lessons, bands, and other projects all throughout elementary school and high school. Once we made the big decision to formally study music at university, we knew it would be something we’d be doing for the rest of our lives.

If you were going to choose one thing that you HAD to have at every show you play, like green M&M’s or Perrier, what would that thing be?

Probably some nice local craft beers from a local microbrewery of whatever town we might be playing in. Ontario has some of the best craft beer in the world.

If you could play anywhere in the world, what would be your first choice?

Brazil.

Do you have a favourite song off of your most recent EP?

That question is very hard to answer because we love each song equally for different reasons. That’s kind of like asking which is your favourite child.

What was the first concert that you attended?

Sean: Blue Rodeo

Noel: Van Halen

Do you have a favourite location to play in Toronto?

Drake Underground, because their sound guys take their jobs very seriously. Every time we play there we are extremely happy with the sound quality.

Tell us something that we might not know about you.

We both have degrees in Jazz Performance, actually Noel even has his masters degree - Canadian Beats

Toronto duo East of Avenue earned themselves a minor hit with "Paper Planes," which came out last year and was featured in Walmart's Canadian holiday campaign (and is not to be confused with M.I.A.'s smash of the same name). That success helped the band land a record deal ahead of the arrival of their self-titled EP.

The mini-release will land on August 28 through Fifth Kid Records, the label run by the Watchmen's guitarist Joey Serlin, and Fontana North. The collection was produced by Tim Abraham (Grand Analog, Royal Wood, Peter Katz) and consists of six songs, including "Paper Planes." See the tracklist below and the watercolour-style cover art above.

At the bottom of the page, listen to two previously released tracks: EP opener "Army of One" and the aforementioned "Paper Planes." Both of songs are chipper folk-pop ditties in which soft acoustic chords are supported by simple kick drum thumps, although "Army of One" aims for something loftier and more triumphant.

East of Avenue:

1. Army of One
2. Young Love
3. Paper Planes
4. In His Hands
5. Everything's Good
6. Old Times - Exclaim.ca

Late last year, Toronto folk-pop pair East of Avenue arrived in the public consciousness with "Paper Planes," a single that was featured in Walmart's Canadian holiday campaign. That successful song appears on the band's new self-titled EP, which is available to stream on Exclaim! ahead of its release on August 28 through Fifth Kid Records/Fontana North.

The EP uses the tuneful folk thump of "Paper Planes" as its stylistic guide. Opener "Army of One" aims for something slightly grander with its soaring "na na" vocal hooks and triumphant lyrics. Elsewhere, the band favour serenade-style balladry on "In His Hands," while "Young Love" and "Everything's Good" add a jaunty swagger to their chilled out rhythms and soft hooks. The whole thing eventually culminates in the cinematic anthem "Old Times."

East of Avenue was produced by Tim Abraham. Stream the whole thing below. - Exclaim.ca

East of Avenue made a mark last year with the track "Paper Planes", one featured in the Canadian holiday campaign of Wal-Mart. The catchy cut scored airplay (and 100k hits for the video) and is now reprised on the group's new eponymous EP, along with new tunes in their upbeat folk-pop style, one with a certain (early) Mumford and Sons feel. They benefit from the crisp production of Tim Abraham (Grand Analog, Royal Wood, Peter Katz), and the sound is a full one for a duo. The record comes out on new label Fifth Kid Records, headed by Joey Serlin, guitarist in The Watchmen.

No word on tour dates yet. - New Canadian Music

East of Avenue have unveiled a new video for their song ‘Army of One’ and hmv.com has the exclusive world premiere. Scroll down to check it out.

The song is the follow-up to ‘Paper Planes,’ the smash first single from East of Avenue’s self-titled EP which dropped last summer via Fifth Kid Records operated by former Watchmen guitarist Joey Serlin. Sharp-eared readers will recall that 'Paper Planes' was buoyed last holiday season by a Walmart TV spot, where it featured prominently.

Since then, the fast-rising Toronto pop/rock duo of Noel Thomson and Sean Fischer have been winning fans nationwide with their upbeat, almost whimsical lyric-driven folk/pop.

The new three-and-a-half minute clip for 'Army of One' - directed by Ian Webb - mixes a full-band performance with exterior shots of a young woman stripping down from a skirt and blouse as she walks along a Toronto beach. (You knew we had beaches, right?) Our heroine later emerges wearing more functional gear.

With its insanely ear-wormy chorus and message of self-empowerment, ‘Army of One’ seems destined to follow the same path as ‘Paper Planes.’ See for yourself... - HMV