Fembots

FemBots were founded in Toronto by multi-instrumentalists Dave MacKinnon and Brian Poirier as a way to escape the limitations and frustrations of a failing rock and roll band. Their first incarnation, as evidenced by their 2001 debut Mucho Cuidado, mixed thrift shop electronica with busted down folk and blues to create an oddly timeless and original sound. Live shows from this period wooed critics and confounded audiences as the duo, functioning as a two man one-man-band, filled out their songs with an ever expanding collection of tape loops, synthesizers and toys. In 2003 FemBots re-invented themselves. Their sophomore CD Small Town Murder Scene pushed the weirdness and angularity of their debut into the background and placed the focus squarely on songwriting and moody atmosphere. Darkly cinematic and haunting Small Town Murder Scene quickly became a college radio hit and a critical favorite, appearing on many of the years “best of” lists. The haunting tone of the record was perfectly captured in a pair of award wining videos by director Chris Grismer. In the summer of 2003 FemBots signed a deal with Toronto label Paper Bag Records that has seen their first two records re-released in the USA through Southern Records and in Canada through Universal Music. Since the release of Small Town Murder Scene the band has spent the last two years relentlessly touring throughout North America. 2005 will see a further evolution of the FemBots sound. Their as yet untitled new CD, due for release in August on Paper Bag Records adds elements of Soul music, R&B, Gospel and Rock & Roll to the mix. The band have all but done away with the cut and paste approach of their previous records and grown from the original duo into a twelve piece orchestra featuring a who’s who of players from the Toronto music community and Guelph, Ontario’s fifteen member Crying Out Loud choir. More direct and personal than any of their previous work the new record is at it’s heart a lament for and love letter to the band’s home town.