None the Wiser

NONE THE WISER
BRIAN LORRAINE CITY EDITOR

SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

Opening with the brooding popper “Tipping Time” (fleshed out by the harmonies of the Sweet Alibi), the latest from local group None the Wiser contains 13 tracks of 90s nostalgic goodness (think the best of I Mother Earth & Our Lady Peace) in a way that the indie kids aren’t cumming all over (though maybe they will - there’s a lot of alto sax on here). Eli Mattas and Zack Kinahan have prepared a disc that’s cohesive from start to finish, with great guests including rapper John Smith on “Back in Town on a Rainy Day” and violinist Jacob Woods among others, and a fleshed out sound that is helped by the mixing and mastering of Ryan McVeigh (Boats). It’s diverse (the moody “Wiser Wizard” and island/celtic blend of “86”) and upbeat, but Mattas’ cool, hushed vocals keep things mellow.-Nicholas Friesen - The Uniter, Winnipeg's Weekly Urban Journal

NONE THE WISER
BRIAN LORRAINE CITY EDITOR

SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

Opening with the brooding popper “Tipping Time” (fleshed out by the harmonies of the Sweet Alibi), the latest from local group None the Wiser contains 13 tracks of 90s nostalgic goodness (think the best of I Mother Earth & Our Lady Peace) in a way that the indie kids aren’t cumming all over (though maybe they will - there’s a lot of alto sax on here). Eli Mattas and Zack Kinahan have prepared a disc that’s cohesive from start to finish, with great guests including rapper John Smith on “Back in Town on a Rainy Day” and violinist Jacob Woods among others, and a fleshed out sound that is helped by the mixing and mastering of Ryan McVeigh (Boats). It’s diverse (the moody “Wiser Wizard” and island/celtic blend of “86”) and upbeat, but Mattas’ cool, hushed vocals keep things mellow.-Nicholas Friesen - The Uniter, Winnipeg's Weekly Urban Journal

FRIED CHICKEN & GASOLINE, a column by R.P.Mouflier II

YOU’RE ALL NONE THE WISER…..UNTIL NOW.

Let’s go back a few months ago to a spring that seemed as though it would never subside. There was still a great deal of slush on the ground, the wind chilled us to our bones and summer was still a distant dream. The AFTERPARTY a 9 piece all original funk rock band, was playing their final show at the WINDSOR HOTEL to a packed house. The liquor and music flowed freely as the night unfolded into a memorable gathering of good people out for a great time.

THE AFTERPARTY was in fine form, running through their last set of high energy, crowd pleasing music. The band boasted 3 sax players, bass, multiple guitars, vocals & drums which blended together to create a unique and exciting sound. I felt as though I’d truly missed out on something special, catching only the final show of such an amazing band.

But it wasn’t the end…at least not for THE AFTERPARTY’s drummer Eli Matas and his friend guitarist Zach Kinahan (not of AFTERPARTY). They were already hard at work on something new, a fresh musical venture that would come to be known as NONE THE WISER. It is in this project that Eli has made the impressive transition from drummer to singer/guitarist. This is a phenomenal achievement in itself, going from being the backbone of such an intricate and talented band such as THE AFTERPARTY to becoming the front man of another outfit that is equally complex in musical arrangements and overall sound such as NONE THE WISER is definitely something to be proud of.

As far as I know, the band’s second album MAGIC AND WONDER was recorded in 2 different places: out at a cabin in Falcon Lake and in a basement. It was recorded and produced by Eli and Zach, mixed and mastered by Ryan McVeigh and released on CANADIAN GRASS RECORDS. The band’s meticulous attention to detail yielded them a solid 2nd record which shows that nothing has been overlooked, no stone was left unturned. Even the cover art by Sarah Thiessen suggests that MAGIC AND WONDER is an instant classic, a record you can play from start to finish. The other players are as follows: Sam Little, Alan Nagelberg, The Sweet Alibi, John Smith, Jacob Woods, Mike DeGroot, Phil Collins and Eric Bachman. Everybody has given their best to make this record a success.

The album is great but it’s the unbelievable live act they’ve become that most excites me. They are an experience at any venue they choose to play, no room too big or too small. NONE THE WISER will fill it with their sound and their fans. It’s a breath of fresh air to see this band perform. There is so much music going on in front of you that one doesn’t even know where to look on the crowded stage of seasoned musicians. It’s all there. If you love funk, horns, bass and groove along with smooth, accessible vocals over well written lyrics and killer guitars, then NONE THE WISER is your new favorite band that you haven’t yet heard. But you will and it won’t be long until you do. This explosive live act is in demand, so the next time you see a poster or a Facebook event page for an upcoming NONE THE WISER show, do yourself and your friends a favor and go see this band! - Prosper Street Productions

FRIED CHICKEN & GASOLINE, a column by R.P.Mouflier II

YOU’RE ALL NONE THE WISER…..UNTIL NOW.

Let’s go back a few months ago to a spring that seemed as though it would never subside. There was still a great deal of slush on the ground, the wind chilled us to our bones and summer was still a distant dream. The AFTERPARTY a 9 piece all original funk rock band, was playing their final show at the WINDSOR HOTEL to a packed house. The liquor and music flowed freely as the night unfolded into a memorable gathering of good people out for a great time.

THE AFTERPARTY was in fine form, running through their last set of high energy, crowd pleasing music. The band boasted 3 sax players, bass, multiple guitars, vocals & drums which blended together to create a unique and exciting sound. I felt as though I’d truly missed out on something special, catching only the final show of such an amazing band.

But it wasn’t the end…at least not for THE AFTERPARTY’s drummer Eli Matas and his friend guitarist Zach Kinahan (not of AFTERPARTY). They were already hard at work on something new, a fresh musical venture that would come to be known as NONE THE WISER. It is in this project that Eli has made the impressive transition from drummer to singer/guitarist. This is a phenomenal achievement in itself, going from being the backbone of such an intricate and talented band such as THE AFTERPARTY to becoming the front man of another outfit that is equally complex in musical arrangements and overall sound such as NONE THE WISER is definitely something to be proud of.

As far as I know, the band’s second album MAGIC AND WONDER was recorded in 2 different places: out at a cabin in Falcon Lake and in a basement. It was recorded and produced by Eli and Zach, mixed and mastered by Ryan McVeigh and released on CANADIAN GRASS RECORDS. The band’s meticulous attention to detail yielded them a solid 2nd record which shows that nothing has been overlooked, no stone was left unturned. Even the cover art by Sarah Thiessen suggests that MAGIC AND WONDER is an instant classic, a record you can play from start to finish. The other players are as follows: Sam Little, Alan Nagelberg, The Sweet Alibi, John Smith, Jacob Woods, Mike DeGroot, Phil Collins and Eric Bachman. Everybody has given their best to make this record a success.

The album is great but it’s the unbelievable live act they’ve become that most excites me. They are an experience at any venue they choose to play, no room too big or too small. NONE THE WISER will fill it with their sound and their fans. It’s a breath of fresh air to see this band perform. There is so much music going on in front of you that one doesn’t even know where to look on the crowded stage of seasoned musicians. It’s all there. If you love funk, horns, bass and groove along with smooth, accessible vocals over well written lyrics and killer guitars, then NONE THE WISER is your new favorite band that you haven’t yet heard. But you will and it won’t be long until you do. This explosive live act is in demand, so the next time you see a poster or a Facebook event page for an upcoming NONE THE WISER show, do yourself and your friends a favor and go see this band! - Prosper Street Productions