The Hydrothermal Vents
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The Hydrothermal Vents

Montréal, Quebec, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2012 | SELF

Montréal, Quebec, Canada | SELF
Established on Jan, 2012
Band Pop Post-punk

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"SHEER FIZZY"

A scuba diver has impermeable earbuds in his ears. He dives down through columns of bubbles, quills of current, weaving and sinuous in a search for manta-rays. And he's listening to music, sure he is. The Hydrothermal Vents have given us an album that's like Jacques Cousteau in a band with the Pixies, Devo jamming with Flotsam & Jetsam. Electric pop with spines and fins - rock'n'roll that's a little weird, its queerness hissing in like oxygen. While "Neptune's Grave" is tangled acceleration, the slap and coo of appetite, "Shark!" is fizzier stuff - under the pop and sighs there's something like a motorik, and it almost reminds me of Stereolab.

Yes, there's a silliness to the Vents' undersea project. But it's a serious silliness, po-faced whimsy; the Talking Heads taught us something can be funny without being a joke. Secrets of the Deep! doesn't rely on any punchlines. It uses its conceit as an engine, a chugging dinghy, as it trawls for pop. If "Neptune's Grave" doesn't hook you, "Shark!" will. Both shed silver fishscale whenever I take them up.

[The Hydrothermal Vents at Bandcamp / they launch the album at Casa del Popolo on Friday Saturday] - Said the Gramophone


"The Hydrothermal Vents: Secrets of the Deep!"

Soaring with beautiful guitar riffs and dream-like vocals are The Hydrothermal Vents, a two piece band from Quebec comprised of John Tielli and Tessa Kautzman. Both respective solo musicians at heart initially united by their general love for The Pixies and dance music, the two have collaborated for a couple of years already and now reveal the fruits of their labor. Secrets from the Deep! is their debut album and it brightly strikes from various corners of the dance floor. Upon first listen, one can clearly cite inspiration from bands like The Talking Heads to the B52's, but categorizing the band that oblate would be an injustice to all the work put in. Their ability to beautifully mesh sounds from the past and present in a span of 9 tracks establishes them as one of today's most exciting upcoming post-punk/ dance-rock acts.

The album kicks off with "Inside A Movie", a moving tune with a beautiful duo vocal performance from both Tielli and Kautzman. Complemented by gentle guitar plucks that help us relocate to a relaxing beachy locale, the upbeat vibe we encounter at the album's starting point help us reach great heights in emotion. For those who have a soft spot for creative instrumentals, the follow up "Do the Vent" will hit your sweet spot. a 2 minute and 14 second adventure of jamming surf-rock sound waves mixed in with a little of fun hooorah's!

Adrenaline reaches a melancholic standpoint once we get past the fun "Sharks" rant and hit "Hydrothermal Vents". In this track, a turning point towards intimacy via heavy felt vocals and slowed down drums allow an entrance to the dreamy Atlantis the two set up for listeners. Already a recommended favorite, "Neptune's Grave" highlights the wonders of Tielli's Byrne-esque vocals that remind us, "We have to dive, to reach the bottom of the ocean". A perceptive tune telling us to take a chance in order to reach life's hidden treasures makes it doubly adorable.

By the time we reach "Hanz (Sleeping with the Starfish)", the lavender feelings of a melodically unwinding sunset are evoked in full. Inducing and slightly sedative, the laze vibe comes at the perfect time. My favorite track of the bunch, the latter portion of the song sends it all the way home for me. Never overusing the dreamy guitar riffs, they are resurfaced here beautifully and close out the track with amber style. "Fish Out of Land" encompasses the balance of the album's entirety. As Kautzman's vocal administration steals the show and wraps up the experience with her shadowy and misty voice, the feeling of completeness arises.

It truly feels like each track is unified as a whole here, and that's probably what makes The Hydrothermal Vents' debut album so special and unique. Full of fresh summery splashes we are on the cusp of enjoying this season, the timing alone could not have been any better. Be sure you mark July 5th on your calendar and hurry over to the duo's Bandcamp to snatch your copy of Secrets of the Deep! - Earmilk


"The Hydrothermal Vents and their 'Secrets of the Deep'"

Secrets of the Deep is a mighty record, pouring forth from the collective talents of John Tielii and Tessa Kautzman, known as The Hydrothermal Vents. The group have cultivated a deep, rich sound. Expertly imagined, conjured and produced, their new record reflect the sum total of the band’s specific and acute genius.

Secrets of the Deep is filled with cinematic soul, throbbing post-punk, dance beats…all tracks gorgeous and unforgettable.

Tielli and Kautzman drew upon the origins of the earth with the band’s name, The Hydrothermal Vents, as well as the concept of generating new ideas, new lives.

The musical life these two artists have created out of their collective years collaborating with some of their most talented peers is what buoys up this new work.

One of the best tracks on the record is “Neptune’s Grave.” What could be too on the nose for another artist, The Hydrothermal Vents make this their signature sound. “Fish Out of Land” has an irresistible thrang to it. And I’m completely enthralled with “Inside a Movie” with it’s Kate Bush/Talking Heads flavors.

Secrets of the Deep is well-crafted and excellent record and sets up The Hydrothermal Vents for whatever they choose next. - Rock World Magazine


"The Hydrothermal Vents- Secrets of the Deep! (self-released)"

Clearly, The Hydrothermal Vents have a deep love and respect for The B-52’s, because the band’s influence is audible and visible everywhere on their new album, Secrets of the Deep!, even in the very artwork. Adding influences from various other psycho-poppers like the Pixies, Talking Heads, and Kate Bush, what’s interesting is that they’ve taken all of this and siphoned it into a more polished yet still off-kilter pop album. Instead of a pop exterior built around an eccentric skeleton, The Hydrothermal Vents sound like they have a more traditional background yet add these quirkier elements on top.

The duo is comprised of John Tielli and Tessa Kautzman, and although Tielli often sounds like Black Francis and Kautzman Kate Pierson, there’s a lot more emotion and feeling in their vocals. Secrets of the Deep! sounds like the kind of stuff Joe Meek would have been producing had he still been alive, and, in fact, “Shark!” sounds like something by the Honeycombs. Elsewhere, the band channels their best Pixies on “Neptune’s Grave”.

Every song here seems to expand on the theme of their name, and almost every title alone seems to reference some element found under the water. It’s a fascinating concept to take sometimes traditional musical topics and hide them under the guise of underwater exploration. The entirety of Secrets of the Deep! is unlike anything else being done today. It instantly stands out as one of the most original and different albums of the year, and is definitely in the running for one of the best. It’s perfect for anywhere from the dance floor to your own bedroom. Secrets of the Deep! will be released July 5th. - The Big Takeover


"The Hydrothermal Vents' Latest Album is Dance Rock Heaven"

Looking for some new music dance rock and post-punk fans? There’s a new band on the scene thatdelivers just that and more! The new super duo Hydrothermal Vents are excited to advance release their album July 5th, called Secrets of the Deep! Before joining up as Hydrothermal Vents, they had a great deal of experience as solo artists, includingNorth American tours and collaborations with major artists such as Arcade Fire.

True lovers of music, they were united by a love of the 90's rock icons The Pixies, and their sound includes a mix of dreamy lyrics, inventive vocal interplay, and an experimental spirit. If you’re fans of such music as Buke & Gase, the B52’s, and the Talking Heads then you'll love this, so check the album when it drops on Saturday, July 5th.

To tide you over until the release date, you can check out their single "Neptune's Grave." - Joonbug


"Review: The Hydrothermal Vents "Secrets of the Deep!""

John Tielli and Tessa Kautzman make up the Montreal-based duo known as The Hydrothermal Vents, an experimental pop rock act inspired by the works of David Attenborough and all things oceanic. Their newest 9-track effort, Secrets Of The Deep!, as a whole, is unlike anything you’ve ever heard but it takes leads here and there from a wide assortment of genre pioneers such as Talking Heads, The B-52s and The Police as well as newer acts in the vein of Los Campesinos! Melding elements of whimsical indie-pop, post-punk, new wave, and dream pop, The Hydrothermal Vents’ sound is hard to pin down, but certainly makes for an interesting and fully dynamic listening experience.

From the very first moments of SOTD! in opener “Inside A Movie,” you’re welcomed into the world of THV with their signature sound: dual vocal melodies, quirky instrumentation, and unique arrangements that pull you in to the depths of their creations.

While this overall theme remains throughout the entirety of the effort, the individual tracks all contain lives of their own. The second track, “Do The Vent,” for example, is primarily an instrumental cut that sounds like a fun jam from The Knack. You’ll want to dance to it, and if you’re old enough, it’ll likely take you back to a wondrous time. If you’re too young to have lived through the ’70s like myself, the song will serve as something akin to a replica of a relic that may at least transport you back to your youth when your parents spun similar records to Get The Knack.

One of my favorite elements of this record as a whole are the bass lines. They’re simple in nature but they really drive nearly every track with a rhythm you’ll most definitely get lost within. No matter the layers of instrumentation on any given effort, the bass really shines through and guides you along. When you add Tielli and Kautzman’s perfectly complementing vocals, synth additions, and various percussion elements to the mix, you get 9 different songs that keep you hooked with simultaneous consistency and variation.

Secrets Of The Deep! balances the upbeat and the slightly more solemn perfectly with tracks like “Shark!” which provides a fun, poppy feel and sunny vibes, and “Hydrothermal Vents” (my favorite track) which boasts a slower, more theatrical dark wave sound reminiscent of acts like Siouxsie and the Banshees. This juxtaposition of light and dark makes for a great overall feel to the album and shows the scope that THV are working within. These are elements that make this album both fun and exciting and I’m anxious to see how they incorporate an evolved version of these aspects into their next release.

SCORE: 7.8/10 - Under The Gun Review


"UTG Interview: The Hydrothermal Vents"

To my knowledge, The Hydrothermal Vents are the one and only band I’ve encountered that are inspired by the works of David Attenborough, and as a huge fan of Planet Earth and The Blue Planet, this little factoid thrills me to no end. THV are all over the place genre-wise but the ocean themes run deep on their newest release. Secrets Of The Deep! is comprised of 9 tracks traversing the realms of classic pop, post-punk, indie rock, dance-y dream rock, new wave and beyond.

We had the chance to speak with the Montreal duo of John Tielli and Tessa Kautzman about Secrets, their various inspirations, and their touring plans for the remainder of the year. Follow us through the jump to get the scoop from The Hydrothermal Vents, then check out their video for “Neptune’s Grave” immediately afterwards.

Firstly, you guys have one of my favorite monikers I’ve seen in some time. How did you land on The Hydrothermal Vents and would you say that the idea behind the name relates to your music in any way?

JT: The name came to me in a flash of inspiration and it just felt right. I’d remembered the David Attenborough series The Blue Planet and the hydrothermal vents were particularly mysterious and fascinating. The fact that a whole ecosystem is thriving around the vents without sunlight is so surreal and otherworldy and that’s exactly what we were going for musically. Escapism and the subconscious are themes that come up often throughout the album, which also fit nicely with the deep sea theme.

How did the two of you originally come together to form the band?

TK: I put an ad up on Craigslist searching for collaborators and John happened to be browsing for the same thing. He searched “The Pixies” and my ad came up because I had them down as one of my main influences. We met up and really hit it off both as friends and musically.

I could sit here and try to pick influences out of your music all day, but I’d like to know from you which bands or artists were actually instrumental in the sound and style you’ve developed for this project.

JT: It’s hard to narrow down the influences because there are so many. There are definitely a lot of new wave era influences; bands like The Talking Heads and the B52s’ first album come to mind. I hear Andy Summers in my guitar parts and of course The Pixies are huge for us.

And how would you describe your overall sound to a potential listener that has yet to hear your music?

TK: I think the music manages to be nostalgic while still being new and unpredictable. It’s multi-layered and thoughtfully crafted. At times it’s heavy and driving, sporadic and jumpy or eerie and dream-like. It has a playful, child-like spirit but it also has sharp teeth.

Secrets Of The Deep! is out now with 9 tracks of an impressive variety of styles and sounds. You described it perfectly. Do you feel that there’s any specific demographic that would take to this record more so than others due to its unique display of traversing various genres?

JT and TK: Secrets of the Deep! seems to appeal to many generations and a diverse spectrum of listeners; 20-somethings can often hear ’90s grunge, while 30 and 40-somethings note ’70s and ’80s influences. There’s also bits of ’60s surf rock and a touch of Chuck Berry. There are references to different decades and genres, but it still sounds new so doesn’t feel out of place within the current indie rock climate.

There’s obviously an aquatic/ocean-type theme strewn through this band — from the name itself to the album, into the lyrics, and the fact that it was recorded at a place called Bioluminescence. So what is it about the ocean that has made it become such a prominent part of all of this?

JT: Most of the deep ocean is mysterious uncharted territory so it’s an exotic place to us as land-dwelling creatures. Underwater we move and see things differently, contributing to a surreal, dream-like quality. The deep ocean serves as a nice metaphor for an escape from reality by diving into the subconscious creative mind. It’s a joyous, child-like state to be in. It’s all about imagination.

Do you feel that that’s a theme you plan to stick with from here on out?

JT: It’s hard to say. I have a feeling references might pop in here and there, but it can’t be predicted. We have a lot of new musical ideas but the lyrics still need to be written. The themes will come out naturally; we can’t really force it too much. We like to write instictively.

You just had an album release show recently, right? But you have other launches coming up it looks like… Why the multiple release shows? Besides the fact that you can do what you want, of course.

TK: They’ll be our first shows in those cities since we released the album so we wanted to make them special (because we can!)

And how would you describe a THV live show to someone that’s never attended one?

TK: We try to put everything we have into our live show. We don’t want to hold back or just go through the motions, we want it to be an exciting performance. We want the audience to dance and feel involved. We play with backing tracks while both playing guitar and singing so we can’t jump around or do as much choreographed moves as we’d like, but we rock out as much as possible. We also love to experiment with different costumes, sets, props and video, so we’re hoping to incorporate those things more in the future.

Your recent video for “Neptune’s Grave” is really intriguing and looks great. Can you tell me about the ideas that went into the concept?

JT: A lot of it came together spontaneously. We knew we wanted a live performance and for it to be dark like the deep sea. We made a jellyfish out of a coffee filter and some yarn and danced around with it for the clips in between live shots. Tessa had the idea of asking a couple of dancers to come in and improvise as well. We made the strange creature costumes out of scraps of white and silver clothing, and constructed a hydrothermal vent that was supposed to shoot out smoke from a fog machine. It didn’t really work as planned for the actual shooting, but we worked with what we had. A lot of it came together in editing.

I read that you guys are set for a tour this Fall. What are you looking forward to the most with this outing?

TK: We’re really just excited to have this album out and to be able to share it with everyone. Touring as a duo is going to be great because we get along so well and we have a lot of fun playing live. We’ll be visiting a lot of new places so we’re hoping to have some free time to explore a bit. Playing in my hometown (Saskatoon, SK) will be a highlight for me, too.

Other than the touring, can we expect anything else from you guys for the rest of the year?

JT: We’re brainstorming ideas for a new video, so hopefully that will come together. We’ve also started on a batch of new songs for the next record, one of which we’ve added to our live show. We’ll just be taking it as it comes! - Under the Gun Interview


"PLAYLIST PICKS: Hydrothermal Vents"

Both members of the group the Hydrothermal Vents have had extensive experience in the music world before coming together and turning a shared love for The Pixies into a unique post-punk/dance rock music fest. The duo from Montreal is made up of John Tielli (vocals, guitar, midi programming) and Tessa Kautzman (vocals, bass) and has only been together for two years, but they have already received a lot of attention in their regional market.

Their just-released new album is entitled Secrets of the Deep! and will be followed with a North American tour. Their vibe is experimental and dreamy but theatrical at the same time. (Their music wouldn’t be out of place in The Labyrinth, for example.)

The album content expands on the theme of their band name both in subject and in vibes, with upbeat punk beats and spoken word mixed in with their melodies. There are unpredictable moments but in the way of a rollercoaster as opposed to a car. It’s over there and then up there, but at the base securely on track.

The song “Neptune’s Grave” is catchy and has a live recorded music video to go along with it which showcases some of their high-energy performance skills. Tielli and Kautzman fit together incredibly well vocally and stylistically for being such different artists.

As for that band name? Their explanation: “Hydrothermal vents are deep-sea openings that erupt with super-heated, chemically-rich water from within the Earth's crust. Despite receiving absolutely zero energy from the sun, entire communities of bizarre life forms have evolved and thrive off of the energy provided from these structures. It has even been theorized that life on Earth may have originated near these vents.”

Sounds... deep.

Keep up with all thing Hydrothermal Vents on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Twitter, and Facebook. - Young Hollywood


"A Review of Secrets of the Deep"

If you do anything that pays homage to the great post punk bands such as the Talking Heads and the B52’s, you’ve got my curiosity. You do anything that is creative and unique sounding in a fantastic way – cough, cough De Lux – while continuing to pay homage to the greats of post punk, you’ve got my attention. I’m not quite sure why it has taken the duo from Montreal, The Hydrothermal Vents, this long to cross my radar, but I’m glad they finally have. The duo is composed of the talented John Tielli and Tessa Kautzman whose musical creativity is captivating. A day after America’s Independence Day, on July 5th, they will be releasing their debut album Secrets of the Deep.

“Inside a Movie” is exactly the type of song you want leading off an album. The song carries the essence of the Talking Heads with great vocal interplay and infectious instrumentation. There’s so much going on in the song creatively, but instead of feeling cluttered, everything feels semi syncopated, necessary and complete. “Inside a Movie” is followed by a surf gaze, indie pop, dance track, “Do the Vent,” which is perfectly followed by the infectious, coy, upbeat lullaby, “Shark!” The track placement throughout Secrets of the Deep is accurate. In the band, John Tielli plays the guitar and midi programming as Tessa plays the bass while both sharing the vocal duties. The sound produced by these two is pure and quiet impressive. Not to mention the impeccable production job by John Tielli.

Hydrothermal vents are deep-sea openings that erupt with super-heated, chemically rich water from within the earth’s crust. Despite receiving absolutely zero energy from the sun, entire communities of bizarre life forms have evolved and thrive off of the energy provided from these structures. It has even been theorized that life on earth may have originated near these vents. John and Tessa are thriving off of one another’s energy, bringing about bizarre, but pleasant sound while pumping life back into an abandoned style of music. The two were drawn together by a desire to create the ultimate dance music and by a mutual love of the Pixies, an influence which, along with other post-punk bands such as the Talking Heads and the B52’s, helped shape their sound. It’s a sound the industry has been longing for since the departure of said bands and one that The Hydrothermal Vents are producing at a high level.

The album closes out just as strong as it began with “Attento,” “Hanz (Sleeping with the Starfish),” and another surf gaze anthem, “Fish Out of Land.” Secrets of the Deep is a debut most dream about; imaginative, musically sound, creatively captivating, and holistically successful. To conclude, I leave you with the words of Alan Wigney. “Admires of melodic excellence have long placed their faith in Tielli; with fellow vocalist Kautzman as his foil, the veteran creative force enters an infectious new chapter. And everybody wins.”

Secrets of the Deep by The Hydrothermal Vents will be available for purchase July 5th, 2014. - Hear Magazine


"Premier: The Hydrothermal Vents- Hydrothermal Vents"

The Hydrothermal Vents are a duo out of Montreal consisting of John Tielli and Tessa Kautzman. On July 5 they will release their new album Secrets of the Deep! We are honored to be the ones who premiere that LP’s most recent single, the self-titled cut “The Hydrothermal Vents.”

The band was drawn together by a mutual love of the Pixies, an influence which, along with other post-punk bands such as the Talking Heads that helped shape their sound. You can hear these influences for sure on the title track, with a passionate and moody atmosphere delivered by powerfully distinctive vocal interplay. Imagine if David Bowie and (early) Arcade Fire finally recorded together, that is what you would get with The Hydrothermal Vents. Loads of textures and emotive vocals that create rich unforgettable imagery, always a sign of a good song at work.

Find the track below and be on the lookout for the record when it comes out on July 5. - WE ALL WANT SOMETHING TO SHOUT FOR


"Album Review: Secrets of the Deep! From The Hydrothermal Vents"

John Tielli and Tessa Kautzman of Montreal’s post-punk band, The Hydrothermal Vents gear up to release their debut album Secrets from the Deep! out July 5th. If you’re into dance-able punkish music with lyrics about sharks, get ready to fall in love.

Secrets from the Deep! is 9 tracks of high energy and highly imaginative tunes that deserve to be played loud. With inspiration from bands like The Pixies, Talking Heads, and the B52′s, The Hydrothermal Vents’ music is a perfect combination of nostalgia, punk rock, dance music, and a touch of fantasy.

Get to know their dark, whimsical sound with this live in-studio video for their song “Neptune’s Grave”

Secrets from the Deep! will be The Hydrothermal Vents’ first album after two years together. Before forming the Hyrdothermal Vents, John and Tessa both had extensive careers playing in indie rock bands and on their own, with John fronting two acclaimed bands, Metal Kites and Clark the Band, and even collaborating with members of Arcade Fire. After just one song it’s obvious that they have the musical talent and self awareness to be able to bring to life a conceptual album like this one and be able to sound like a throwback while still being original. You can tell that they draw a lot from The Pixies and the B52′s, but they also add a lot to the conversation with this new album rather than just repeating something that’s been done before.

Head over to their Bandcamp and Soundcloud to stream the full album right now, and don’t forget to support this fantastic band by purchasing the album when it’s officially released July 5th in digital and vinyl and if you like what you hear be sure to share it around your corner of the internet.

You can keep track of The Hydrothermal Vents by following them on Twitter and Facebook. Finally, look out for news about their North America tour which will be starting up this fall. - Almost Nerdy


"The Hydrothermal Vents- Secrets of the Deep!"

If hydrothermal vents are defined as deep-sea openings that erupt with super-heated chemically rich water from within the earth's crust, then the Montreal-based dance-rock duo, The Hydrothermal Vents, are an aural embodiment of the curiousness and chemistry of this explosive natural phenomenon. Completely organic, effervescent and wistful, the inventively exploratory nine-track album, Secrets of the Deep! is bandmates John Tielli and Tessa Kautzman's melodic think-tank, one in which they experiment with the logistics of composition and traditional post-punk musicianship to catch the listener off guard, splashing you in chemical rich awesomeness!

There is initially a sense at least for fans of the genre - that what you are listening to is plagiaristic of bands like The Pixies and The Talking Heads, yet one can't quite figure out which songs Secrets of the Deep! evoke. That's because the album utilises a tried and trusted blueprint but makes several creative adjustments making it both traditional and refreshingly contemporary.

Secrets of the Deep! thrives on its mysticism, displaying a quite eerie iridescent mood through layers and layers of wafting synths, impulsive guitar modulations and abstruse lyricism moaned and howled tunefully by the two capable harmonisers, rather than sang with belting forcefulness. They test the limits of the vocal abilities though, flittering out and in of tessitura erratically to exhibit the broad spectrum of their range with a degree of success. But they're also not afraid to let the music do the talking either as they rock the funk out, most notably on the predominantly instrumental Out of Their Cages and Do the Vent.

The vibrancy of the album remains at a constantly high level, delivering a refined sound that is tribute to the years Tielli and Kautzman have honed their craft. Secrets of the Deep! is a fantastical soundscape of thought-provoking music that doesn't skimp on originality and entertainment value. The Hydrothermal Vents have exploded onto the scene propelling a series of rough-edged delights to the surface from a bed that is steadily becoming more lifeless by the year. - Music News


"The Hydrothermal Vents- "Neptune's Grave" stream"

Montreal's The Hydrothermal Vents bring up an upbeat post-punk dance track titled "Neptune's Grave."

The track is drenched in obscure electric guitars that glide over a slithering bass and lush vocals. The drums graciously provide a steady and danceable beat while the melody takes a bit of an off-kilter sound. As all of these elements combine, it makes for an intriguing experimental indie rock track.

The Hydrothermal Vents' album is set to drop on July 5, get excited! - Indie Shuffle ( Christiana Bartolini)


"Dance Floor Declairations"

The Hydrothermal Vents--John Tielli and Tessa Kautzman-- reside somewhere between Brooklyn's brooding Black Marble and the primal thrust of the Kills: smart, almost deceptively simple synth sweetened sing-a-longs to move the feet and stir the heart. The duo's nervy, rhythmic tunes---bolstered by playful, symbiotic vocals--are sleek, euphoric, dance floor declarations, cut from the same sonic cloth as the Talking Heads, circa '83. Organic, binary bathed urban folk music for the masses.
-Steve Baylin, former Ottawa XPress writer - Steve Baylin, former Ottawa XPress writer


"Hydrothermal Vents: Exploding talent from Cultured Depths"

True to their namesake, the Hydrothermal Vents from Montreal explode a unique collection of peculiar aural treasures from a cultured depth and solid-rock base of combined musical force and ingenuity. The magical Tielli pedigree of John’s astounding voice pairs perfectly and matches melodiously to Tessa Kautzman’s distinctive vox, igniting danceable delights with the frenetic energy of punk and pop-rock, gushing a symbiotic sonic ecosystem of “accessible-experimental” tunes that will make you move and groove. A spectacular duo unforgettable in sound, quirky in their artistic lyrical reach, with subterranean intrigue sure to erupt—global.
-Sylvie Hill, former Ottawa XPress writer - Sylvie Hill, former Ottawa XPress writer


"The Hydrothermal Vents"

An alluring softness flows out of the speakers and gently carpets the floor in a dance mat as The Hydrothermal Vents take your hand and lead you to a close-knit connectivity of footsteps. These are a duo who know how to create music with layers of cloaks and as the layers peel back so the audience becomes more engrossed in the goings-on.

The combinations of instruments and electronics enable The Hydrothermal Vents to immerse the resulting out-put with a sound that takes me to geothermal spas in Iceland with a warming underbelly of sound which is heightened by the frozen mists rising above. At one moment passionate lust swathes the room in sweating bodies the next a tender fingertip is placed to lips as the duo tease the listener with their reflective contemplation.

Just over a year into the existence with an appropriately named nine track début LP Secrets of the Deep! set for release on the 5th July The Hydrothermal Vents is a band to listen to with a partner and space to dance horizontally. - Emerging Indie Bands


"Forkster's Daily Band Review: The Hydrothermal Vents"

The Hydrothermal Vents are an extraordinairy post-punk/dance rock sound hailing out of Montreal & Quebec, Canada!
These exceptional and vibrant sounding 80′s post-punk/new wave dance rockers in now times had me really enjoying their passions and enjoyments for bringing their music platforms with gorgeous, atmospheric charm. I absolutely loved the similarities to many artists I so respect being from Kate Bush, The B-52′s, The Sparks and Kraftwerk. This was a mighty impressive vibe.
I really think the radiant cosmic grooves they provide will absolutely take joy to many music appreciators ear galaxies globally, exquisite rock sound!

Unsigned Canadian Post-Punk/New Wave Dance Rock Duo Really Rocking The Music Galaxies And Under Seas With Captivating Atmospheric Delight! - Forkster


Discography

Secrets of the Deep!
released July 2014

Photos

Bio

The Hydrothermal Vents


[Hydrothermal vents are deep-sea openings that erupt with super-heated, chemically rich water from within the earth's crust. There is a whole ecosystem of creatures that live down there that don't live off the energy of the sun, but lives off the energy of the earth itself.]

Sometimes you have to die to become alive. That happened to Johnny Alive, singer and dancer for The Hydrothermal Vents. After going through a dark age, John Tielli emerged a changed human in October 2016, suddenly enlightened by a new understanding of how to live fearlessly and happily. With this new found life, John Tielli became Johnny Volution, trying out different names until finally arriving at Johnny Alive, and also adopted the title of ARTIFIST; an agent of the deep that aims to expose our artifice and hypocrisy through his art.

The Hydrothermal Vents started as a duo in 2012, with John and Tessa Kautzman performing live along to backing tracks. While this afforded Tielli a degree of control over the sound of performance, it also eventually left him unsatisfied and the band went on an extended hiatus after a month long tour of the US and Canada in 2014, the same year of the release of their critically acclaimed debut album “Secrets of the Deep”. During This hiatus, Tessa Kautzman had moved on to focus on her own project Loon and to play in other bands such as Sam Patch and more recently, the Dears.

Johnny Alive is the creator and songwriter for the Hydrothermal Vents which could be described as punk influenced art-pop. In his past life as John Tielli, he has worked with members of the the Arcade Fire, Wooden Stars and Hilotrons among others. He has fronted previous bands including Metal Kites (Toronto, Montreal), and Clark the band (Ottawa, Toronto). Mr. Alive is a multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer as well. He is also a theremin player and has accompanied artists such as Laura Barrett, The Phonemes and his brother, Martin Tielli on that instrument.

Now, with the birth of Johnny Alive; the ARTIFIST, comes the new, full 5 piece band version of the Hydrothermal Vents! This version of the band recently had an explosive first concert opening for the Rheostatics in Toronto on May 27th, 2017 with guest vocalist Donna Linklater.


Band Members