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The Phonemes
There’s Something We’ve Been Meaning to Do
By Alex Molotkow
It’s been three years since the Phonemes released their debut EP, a fact which the title of their first full-length addresses. Without resorting to the appropriate proverb, it can easily be said that the admittedly slow-moving band have done some lovely work in the meantime. Picking up where they left off, There’s Something combines sweet, unassuming ballads (“Oh Sleep”) with up-tempo, multi-instrumental rockers (“Lewis”). Though some of these tracks have been played live for years, they translate well to record. They’re not songs any audience is liable to grow sick of in the first place but the Phonemes have, impressively, managed to keep their own material fresh between studio takes. Singer/songwriter Magali Meagher’s voice sounds wholesome and worldly at the same time, and while she sounded a little bit shy on the band’s EP, here she sings earnestly and with character. The music is nuanced and while bouncy tracks like “Easter Suit” grab you with catchy hooks, harmonies and rounds, softer songs like “Tree” develop beautifully on a bare vocal track with finger-picked violin and simple guitar. Meagher is great at writing melodies, and There’s Something’s varied tempos show that her talent is apparent in any context. (Blocks) - Exclaim
Discography
2004 - The Phonemes EP
2004 - "Municipality" on "Toronto is the best" compilation (Blocks)
2006 - "Anna Linda's Hat" split 7" inch with Jason Trachtenburg and Bob Wiseman (Ghost Town, Manitoba)
2007 There something we've been meaning to do (Blocks)
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Bio
The Phonemes prove that incredible things often come in small packages. The musical project of Magali Meagher, the Phonemes’ sinewy lyrical imagery finds purchase in simple, melody driven songs and layered rhythm. The Phonemes latest recording released on Blocks Recording Club "There's something we've been meaning to do" was recorded by Efrim Menuck (A Silver Mt. Zion, Godspeed you black emperor) at thee mighty hotel2tango (Arcade Fire, Vic Chesnutt) and features ubiquitous wunderkind Final Fantasy.
Magali’s musical career has seen her recording and playing guitar and drums in the Hidden Cameras, backing up American indie music icon Daniel Johnston on drums, touring across Canada with Bob Wiseman and Kids in the Hall Scott Thompson and collaborating with a host of musical projects from off-kilter 60’s-girl-pop-inspired outfit HANK to playing assorted found objects and singing in John Tielli’s Metal Kites. In 2007, Magali found herself on the stage of the Lucille Lortel Theatre – Lotte Lenya’s stomping ground– where she starred in Maggie Macdonald’s rock opera “The Rat King” at the New York International Fringe Festival.
You can look forward to a brand new record from Magali in 2009 (produced by Jim Guthrie).
Upcoming APRIL tour:
Magali plays her songs across Western Canada with Laura Barrett.
Upcoming MAY tour
Magali joins forces with Forest City Lovers as her backing band and tourmates in Holland, Germany and Italy.
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