Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
...leaning in the country-rock direction a la Gram Parsons and Bob Wills’ patented
Western Swing. The Seams had chops to burn. No false starts here. In fact, all of the members displayed a disgustingly high degree of musical skill; very unbecoming in
a band so young, really. Yes, I’m old and I’m jealous.
John Lucas The Georgia Straight Feb 20, 2004 - The Georgia Straight
The Vancouver band can be loosely described as country-rock but its the open-ended kind that might be associated with New Riders of the Purple Sage or the Grateful Dead circa American Beauty. The songs have an edge, the band has wit and an aware perspective though its softened by The Seams’ relaxed approach. - Tom Harrison
This is much more than your usual country album. Stellar playing!
Playful arrangements! Pleasant surprises!
Mark Bignell Favorites from 2004 www.bandcouver.com - Mark Bignell - Radio Bandcouver
A young, seven-piece country music ensemble, has released a pretty debut of languid, silky swing and Byrdsian twang?
The Vancouver Sun Dec 16, 2004 - The Vancouver Sun
The ghost of country’s past looms large over the Seams’ debut long player,
“Castaway Motel”. With songs about suicide, gambling, prison, life on the road,
and missed connections, the album takes a tightly played journey to a place of
love, loss, heartbreak and hard-times. ...(The Seams) aren’t afraid to let the sun
shine in every now and then, spiking tunes with racous shots of pop.
Kevin Howes Dec 23, 2004 - Kevin Howes
A clairvoyant knack for channelling the ghost of jazz, pop, and country past,
the Seams perform crafty and contemporary songs...
The Georgia Straight Dec.16, 2004 - The Georgia Straight
Discography
2004 - The Castaway Motel
2001-2003 - various unofficial demos, bootlegs & ep's
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The Seams, caught somewhere between the roaring 20's and the future, are proud to release their debut album, "Castaway Motel". The band combines whiskey-country and prohibition-era jazz with pop hooks and in a compelling live show theyre winning over new fans nightly.
Founding members Cameron Latimer, Rueben deGroot and Adam Dobres have been playing and writing together since 2002 and came to this collaboration from various other projects. The Seams feature a unique brand of vocal style with Marissa Johnston, Cameron Latimer and Rueben deGroot all trading lead vocals while the others add sublime harmony.
The exceptional lead guitar talents of Adam Dobres and Juno award winner, Steve Dawsons
pedal steel and Wiessenborn skills give a distinct flavour to the Seams original sound. Steve Matheson (Bass) formerly of the WPP, and Dave Moran (drums), formerly of Alpha Yaya Diallo, provide the bands solid rhythm.
With contemporary influences ranging from Lyle Lovett to Wilco, and roots that go back to artists like Paul Simon, Gram Parsons, EmmyLou Harris, and Django Rienhardt, The Seams tip their hats to their heros without falling over themselves. The songs subjects are as diverse as their styles, the characters are depraved and hopeless but always witty and funny. From the texas hill-billy rock of The Ballad of Brian Lewis, a cryptic murder-suicide ballad, to the
pathetically funny prison romance of Jailbird, sung in The Seams unique vocal duo style, it would appear that The Seams can redeem any hopeless wreck. The John Player Specials slow 70s groove is a typical example of how the band refuses to play any one style and Duel in Ragtimes Chet Atkins-esque romp gives the listener more than a little idea of how this
band can heat up the live stage.
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