Breakout 2007: Land Of Talk

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Sound:
Raw, powerful indie-pop, simple and direct at first listen, but carefully crafted and skillfully executed. Singer and guitarist Elizabeth Powell has one of the most bittersweet voices you've ever heard.

Why?
Bloggers, fans and music critics can't stop yakking about Land Of Talk. Formed just over a year ago in Montreal, they quickly became one of the more talked about new bands of 2006. With their first release, the seven-song Applause, Cheer, Boo, Hiss, as well as extensive touring in the last year with opening spots for Shout Out Out Out Out, The Dears and Holy Fuck, that din of conversation will surely continue to grow in 2007.

Land Of Talk have spent so much time on the road, in fact, that they've played more shows in New York City than in their hometown of Montreal.

"Touring was great," says Powell. "Our live show improved tremendously, as did our understanding of each other."

Powell moved from Guelph, Ontario — where she had been active in several bands and as a solo performer — to Montreal to study music at Concordia University. While that plan didn't really work out, it was there that she met drummer Bucky Wheaton, and Land Of Talk were born. After going through several bassists, Chris McCarron joined, and the lineup was complete.

The EP, recorded at Breakglass Studios in Montreal, has been gaining airplay on college radio in Canada and the United States.

"A while back, KEXP Seattle gave us a lot of airplay and even invited us to NYC for a live in studio concert/interview," Powell says.

Buzz grew quickly enough that they were soon courted by MapleMusic.

"We ended up developing a comfortable dialogue with a couple of the Maple people and it led to something serious," says Powell.

What makes this band so appealing is hard to pin down, but if the word in the blogs and at their shows is any indication, it might have to do with their carefully constructed songs, deceptively simple arrangements and Powell's controlled yet emotive voice. With their debut album due out in the late spring, one can expect the bloggers to have plenty more to say about Land Of Talk.

This feature is from the February 2007 issue of Chart Magazine. To purchase the issue, go to the Chart Shop.