Paul Aucoin Wants More Input From The Other Hylozoists For Next Album

CHARTattack's Canadian Music Week report cards lay out all the categories on which acts are graded. Afterwards, band members and fans can argue amongst themselves over why points were lost.

In the case of Toronto's The Hylozoists, multi-instrumentalist Paul Aucoin already has his mind made up about who cost his band marks. Although they did quite well, tying for third place with an outstanding score of 95, he's holding CMW and its organizers responsible for the band's five-point deduction.

"We were very pleased with our mark," says Aucoin. "I think we lost the five points for being put in a venue where we couldn't all fit on the stage, however that was part of the charm on that given evening.

"So CMW loses the five points, not us. It was fun for us to play hard with nothing to lose in such a setting. I think that is part of the charm of a festival weekend. It's not a regular show."

In CMW's defence, The Hylozoists are far from being an ordinary group. Boasting nine members, the ensemble features musicians from the likes of The Weakerthans, Cuff The Duke, Fembots, Old Soul, The Golden Dogs and The Sadies. They'll be trying their luck with stages on the west coast over the next two weeks during their tour dates with Cuff The Duke and Fembots.

According to Aucoin, the band are usually pretty selective when choosing places to perform, allowing them to avoid overcrowding.

"We usually fit on stage because we know what venues we can and cannot play. The band are quite generous with each other about space, and nobody really gets their back up about space. Touring as a nine-piece is great for being with friends and load-ins and outs, but is more expensive and full of little complications."

Those attending the shows can look forward to hearing selections from the group's upcoming full-length, La Fin Du Monde. Vancouver's Boompa Records will put the disc out on June 20 in Canada. It'll also be released in the States in July and in the U.K. in early October.

The follow-up to 2002's La Nouvelle Gauche is loaded with The Hylozoists' unique, orchestrated sonic creations. Anchored by a pair of dueling vibraphones, violin, organ and glockenspiel are amongst the other instruments used to craft La Fin Du Monde's eccentric numbers.

The group was originally formed in Nova Scotia, but Aucoin's move to Toronto in 2004 caused some shifts in the band's roster, allowing the current accomplished lineup to come together. Due to the change in personnel, La Fin Du Monde was recorded twice. Aucoin wrote all of the music on the album, but would like to get more input with future compositions from his esteemed colleagues.

Fully aware of the abundance of skill and experience that The Hylozoists possess, he's justifiably confident that everyone contributing ideas can take their magical songs to the next level.

"The record has been described by friends as more mature," says Aucoin. "I wrote and arranged the music, but hopefully that will change as we become more of a band.

"I have asked everyone to put stuff in for a new record, so we will see what happens. I do believe we could be even better if the talented writers in this band started throwing more into the writing process."

Here are The Hylozoists' Canadian tour dates:

March 24 Saskatoon, SK @ Amigos
March 25 Edmonton, AB @ Sidetrack Cafe
March 30 Vancouver, BC @ Red Room
March 31 Victoria, BC @ Lucky Bar
April 1 Courtenay, BC @ The Waverley
April 6 Lethbridge, AB @ Tongue & Groove
April 7 Calgary, AB @ The Gate (SAIT)
April 8 Regina, SK @ The Exchange