5th Projekt Release Their Circadian Rhythms

Life has been something of a numbers game for Toronto's 5th Projekt, an ambient dream pop group who've slowly been swooning their way into the hearts and minds of the city's music fans.

The four-piece formed in early 2003 and have gigged regularly in southern Ontario, but are only now releasing their first full-length album. It hasn't been for lack of trying, however.

"We've had some recording experiences that didn't go so well, so this was our third try at completing the full-length," says vocalist Tara Rice, discussing the band's recent time in the studio. "We'd like to dabble more behind the boards, but it's always been an issue of time and money. Our goal is to capture the live feel of the band, and to be able to do so in an efficient manner."

The band have just released Circadian and are looking to parlay its prowess into a big score. It was recorded in Toronto with producer James Heidebrecht (Daniel Lanois, Sarah Slean, Sloan) and sees the band's ethereal hum taken to the next level. Guitars are more textured, vocals are more haunting and, overall, this richer, fuller sound seems at home alongside such forefathers as the Cocteau Twins and other members of the 4AD brethren.

Rice is joined in 5th Projekt by Skodt McNalty (guitar), Peter Broadley (bass) and Nathan Kaye (drums) and, collectively, the foursome manage to strike a unique balance with their sound. Their music has a definite experimental edge, focusing on treated guitar parts and ambient support from the back end.

Yet, at the same time, the melodies and vocals are entirely immediate and can be absorbed by the listener in mere minutes. On the whole, 5th Projekt was designed to give a reprise from the male-oriented grunt rock that often inhabits Cancon playlists.

"It's not as if we were 100 per cent opposed to a male vocalist, but at the same time, there have been so many male rock vocalists throughout the history of music and we weren't interested in contributing to that," says McNalty. "I don't like vocals for the most part, so I knew with 5th Projekt we were going to be very picky as to the type of vocals this band would feature."

Picky or otherwise, there's no doubt that 5th Projekt's music is nothing if not eclectic. While the band have somewhat settled on a defined sound, there are plenty of variations within that template. Credit the bandmates' varied tastes (and those of their parents) for informing this variety.

"Pretty much everybody in the band had musicians for parents, and that has really helped to shape our sound," says Rice. "Some of them listen to country and folk, others listen to Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

"We literally have thousands of albums and hundreds of genres from which to draw from. But when it comes down to it, we're not all that choosy about the type of music we listen to as long as it's good music."

Catch 5th Projekt playing tunes from Circadian and beyond at Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern on Aug. 29.