Soundproof Article
Here’s a recent article from Soundproof Magazine, by Cheryl Stornelli
As music lovers we’ve become too accustomed to constantly attempting to decipher lyrics and the hidden messages within an artist’s song. The real secret is that most songs aren’t meant to instill the same feelings the lyricist had at the time of writing. Most songs are simply meant to be felt and self-interpreted, which is exactly how Vancouver’s Fond of Tigers have so far intended it.
Starting out as a solo project by guitarist Stephen Lyons, a few current band members were “lured with a promise of a fairly big show which ended up getting cancelled entirely. It was like using it as bait,” says Lyons. “I swear I had nothing to do with the cancellation!” After a wish-wash of members since that day and a few statics, Fond of Tigers has become settled as a creative, instrumental septet.
The instrumentals are written based on vocal phrases composed by Lyons. Instead of leaving the lyrics in the song, Lyons says he “finds speech rhythms more interesting when played on guitar” and he adapts them to a violin, trumpet or guitar. “Not having lyrics allows for people to apply their own narrative and use it as their brain soundtrack. Lyrics in music puts ideas into singularity.”
As hard as it is to make a name in today’s music industry, bands without lyrics can be seen as less than memorable and can be overlooked by an audience that continuously seeks more interaction.
“It’s an issue that has come up a lot. But it’s becoming less of an issue in our live shows because they’re full of intensity and detail. There’s so much going on and to process [besides lyrics] that some people can suspend that human need to have someone speak to them,” adds Lyons.
With a lack of lyrics mixed with intense, deep emotions, the show becomes creatively involved and inspiring for an audience. The audience becomes free to form their own thoughts and let their minds create the meaning for each song.
Describing himself as “anxiety-ridden and edgy,” Lyons purposely transfers his tense personality into the band. Lyons makes extremely last-minute, absurd changes to already-complicated songs in an effort to create tension.
“When a great deal of self-doubt is instilled and everyone is on edge - that’s where the intensity of Fond of Tigers comes from,” says Lyons. “We become nerve-racked and don’t mellow out [before a live show].”
Sure, it sounds a little sadistic, but laying everything on the line musically is essential to creating something that will reek of value and caliber, much of what a fair number of musicians today severely lack. Besides, an audience feeding off a high level of energy and intensity may not be something to escape from. “When I used to play solo I’d end up having sporadic nervous breakdowns on stage or just a freak out on guitar. I don’t know if I enjoy it or have just come to harness it. Maybe in five years I’ll be singing about ulcers and grey hair!” Lyons jokes.
The next step for Fond of Tigers is a common one. They plan to record a new album in the winter. But what fans have come to expect from the septet is that an ordinary album isn’t in their vocabulary. Lyons is throwing in a twist that wouldn’t normally sound scary coming from a calm, collected band:
“I’m thinking of upsetting the relationship with the audience and starting to sing.”
