Architects building fan base in Canada
by Gabrielle Domanski
Photo courtesy of Distort Entertainment The end of the month sees Brighton, U.K., metal band, Architects, return to friendly Canadian shores.
Having recently completed an exceptionally successful U.K. headline tour, Brighton, U.K. quintet Architects are shifting their mindset in preparation for gracing this side of the Atlantic, where they remain relatively unknown. With nearly every venue selling out in the U.K., the band remains humble about their success and determined to keep working at breaking into the North American market.
“It’s kind of cool,” singer Sam Carter muses about the feeling of starting again when crossing the pond, “You can just play the songs that you love and kind of show yourself off as a new band.”
Architects, also consisting of guitarists Tim Hillier-Brook and Tom Searle, bassist Alex “Ali Dino” Dean and drummer Dan Searle, are no strangers to our country.
Having toured Canada multiple times and acquired the sup- port of Canadian label Distort, Carter recognizes that our coun- try has been more receptive to their brand of metal than our southern neighbours…
“America’s very difficult, you know, you kind of play these shows and you have to slog it out to get people to notice you. But it’s cool, we keep trying,” said Carter.
Trading in their touring comforts as headliners, the band will be calling a van home for the duration of their North American tour with Atreyu, Blessthefall, Chiodos and Endless Hallway.
Braving the long distances between venues by night and catching up on their sleep during the day, Carter looks forward to the tour’s Canadian stint, starting with Calgary on Oct. 27.
“It’s extremely flattering to be asked to be on a tour like (this). I guess it’s kind of cool because we can branch out to new kids, which is always a good thing to do, especially in America,” Carter said. “I think (in) Canada, it’ll definitely be our Canadian fans out there, which will be nice, to kind of show the other bands that we’re worth something.” January also sees the release of the fourth studio album from Architects, titled The Here And Now. Following 2009’s immensely successful Hollow Crown, the new record promises to incorporate more melodic el- ements while still retaining the characteristic Architects sound. The band has been lauded for its incredible technical ability but the musical progression should come as no surprise to audienc- es familiar with Hollow Crown and the band’s constant musical evolution.
According to Carter, the reception to their new single – “Day In Day Out” – during their live performances has become a highlight of their set. “People in the U.K. love it and seem to know the words
already. I guess that’s not a bad sign,” he said. In regards to the presence of more clean vocals on The Here And Now, Carter said that the band draws influences from a wide variety of music and that the sing-a-longs are in fact his favourite aspect of their live gigs. “There’s nothing better than 1,300 kids at a show and singing along. That’s what I love about shows. Like everyone together, everyone singing the same lyrics, making everyone feel like they’re the same person, that’s what’s important,” he said.
Through their increasing success and exhausting touring schedule, the band has remained grounded and grateful, identifying the importance of keeping in touch with fans.
“We’re just the same people as the people coming to the shows, we’re just the ones making the music,” Carter notes. “I don’t know why anyone would want to stay away from that or think they’re too good to talk to kids that are helping you out, and letting you do what you want to do.” With the determination that Architects possess it should only be a matter of time before their headline tours take residency in Canada as well.
