PAPAL VISIT’s impending album, Five Fathom Hole, is, as they describe, “a messily ambitious twenty-five song tomb.” The Saint John, New Brunswick-based quintet gloriously revel in their affinity for lo-fi rock’n’roll on the new album, punching up from a sea of well-textured fuzz. Loaded with that many tracks means that Five Fathom Hole inevitably covers a lot of ground, showcasing the band’s vast and eclectic song catalogue, and drawing from an abundance of influences.
To see where they’re coming from, we asked the group—comprised of Adam Mowery, Pierre Cormier, Jason Ogden, Chris Braydon and Geoffrey Smith—to look back at some of their favourite East Coast artists and recordings of all time. In response, they offer the ten tracks comprising the “PAPAL VISIT’S EAST COAST MUSIC SHRINE.”
Eric’s Trip
View Master (1994)
Adam: “This is the kind of recording I am always hoping to emulate with PAPAL VISIT. The catchiness of the tune transcends the production. Obviously, I love lo-fi production anyway, and Eric’s Trip is a great example of lo-fi done right, but the song is so strong you could record it on a walkie talkie and it wouldn’t matter. There are lots of Eric’s Trip songs to pick from, but this one always comes back to me because it’s such good pop.”
Tooth & the Fang
Goodnight, Sweet Kween (2020)
Adam: “I always enjoy Geoff’s solo stuff, and he’s a good songwriter. You might know him as PAPAL VISIT’s drummer, but Tooth and the Fang is his solo project. I was trying to think of a Saint John artist to cover last year, and I very nearly picked this minute and a half banger, ‘Goodnight, Sweet Kween.’ It’s perfect, there’s not a change wasted, and before you know it it’s over and you gotta play it again.”
Janowskii
Down with the Wind (2018)
Geoff: ‘Janowskii features Keith Hallett from Fredericton, and he’s his own type of heavy. His live show, whether it’s solo, or here with Janowskii, is always as compelling as it is unique. Don’t miss him when he plays your town.”
Designosaur
Drive (2019)
Geoff: “I love this trio out of Dartmouth. I’ve had the opportunity to play with Designosaur a few times, and they usually come around for Quality Block Party in Saint John. This song is a good introduction to the band for the uninitiated. But really, you should go see them live.”
Shotgun Jimmie
King of Kreuzberg (2011)
Chris: “I first saw Shotgun Jimmie as part of the group Shotgun and Jaybird. They quickly became my favourite band. They had a big influence on the kind of music and shows I wanted to be a part of. Jim’s music is just so much fun. He’s having fun. We’re all having fun.”
Jon McKiel
Object Permanence (2020)
Chris: “Back in the day when I used to play solo shows, I played one with Jon and Klarka Weinwurm. I’ve seen them both solo and with bands a bunch over the years and they’re always great. Jon hit a home run on this new album. Instant classic. Cool vibes and great songs.”
The Super Friendz
Karate Man (1995)
Pierre: “Classic East Coast ’90s, this may be the holy grail of ‘em all! I got to open for the Super Friendz in Moncton with my band Kean Racer back in the day. ‘Mock Up, Scale Down’ still holds up, killer power pop.”
Klarka Weinwurm
Caroline (2012)
Pierre: “Whatever Klarka does, it’s always good. This track is from a few years back, but I still play it regularly. I can’t wait to hear what she does next!”
North of America
Central Port of Equal Times (1999)
Jason – “I love guitar interplay. I try to find moments to slip in a little gank and call and response with Chris’ guitar in PAPAL VISIT jams. These Halifax dudes majored in this kind of guitar tomfoolery and did it with class.”
Young Satan in Love
Roar of War (2019)
Jason: “Cathartic, catchy rock and roll choruses barely held back by punk roots. It’s simple, fun and it feels great. Pretty much the same recipe cooked up for Five Fathom Hole by Pierre and Adam.”
PAPAL VISIT will be releasing their third album Five Fathom Hole on vinyl and digitally Friday, November 12th, 2021 via MONOPOLIZED.
Show Dates:
11.27.21 | Fredericton, NB – The Cap*
*with Maiden Names and Doctor Mother Father
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