BIO
Toronto’s Persian Rugs’ debut album This is OK for Now is the sound of the ephemeral. A document of lost loves, lost time, departed friends, and making the most of what you’ve got. Weaving together soaring New Wave inspired melodies, bouncing Motown bass lines, and a firm foundation of shoegaze and indiepop abandon, the group creates a soundtrack to right now, and the possibility that all will be OK.
The album was recorded throughout 2012 and 2013 – partly in Sloan’s studio with Ryan Haslett, and another stint putting bed tracks over Dan Hill reel-to-reel master tapes in a local studio with Jay Lemak. Mixing duties were handled by Thomas D’Arcy, Jay Lemak and Adam Trozzolo in collaboration with the band.
Their debut single “Always All,” released on NYC-based Cloudberry Records in 2011, garnered early attention from Pitchfork and Exclaim!, and saw the band play well-received sets at NYC Popfest, NXNE, Canadian Music Week, and Toronto’s Wavelength music series.
Ian Jackson (ex-Airfields, Diableros) formed the band in the summer of 2009 with the help of long-time friends and former bandmates Ali Sunderji on bass, and Matt Rubba on drums. Kaye Hamilton joined the group shortly thereafter as singer and keyboardist.
This is OK for Now will be released independently on limited edition cassette on September 2, 2014.
PRESS
“This winsome cut (and, at the moment, sole tune) from Ontario indie pop [four]-piece Persian Rugs is labeled on the band’s MySpace as a “4-track demo”; even if there’s a cleaner-sounding version coming down the line, “Always All”’s melody shines through the tape hiss enjoyably.”
- Pitchfork (http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/15187-always-all/)
“These guys can’t put out a new record quick enough.”
- Exclaim! Magazine (http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/CMW/persian_rugs-rancho_relaxo_toronto_on_march_22)
“This is your cardigan-clad antidote to short-attention-span buzz-band-itis. Persian Rug’s C86-informed rock might go down like Cotton Candy, but the taste is guaranteed to linger.”
- Mechanical Forest Sound (http://mechanicalforestsound.blogspot.ca/2013/03/cmw-2013-preview.html)
“The record’s A-side has garnered a lot of blog love already, but as the extended digital version reveals, it was just the tip of the iceberg. Hamilton and Jackson are both fine singers on their own or trading verses back and forth, but when paired together, as they are on the chorus of “It’s What you Think,” Persian Rugs’ C-86 style indie pop sounds unstoppable. Expect big things from this promising new band.”
- Exclaim! Magazine, **Editors Pick** (http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/PopAndRock/persian_rugs-always_all)
“With anoraks thrown over the head of every melody, their sound is the offshoot of so many fey Glaswegian bands but fresh enough to stand alongside such esteemed contemporaries as The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Given the reception the latter receives during regular visits to Toronto, it is only a matter of time before our city stands up and takes notice of what’s taking root in our own backyard”
- Global News: New talent delivers at NXNE
Covering a wide scope, from ebullient power-pop to shoegaze revivalism, the four-piece manages to cram into their sound pop melodies, dreamy lounge grooves, and hazy walls of feedback, capped off with rich synth touches. Well-crafted songs and a truly impressive set as chief assets, Persian Rugs are too good not to warrant more attention.”
- Ben LV, Exclaim! blog network (http://lonelyvagabond.com/2011/01/08/persian-rugs-rancho-relaxo/)
“And, at the end of the day they are worth checking out for their tremendous stage presence alone.”
- The Urban Hermit (http://theurbanhermit.tumblr.com/post/45766392302/cmf-2013-recommendations-for-friday-march-22-2013)
“Beautiful melodies, catchy guitar riffs, upbeat group vocals and a genuine feel of happiness through each note. In short, Persian Rugs live up to their growing rep.”
- BlogTO (http://www.blogto.com/music/2011/02/the_persian_rugs_cut_up_tiger_bar/)
Interview in El Economista (Mexico City)
Print edition: http://music360.tumblr.com/post/8445428022/eng-interview-with-persian-rugs
Online edition: http://eleconomista.com.mx/entretenimiento/2011/08/02/segundo-aire-vinil
PHOTOS
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