>we just stole a car is: john mutter, peter kim, kevin romain, dominic conway, daryn cassie, richard shaffer, dave chokroun, daniel ruiz, jessica jang, jessica groome, grace schoorl.
myspace.com/wejuststoleacar <-- mp3s here
contact: info@wejuststoleacar.com
UPCOMING SHOWS:
>>CORRECTION TO DATE: Wednesday January 18th 2012 @ The Biltmore, 2755 Prince Edward - Vancouver BC Canada (doors 8:30pm/show 9:15pm sharp/$8. Also performing: Juno-nominated Inhabitants and Nam Shub. Email for more info: info@wejuststoleacar.com
LATEST VIDEO
we just stole a car is a gangsterimental mostly-musical-multi-media ensemble based in Vancouver, BC. The group was designed as an outlet for creative expression without allegiance to specific medium, form or genre. It created the opportunity for Vancouver-based artists to work together in multi-disciplinary projects regardless of size, complexity or obscurity. We just stole a car began as a duo comprised of composer/multi-instrumentalist John Mutter, and bassist Peter Kim in 2006. The duo released its first full-length CD "a" independently in 2007. The album's soundscapes suggested scenes of urban construction, deconstruction, order, chaos and mechanical malfunction. The album toyed with digital processing and the creation of new sounds. We just stole a car released BARN in 2008 with the help of three new musicians (Kevin Romain, Dominic Conway, and Richard Shaffer.) The album combined through-composed material with free improvisation and traded digital processing and urban references for concrete sound and the simple sonic exploration of various instruments. 2011 brings a new project for the group entitled CHAT TAMBOUR.
CHAT TAMBOUR >>>>>>>the 2011/2012 project for we just stole a car
>>>>> CHAT TAMBOUR is a selection of new material written by John Mutter and members of we just stole a car based on Indonesian gamelan music. The gangsterimental post-gamelan project utilizes a new system of performance which allows any performer, conductor, or even audience member to influence the way in which material is performed. There are no set rules for which pieces are performed, in which order they are presented, in what manor each section of each piece is played, or if each piece is played in it's entirety. These decisions are made entirely in the moment with the help of specific hand signals and cues. This allows the each performance to be completely unique and tailored to the room and atmosphere in which the group is performing.
>>>>> Just like in gamelan music, each instrument of the ensemble may be slightly de-tuned in order to achieve the "beating" effect characteristic of gamelan music. Pitched junk and various percussion instruments will play a large role in the performance of the new material.
>>>>> All pieces were written with the process of design in mind, utilizing ideas and theories that apply to visual composition and 3D construction. The music briefly references traditional musical theories, such as tonality, atonality, and serialism, in a sarcastic manor.
>>>>> The new project welcomes back Daryn Cassie on piano, Dominic Conway or saxophone, John Mutter on guitar, Kevin Romain on drums, and invites newcomers Dave Chokroun on bass and Daniel Ruiz on percussion.
SAMPLES OF SCORES AND PARTS FROM THE CHAT TAMBOUR PROJECT:
PREVIOUS PROJECT:
we just stole a car - BARN
Bees
Bear
Moth
Fish
Owl
Cat
Ants
Fireflies
Whale
Bird
Dog
"An ambitious concept album that has been thoughtfully composed to guide the listener through a complex aural journey. There are moments of gentle subtlety and other moments punctuated with bombasts. This is a music that is pleasantly challenging and that will offer something new upon each listen."
"An experimental post-everything exploration of urban landscapes, "animal narrative", composition and improvisation"
"We Just Stole a Car is not just discordant noise and bursts of melody, it's music that grows on you, so go ahead and hotwire your ears. "
~Shazia R - CJSF radio
We just stole a car's latest release, BARN, propels the group into new grounds: Digital processing is exchanged for concrete sound and analogue manipulation, man-made city soundscapes are replaced with "animal narrative," and three new musicians (Kevin Romain, Dominic Conway, and Richard Shaffer,) join to convert the original duo into a quintet. The album combines through-composed material with free improvisation. Manipulation and processing of sound was kept minimal in order to coincide with the "natural" theme of the album. As a result, concrete sound and the sonic exploration of various instruments (clarinet, acoustic and prepared piano, trumpet, French horn, acoustic and electric bass, electric and prepared guitar, drums, percussion, saxophone, trombone, violin) makeup the majority of the more abstract textures on the album.
Each copy of BARN includes Polaroid-size photographs by John Mutter and Jessica Groome which depict scenes of "destroyed" or "damaged" moments in time. The photographs are a visual representation of a common theme of We just stole a car's music, which is "set up, and then destroy." Each album contains a different combination of photographs, some of which are more rare than others.
>Credits:
John Mutter: electric guitar and prepared guitar, electronics, clarinet, acoustic piano and prepared piano, trumpet, glockenspiel, violin, bells, beer bottles, cutlery drawer, tree bark, leaves, faucet, radio, reel to reel and analogue effects processing.
Peter Kim: electric bass, double bass, trombone.
Kevin Romain: drum set, drum stool, objects.
Richard Shaffer: acoustic piano, Rhodes, electric piano, French horn.
Dominic Conway: tenor saxophone.
Produced and recorded by John Mutter at Mutterhosen Studios. Mixed byJohn Mutter at Mutterhosen Studios and by John Mutter and Jon Siddall at Lil Monster Studio. "Fireflies" produced by Jon Siddall with engineer Gary Morgan at CBC Vancouver Studio 2. Mastered by Graemme Brown at Zen Mastering in Vancouver, BC.
CD cover by Jessica Jang. Design by John Mutter. Photography by John Mutter and Jessica Groome. Blood by Grace Schoorl.