A Quick Q&A With Kiwi Jr.
Image: Warren Callbeck
Jeremy Gaudet is one-quarter of Canadian jangle-pop favourites Kiwi Jr.; in the past twelvemonth, he and his bandmates have garnered widespread acclaim for their wry, witty lyricism, covering subjects as broad as election culture, local arson, and insurance fraud. Their debut album ‘Cooler Returns’ was recently released amidst a global pandemic, and despite having spent the best part of their band-infancy locked away behind closed doors, Kiwi Jr. have racked up the sort of reputation that scene stalwarts would dream about. We caught up with Jeremy to find out just what all the fuss is about…
How would you describe your own sound for our readers?
J: Like the Beatles but with less silly songs and much worse vocalists.
You’ve already had some considerable success over this side of the pond - what’s that been like for you?
J: We did one short UK tour about a year ago for the last album, and we were supposed to have been back twice this past year, but for obvious reasons that didn’t happen. We had a great time in January though. Kobe Bryant had died the day we flew out of Toronto, so we were a bit down as well as being anxious about the flight, but when we arrived everyone was so nice to us and we had more fans than we anticipated. We can’t wait to go back.
How have you been keeping yourselves occupied during the (multiple) lockdowns?
J: Toronto had okay virus numbers this summer and we were able to be in a social bubble together. We could rehearse a lot and then record in the studio. Once we finished the album in September, the schools reopened, and the numbers got bad again, so we were lucky to finish it when we did.
What are you most looking forward to doing when lockdown ends?
J: There’s loads of things… maybe just go to the bar with some friends. I’d like to see live sports again. Going to the grocery store without making evil eyes at someone incorrectly wearing their mask…
What are the main ideas and themes behind your new album, ‘Cooler Returns?’
J: I don’t want to analyse my own stuff like I have to write a five-paragraph essay about themes and ideas or whatever else. That sounds like homework… and who knows what I would find. I like to think of each song as a different thing. I choose to compartmentalize each song, and then it’s up to the listener to stand back and look at the thing as a whole. I’m focused on the day-to-day. The small stuff. Maybe we should go back and pay somebody to make a Sparknotes account for us.
Image: Warren Callbeck
What’s the scene like over in Toronto – any acts we should be listening to or keeping an eye out for?
J: Sure! Check out our friends in Sahara, Tallies, Teen Anger, Ducks Unlimited...
What’s next for Kiwi Jr? Are there any post-lockdown plans you’re excited about?
J: There are no plans yet. Gotta take it one day at a time in a situation like this. I don’t think scheduling and inevitably cancelling a tour would be helpful for anyone. We’ve already started working on the third album though.
Listen to ‘Cooler Returns’ here:
Lead Image: Johan Arthur