The Gear
Yamaha Oak Custom Drums Ludwig Supraphonic Snare Murat Diril Cymbals
• 14-in . Regular Hats
• 18-in . Fast Crash
• 18-in . Mosaic Crash
• 19-in . Brilliant Crash
• 22-in . Mega Bell Heavy Ride
CM : Do you feel the need or pressure to “ fill out the sound ” as a duo while writing and performing ?
MH : Over time , we have worked on our sound to make it the best it can be from our point of view . When we recorded [ 2014 ’ s ] Cities Away , we weren ’ t taking the band as seriously and didn ’ t know if it would be the last album we would ever record , so we wanted to have fun with the studio process . We put additional layers on it , including multiple guitar tracks , bass , and a small piano and violin bit . For Feeling Disconnected , we wanted to strip it down to reflect our live show . I think on our next record , we ’ ll split the difference .
CM : What do you think it is about Winnipeg that fosters such strong punk rock bands ? Has the culture of the city had a particular effect on you as a drummer or musician in general ?
MH : Before we moved back to Winnipeg five-and-a-half years ago , Jenna [ Priestner , guitar / vocals ] and I were living in Vancouver and were still figuring out our sound as a band . Vancouver didn ’ t have much of a punk scene ; it was mostly indie pop and we didn ’ t find a community of musicians we felt we belonged with . When we moved to Winnipeg , everything became easier . It must be that community that holds other bands up and makes them want to be better . Ultimately , everyone just wants to be as good as Propagandhi [ laughs ].
CM : You ’ ve toured with Against Me !, a band continually solidifying its place as one of the greatest punk bands of all time . What did you learn from that experience – anything specifically related to drumming from Atom Willard ?
MH : Touring with Against Me ! was a dream . They are all lovely people with so much energy and honesty on stage and watching them made us want to be as entertaining as they are . I particularly loved watching Inge [ Johansson , bass ]. One night after the show , I told him how much fun he looked like he was having and he was surprised because that night in particular he hadn ’ t felt focused . I thought to myself , “ OK , even Inge has off nights ,” but nobody in the crowd would have known because he pushed through it with a smile on his face . If you ’ re on stage and you ’ re not feeling it , do your best to fake it . The audience will have more fun . Atom is such a solid drummer and a great person . He was very supportive and generous with his time and advice when I asked for it . He even tuned my drums for me . He makes complicated beats look effortless and was inspiring to watch every night .
Ryan Shuvera is a music journalist and an avid music fan . He loves to talk and write about all things music related . He has a passion for Canadian music and can be found lost in the stacks of used book and record stores when not writing . Follow him on Twitter @ ryebread891 .
56 • CANADIAN MUSICIAN