By James Keller
Brundelfly’s Ian Somers is no novice in the music world and certainly no stranger to the reduce, reuse and recycle attitude that seems to be cropping up there as well. The former bass player of the Canadian chart-toppers Limblifter (who were comprised of Age of Electric band-mates and Somers) left the world of major-label rock and trots the path of the independent musician with his new band.
"I don’t think we’re really making a point of being indie," begins Somers at the suggestion that he decided this consciously. "We’re just doing what we do."
However, there was some premeditation to their label-less life, which recently saw the release of their sophomore record, By The Way. While being indie wasn’t specifically in mind, being without a contract was definitely intentional.
"We’ve spoken to record labels over the past couple of years, but we’re not in a big hurry to sign a record deal-we’re looking for the right deal," he explains. "It would be with someone who would be willing to invest in the development of the band and continue to put money in for development."
While this is the ideal, Somers understands this isn’t what record labels look for. With their low-tempo, bare-bones rock, including both standard rock-pop fare and some longer, intricate ballads, Brundelfly’s sound doesn’t really fit the typical mega-star mold.
"I don’t think we play the kind of music that’s going to be thrown out there and be instantly received," says Somers. "It’s difficult. In their eyes, you’re competing with Britney Spears. What we need is a record company that understands that."
Another change for Somers is his role as the band’s front man. Playing bass in Limblifter left Somers with minimal creative control and little to no songwriting space. In his new position, he’s quite comfortable taking charge.
"There’s inevitable changes that you might not choose to make. There’s a lot more upon your shoulders," he says. "You become the guy that carries that torch if everything goes right, but if everything goes wrong, it’s your fault."
Somers is also dealing with a change in the perception of independent music by fans–a perception he thinks tends to be way off base.
"I know the sentiment about the whole indie scene that if a lot of people like your band, you’re not good anymore," he says. "It’s as though the quality of your music suddenly changes because other people like it, which is absolute crap."
Instead of labels, descriptions and personal attachments, Somers would sooner see fans judge them purely on the music and the quality of the records rather than who they are, where they’re from and what they do off-stage.
"I hope to interest people enough in the band that they listen to the record. If people don’t hear your name, one way or another, their ears will never perk up when they see the record; they’ll never check you out."