Frey - NYTimes Arcade Fire 2.doc

8/13/2019 Frey - NYTimes Arcade Fire 2.doc

1/12

One Very, Very Indie BandBy DARCY FREY

The New York TimesMarch 4, !!"

Damn, #his ch$rch is %e##in% hec#ic, wha# wi#h R&%ine in #he or%anis#'sa(co)e coa*in% #he +ack$ sin%ers #o (e# (oose - .in% (ike rea((yh$n%ry wo()es/ 0ike yo$'re sendin% a desera#e a(arm #o #he o#herwo()es/ - and 1in down in #he sanc#$ary #ryin% #o kee #he $ri%h#do$+(e +ass and #enor sa* 2rom )eerin% #oward smoo#h 3a, and

5eremy ickin% #hro$%h doens o2 +(ack6me#a( shiin% cra#es #o makes$re #he e7$imen#'s a(( #here - 1in's do+ro, R&%ine's h$rdy6%$rdy,#he %(ockensie(, #he accordions, #he %ian# Asian cym+a(s and #he neon

5es$s si%n - e)ery#hin% acked $ #i%h# and ready #o +e shied o22 #o

0ondon 2or #he s#ar# o2 #he +and's year(on% wor(d #o$r8 I#'s a snowy5an$ary ni%h# 3$s# o$#side Mon#rea(, and each #ime #he 2ron# dooroens, %$s#s o2 2ri%id air +(ow #hro$%h #he na)e9 :ey, c(ose #he8 8 8 8 Oh,i#'s 0ia/ :ey e)ery+ody, 0ia's here/ Ear(ier, #he ch$rch %o# socrowded #ha# .arah had #o record her )io(in ar# ;R&%ine9 Make i#weird, (ike a %hos# )io(in, a sci62i )io(in, a )io(in 2rom o$#er sace/Neon Bi+(e,? #he +and's 2o((ow6$ #o i#ss$ccess2$( and s$rrisin%(y oised !!4 de+$# a(+$m, >F$nera(,? was a@#h6cen#$ry red+rick ch$rch in a sma(( 2arm #own an ho$r o$#side o2Mon#rea(8 The ch$rch a(ready had a s#a%e in 2ron#, a h$ndred62oo#cei(in% #ha# re#$rned rich, (i)e6so$ndin% re)er+era#ions and a rear+a(cony #ha# co$(d +e #$rned in#o a %(assed6in so$nd +oo#h8 Once #hey+o$%h# #he (ace, mo)ed in #heir e7$imen# and hired #wo en%ineers,a(( #hey had #o do was con)er# #he +asemen# in#o +edrooms and hire0ia ;1in's +ro#her's 2ianc&e's yo$n%er sis#er< as #heir cook so #heyco$(d (i)e o$# #here 2or mos# o2 (as# year, workin% ro$%h(y #hree weeks

on, one o22, some#imes (ayin% #hro$%h #he wee ho$rs #o %e# #heirme#ic$(o$s(y arran%ed and recorded son%s 3$s# ri%h#8 ;>Neon Bi+(e? wi((+e re(eased March 8F$nera(,? ana(+$m #ha#, (ar%e(y +eca$se o2 word6o26+(o% and a %$shin% re)iew oni#ch2orkmedia8com, #he in2($en#ia( m$sic 1e+ si#e ;an a(+$m >a# (as#

caa+(e o2 com(e#e(y and s$ccess2$((y res#orin% #he #ain#ed hraseemo#iona(' #o i#s #r$e ori%in?


3/12

O##awa, Bono and his ma#es rono$nced #he Arcade Fire #heir 2a)ori#enew ac#8

>I# was cray, hi(ario$s, #o#a((y s$rrea(,? 1i(( says8

>1eird #imes/? R&%ine sin%s8

>.omewhere a(on% #he (ine we +ecame #he +and #ha# was s$osed #osa)e rock 'n' ro((,? says Richie arry, who a(so (ays $ri%h# do$+(e+ass8

1i(d, s$dden s$ccess 2or a +and is o2#en #he momen# $ccini #akeso)er #he scri# ;o2#en, #oo, #he momen# a +and is insired #o make asecond a(+$m, a+o$# #he +$rdens o2 wi(d, s$dden s$ccessI

can de2ini#e(y say #ha# (ayin% wi#h Da)id Byrne was one o2 #he mos#weird, wonder2$( and ($cky #hin%s we')e e*erienced as m$sicians,?Richie says8 >Ons#a%e #ha# ni%h#, we were a(( makin% eye con#ac# wi#heach o#her - yo$ know, some#hin% so imossi+(e and 2ar away #ha# wewere a(( o2 a s$dden ho(din% in o$r hands8? The m$sicians seem #oha)e s#ren%#hened #heir co((ec#i)e imm$ni#y #o hye +y reso($#e(ydoin% wha# #hey wan#9 #hey #$rned down #he chance #o #o$r wi#h R8E8M8so #hey co$(d con#in$e er2ormin% #heir 2$((6(en%#h shows #hey re2$sed#o (ay Bri#ain's >To o2 #he os,? on which +ands #radi#iona((y (i6sync#heir ma#eria(, $n#i( #hey were ermi##ed #o (ay (i)e and #hey resis#ed

#he en#rea#ies o2 se)era( ma3or record comanies, made o)er a serieso2 (a)ish dinners, #o (ea)e Mer%e, #he indeenden# (a+e( #ha# re(eased>F$nera(8?

>For Neon Bi+(e,' we me# wi#h a (o# o2 d$des, +$# hones#(y i# wasn'##ha# in#eres#in%,? 1in says8 >Mer%e is (ike #he (a+e(s $sed #o +e, +asedon someone's #as#es and in#eres# in m$sic -?

>-ins#ead o2 s#a#is#ics and marke#in%,? R&%ine says8

>I2 yo$ (ook a# #he 1e+ si#es o2 a (o# o2 #he ma3ors,? 1in %oes on,>#hey're se((in% e)ery#hin% - hi6ho, co$n#ry, Disney so$nd#racks8 I#'s#he #hrow6a6(o#6o26%ar+a%e6a#6#he6wa(( -?

>- and6see6wha#6s#icks s#ra#e%y,? R&%ine says >B$# a# (eas# we %o# #os#ay in some nice ho#e(s, didn'# weJ And we a#e %ood 2ood 2or a mon#h/


4/12

And we didn'# (ie #o anyone ei#her9 Ri%h# 2rom #he s#ar#, we made i#c(ear we'd ne)er si%n wi#h #hem8 I mean, why wo$(d weJ?

E)en now #ha# #he Arcade Fire has +een consecra#ed as Canada's mos#ce(e+ra#ed m$sica( e*or# o2 #he momen# ;Time Canada $# #he +and

on i#s co)erNeon Bi+(e,? ins#ead o22o((owin% some ro2essiona( marke#in% s#ra#e%y, #hey $sed (a#os andiMo)ie #o crea#e a )ideo 2or Yo$T$+e in #he s#y(e o2 a (a#e6ni%h#, se(26he( in2omercia( - >ca(( now/? - #hen se# $ a #o((62ree n$m+er whereca((ers co$(d ress one +$##on #o hear m$sic and ano#her #o (ea)emessa%es, some o2 which were os#ed on #he +and's 1e+ si#e8 >I# wassor# o2 a 3oke a+o$# )ira( marke#in%, and )ira( marke#in% a# #he same#ime,? 1in says8 >Did i# work as rea( marke#in%J I ha)e no idea8? To #ry

o$# new ma#eria( in er2ormance +e2ore headin% #o 0ondon, #he +and(ayed #wo +ene2i# %i%s - one a# Richie's o(d hi%h schoo( in O##awa ;ina re)ersa( o2 ad$(#6wor(d ro#oco(, yo$ had #o +e in hi%h schoo( andshow a )a(id $nder6a%e ID #o %e# in:ey, did someone remem+er #o in)i#e #he %$ys 2rom #he iro%i shoJ?

>Yeah, I #o(d #hem we were (ayin% across #he s#ree#, and #hey said,

Tha#'s o$r ch$rch/' I $# #hem a(( on #he %$es# (is#8?

>Did #hey comeJ Did #hey (ike #he showJ =od, a# one oin# I wasc(im+in% a(( o)er #he iano8 I wonder i2 #hey %o# mad8?

>No, no, #hey (o)ed i#/?

Desi#e #he sa#is2ac#ion i# #akes in $endin% rock6+$siness con)en#ion,howe)er, #he Arcade Fire has shrewd(y ke# con#ro( o2 i#s a22airs -ayin% 2or +o#h a(+$ms i#se(2, +$yin% i#s own s#$dio #o record #he

second a(+$m and re#ainin% #he ri%h#s #o a(( #he mas#er recordin%s #he+and dis#ri+$#es i#s m$sic +y se##in% $ (icensin% dea(s ;wi#h Mer%e inNor#h America, wi#h Hni)ersa( in E$roeThe idea o2 someone e(seownin% wha# we do is insane when we did a(( #he work,? 1in says8 And2or a(( #heir iconoc(as#ic siri#, #he m$sicians are no# $nmind2$( o2 #heconsidera+(e ower #hey ha)e acc$m$(a#ed8 One day in 5an$ary, #he+and's ersona( assis#an#'s car was #owed 2rom #he (o# o2 a Tim


5/12

:or#ons do$%hn$# sho, e)en #ho$%h she was inside +$yin% a doen%(aed a# #he #ime8 Hon hearin% news o2 #his a22ron#, #he %$i#aris# TimKin%s+$ry s$%%es#ed #hey os# #he ma##er on arcade2ire8com and %e#2ree do$%hn$#s 2or (i2e8 >Yo$ know,? said 5eremy =ara, #he dr$mmer,>I'd (ike #o $se #ha# #echni7$e #o +rin% down Be(( Canada8?

Now, as #he h$%e ch$rch windows 2rame r$ra( darkness and someswir(in% #ornadoes o2 snow, 0ia anno$nces, >Dinner's ready/? and a%enera( c(a##er ;>Awesome/ 8 8 8 1e (o)e yo$, 0ia/?< er$#s as #he +andmem+ers head #oward #he ki#chen wi#h i#s cei(in% s#reamers and i#s(on%, cand(e6(i# #a+(e a(ready s#ocked wi#h +aske#s o2 +read and +o##(eso2 mer(o#8 1in wan#s #o know how (on% i# wi(( #ake #o %e# a newassor#, +eca$se a2#er #he si*6mon#h >F$nera(? #o$r #here are noa%es (e2# in his o(d one8 1i(( is m$sin% on #he e#hics o2 $##in% )ideo%ames on #he +and's e*ense acco$n#, and .arah Ne$2e(d, #he

)io(inis#, oin#s o$# #ha# some %ro$s on #o$r rack $ a %rand er ni%h#3$s# on +ooe8 Marika An#hony6.haw ;)io(is# 2or #he (i)e shows< asks i2.arah's (annin% #o #ake her )io(in on #he (ane as carry6on, +eca$se#here's no way Marika's %oin% #o check her )io(a, no# a2#er wha#haened a# #ha# no#orio$s show9 1in, whose 2$((6#hro##(e (ayin% cane*(ode in#o con2ron#a#ion, heard #he +and's re)io$s dr$mmer mess$ his ar# and screamed - er2ec#(y in #ime #o #he m$sic - No/ No/No/ No/ which ca$sed #he dr$mmer #o er$# in 2$ry and h$r( his dr$msacross #he s#a%e, ca#chin% Marika wi#h #he hi%h6ha# and snain% #he+rid%e o2 her )io(a in #wo8 ;>D$de/? said a s$rrised 1in8 >I# was ar# o2

#he momen#/?Neon Bi+(e? in #he 2a((, #hey hadn'##o$red in more #han a year aside 2rom (ayin% #o a +$nch o2 hi%h6

schoo(ers and #he %$ys 2rom #he iro%i sho ;and (ayin% a (i##(echao#ica((y #oo.ome eo(e %e# so ra+id a# o$r shows,? Richie said8 >They %e# #heseca#har#ic e*eriences8 And #hey'(( say i# #oo9 1e saw yo$ #ha# #ime a#so6and6so i# was #he +es# #hin% we e)er saw/' which does %i)e me a#win%e o2 ride8 Tha#'s wha# I a(ways wan#ed a# a rock show - #o swea#

and cry and scream a (o#8 B$# wi#h #his new ma#eria(, we may ha)e #o+ack o22 a +i#8 1e don'# wan# #o +e sh#icky, and an imro)isa#ory siri#wi(( he( $s %e# aro$nd #ha#8 The #rick is keein% oen8 Yo$ know9 1ha#2$n #hin% can we do #oni%h#J?

>May+e we'(( need #o +e (ess con2ron#a#iona(,? Tim said8 >Or may+ewe'(( need #o +e more con2ron#a#iona(8 Or may+e 3$s# (ess o+)io$s(ycon2ron#a#iona(8?

>C(ear(y o$r er2ormance s#y(e has #o chan%e,? 1in said8 >I2 yo$ 3$s#

say, This is o$r #hin% #his is wha# we do,' #hen i# is sh#ick8 .o, yeah,we may +e (ess in#ense wi#h #his ma#eria(, a(#ho$%h I s$sec# we'((a(ways +e re##y in#ense8?

1in is si*62oo#62i)e, wi#h coa#6han%er sho$(ders and messy +(ond 2(y6away hair sha)ed #o $nk er2ec#ion aro$nd #he ears8 A# , he has(ar%e, ene#ra#in% eyes and no# e)en #he shadow o2 a +eard8 A(#ho$%hhe sin%s a# #imes wi#h a #i%h#6#hroa#ed, hi%h6i#ched 2er)or #ha# +rin%s#o mind Da)id Byrne wi#h #he Ta(kin% :eads, when he ins#r$c#s #he+and, he #ends #o %a#her his #ho$%h#s in si(ence, #hen (ay #hem o$# in

7$ie#, commandin% (ines9 >Yo$ need #o #i%h#en #hose r$ns and +rin%#hem down an oc#a)e or yo$'re %oin% #o so$nd (ike a# Me#heny,? he'((say #o #he s#rin% and +rass (ayers8 Meanwhi(e, R&%ine, who is L!, wi#h7$ick +rown eyes and a i(e o2 c$r(y dark hair #ha# reaches on(y #o herh$s+and's s#ern$m, wi(( ri22 e*ci#ed(y on an idea 2or a %$i#ar so(o ;0e# i#han% +e#ween #he +rea#hs o2 #he me(ody 888 (ike an - I don'# know -(ike an air(ane 888 make i# rea((y 2o$r#h dimension/< and #hen,


7/12

2r$s#ra#ed +y her 2ai($res o2 me#ahor, wi(( rise on#o her s#ockin%ed#oes #o dance #he (ine o2 a (ay %$i#ar (ick #ha# (in%ers +ehind a son%'srincia( me(ody and - +ody s$sended, #hen #riin% 2orward -ca#ches i# 3$s# a# #he end8 Mos# e)eryone associa#ed wi#h #he ArcadeFire #a(ks a+o$# #he +and's >democra#ic? and >comm$na(? siri# e)en

#he #emorary s#rin% and horn (ayers re(ish #heir a$#onomy and #hechance #o e*erimen# crea#i)e(y wi#h #heir ar#s8 >1e're #ryin% #o +rin%some#hin% #o eo(e #ha# we can do on(y as a %ro$,? Richie says8 >I2 i#works, #ha# can - hoe2$((y - +a(ance any ersona( 2ric#ions #ha# arise2rom a +and made $ o2 ersona(i#ies #ha# are so s#ron% i# cansome#imes make yo$ a (i##(e cray8 Mos# o2 #he #ime i# does8 There'sa(so a %en$ine (ack o2 e%o#ism in #his +and #ha# ser)es $s we(( eo(e%e# o$# o2 #he way o2 an idea #ha#'s workin%8 .o i# is an oendemocracy and a crea#i)e sace8 B$# a# #he end o2 #he day, 1in is )erym$ch #he (eader o2 #his +and - +eca$se o2 his s#ron% ersona(i#y, and

#he 2ac# #ha# he was 2o$nder and wri#es mos# o2 #he son%s8 1in is Kin%and R&%ine is G$een, and we a(( 2i%$re o$# #he res#8?

1in, who was raised in #he :o$s#on s$+$r+s and arri)ed in Mon#rea(a2#er 2o$r years a# hi((is E*e#er and one a# .arah 0awrence, %rew $(ayin% %$i#ar and (is#enin% #o Radiohead, #he i*ies, #he .mi#hs and#he C$re8 R&%ine, who was +orn in Mon#rea( o2 :ai#ian aren#s, wass#$dyin% 3a sin%in%, (ayin% mando(in in a medie)a( ensem+(e anddoin% comosi#iona( e*erimen#s wi#h @#h6cen#$ry m$sic when #he#wo me# a# Mc=i(( Hni)ersi#y8

1in9 >1e me# in #he schoo( ca2e#eria8 A week (a#er I wen# #o see hersin%in% 3a8 I# was immedia#e(y o+)io$s #o me #ha# she was a rea(sin%er8 I e)en (e2# +e2ore she was done8 I didn'# need #o see #he res# i#was so o+)io$s we needed #o (ay #o%e#her8?

R&%ine9 >I remem+er he came one ni%h# #o hear me sin%, +$# he (e2#+e2ore i# was o)er - I #ho$%h# he didn'# (ike i#/ And when I saw him(a#er, I asked wha# he (ayed, and when he said, Oh, some %$i#ar, a(i##(e iano,' I #ho$%h#9 Bo6rin%/ E)eryone (ays a (i##(e %$i#ar and iano/

B$# ri%h# away, I was s#r$ck +y #he ma#$ri#y o2 his son%s8 This was no#3$s# some d$de nood(in% aro$nd on his %$i#ar #ryin% #o imress me8?

1in9 >1e were comin% 2rom s$ch di22eren# wor(ds, +$# when I (ayedmy s#$22 2or her, ri%h# away she had ideas - 2or accordion, 2or a(( #hisweird medie)a( s#$228?


8/12

R&%ine9 >I was 2rom ano#her (ane#8 I didn'# e)en know wha# an indie'+and was - i# so$nded so )a%$e and mys#erio$s8 B$# 1in wro#e rea((y%ood, ca#chy me(odies ;#ho$%h wi#h 2air(y #yica( chord chan%es, I#ho$%h#1e s#ar#ed (ayin% #o%e#her and wen# on a da#e #ha# same ni%h#8I# wasn'# (ike, #his co$(d work8 I# was more (ike, #his does work8 And weha)en'# +een aar# 2or more #han a week since8?

The Arcade Fire so$nd - ca#chy o me(odies and #hick dissonancesraw, imer2ec# rock wi#h 2(aw(ess symhonic arran%emen#s -ori%ina#es wi#h #ha# airin% o2 1in's indie roo#s and R&%ine's c(assica(#rainin%8 B$# #he e*hi(ara#in% sec#ac(e #he +and crea#es 2or i#s (i)e

shows arises 2rom #he con2(a%ra#ion o2 ener%ies, #he +are(y con#ro((edchaos o2 se)en recocio$s m$sicians, a(( o2 whom (ay m$(#i(eins#r$men#s ;some#imes swain% +e#ween son%s, some#imesswain% wi#hin son%s< and who %enera#e co$n#erme(odies, sonic#e*#$res and ons#a%e in#erac#ions #ha# are ar# rio#o$s (ay, ar#$nner)in% ro)oca#ion8 There's Richie, who (ays +owed do$+(e +assand #a$%h# himse(2 an idiosyncra#ic e(ec#ric %$i#ar ;he aears #o +ewrin%in% #he neck o2 a dead chicken< and em+races #he $se o2 o(icesirens and me%ahones and 1i((, #he #echnica((y de*#ro$s, hi%h(y#ac#i(e key+oardis#, who o2#en (ea)es #he i)ories #o +ai# Richie ons#a%e,

%ra++in% his 2riend's do$+(e +ass or dr$mmin% on his head wi#h s#icksor enac#in% )ario$s scenes o2 mock6#or#$re and 5eremy, #he am(y6#a##ooed hea)y6me#a( en#h$sias#, who $mme(s #he dr$ms ;or #heiano when R&%ine #akes a #$rn on erc$ssion< wi#h s$ch 2eroci#y #ha#1in some#imes (ooks +ack and #hinks 5eremy's arms are %oin% #o snari%h# o228

Desi#e i#s e*$+eran#, some#imes #ri$mha(is# so$nd, >F$nera(? (ookeda# #he wor(d (yrica((y #hro$%h in#rosec#i)e and, a# #imes, 7$i#emo$rn2$( eyes - i#s son%s were a+o$# 2ami(y, re(a#ionshis and #he

#en$o$s +onds o2 comm$ni#y8 1i#h >Neon Bi+(e,? 1in and R&%ine ha)e#aken on (ar%er #hemes, wri#in% e((i#ica( narra#i)es a+o$# #heam+i)a(ence o2 2ai#h, #he cha((en%e o2 (i)in% wi#h 2ear and #heossi+i(i#y o2 aoca(yse8 M$sica((y, #heir wri#in% has e)o()ed as we((9 inaddi#ion #o se)era( n$m+ers #ha#, (ike #heir re)io$s work, #i(# #oward+om+as#, >Neon Bi+(e? inc($des a hymn ;>In#er)en#ion?


9/12

;>An#ichris# Te(e)ision B($es?My Body Is a Ca%e?Neon Bi+(e,? #he new ma#eria( #es#ed#he +and's end$rance and in%en$i#y8 A(#ho$%h one son%, >B(ack

1a)eBad Vi+ra#ions,? was a $re s#$dio crea#ion, a Frankens#ein o2o)erd$+s, 2or a(( #he o#her son%s #he +and assed $ #he sa2e#y ne# o2di%i#a( #echno(o%y and recorded #he so6ca((ed +ed #racks wi#h #he +and(ayin% on #he ch$rch s#a%e and on#o ana(o% #ae, #here+y 2orcin%e)eryone #o commi# #o #he in#ensi#y o2 a (i)e er2ormance 2rom #hes#ar# o2 each #ake #o i#s end8 >No# many +ands record (ike #ha#anymore,? says #heir en%ineer, Mark$s Dra)s, who worked wi#h B3ork ina simi(ar(y imro)ised (i)e6in sace in #he .anish mo$n#ains and wasBrian Eno's ho$se en%ineer 2or 2o$r years8 >B$# #hey em+raced #hechaos8 They were (ike, 0e#'s e)ery+ody (ay in #he room and #hrow

mikes a# i# and see how i# so$nds/ 0e#'s 3$m o22 a c(i22 and see wha#haens a# #he +o##om/? On one son%, #he 2ina( )oca( was #he 2irs# onerecorded9 The +and se# $ on #he ch$rch s#a%e 1in wen# o$#side on#o#he +ack s#es wi#h headhones and a mando(in and san% in#o #heni%h#8

A2#er #he m$sicians com(e#ed #he ini#ia( #racks 2or each son%, #heyroceeded #o (ayer #he a(+$m wi#h some am+i#io$s new so$nds8 For>The 1e(( and #he 0i%h#ho$se,? #hey wan#ed #o dis#or# #he so$nd o2R&%ine's )oice on #he chor$ses, so Dra)s 2i%$red o$# how #o crea#e a

B$ddy :o((y6s#y(e #ae de(ay o2 enormo$s roor#ions +y 2eedin% her)oice a%ain and a%ain #hro$%h #he 4 heads o2 his so$nd deck, whichke# e*#endin% #he %a +e#ween #he ori%ina( )oca( and i#s s#ran%e,de%raded echo $n#i( he achie)ed #he a$ra( e7$i)a(en# o2 a s#adi$m 2$((o2 sec#a#ors doin% #he wa)e8 ;Dra)s9 >This +and's )ery %ood a#knowin% wha# #hey wan# #hey 3$s# ha)en'# read eno$%h man$a(s8?< For>My Body Is a Ca%e? and >In#er)en#ion,? 1in and R&%ine heard in #heira$ra( ima%ina#ions #he so$nd o2 a mi%h#y or%an, so #hey ren#ed #he.ain#65ean6Ba#is#e ch$rch in Mon#rea( wi#h i#s !!6ie ins#r$men#a2#er an en%ineer miked #he en#ire (ace, R&%ine recorded #he ar#s in

a series o2 sin%(e #akes ;#ho$%h #here was a ha(26second de(ay +e#weenderessin% #he keys and #he o)erwhe(min% so$nd i# %enera#ed< whi(e#he +and #racks (ayed in#o her headhones8 For >B(ack Mirror,? >Kee#he Car R$nnin%? and >No Cars =o,? 1in and R&%ine wan#ed a 2$((erso$nd #han co$(d +e achie)ed +y #heir own ra%#a% orches#ra, so #heywen# #o B$daes# ;no $nion r$(es and a %ood ra#e on #he Canadian


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do((ar< and recorded #heir arran%emen#s wi#h a !6iece orches#ra anda mi(i#ary choir8

Fo$r years a%o, when #he Arcade Fire 2irs# s#ar#ed er2ormin% i#s son%s2rom >F$nera(,? i# #ook #he +and si* mon#hs #o crea#e #he kind o2 show

#ha# e)en#$a((y +ro$%h# i# s$ch renown8 Now, wi#h a hi%h(y an#icia#eda(+$m a+o$# #o come o$#, a year o2 #o$r da#es (ined $ and one ni%h##o %o +e2ore #hey were #o +e%in #heir 2i)e6show r$n in 0ondon, #hem$sicians were s#i(( %roin% #heir way 2orward - #ryin% #o 2ind or#a+(e;and er2orma+(e< ways o2 recrea#in% #he symhonic richness o2 >NeonBi+(e? +y reworkin% )oca( aroaches and ins#r$men#a( arran%emen#sand imro)isin% new +i#s o2 #hea#er8 >I don'# #hink we')e 2o$nd o$r2oo#in%,? Richie said when #he +and 2inished rehearsin% in #he Eas#0ondon s#$dio8 >The o(d n$m+ers know #hemse()es as (i)e son%s, +$##he new ones s#i(( 2ee( (ike yo$n% ca()es on weak (e%s8?

>Yeah, #ha# was ro$%h,? 1i(( said8 >The (o%is#ics %e# hard when #he+and swe((s #o @! or more8?

>O8K8, so we were swea#y and 3e#6(a%%ed,? 5eremy said8 >B$#, +adrehearsa(, %ood show8' Isn'# #ha# wha# #hey a(ways sayJ?

O$#side .#8 5ohn's Ch$rch, in a (o)e(y, #$cked6away =eor%ian s7$are,#he (ine s#ar#ed 2ormin% a# 4 o'c(ock 2or #he 8m8 show, and when #hea$dience 2ina((y 2i(ed in#o #he ma3es#ic, hi%h6cei(in%ed ch$rch and 2aced

a s#a%e acked wi#h m$sica( e7$imen#, se)era( me%ahones on#riods and a red6)e()e# c$r#ain draed in +ack wi#h #he ro3ec#edima%e o2 a neon +i+(e, Richie said he co$(d 2ee( i# in his +ones9 >.eems(ike #he crowd is as ner)o$s as we are8 This is a crowd wi#h rea((y hi%he*ec#a#ions #hey wan# #ha# ca#har#ic e*erience8 B$# #hey're a (i##(eahead o2 #hemse()es #hey don'# know #he new son%s #hey don'# knowhow #hey're %oin% #o %e# e*ci#ed8 Yo$ know9 This wi(( +e awesome/ B$##he $nsoken messa%e is9 :oe so/?

The Arcade Fire - a(( @! o2 #hem - en#ered 2rom #he +ack o2 #he

sanc#$ary ;any#hin% #o +reak #ha# +arrier +e#ween er2ormer anda$dience


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+ea#in% a snare dr$m and #hrowin% i# $, end o)er end, some#hin% wasmissin% #he mark8 The ener%y comin% 2rom #he s#a%e seemed #odissia#e amon% #he crowd #he so$nd was a(( (ow6re%is#er dr$ms and+ass, drownin% o$# #hose o+sessi)e(y arran%ed horns and )io(ins andwhen son%s ended, #he a$dience c(aed en#h$sias#ica((y, i2 a (i##(e #oo

resec#2$((y8 1in acknow(ed%ed as m$ch 2rom +ehind his mike9 >I%$ess i#'s o$r own damn 2a$(# 2or (ayin% in a ch$rch,? he said8 >:oware yo$J =oodJ Yeah, e)ery#hin%'s %oin% %ood wi#h $s #oo9 3e# (a%,an#i+io#ics8 888? They (ayed a !6min$#e show and (e2# #he s#a%e(ookin% a(mos# as $ncer#ain as #hey did a# #he s#ar#8

As #hey were 2i(in% o$# o2 #he sanc#$ary, howe)er, #he +and +rie2(ycon2erred, #hen #ook a son#aneo$s #$rn and headed 2or #he ch$rchdoor8 >Come o$#side/? R&%ine ye((ed #o #he crowd8 And whi(e #hea$dience #rai(ed a2#er #hem on#o #he s#one s#es, #he +and co((ec#ed

aro$nd a me%ahone and san% an $nrehearsed aco$s#ic )ersion o2>1ake H,? i#s mos# o$(ar son% 2rom >F$nera(8? On disc, >1ake H?is an#hemic - H (ays i# o)er #he (o$dseakers +e2ore i#s showsMadison .7$are =arden $ses i# #o 3a $ #he crowd a# Ran%ers'%ames8 :ere, in #he sec($ded, (am6(i# s7$are, wi#h #heir +rea#h )isi+(ein #he win#ery ni%h# air, #he m$sicians %a)e i# an $ne*ec#ed in#imacywi#h an accordion, a do+ro and a #am+o$rine, #hey (ooked (ike a circ(eo2 caro(ers, and +e2ore #he 2irs# chor$s ended, #he +and had #he crowdin a sin%6a(on%8

I2 #he Arcade Fire is con2iden# a+o$# any#hin%, i#'s #he )a($e o2 a %oodiece o2 s#a%ecra2# and #he ways #ha# (ayin% wi#h i#, ri22in% wi#h i#ni%h# a2#er ni%h# +e2ore an a$dience, e)en#$a((y he(s #he m$sic +e%in#o (i)e and +rea#he8 .o #he 2o((owin% ni%h#, ins#ead o2 wa(kin% s#rai%h##o #he s#a%e, #he +and s#ar#ed i#s show wi#h i#s encore, %a#herin% in #hemidd(e o2 #he crowded sanc#$ary #o rerise i#s aco$s#ic er2ormance o2>1ake H8? A2#er #he crowd re)e(ed in #his seemin%(y son#aneo$s%es#$re, #he +and mem+ers #ook #he s#a%e wi#h $rose in #heir s#e8>1e had a (i##(e ro+(em (as# ni%h# wi#h eo(e #hinkin% we were(ayin% in a ch$rch,? 1in said #o #he crowd8 >eo(e were 7$ie#8 A (i##(e

#oo resec#2$(8 I'm here #oni%h# #o say9 This nona%%ression sha(( no#s#and/?

A 2ew days ear(ier, no# (on% a2#er #he Arcade Fire had arri)ed in0ondon, 1in was si##in% in #he (o++y o2 #he +and's ho#e(, #a(kin% a+o$##he m$sic he'd (is#ened #o %rowin% $ and how insirin% i# was #owa#ch his 2a)ori#e ar#is#s e)o()e - Dy(an %i)in% $ his 1oody =$#hrie


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imi#a#ion #o 2ind a mode o2 e*ression a(( his own, #he C(ash #ryin% #oso$nd (ike #he Ramones and, in #he co$rse o2 2ai(in%, +ecomin% $ni7$e8>E*ression is where yo$ de2ine yo$rse(2 as an ar#is#,? he said8 >Ande*ression a(ways has #o chan%e8?

R&%ine wa(ked in, and 2or a momen# #he #wo s#ar#ed #a(kin%, worryin%o)er some de#ai(s a+o$# #he 2o((owin% ni%h#'s show8 Then 1in said9>1hen we were workin% on Neon Bi+(e,' I had #his dream - we((, i#was a ni%h#mare, rea((y8 I had #his ima%e o2 +ein% in a +oa# in #heocean in #he midd(e o2 #he ni%h#8 I co$(d 2ee( #he +oa# %oin% $ anddown, +$# i# was so +(ack o$# #here I co$(dn'# see any#hin%8?

>I had #ha# e*erience, #oo,? R&%ine said a)id(y8 >I was +ackackin%once, %oin% 2rom France #o Corsica a# ni%h#, and I was a# #he #o o2 a%ian# +oa# a# in #he mornin%, e)ery#hin% so +(ack, and me 2ee(in% so

sma((8 I remem+er #hinkin%, I2 I 2a(( in, I co$(d so easi(y disaear/?

>I#'s 2$nny how #he word 2ear' can mean so many di22eren# #hin%s,?1in wen# on8 >There's a na#$ra( 2ear #ha#'s a+o$# se(26reser)a#ion - ?

>- yeah, #he 2ear #ha# makes yo$ wan# #o ro#ec# yo$rse(2 and 2i%h#wha#'s comin% in,? R&%ine said8 >B$# #hen #here's #he 2ear #ha#'s +i%%er#han yo$rse(2 and makes yo$ wan# #o do #hin%s, +e in)en#i)e8?

>Tha#'s #he 2ear #ha# - ra#her #han workin% #o s$or# #he way yo$

a(ready are - makes yo$ wan# #o chan%e8?

5$s# #hen #heir assis#an# mana%er wa(ked in#o #he (o++y and #o(d #hem#hey'd +e##er 7$i# #a(kin%9 #hey had a rehearsa( in ha(2 an ho$r, and 2i)eshows #o do #ha# week8

Darcy Frey is a con#ri+$#in% wri#er and #he a$#hor o2 >The 0as# .ho#,?and has wri##en 2or #he ma%aine on m$sic, science and #heen)ironmen#8

Documents

Frey - NYTimes Arcade Fire 2.doc