Montreal musicians Forme are best enjoyed live, especially when you’re in the mood for something loud, intricate and melodic, all at once.
Self-described as a “progressive experimental fusion,” the notion of synthesis is particularly fitting to their sound – a song can range anywhere from hushed acoustic strumming to heavy crunching riffs, often with lengthy solos or delicate finger-picking stuck somewhere in between. Most tracks are instrumental, but occasionally lyrics do have their place.
The addition of visuals, which the band often employs as an accompaniment to the harmonies, is just as important as the music.
“[Visuals] are a focus point, with philosophic ideas from the music as inspiration for our art director, Albert Zablit . . . visuals and music together captivate the audience in a way that short of draws them into the world of Forme. They help create a grander experience,” said guitarist Andy Kerr.
Though the images and animation may appear random and occasionally unusual and eccentric, they are often captivating to look at, and contribute to creating an experience with multiple forms of expression.
“I think that being a band that is mostly instrumental, it helps to voice certain things that are left unsaid . . . Albert often interprets things in a very different way from us which adds new depth to what we do,” added Tom Daigle, also on guitar. Completing the current trio is Anthony Zavaglia on bass.
Though they’ve been playing together for many years and have previously recorded a self-produced full-length, a transformation is in the works.
“The older stuff was consciously written with drastic progressive change in mind, never repeating, always differing, highly calculated. The new stuff is more digestible, easier to listen to,” explained Kerr.
Tom added that they “wanted to focus on newer and different elements . . . all these new ideas and emotions started to surface. For me it was really important to look at these songs from that emotional point of view.”
Part of their metamorphosis also involves the addition of synthesizers and sampling, as well as creating a whole load of new material.
“For the newer songs, some of the ideas came from us jamming together, which is a completely new way of going about it for us. It was interesting because it really parallels with a more emotional point of view . . . I have a tendency of really analyzing and intellectualizing, [but] when we jam things out it’s more spontaneous and emotional,” said Daigle.
Kerr added, “we’re mostly used to myself or Tom writing a riff or series of riffs . . . and bouncing it off the rest of the band. Jamming out is more responsive. Riffs that are created this way tend to capture a raw essence of the band.”
Forme is currently in the process of recording a few full-length videos, collectively and aptly titled “Transformation.”
While Daigle and Kerr do the bulk of the writing, conceptualizing, recording and networking, all the members contribute collectively.
“I also have to mention [art director] Albert as being an integral part of the image which our band portrays . . . putting out artwork in the form of live visuals, CD covers and website maintenance,” added Kerr.
Tom concluded, “We’re basically a family, and it takes interaction with one another to make that work . . . we do each take on specific roles that are naturally more suited to us, whether we know it or not. One of us may have a more parental-type personality while another may be more headstrong or one may be more of a leader, while another may be more of a mediator, but it’s necessary in keeping us together and sane.”
If you’re intrigued and you happen to play the drums, Forme is currently holding auditions for a drummer. You can contact them at [email protected] and check out their MySpace page for samples at www.myspace.com/formemusic.
