hamilton makes art...... .....uoʇlıɯɐɥ sǝʞɐɯ ʇɹɐ: August 2010

{JAY BAGGETT FROM SUBTERRANEANS COLLECTIVE ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS}

How would you describe your musical stylings?
We all come out of pretty diverse backgrounds & tastes, so itʼs a little hard to pinpoint any one style. Our album, This Sinking Ship, is infused with a range of genres. You can hear Funk, Rock, Jazz, Electronic, shoegaze & our inﬂuences bleed through all over it as well. Weʼve also been looking towards embarking on some new projects, including some hip-hop based collaborations with local MCs.

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Why music? and what are the beneﬁts of music in hamilton?

For myself, music has always just been what made sense. Itʼs the one thing Iʼve always loved to do, be it playing or recording or live sound mixing.
Hamilton has proven to be a tremendous place to call home base, for music & art in
general. There are scores of inﬁnitely supportive folks & a real dynamic community of
artists willing to pitch together to create.

Who or what inspires you?

A lot of my inspiration comes from walking around the city. Thereʼs so many stories ﬂoating around the streets. Iʼm also inspired by the other artists in the area. Seeing and hearing what theyʼre up to
drives me to create more and more.

What song do you love so much, you wish you had written it?

I can think of a hundred songs like that... Iʼd say Tom Waitsʼ Rain Dogs. The whole album, though.

Any wisdom youʼd like to share about living as a musician?

Learn at least 7 recipes for Mr. Noodle that donʼt include the ﬂavour packet. So. Much. Salt.

In your opinion what makes a great song?

Something that can change completely the way you feel in an instant. Songs that paint
a picture or tell a story, without needing to be overly complex.

A Brief History of the Subterraneans Collective

The Subterraneans Collective formed in the Summer of 2003 as the acoustic-based duo of Jay Baggett & Jon “the Bassist” Busuttil. The pair started immediately putting together original material, and recorded their first EP (the Busride EP) in a pieced-together recording studio, affectionately known as “the Loft”.

In 2007 the group’s numbers doubled, with the addition of Dave Reed on Keys & David Abbey on Drums. The new foursome began reworking the acoustic-based set into a brand new Subterraneans‘ sound, incorporating each of their individual influences and backgrounds.

2009 saw the Collective’s numbers grow further, with guest members Sam Klass, Tarek Ajak & Aerin Ellison lending their talents on Guitar, Sax/Flute & Trumpet respectively.

In 2010 the band has released their debut, self-produced full-length, This Sinking Ship, and in the process has seen the addition of Jess Stone (on bass) to the Sub’s full time lineup.

The band has appeared at the annual Lose Yer Shoes Festival, St. Catharines’ “Sessions @ 73” urban renewal/art/music project, Come Together Music Festival, and made regular appearances at Hamilton’s Pepper Jack Café & This Ain’t Hollywood. The Subterraneans have also had the pleasure opening for other great acts such as the Donefors, Sunparlour Players, Stumbleweed, Book of Gnomes, Hotel Lobbyists & the Fat Cats.

The Subterraneans Collective exists out of a love of music, creativity, stream of consciousness, thought, expression, philosophy and art. Participation is encouraged.