Most of the time when you’re surfing the internets it’s random news, subpar articles and useless information clogging virtual space. But every once in a while you come across something that’s pretty amazing. It doesn’t happen often but sometimes, yeah, sometimes it slaps you across the face like a spurned lover. I think I may have brought that up before because yes, I’ve been fortunate enough to come across varying music streaming platforms with music that may pop up while listening to something in particular. This time around though it’s them.
By “them” I mean Miesha & The Spanks, a Canadian duo you’ve probably never heard of before. They released an album a couple of weeks ago, Girls, Girls, Girls that literally blew the doors off the speed demon I drive. There I sat, with seatbelt tightly wound on my torso, keeping me from falling out as I drive excessively over the speed limit. I caught up with the band that’s sure to extend its reach past reach of the internet as they hit the road in support of the new album. Made up of vocalist/guitarist Miesha Louie and drummer Sean Hamilton who make a racket together that’s both endearing and filled with an enthusiasm which was produced by Danny Farrant (of the Buzzcocks) and Paul Rawson. After a little prodding, Miesha was kind enough to talk with us as the band surely entertains crowds on tour.
So Who are You Really?
Take away my guitars and paperwork and I’m just a Shuswap girl from a super small town in a valley beside a lake in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. I love comic books and star wars and 90s-era X-men, most nerdy stuff. I was a weirdo in my formative years and that probably kept me weird to this day.
What Are Your Aspirations?
I’m Trying to build a life where my passion is my career. I would like a level of success, but I’d want it to be because I’m doing a killer job- maybe recognition vs. success. I want to accomplish enough that I can share my experience and mentor girls and indigenous youth and make an impact. More immediately, I want to get some international touring underway! I want to travel more playing music, for sure.
Where do you currently live and how’s that affected your energy, creative output, etc.?
Calgary has such a great support network for me. My family live there, and I’ve been a part of the music community for 16 years now. It really is a small town city. I’ve set up an environment where music is my work, and that really helps keep me going. But being in one place doesn’t really breed creativity, so lately my creative output comes from experiences on the road. Either from my mind opening up more while we travel, or just writing about the experiences themselves.
When did you first begin recording and playing live?
I recorded my first album when I was fourteen. It was all acoustic, angsty, bad poetry kind of music that I sort of cringe at now. I had been performing by myself in a local coffee shop for about a year first. I went on to sing in my high school punk band, then moved to Calgary after graduation and started a ska band, then another punk band, before starting The Spanks. All of those got recorded! Some were good.
Why isn’t anyone in the States more familiar with your music?
Probably because we’ve never played down there! The visa process is pretty daunting, and I would say that’s been the major hold up. We have applied for a couple festivals in the past that didn’t work out. Then working with Danny from The Buzzcocks, we’ve got this connection to the UK and the EU that will probably keep a trip to the US on hold even further. Our friends in Mobina Galore and Dany Laj & The Looks swear by their US shows/fans though- we are definitely going to make it south at some point!
How would you describe your sound and/or the genre it exists in/out of?
I have such a hard time describing music! I tend to blanket it under “garage rock,” but I know that’s super general. We’re pretty riff-heavy, and the drums are smart- Sean really hits with meaning and holds it together. Which he has to- because there’s just the two of us! I think we could be grouped in with Deap Vally, or Hot Snakes, or Dirty Nil. Maybe I’m being generous!
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Catch Miesha And The Spanks On Tour:
THURSDAY MARCH 22 @ THE BARFLY, MONTREAL QC
with Expanda Fuzz, Golden Hair
FRIDAY MARCH 23 @ BAR ROBO, OTTAWA ON
with Expanda Fuzz
TUESDAY MARCH 27 @ THE APOLLO, THUNDER BAY
with Fat/Cop, Hello Justice
FRIDAY MARCH 29 @ O’HANLONS, REGINA SK
with The Delta Throats
FRIDAY APRIL 6 @ NITE OWL, CALGARY AB
with All Hands On Jane, Bad Buddy
SATURDAY APRIL 7 @ THE SLICE, LETHBRIDGE AB
with Mombod
SATURDAY APRIL 14 @ THE SEWING MACHINE FACTORY, EDMONTON AB
with All Hands On Jane
WEDNESDAY APRIL 18 @ MILKCRATE RECORDS, KELOWNA BC
THURSDAY APRIL 19 @ THE COBALT, VANCOUVER BC
with Shame Cube, Hedks
FRIDAY APRIL 20 @ LOGAN’S PUB, VICTORIA BC
with Hedks
SATURDAY APRIL 21 @ THE LEGION, UCLUELET BC
with Hedks
SUNDAY APRIL 22 @ NANAIMO BAR, NANAIMO BC
WEDNESDAY APRIL 25 @ RECORD CITY, VERNON BC
with The Faps
THURSDAY APRIL 26 @ FLYING STEAMSHOVEL, ROSSLAND BC
FRIDAY APRIL 27 @ THE ROYAL, NELSON BC
with Saint Mountain
SATURDAY APRIL 28 @ ROCKWATER, GOLDEN BC
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