fbpx

Calvin Love

There is a palpable mood at the heart of Canadian perennial Calvin Love’s work.
Only once in every blue moon comes and artist that seems so familiar yet out of space. Love arrives an enigma, a crooning, haunted voice. A person who peers into himself to reveal something about the world that might otherwise go unarmed, or perhaps merely felt and never properly articulated. I see Calvin at an intersection in every city on earth, unmasking the hidden wonder, and the past as construed by movies and the archetypes that populate our minds.

The hitchhiker. The gentle, supple poet whose aim is to elucidate humanity for the weary denizens of the weary world. He proves that in the form of cartoon darkness there is a reality beyond that which is fully amenable to basic speech, and so must be corralled in blind faith in a palette. All great artwork depends on a palette, on the choices that one makes in pulling the shades of that palette into one’s control out of a sense of belief that I don’t understand. He is a rare gift that more than so much of what we’re forced to consume offers a vision. For you, and for me, and for everyone lucky enough to be familiar with Calvin Love is the quintessential artist as inspiration.

With nods in comparison to Roy Orbison, and Bryan Ferry. Love has certainly drawn subtle inspiration from the classic singers of the 60s, 70s and 80s. But Love’s work reflects on the modern journey. Songs for the introverts, songs for lonely and hopeful, and songs to soundtrack our lives through the quiet hours, and all the places our minds drift to as we head toward the uncertain future of the 21st Century. Emerging from the same vibrant Canadian scene as contemporaries Andy Shauf, Mac Demarco and Sean Nicholas Savage. Love has established himself as a rare calibre of singer by blending obsession with the beauty of artifice and the inner systems of real and natural things it is this infallible match that makes Love’s work so strange and inviting.

Active since 2011, Love has toured relentlessly throughout Canada, USA, Europe, and Asia. He has also worked with producers Richard Swift (The Shins, The Black Keys) and Gus Seyffert (Beck, Roger Waters). As well as support tours opening for honourable mentions Jonathan Wilson, Weyes Blood, and Of Montreal. Love released his 2012 debut album ‘New Radar’ followed by 2015 sophomore album ‘Super Future’ as well as numerous cover albums, singles and EPs and the 2018 release of​ ‘Highway Dancer’.​ ​The latest album from Calvin Love, ‘Night Songs’ will be released​ February 2020 via Taxi Gauche Records.

“Calvin Love is self-proclaimed student of David Lynch and Jim Jarmusch soundtracks. His punk-turned-pop music explores the weird, grotesque, and strangely beautiful corners of the human psyche.” Vice

Upcoming shows

Releases

Calvin Love – Lavender

CHF12.00

TGR026
Love returns with ‘Lavender’, the follow up to the Canadian crooner’s LP, ‘Night Songs’ (Taxi Gauche Records, February 2020).

Limited edition lavender-coloured 12″ LP with printed innersleeve.

First pressing sold out, second pressing arrives around February 2022.

Calvin Love – Highway Dancer (LP)

CHF12.00

‘Highway Dancer’ was the latest addition to Calvin Love’s catalog of cerebrally-crafted, atmospheric indie pop, before his b-side and rarities album ‘Night Song’ came out via Taxi Gauche Records a year ago. The album stems from the same period of songwriting as his 2017 EP ‘Ecdysis’, and encapsulates the observations and inspiration from Love’s life on the road. ‘Highway Dancer’ is now re-issued on eco-coloured marble vinyl.

Tracklisting:
1. Soundtrack of My Dreams
2. You Got Me Runnin’
3. Highway Dancer
4. The Coin, The Stick, The Take
5. Dreams Keep Callin’
6. What is Reality?
7. A Thousand Years
8. Shadows
9. No Goodbyes
10. Prairie Thunder Jazz Dream
11. Wildflower

Calvin Love – Night Songs (LP)

CHF12.00

‘Night Songs’ is the latest record by Canadian songwriter and performer Calvin Love. Limited white vinyl edition. Comes with digital download (on Feb 7th, 2020).

Tracklisting:
1. Chameleon Pt. 1
2. If I Die
3. Song For Swift
4. Crocodile Tears
5. Blue As The night
6. For The Thrill
7. If I Only Knew Then
8. Chameleon Pt. 2

1