culture
Who’s Playing NXNE: Cobra & Vulture
The Montreal-based trio prepares to blow minds with the simple power of rock.
Forget compasses, GPS, or helpful Sherpas. From June 11 to 17, Torontoist is here to be your guide to everything NXNE.
Photo by Allison Staton
Cobra & Vulture
Cameron House (408 Queen Street West)
June 16, 2 a.m.
Click here for NXNE wristband pricing options.
The history of Cobra & Vulture is already a storied one, despite the the fact that its members are relatively young. The band was previously known as Nightwood, and the power of its stripped-down rock and roll has remained very much the same, despite the name change. Amber Goodwyn and Erin Ross founded the Montreal trio, which now also includes the furious drumming of Jeremy MacCuish (who also plays in Parlovr, another of this year’s NXNE bands). We spoke to all three band members by email.
Torontoist: What can we expect from your show at NXNE?
Jeremy MacCuish: I’m hoping to find a new necklace in time. If you’re lucky, Ambs will be wearing some sick fringe.
Amber Goodwyn: Noble bearings, complete with upturned chins and unwavering gazes level with the horizon. Fringed sleeves.
Erin Ross: Good times, good tunes and as little awkward stage banter as we can avoid.
What has been your favourite moment from one of your shows so far?
JM: All of them. All the moments.
AG: The time recently when I emoted so hard I teared up a little. Leg-wrestling audience members directly after a set is always fun, too. I like Erin’s stage banter every time and especially love Jeremy’s impromptu drum solos.
How does the songwriting process generally work within the group?
JM: We all just kind of start shredding. Then we sit down to parse through the songs, and decide that it’s all good.
ER: Often, Amber or I start an idea apart, then give it to the other to work on until the song becomes ours, not hers or mine.
How has the band evolved over time?
AG: We’re constantly improving our songwriting and playing chops, and we like to expand beyond genre constraints. I think that we’re more confident than ever in our abilities as musicians, and are committed to substance over style (though we have both in spades, I’d say).
ER: Amber and I met in ’98 and since then it’s always been the two of us, in some form, finding new ways to coexist as songwriters. This is my favourite incarnation so far.
Do you prefer playing larger rooms or more intimate spaces?
JM: Large. As Kuhrye-oo would say, all for the fame.
AG: House/basement/garage/gallery/loft shows are my fave. So, tightly packed small spaces, for now. Being almost too loud for a room, creating an enveloping sonic situation.
ER: Playing live isn’t my favourite. But when it’s good, it’s really good, and the size of the venue doesn’t matter as much as the vibe of the night and the people you’re with.
What are your upcoming musical plans?
JM: Paradiddles. Double paradiddles.
AG: To continue the long conversation that is making music with Erin and Jeremy.
ER: Our full-length record is almost finished. Can’t wait to finally share it and tour and move on to more good music.
What shows are you looking forward to at NXNE?
JM: Uncle Bad Touch and Les Breastfeeders. 5-1-4!
ER: Over the course of the weekend, I expect to find myself at many a Parlovr show, get blissfully lost in a sea of people and confetti listening to Flaming Lips, and stumble upon sets by amazing bands I don’t yet know.