The show isn't billed as a CD release party, but tonight The Canvasmen launch their first album, "Set Your Picture in the City." Having played at local hotspots including The Social, Linneman's and Riverwest Commons, The Canvasmen make their Bay View debut tonight with a headlining show at the Cactus Club.
The band has only existed for just over a year but the musical experience of the band's members goes back as long as most of them can remember. Chris Braun, Mike Lukaszewicz, Tim Benz and Cory Tcheng separately developed musical aspirations all over the world and returned to their native Milwaukee to combine their harmonious translations into one solid local band.
When asked to describe their complex sound, guitarist and lead vocalist Lukaszewicz calls it "semi-spastic funk rock." However, to imprison The Canvasmen in any one genre would be a disservice to their intense improvisational garage rock sound.
"Chris has played in a reggae band and has more of a reggae background. Tim is the most knowledgeable music fan I've ever met. He was into so many classic rock and roll bands and later got into a lot of jazz. And Cory has of course always loved jazz," Lukaszewicz explains.
Employing a list of musical references and musical icons, Lukaszewicz describes his band as reflecting melodies, styles and structures from an array of genres and eras. "Set Your Picture in the City" reveals the vitality in combining influences of reggae, jazz, jam and rock.
"We recorded at the Walls Have Ears Studios above the Miramar Theater," Lukaszewicz says. "We intended it to be a demo album to capture where we were at musically. But once we got in there, there were lots of tunes that we kind of spontaneously put down and then went back and added to them. We didn't want a real produced sound but wanted something that sounded like our live shows."
The album's music was written over the last year, but recording and mixing took only a combined four or five days.
"I'd like to do a more finished album, but this album really does capture what we sound like live. It's fun to record songs but the live show is really where it's at for us."
Lyrically, the album is provocative, alluring and refreshing; composed of poetic charm and fantastical adventure. The music raves of a melodic intensity but occasionally the rhythm of words and lines are slowed down, mirroring the rhythm of Dr. John's New Orleans swamp jazz. Lukaszewicz's vocals strike with a seductive eeriness and momentous intensity.
Their distinct style comes largely from integrating two different guitar techniques. Benz creates a coarser sound, contrasting with Tcheng's cleaner, classic Stratocaster sound.
"Set Your Picture in the City" is a propulsive blend of structure and improvisation. It is rock with verve, capacity and intellect. It incorporates hints of ska and funk, highlights electrifying guitar and possesses the technical ability of improvisational jazz. The underlying indie production is enticing; and The Canvasmen deliver with a genuine demonstration of their live sound.
Like other band members, Lukaszewicz has spent time living across the country and travelling abroad. Despite musical experiences in places as diverse as Los Angeles and Buenos Aires, Lukaszewicz continues to return home.
"Milwaukee gets some big music but it's all about what you're exposed to. I think there is a strong scene here that you kind of have to dig for but once you do, there is a lot of cool stuff going on. And I like the people of Milwaukee. I think that's a big part of it."
We want to build up the fan base around Milwaukee and do more shows in Chicago and by the end of the year hopefully start on a more produced album. We just want to continue to play for people."
