On Tuesday October 27, 2009, born and raised Calgarian lesbian band Tegan and Sara released their sixth album titled Sainthood. We spoke with Tegan to ask her a few questions about their music, their time in Calgary, and life in general.
”(Sainthood) sounds big and feels big, giving it a real rock and roll feel,” says Tegan. She also feels that their previous album, The Con, was darker, heavier and narcissistic compared to Sainthood’s more “poppy” sound. Tegan cites many musical influences such as Bruce Springsteen, Ani Difranco, the Killers, U2, and the mid nineties punk rock scene in Calgary - all of which are reflected in their self-proclaimed eclectic style, evident throughout the album. Tegan admits that she is Sainthood obsessed and her favourite song to play live is “Don’t Rush” because she enjoys the challenge despite the stressful timing that it requires.
Tegan admits that she is proud of all of the music they have recorded but, that she relates most to the music on Sainthood compared to previous albums.
“People always ask why we don’t play Under Feet Like Ours and I’m like, I was seventeen, it’s so hard to relate to that music, not necessarily what I was writing about at the time, but musically – the arrangements, keys and melodies of songs. I hadn’t even figured out where my voice sounded best yet. Fuck, I can’t even think of some of the songs off our first record, I can’t even think of a name, that’s how much I can’t relate to it.”
Along with Sainthood, Tegan and Sara are very proud to be releasing their first ever set of books titled ON, IN, AT. It’s a project they have poured their hearts into and have been working on for over a year. The project consists of a three-book set that chronicles different periods over a year in their lives with writing and photographs. Some of these include the 2008 US national tour and the 2009 Australian headlining tour. Creative director on the project, Emy Storey, also the visionary behind the Sainthood album cover, brings her talent to the 3 book set. The book set will be available for purchase with Sainthood on their official website, and while on tour.
In 1998, the group got their start in Calgary by winning the Garage Warz Battle of the Bands competition. They started playing at local Second Cups and released their first album in 1999. Ten years later they are headlining their own international tours and no longer frequent local Calgary coffee shops.
The twins haven’t been back to Calgary in two years since their last show here in September of 2007, at the time, their biggest show to date. Sara now resides in Montreal and Tegan in Vancouver. However, Tegan says she is a Calgarian through and through. Despite their busy schedule touring the world, they still find time to volunteer with their local GLBT+ Communities.
Calgary and Edmonton are neck and neck as Tegan and Sara’s favourite cities to visit, and compete for having the biggest crowds. The girls are back this coming January for shows in both cities, playing with special guest An Horse. Hurry and get your tickets - the first shows are already sold out!
Check out www.gaycalgary.com for your chance to win your very own copy of Tegan and Sara’s latest album, Sainthood.
