Over the past few weeks, we’ve taken an extensive look at one of our favorite new bands, Memoryhouse. The Canadian duo’s brand of dream pop has won them legions of fans across the globe. Signed to Sub Pop, the band’s album The Slideshow Effect was released last month to much acclaim, as was their month long tour.  Having said that, we caught up with Evan Abeele from the road to chat about the recording process, touring and who inspired their name.

Daniel Kohn: What was the recording process for this album? In what ways was it similar or different than the EP?

Evan Abeele: With the new record, we had a chance to perform the songs live before recording them, which we didn’t get to do for our EP. It was a nice way to flesh out the arrangements and see exactly what works, and what didn’t. We recorded the LP in two studios in the Toronto area; one a formal orchestral space, and the other an old converted church.

DK: How has growing up in Southern Ontario shaped your sound?

EA: It was a nice place to grow up. I’m not sure how it influenced our music, but I guess the area gave us a lot of opportunities to explore different kinds of music.

DK: How were you able to combine two types of performance art (composing and photography) to make a cohesive musical project? Did you find it difficult? Are there certain elements take from each artform in your music?

EA: I think it comes together very naturally. I don’t thik it’s a complicated process, I think most artists are trying to evoke something specific in their work, I think with our music, and with Denise’s photography, we were just able to ground our aesthetic sensibilities with a greater attention to detail.

DK: Who does the songwriting?

EA: We always work together. Our roles have evolved since we first began writing. Denise used to mainly work on melodies, while I worked on arrangements and other fussy things, but Denise has become a pretty great guitarist over time, and she’s begun bringing her own musical elements into the fold, which is very neat.

DK: Does “The Kids Were Wrong” provide an accurate preview of what’s to come on the record?

EA: I think so. It’s poppy, which is what I think the album sounds like in general. It’s the most up-tempo of the songs, but we do have a few on the album.

DK: Are you planning on more shows this year?

EA: Yup. Lots and lots of touring.

DK: What’s been the coolest thing about the Memoryhouse project?

EA: Just having an outlet for our art has been validating for us. I never thought it would take the direction it did, so we’re both very thankful.

DK: Who came up with the Memoryhouse name? What’s the meaning behind it.

EA:You’ll have to ask German composer Max Richter about that!