You might say brotherly love is at the heart of the band All of the Above.
"The original band members are the Cechanowicz brothers, my brother Evan and I (Jared)," explained Jared Cechanowicz, adding "back in early 2008 we added another set of brothers, Julien and Gaetan LePage on drums and bass, and they've played most of our live shows with us, and also recorded the album with us."
It was the family tie which got the band, which performs at 5th Avenue Cup & Saucer in Yorkton this Thursday evening, off the ground.
"I guess it really formed organically from the two of us just being musical people," said Cechanowicz. "We were both doing our own little musical side projects, everything from jazz to country, to singing in choir at church together.
"Eventually we just realized we should be playing together. We've been playing music together most of our lives really, but I guess it was in 2002 that we started playing together and calling ourselves a band.
"Of course with school and all that our feet really didn't hit the ground until 2007ish."Cechanowicz said they have something of a unique take on their music.
"We like to use the phrase 'summer-on-a-blanket' rock," he said. "I'm not sure if peopleget what I mean, but going for that warm, inviting, danceable rock. I'd say we fall into the folk-rock category, but there's a definite funkier pop sensibility to it as well. A blend of reggae, folk, and pop-rock."
The unique take on music comes from the diverse music the band members have listened to over the years.
"As for our influences, there are an awful lot," said Cechanowicz. "There's definitely a mix of Dave Matthews Band, Barenaked Ladies and Bedouin Soundclash in our sound. Also Eagles, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Jack Johnson, U2, Prince, Keith Urban, Collective Soul, Jackson Browne, April Wine.
"We go through a lot of albums in the car!"
To-date All of the Above have launched an EP, and are readying themselves to debut a full-length disk in the new year.
"On the 'Home' EP there are a couple live tracks of older songs, This Car and It's Easy," explained Cechanowicz. "But the three album tracks that are previewed on 'Home' and all the other tracks for the 2011 album are all pretty new. I think seven of the 11 tracks on the album were written specifically for the album."
Jared Cechanowicz said he pens most of the band's music, but always "with plenty of critiquing and feedback from the guys, especially Evan.
"Some people are their own worst critic, but I think brothers are worse; looking back it was really for the best though. I needed him to push.
"We had a wall in the basement where we posted all the lyrics for the songs, with coloured highlighters hanging next to them to point out lines that were really good, and lines that really were not.
"Evan would come home from work every day (he was working to support us both so we could record) and I'd show him everything I had worked on that day. He had a really good way of making me work hard to get things perfect."
Like many debuting bands these days All of the Above did the recording themselves."We mostly recorded it ourselves actually," said Cechanowicz. "Some of the tracks needed re-recording later, with Dan Canfield, but most of what you hear was just us doing our best in a damp basement bedroom.
"I'd write and record, and Evan would come home and record his parts, vocals or guitar or whatever, and I'd usually work 'til 4 a.m. or so writing and recording. I worked late 'cause there was a lot less noise from cars and planes at night, so it made getting quiet recordings a lot easier."
Cechanowicz said they learned a lot putting the music to disk.
"The recording process is great for getting things to sound like they should," he said. "Sometimes on stage something sounds great, but to hear it back it's easy to know when you need to try something else; a different guitar line or a different melody line, or drum rhythm or whatever.
"The recording process is very revealing, and humbling, and frustrating but wonderful all at the same time."
Now complete Cechanowicz said the finished product is rewarding.
"You know, we are happy with it," he said.
"It took a lot of time to do it all, a solid year and half of our lives was totally committed to making this album. And so many other people helped and made sacrifices to make it happen. We're in debt for a lot of favours for sure. But we're happy with the songs, we're happy with how it sounds.
"The album is a step up on everything we've ever recorded before this. I think that's why we waited so long to record an album. We knew we needed to get it right. And I think we did."
