Southpacific

Infobox musical artist
Name = Southpacific


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Ottawa, Canada
Genre = Space rock
Dream pop/Shoegaze
Post-rock
Instrumental rock
Years_active = 1997 - Aug. 2000
Label = Turnbuckle
Symbiotic
Associated_acts = Frihavn [http://www.frihavn.com]
URL =
Current_members = Graeme Fleming
Joachim Toelke
Phil Stewart-Bowes
Past_members =

Southpacific (colloquially, "SoPac") was a space rock band with prominent dream pop/post-rock leanings, originally based in Ottawa, Canada.

History

Its members were multi-instrumentalists Graeme Fleming Joachim Toelke (primarily electric guitar), (primarily drums/percussion), and Phil Stewart-Bowes (primarily bass guitar). The trio formed in 1997, began playing live in 1998, and went on to release two recordings on the Turnbuckle label. (The label was also home to noise rockers Bailter Space). Their self-titled 1998 EP/mini album (also known as "33") was supposedly recorded in a ski chalet. Southpacific soon relocated to the more musically-fertile community of Toronto. Full-length album "Constance" was recorded in early to mid 1999, and made it to stores in early 2000.

Music

Southpacific's guitar-oriented music was generally psychedelic in nature and filled with reverb, yet at times contained sheets of noise and heavy drumming. Their music was highly recording studio-intensive, using many layers of guitar tracks and subtle samples to create a dense overall sound. This drew the band comparisons to Sonic Youth, early Verve, Slowdive, Mogwai, and My Bloody Valentine. However, only one of the band's songs ("Built To Last") had vocals, making the band favorites of post-rock and ambient music aficionados. The band never released any singles.

Touring

They performed at the 1999 Canadian Music Week Festival, and embarked on a cross-country tour with indie rockers Tristan Psionic between April and May 2000. The band's last performance was on August 26, 2000, while on tour with shoegaze band Sianspheric.

Post-breakup

After disbanding, Toelke focused on an experimental recording project entitled Frihavn, although only a few song excerpts have surfaced on the Internet. Turnbuckle Records soon folded, leaving the band's albums both out of print. Fleming and Stewart-Bowes are both currently residing in Toronto.

Discography

Album

*"Constance" - Turnbuckle 1999/2000 (later re-released on Symbiotic)

EP/ Mini-album

*"Southpacific" a.k.a. "33" - Turnbuckle, 1998

External links

*amg|id=11:oq77gj4r16ip|label=Southpacific
* [http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_03.04.99/music/southpacific.html "Here Come The Waves"] "Eye Weekly" coverage of the CMW showcase
* [http://www.emusic.com/artist/10567/10567214.html Southpacific at eMusic]