"How to win friends and influence people"... to party

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan  

Pushing the boundaries of music is the mandate of most musicians. Pushing the boundaries of music and one’s personal health is the mandate for only the bravest (and craziest) of musicians.

“There are no boundaries. It’s fun. You can play with it -- anything goes. Anything can work as long as you are creative enough to see the final destination, the big picture of where you are taking the music,” says Rebekah Higgs, one of these brave souls who are willing to risk bodily harm and a little mental sanity in order to ensure a good show.

Higgs is the singer and one-fourth of Halifax electro-dance band, Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees.

The band’s line-up is rounded out by Colin Crowell, Jason Vautour, and Sean MacGillivray.

The band, who are now one of the best-known Maritime electronic acts, came seemingly out of nowhere in the past few years.

The band only formed in the last few years, yet they have still managed to record a full-length album that was released last January.

Currently, Higgs is working in the studio to create her new solo album. The album is being produced with the help of Brian Deck, known for his work with Modest Mouse and Iron and Wine.

The band in its entirety will be embarking on a tour early this winter along with other Maritime electro acts, A/V and Jenocide to share their music and keep the party going.

“You’re making music for people to get sweaty to, to dance and make out, and make babies too. It’s a fun pastime, and an even more fun way to make a living,” explains Higgs.

Higgs and the rest of Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees aren’t the only ones who want to keep the party going on this tour.

Solo act A/V is known for his interaction with the crowd and eschewing the stage for a spot on the dance floor.

“Ideally, I like to be in the middle of everything – causing trouble!” Explains A/V, also known as Philip Clark when he’s not performing.

“It’s a punk rock thing, which is what I played in growing up. You wouldn’t always want to play on stages. You would sometimes get down on the floor and closer to the audience. It’s a little more intimate if you want to have a one on one crazy kind of party,” Clark says.

While Jen Clarke, one half of the electro duo Jenocide, may look like your average girl, her feminine looks and gentle voice belie the fierce party girl on the inside.

“I was never into folk music. I was never into being quiet. I found that when I started doing music I wanted to create something that I would want to go home and listen to,” says the energetic front woman.

Once the music starts, Jen says she transforms. She says that Jenocide is like an alter ego for her.

“Jenocide is kind of an over-the-top spectacle. She’s interactive party fun for everyone,” she laughs.

The inspiration for Jen’s alter ego, Jenocide, comes from an amalgamation of strong, female musicians that she says were her inspirations growing up.

“Le Tigre, Madonna, Debbie Harry-- I used these women as sources of inspiration to create a character, Jenocide. It’s sort of like an alter ego who will act as a positive, strong, over-the-top, female character who is in your face,” Jen explains.

Specifically, she says that Jenocide is a recipe for success that includes: “the sassy brazenness of Madonna, the cute silliness of Belinda Carlisle, and the tough punk edge of Debbie Harry from Blondie.”

And Jen isn’t the only one making up an alter ego for herself. Higgs also presents a ‘split personality’ for her performances with the creation of Ruby Jean.

“It’s my property destroying, destructive alcoholic side, that is constantly covered in bruises, breaking heals and tearing her tights. She’s glamourous to start and falls apart by the end of the set. Mostly it’s an excuse to misbehave and blame it on the art of the stage show,” jokes Higgs.

And, not to be left out, A/V also says that his stage performance is, in part, an identity he puts on.

“I’m antisocial. I am pretty much a recluse when I’m not on tour,” says Philip.

And the one-man party machine is telling the truth. When A/V isn’t out touring he’s likely recording at his house in rural New Brunswick’s Gaspereau Forks.

“Electronic music, you could think about it as urban music, but there’s also a lot of solo production going on. You can have one person who can sit and create an entire song – which you can do anywhere as long as you have the machines. So, it doesn’t really matter to me where I am,” says Clark.

On tour A/V is anything but antisocial. The musician expects drunken antics when he sets his rig of drum machines and synths in the middle of the dance floor.
“It’s controlled chaos. Barely controlled chaos – that’s it,” he says.

And he’s not the only act looking for antics on this tour.

“I like to jump into the crowd and I like to dance with people. I like to have little conversations between songs, I like to jump on tables and roll on the floor,” says Jen.
The three phenomenal electronic acts will be making their way to Fredericton on Jan. 24.

While the acts intend to bring the party, they do expect some reciprocation of antics.

“Maybe dress up a little bit, bring some party favours, set yourself on fire, roll around on the floor a little bit, scream your lungs out, clap your hands, bang things together, and make out on the dance floor,” asks Clark of the prospective audience for Sunday.

Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees play the Capital Complex with A/V and Jenocide on Jan. 24. Advanced tickets can be bought at Reads News Stand and Backstreet Records for $12 plus service fee for advanced purchases.