Thought Beneath Film

This five-piece pop-rock outfit, spearheaded by brothers Brent and Brian Worth, has released a debut EP which is befitting of its title, as it took the band two recordings and three different engineers before they were finally satisfied with the result.

The diligence and attention to detail has paid off in some aspects of the five-track EP, which is a catchy mix of pop-rock tunes that are extremely polished. EP's lyrics carry a cohesive, thematic arc over its short duration, delving into emotional situations while maintaing an upbeat attitude. While the album is well-crafted with strong vocals and instrumentation, it runs on high the entire way through, seldom wavering in tempo or tone. It's a good start for the band, but in the future, it would serve them well to switch things up and experiment outside the norm. - Vue Weekly

This five-piece pop-rock outfit, spearheaded by brothers Brent and Brian Worth, has released a debut EP which is befitting of its title, as it took the band two recordings and three different engineers before they were finally satisfied with the result.

The diligence and attention to detail has paid off in some aspects of the five-track EP, which is a catchy mix of pop-rock tunes that are extremely polished. EP's lyrics carry a cohesive, thematic arc over its short duration, delving into emotional situations while maintaing an upbeat attitude. While the album is well-crafted with strong vocals and instrumentation, it runs on high the entire way through, seldom wavering in tempo or tone. It's a good start for the band, but in the future, it would serve them well to switch things up and experiment outside the norm. - Vue Weekly

Thought Beneath Film is a five-piece alternative rock band based in Hamilton, Ontario. The band has recently released its debut EP, Detours, and is now touring Canada’s East Coast. Recently vocalist, lyricist, and guitarist Brent Wirth took the time to talk to Wanda Waterman about Carl Jung, feeding the muse, and managing writer’s block. Read Part I of this interview here.

A Testament to Pent-up Energy

Thought Beneath Film throws off energy vibes typical of the Ramones and OK Go. What is the source of this kind of hyperactive intensity?

“I can’t speak on behalf of all of my band members,” says Brent, “but I know that Brian and I have a long history of playing in very mellow bands. Don’t get me wrong—I love slow, droning songs from time to time—but I got really tired of playing music that wasn’t exciting to me. I think our songs’ hyperactivity is a testament to all of that pent-up energy Brian and I had from over the years.”

Jung Obsessions

The lyrics on the Detours album reflect a mind that loves to probe the psychology of motivations and relationships. Songs like “If I Could Fix You” and “False Skin” demonstrate a preoccupation with the inner workings of the human mind.

“I never formally studied psychology,” Brent admits, “but I’m fascinated by the work of Carl Jung, particularly concepts like archetypes and the collective unconscious. I’m always left wondering how much of our artistic tastes and tendencies are inherent and predefined by our heritage.”

Up Against the Wall

Brent is currently suffering from major writer’s block, he says. “It all comes down to inspiration, and inspiration tends to stem from direct life experiences. Recently I’ve been so caught up with working and preparing for the release of the album and our upcoming tour that I haven’t really been out ‘living life,’ so to speak. Once that happens again, I’m sure the creative itch will return.”

But no worries; the oeuvre continues to unfold. “Thankfully, we have a huge catalogue of older material we’re working through to keep us busy,” he says.

Feeding the Muse

“A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce continues to have a huge influence on my life since I first read it in high school. It deals with intellectual enlightenment and coming to terms with being an artist in an overly pragmatic society. It stimulated a great deal of introspection when I was younger, and has had a huge influence on my lyric writing ever since.”

Rationalizing Life Choices

“To some extent my views on religion and politics affect my creative output,” says Brent, “but I never centre my lyrics on them.

“With that said, my sociological views are always at the forefront of my lyric writing. Being in my mid-20s, I’m at a point where most of my friends are making radical life changes. It has inevitably forced me to question my own life path. This ongoing struggle to rationalize my decision to pursue art and music has served as the basis for most of my lyrics recently.” - The Voice Magazine

Thought Beneath Film is a five-piece alternative rock band based in Hamilton, Ontario. The band has recently released its debut EP, Detours, and is now touring Canada’s East Coast. Recently vocalist and guitarist Brent Wirth took the time to talk to Wanda Waterman about small towns, musical influences, and the Emily Dickinson poem behind the band’s unusual name.

“THE THOUGHT beneath so slight a film
Is more distinctly seen,—
As laces just reveal the surge,
Or mists the Apennine.”

Emily Dickinson

The Virtues of Small-Town Life

Growing up with all the diversions and challenges of a small rural town can be an excellent foundation for life, not only for athletes but also for musicians and songwriters. Boredom can be an excellent catalyst for creativity. According to Brent, who grew up (and still lives) in Stoney Creek, a suburb of Hamilton, Ontario, there was never too much to do or trouble to get into.

“Fortunately, there were a few other kids who lived on my street who were roughly the same age as my brother and me,” he says. “We spent most of our time outside riding bikes and playing sports.”

Sound idyllic? “I can’t really recall ever being unhappy,” says Brent. But eventually adolescent malaise crept in.

“I did become a bit disenchanted in my early teens. At that time there was absolutely nothing going on in my hometown, and given the fact that my friends and I were too young to drive, it was easy to feel stuck. But that feeling didn’t last very long.

“A bunch of us started getting into music and playing instruments around the same time, which gave us something to do. This eventually led to my brother, next-door neighbour, and I forming our first band. From that point on we spent most of our time jamming out Weezer songs in our basement.”

Finding the Music

Brent cites his parents as being a major influence on the music created by Thought Beneath Film. “My Mom is a massive Beatles fan, so my brother, Brian, and I knew their entire discography at a young age,” he says. “This naturally had a huge impact on my vocal writing. I love catchy, hook-based melodies and thick three- and four-voice vocal textures.”

Brent’s father’s tastes were more current, which ensured that Brent and his brother got to hear the latest alternative bands. “We had cassettes of bands like Weezer, Nirvana, and the Smashing Pumpkins before the age of 10. The guitar tone these bands wielded left a lasting impression on Brian and [me] and has a lot to do with the types of tones we gravitate towards while writing and recording. Learning how to play all of these bands’ respective discographies, I began feeling confident enough to start writing my own music.”

Practice versus Theory

What was Brent’s most valuable educational experience? Doing: “Despite the fact that I’ve always studied music in a formal setting, my most beneficial educational experiences have always stemmed from playing in a band. You end up taking away something positive from every band and every musician you play with.”

The Benefit of Family Ties

“Given the fact that my brother has been in nearly every band that I’ve been a part of, he’s obviously a huge influence on me, as am I on him. There are so many emotional ups and downs involved with trying to play music professionally that it’s hard to say if either one of us would still be playing in a band now had it not been for our ongoing partnership.”

What’s in a Name?

The group’s name appears at first glance to be a reference to the movies, but the name in fact comes from an Emily Dickinson poem. “While studying music in university,” says Brent, “for one of my composition assignments I composed a series of short pieces that adopted various Dickinson poems as their lyrical texts. ‘The thought beneath so slight a film’ was from one of these poems.

“I felt like the poem’s connotations embodied what I was trying to do musically. On the surface my band’s songs are just simple pop tunes, but there’s more at play for those who want to dig deeper into the songs.”

(To be continued.) - The Voice Magazine

Thought Beneath Film is a five-piece alternative rock band based in Hamilton, Ontario. The band has recently released its debut EP, Detours, and is now touring Canada’s East Coast. Recently vocalist and guitarist Brent Wirth took the time to talk to Wanda Waterman about small towns, musical influences, and the Emily Dickinson poem behind the band’s unusual name.

“THE THOUGHT beneath so slight a film
Is more distinctly seen,—
As laces just reveal the surge,
Or mists the Apennine.”

Emily Dickinson

The Virtues of Small-Town Life

Growing up with all the diversions and challenges of a small rural town can be an excellent foundation for life, not only for athletes but also for musicians and songwriters. Boredom can be an excellent catalyst for creativity. According to Brent, who grew up (and still lives) in Stoney Creek, a suburb of Hamilton, Ontario, there was never too much to do or trouble to get into.

“Fortunately, there were a few other kids who lived on my street who were roughly the same age as my brother and me,” he says. “We spent most of our time outside riding bikes and playing sports.”

Sound idyllic? “I can’t really recall ever being unhappy,” says Brent. But eventually adolescent malaise crept in.

“I did become a bit disenchanted in my early teens. At that time there was absolutely nothing going on in my hometown, and given the fact that my friends and I were too young to drive, it was easy to feel stuck. But that feeling didn’t last very long.

“A bunch of us started getting into music and playing instruments around the same time, which gave us something to do. This eventually led to my brother, next-door neighbour, and I forming our first band. From that point on we spent most of our time jamming out Weezer songs in our basement.”

Finding the Music

Brent cites his parents as being a major influence on the music created by Thought Beneath Film. “My Mom is a massive Beatles fan, so my brother, Brian, and I knew their entire discography at a young age,” he says. “This naturally had a huge impact on my vocal writing. I love catchy, hook-based melodies and thick three- and four-voice vocal textures.”

Brent’s father’s tastes were more current, which ensured that Brent and his brother got to hear the latest alternative bands. “We had cassettes of bands like Weezer, Nirvana, and the Smashing Pumpkins before the age of 10. The guitar tone these bands wielded left a lasting impression on Brian and [me] and has a lot to do with the types of tones we gravitate towards while writing and recording. Learning how to play all of these bands’ respective discographies, I began feeling confident enough to start writing my own music.”

Practice versus Theory

What was Brent’s most valuable educational experience? Doing: “Despite the fact that I’ve always studied music in a formal setting, my most beneficial educational experiences have always stemmed from playing in a band. You end up taking away something positive from every band and every musician you play with.”

The Benefit of Family Ties

“Given the fact that my brother has been in nearly every band that I’ve been a part of, he’s obviously a huge influence on me, as am I on him. There are so many emotional ups and downs involved with trying to play music professionally that it’s hard to say if either one of us would still be playing in a band now had it not been for our ongoing partnership.”

What’s in a Name?

The group’s name appears at first glance to be a reference to the movies, but the name in fact comes from an Emily Dickinson poem. “While studying music in university,” says Brent, “for one of my composition assignments I composed a series of short pieces that adopted various Dickinson poems as their lyrical texts. ‘The thought beneath so slight a film’ was from one of these poems.

“I felt like the poem’s connotations embodied what I was trying to do musically. On the surface my band’s songs are just simple pop tunes, but there’s more at play for those who want to dig deeper into the songs.”

(To be continued.) - The Voice Magazine

Digital Magazine: p. 11 - Venture Mag

First impressions are important. But they’re never the most rewarding. While cookie-cutter music dominates popular airwaves, Hamilton five-piece Thought Beneath Film have made a name for themselves with their textured, layered hook-driven guitar pop. And now, with the release of their recent debut EP Detours, Thought Beneath Film present a collection of five stunning tracks that will engross listeners for the long term.


Intent on having the final outcome of the EP represent the diverse nature of the band’s work, Thought Beneath Film re-recorded the EP twice and worked with three different engineers, a meticulous approach that lead to stirring and grandiose results. The band finally found the right fit with Tom Lord-Alge (Weezer, Coldplay, Blink 182) and mastering was completed by the legendary Bob Ludwig (Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters).

Catch the band Toronto debut tonight live at The Horseshoe Tavern @ 10pm. - Toronto Is Awesome

First impressions are important. But they’re never the most rewarding. While cookie-cutter music dominates popular airwaves, Hamilton five-piece Thought Beneath Film have made a name for themselves with their textured, layered hook-driven guitar pop. And now, with the release of their recent debut EP Detours, Thought Beneath Film present a collection of five stunning tracks that will engross listeners for the long term.


Intent on having the final outcome of the EP represent the diverse nature of the band’s work, Thought Beneath Film re-recorded the EP twice and worked with three different engineers, a meticulous approach that lead to stirring and grandiose results. The band finally found the right fit with Tom Lord-Alge (Weezer, Coldplay, Blink 182) and mastering was completed by the legendary Bob Ludwig (Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters).

Catch the band Toronto debut tonight live at The Horseshoe Tavern @ 10pm. - Toronto Is Awesome

Despite the name of their EP, Thought Beneath Film know exactly where they’re going.

The Hamilton band’s 5-track EP, Detours, is abounding with sharp hooks that snag you right into dancing along. The catchy and playful pop rock album is perfect for those sunny days and those feel good tempos.

However, one of the EP’s biggest strengths is that it shows that Thought Beneath Film know exactly what they’re doing, and they’ve got the names to show for it. The making of the album included mixing by Tom Lord-Alge (Weezer, Coldplay, Blink-182) and mastering by Bob Ludwig (Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters) – and it’s extremely evident in the super catchy and well put together material. Let’s not forget the band’s credit itself; Thought Beneath Film recognize everything that makes a song catchy, from every ooh and bop, to every repetitive progression – and they take great advantage of it.

The EP’s biggest highlight is its delightfully surprising single, “If I Could Fix You (You Know I Would)”. With playful vocals, this propitious pop jam gets you throwing your hands in the air and dancing from the second it starts. And with sunny lyrics such as, “Don’t despair/I swear/The sun comes out”, how can you not want to bask in its rays?

Well, this question might have a hapless answer. While Thought Beneath Film has their song structure all put together, Detours just gets sugarier and sugarier by the track. The synth-sweet “Hearts On Overdrive” borders on corny, and as the EP goes on, the over-structured pop rock tunes become tiresome. It’s almost as if to say Thought Beneath Film worked that “catchy hit song structure” too well. It’s good to get noticed, I assure, and it’s good if you have that kind of sweet tooth. But if you don’t, it’s just tiresome.

However, that’s not to say the building bass and candied rhythms, like in the EP closer “Sixty-Six” and all its Blink-182-esque pre-chorus glory, are to go unappreciated. With Thought Beneath Film’s ideology that “there is no reason to submit a subpar effort on the world”, the EP’s structure almost guarantees that – no matter which track you tackle it from – you’re starting off with something well thought out and likeable. No matter what detour you take, Detours has been designed so that you’ll reach the destination. - Substruct News

First impressions are important. But they’re never the most rewarding. While cookie-cutter music dominates popular airwaves, Hamilton five-piece Thought Beneath Film have made a name for themselves with their textured, layered hook-driven guitar pop. And now, with the release of their debut EP Detours, Thought Beneath Film present a collection of five stunning tracks that will engross listeners for the long term.

Intent on having the final outcome of the EP represent the diverse nature of the band’s work, Thought Beneath Film re-recorded the EP twice and worked with three different engineers, a meticulous approach that lead to stirring and grandiose results. The band finally found the right fit with Tom Lord-Alge (Weezer, Coldplay, Blink 182) and mastering was completed by the legendary Bob Ludwig (Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters).
Perseverance serves as the theme of Detours, as the band of scene veterans, all accomplished musicians and touring veterans in their own right try to map the ever changing music industry and understand what it takes for musicians to stay relevant and successful in society. Throughout the EP struggle is overcome. “If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would)” serves as the invigorating album opener, and the underlying optimistic tones are evident. A powerful, fist-in-the-air chorus is only the introduction to all that Thought Beneath Film are capable of.
“False Skin” and “Maybe I’m A Chump” are a powerful one-two punch, and showcase the dynamic creativity of the song writing. “False Skin” attempts to examine shifting trends and the validity of hopping on said trends. A powerful punk vibe leads into “Maybe I’m A Chump,” which finds the band examining true happiness in the world, and how one actually attains it.
“Hearts On Overdrive” features an infectious, synth-heavy beat and deals with the various relationships musicians must endure. At this point, the band has hit their stride and are firing on all cylinders. Yet when the subtle grow of album closer “Sixty-Six” creeps in, listeners will know how much this band is capable of. It won’t be long before they’ll be playing these songs on repeat. After, there’s another world of the band’s music to understand.
Life can be complicated, and the last thing needed is simple music for distraction. Instead, Detours speaks to the challenges we all face and provides an optimistic soundtrack to boot. Detours is not guitar pop dealing with the trite sadness of breakups; Thought Beneath Film ask the big questions and get results. - The Scene Magazine

One of the great claims of punk is that beauty thrives in the grit. Sounds that can make hungover mornings and lonely nights a little prettier are among the best the genre can produce. Such is the mission of groups like Thought Beneath Film, whose debut EP posits a type of melodic grunge poised to substantiate the genre's lofty promises.

While powered by the heavy beats and electric licks of more glamorous forebears, Thought Beneath Film wears literary references on its sleeves. It’s hard to avoid the pretentiousness that permeates the album, but the fact that the music is so damn fun serves as its saving grace. And there are so many worse things than a pop album that embraces erudition in the name of pop. Titles like “Hearts on Overdrive” are a bit much (come to think of it, so is “Thought Beneath Film”) but despite Detours being a first album it listens like people absolutely confident in what they're doing.

With five tracks Detours doesn't have much time to waste, and the loose bits in “False Skin” and “Maybe I'm A Chump” detract from the powerful structure present in the rest of the album. “Hearts on Overdrive” matches the early work of Michael Angelakos or Sleigh Bells. The involvement of Bob Ludwig's mastering shows throughout, and the album has an efficient but dirty sound. The departures from that are its weakest moments. Otherwise the album is electrifying.

This year's release by Vancouver's Anchoress pulled a similar trick to what helps set Thought Beneath Film apart, imbuing a heavily emotional style with an intellectual sensibility that leaves an album greater than the sum of its parts. Taken alone a smattering of references to mid-nineteenth century poets isn't much, and pop punk at its best is merely fun. But combined in the interesting, challenging and rewarding way that Thought Beneath Film chose has left us with Detours, one of the sleeper hits of the year. - The Punk Site

One of the great claims of punk is that beauty thrives in the grit. Sounds that can make hungover mornings and lonely nights a little prettier are among the best the genre can produce. Such is the mission of groups like Thought Beneath Film, whose debut EP posits a type of melodic grunge poised to substantiate the genre's lofty promises.

While powered by the heavy beats and electric licks of more glamorous forebears, Thought Beneath Film wears literary references on its sleeves. It’s hard to avoid the pretentiousness that permeates the album, but the fact that the music is so damn fun serves as its saving grace. And there are so many worse things than a pop album that embraces erudition in the name of pop. Titles like “Hearts on Overdrive” are a bit much (come to think of it, so is “Thought Beneath Film”) but despite Detours being a first album it listens like people absolutely confident in what they're doing.

With five tracks Detours doesn't have much time to waste, and the loose bits in “False Skin” and “Maybe I'm A Chump” detract from the powerful structure present in the rest of the album. “Hearts on Overdrive” matches the early work of Michael Angelakos or Sleigh Bells. The involvement of Bob Ludwig's mastering shows throughout, and the album has an efficient but dirty sound. The departures from that are its weakest moments. Otherwise the album is electrifying.

This year's release by Vancouver's Anchoress pulled a similar trick to what helps set Thought Beneath Film apart, imbuing a heavily emotional style with an intellectual sensibility that leaves an album greater than the sum of its parts. Taken alone a smattering of references to mid-nineteenth century poets isn't much, and pop punk at its best is merely fun. But combined in the interesting, challenging and rewarding way that Thought Beneath Film chose has left us with Detours, one of the sleeper hits of the year. - The Punk Site

Digital Magazine: p. 14 - The Lance

Digital Magazine: p. 44-47 - The Portal Magazine

Hamilton band Thought On Film went through a meticulous process for their new EP Detours, out now.

They wanted the five tracks to reflect the diverse nature of their work so they re-recorded the EP twice and worked with three different engineers. They found the right fit in Tom Lord-Alge (Weezer, Coldplay, Blink 182) and Bob Ludwig (Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters) mastered the final product.

The EP is currently streaming in its entirety on their Soundcloud and they're hitting the road for a series of tour dates, check below to see if they're hitting your town;

July 21st - Guelph, ON - Van Gogh's Ear
July 28th - Hamilton, ON - The Casbah (CD Release show)
August 21st - Toronto, ON - The Horseshoe
August 26th - Montreal, QC - Cafe Campus
August 28th - Charlottetown, PE - Baba's Lounge
August 29th - Halifax, NS - Gus' Pub & Grill
August 30th - Sackville, NB - Bridge Street Cafe - NXEW

Hamilton band Thought On Film went through a meticulous process for their new EP Detours, out now.

They wanted the five tracks to reflect the diverse nature of their work so they re-recorded the EP twice and worked with three different engineers. They found the right fit in Tom Lord-Alge (Weezer, Coldplay, Blink 182) and Bob Ludwig (Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters) mastered the final product.

The EP is currently streaming in its entirety on their Soundcloud and they're hitting the road for a series of tour dates, check below to see if they're hitting your town;

July 21st - Guelph, ON - Van Gogh's Ear
July 28th - Hamilton, ON - The Casbah (CD Release show)
August 21st - Toronto, ON - The Horseshoe
August 26th - Montreal, QC - Cafe Campus
August 28th - Charlottetown, PE - Baba's Lounge
August 29th - Halifax, NS - Gus' Pub & Grill
August 30th - Sackville, NB - Bridge Street Cafe - NXEW

Life is full of ups and downs, love rocks until it’s lost and then it burns. Some people can dance above the grey and find a way to express themselves through art: Hamilton, Ontario band Through Beneath Film are one such group of people. Instead of kicking pebbles, they rattle bones and shake tails. Perky pop hooks, effective or irritating upbeat melodies (depending on your disposition), and there’s no photo attached, but I can only presume, passable indie rock boy band looks. Exuberant. - Music Vice

Taking their name from a poem written by Emily Dickinson, there is nothing out of date about Hamilton rock band Thought Beneath Film, who perform tonight at 10 p.m. at Moncton’s Plan B. Lounge on St. George Street.

The songs featured on Detours are pop anthems in waiting. It is hard to not envision any one of the five tracks on their debut EP Detours not being an instant radio smash. Owing as much to the pop-punk sensibilities of Blink 182 as they owe the more distinct pop influence of The Beatles, Thought Beneath Film bring a myriad of influences to the table on Detours. Seeing how the band is comprised of Hamilton music scene veterans, experienced touring musicians and recording engineers, it should be little surprise that this is a band who knows exactly how to go about getting what they want.

Arriving at the release of their newest CD Detours hasn’t been an easy nor a flawless process for Thought Beneath Film. In fact, there is probably a very good reason why their debut EP is called Detours although had they named the EP Perseverance, that also would have been completely acceptable.

“We have been playing together for approximately two years now but hadn’t always been the most active,” vocalist-guitarist Brent Wirth says from his Toronto-area home.

“In those two years, we went through a fair amount of band members in efforts to find a solid lineup of guys that we knew shared the same commitment and vision for the band that Brian and I did,” referring to his brother who also plays in the band.

Asked for the exact amount of people who have come and gone from the ranks of Thought Beneath Film, Wirth laughs and simply admits that it was a “huge number” but clarifies by saying that many of these people were not confirmed members of the band but rather many who the group was trying out in efforts to see if the much needed components of chemistry and dedication were present.

“When I say there were a lot of people who exited the band, it is not as though we held a big audition and people came and left all day long or anything like that,” he says. “Brian and I were very fortunate in the respect that we had a lot of musical connections that allowed us to try playing with a lot more people than we might have been able to otherwise.

“When it comes down to it though, there is a lot of variables that go much beyond whether someone is a good player. You have to consider if the person’s style is what you’re after, whether they will be as committed to the band as what we are asking of them. There are a lot of people that like the idea of being a part of a band but don’t want to take the plunge, so to speak. We wanted to find band members that, when the opportunity to tour comes up, they are right there alongside of us. A lot of financial and emotional aspects can come to the surface in those circumstances and it is really then that you see their engagement.”

Once the lineup of the Wirth siblings, David Lindsay, C.J. Ricottone and Matt Foster was solidified, the band set about making Detours. The band’s dedication to ensuring that their finished product reflected exactly what they wanted saw the band re-record Detours twice while they remixed the EP a whopping three times. Wirth explains the rationale behind continually going back to the drawing board as not wanting to settle for anything less than perfection.

“We wanted the finished product to sound exactly as we envisioned it,” Wirth explains. “When you’re recording, especially in production of the sound of drums or the guitars, if there is something that you’re not entirely happy with, those things tend to stick out. Then we would arrive at the mixing stage of the record and were already unhappy with it, so it made sense to go back and make things right.”

Of course, no band can put all their eggs into the recording basket alone. The mixing phase of the record, where all of the recorded sounds are brought together, is, some might argue, the most important part of making a record. After having tried out two different mix engineers, Thought Beneath Film enlisted the services of Tom Lord-Alge, a Grammy Award winning producer and mixer who has worked on records by Blink 182, Sum 41, Hedley, and The Wallflowers.

“Each of the engineers we worked with was good in their own right. Having worked with a few different engineers also gave us different perspectives on how the songs could sound,” Wirth says. “I think Tom Lord-Alge brought the best of everything to the table and found that elusive middle ground that we weren’t necessarily able to find with the prior two mix engineers. Tom was really able to zero in getting a sound that was polished but still a little rough and dirty.”

Working with Lord-Alge has been a bit of a double-edged sword, Wirth says. He says that for every person that may be inclined to listen to Detours because of Lord-Alge’s involvement, he says that others have given the band a less than enthusiastic response to having w - The Music Nerd Chronicles

Taking their name from a poem written by Emily Dickinson, there is nothing out of date about Hamilton rock band Thought Beneath Film, who perform tonight at 10 p.m. at Moncton’s Plan B. Lounge on St. George Street.

The songs featured on Detours are pop anthems in waiting. It is hard to not envision any one of the five tracks on their debut EP Detours not being an instant radio smash. Owing as much to the pop-punk sensibilities of Blink 182 as they owe the more distinct pop influence of The Beatles, Thought Beneath Film bring a myriad of influences to the table on Detours. Seeing how the band is comprised of Hamilton music scene veterans, experienced touring musicians and recording engineers, it should be little surprise that this is a band who knows exactly how to go about getting what they want.

Arriving at the release of their newest CD Detours hasn’t been an easy nor a flawless process for Thought Beneath Film. In fact, there is probably a very good reason why their debut EP is called Detours although had they named the EP Perseverance, that also would have been completely acceptable.

“We have been playing together for approximately two years now but hadn’t always been the most active,” vocalist-guitarist Brent Wirth says from his Toronto-area home.

“In those two years, we went through a fair amount of band members in efforts to find a solid lineup of guys that we knew shared the same commitment and vision for the band that Brian and I did,” referring to his brother who also plays in the band.

Asked for the exact amount of people who have come and gone from the ranks of Thought Beneath Film, Wirth laughs and simply admits that it was a “huge number” but clarifies by saying that many of these people were not confirmed members of the band but rather many who the group was trying out in efforts to see if the much needed components of chemistry and dedication were present.

“When I say there were a lot of people who exited the band, it is not as though we held a big audition and people came and left all day long or anything like that,” he says. “Brian and I were very fortunate in the respect that we had a lot of musical connections that allowed us to try playing with a lot more people than we might have been able to otherwise.

“When it comes down to it though, there is a lot of variables that go much beyond whether someone is a good player. You have to consider if the person’s style is what you’re after, whether they will be as committed to the band as what we are asking of them. There are a lot of people that like the idea of being a part of a band but don’t want to take the plunge, so to speak. We wanted to find band members that, when the opportunity to tour comes up, they are right there alongside of us. A lot of financial and emotional aspects can come to the surface in those circumstances and it is really then that you see their engagement.”

Once the lineup of the Wirth siblings, David Lindsay, C.J. Ricottone and Matt Foster was solidified, the band set about making Detours. The band’s dedication to ensuring that their finished product reflected exactly what they wanted saw the band re-record Detours twice while they remixed the EP a whopping three times. Wirth explains the rationale behind continually going back to the drawing board as not wanting to settle for anything less than perfection.

“We wanted the finished product to sound exactly as we envisioned it,” Wirth explains. “When you’re recording, especially in production of the sound of drums or the guitars, if there is something that you’re not entirely happy with, those things tend to stick out. Then we would arrive at the mixing stage of the record and were already unhappy with it, so it made sense to go back and make things right.”

Of course, no band can put all their eggs into the recording basket alone. The mixing phase of the record, where all of the recorded sounds are brought together, is, some might argue, the most important part of making a record. After having tried out two different mix engineers, Thought Beneath Film enlisted the services of Tom Lord-Alge, a Grammy Award winning producer and mixer who has worked on records by Blink 182, Sum 41, Hedley, and The Wallflowers.

“Each of the engineers we worked with was good in their own right. Having worked with a few different engineers also gave us different perspectives on how the songs could sound,” Wirth says. “I think Tom Lord-Alge brought the best of everything to the table and found that elusive middle ground that we weren’t necessarily able to find with the prior two mix engineers. Tom was really able to zero in getting a sound that was polished but still a little rough and dirty.”

Working with Lord-Alge has been a bit of a double-edged sword, Wirth says. He says that for every person that may be inclined to listen to Detours because of Lord-Alge’s involvement, he says that others have given the band a less than enthusiastic response to having w - The Music Nerd Chronicles

Thought Beneath Film is a five-piece rock ‘n’ roll band from Hamilton, Ontario Canada and they have released their debut EP, “Detours“.

Intent on having the final outcome of the EP represent the diverse nature of the band’s work, Thought Beneath Film re-recorded the EP twice and worked with three different engineers, a meticulous approach that lead to stirring and grandiose results. The band finally found the right fit with Tom Lord-Alge (Weezer, Coldplay, Blink 182) and mastering was completed by the legendary Bob Ludwig (Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters).

Give “Detours” a spin below or on Soundcloud – It’s a collection of hook-laden, guitar pop tracks that’ll make your summer even sweeter!

Don’t miss “Hearts On Overdrive” and “Sixty-Six” - Indiependentmusic

Thought Beneath Film is a five-piece rock ‘n’ roll band from Hamilton, Ontario Canada and they have released their debut EP, “Detours“.

Intent on having the final outcome of the EP represent the diverse nature of the band’s work, Thought Beneath Film re-recorded the EP twice and worked with three different engineers, a meticulous approach that lead to stirring and grandiose results. The band finally found the right fit with Tom Lord-Alge (Weezer, Coldplay, Blink 182) and mastering was completed by the legendary Bob Ludwig (Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters).

Give “Detours” a spin below or on Soundcloud – It’s a collection of hook-laden, guitar pop tracks that’ll make your summer even sweeter!

Don’t miss “Hearts On Overdrive” and “Sixty-Six” - Indiependentmusic

What business does a band from Hamilton have working with legends like Tom Lord-Alge (Weezer, Coldplay, Blink 182) and Bob Ludwig (Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters)? While abuse of wealth or connections is always a possibility; pure determination was the name of the game for pop punk 5-piece Thought Beneath Film. These guys know what they want and how to get it; having recorded the Detours EP twice, cycling through three engineers before settling on the aforementioned Lord-Alge, and Ludwig for mastering.

There’s something familiar about Detours- an early 2000s pop punk flavour à la New Found Glory, The Ataris, and All American Rejects but with a broader style of writing and a higher standard of production. It would be easy for Thought Beneath Film to sit back, stay within the confines of the formula, and ride it to a level of moderate, but short-lived mainstream success. But they’ve taken a higher road, adding complex secondary guitar parts, vocal effects, and layers to disguise their standard guitar, bass, and drum setup.

There are no throwaway songs on this EP, from the first single ‘If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would)’ to ‘Sixty Six’. Each has a distinctive hook and driving melody, with multi-harmony vocals, plenty of tambourine, and endless opportunities to sing along with the “bah bah bah”s and the “doo doo doo”s. Everything is fresh, earnest, and upbeat. Thought Beneath Film aren’t about pretending to be something they’re not. They’re not even trying to change your life with this EP. But in the end, I bet Detours will outlast the flavour-of-the-week album your friends are raving about right now. - Hear Plugged

As summer draws to a close there seems to be plenty of summer-worthy material that we haven’t had the time to get to yet. Hamilton band Thought Beneath Film falls into this category with their first release, the slick five-song EP Detours.

The EP is filled to the brim with hooks and catchy chord progressions. The songs are effortless and breezy, and the sound is accessible enough to appeal to many as opposed to a few. Part of this is thanks to the mixing and mastering, respectively, of Tom Lord-Alge and Bob Ludwig, both of whom have been involved with the recording of many big-name acts.

“If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would),” the band’s first single, will make it clear to listeners what the band is all about. Tambourines introduce the power chords that drive the song, and the song reaches its power in the main chorus. There is also some great mingling of the guitar with a cool bass line.

“Maybe I’m a Chump” manages to keep a steady wall of sound for the entirety of the song, and “False Skin” introduces some very catchy vocalizations, one of many to likely be stuck in your head after listening.

“Hearts on Overdrive” is probably the most mature song on the album, featuring a smattering of keys and soaring arena-rock vocals. This finally leads to “Sixty-Six,” the strongest song on the album which sees the band going full out with its electric guitar and infectious vocals.

The band also keeps its song lengths tight, with most songs hovering around the three-minute mark. Those who enjoy their music will find it over before they know what hit them, making for great replay potential.

You can get the album from Bandcamp, where you can also order the EP on limited-edition electric blue vinyl. - Grayowl Point

As summer draws to a close there seems to be plenty of summer-worthy material that we haven’t had the time to get to yet. Hamilton band Thought Beneath Film falls into this category with their first release, the slick five-song EP Detours.

The EP is filled to the brim with hooks and catchy chord progressions. The songs are effortless and breezy, and the sound is accessible enough to appeal to many as opposed to a few. Part of this is thanks to the mixing and mastering, respectively, of Tom Lord-Alge and Bob Ludwig, both of whom have been involved with the recording of many big-name acts.

“If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would),” the band’s first single, will make it clear to listeners what the band is all about. Tambourines introduce the power chords that drive the song, and the song reaches its power in the main chorus. There is also some great mingling of the guitar with a cool bass line.

“Maybe I’m a Chump” manages to keep a steady wall of sound for the entirety of the song, and “False Skin” introduces some very catchy vocalizations, one of many to likely be stuck in your head after listening.

“Hearts on Overdrive” is probably the most mature song on the album, featuring a smattering of keys and soaring arena-rock vocals. This finally leads to “Sixty-Six,” the strongest song on the album which sees the band going full out with its electric guitar and infectious vocals.

The band also keeps its song lengths tight, with most songs hovering around the three-minute mark. Those who enjoy their music will find it over before they know what hit them, making for great replay potential.

You can get the album from Bandcamp, where you can also order the EP on limited-edition electric blue vinyl. - Grayowl Point

These Hamilton boys definitely know how to get their listeners hooked.

Combining heavier rock beats with fun vocal harmonies and catchy riffs, Thought Beneath Film’s debut album Detours makes you want to jump around and sing along.

This is an EP that is easily enjoyed upon first listen. The simplicity of quirky and relatable lyrics in such songs as “Maybe I’m a Chump,” paired with an upbeat tempo throughout, make this album a great listen. The synthesizer backing on most of the tracks give the EP a more electric-pop feel, while the weighty drum, bass and guitar combination allows it to retain its fitting rock genre designation.

Although there is some lyrical repetitiveness within the tracks, in a way, it is beneficial in making the entire EP more of an earworm.

For those who revel in the modern rock style of groups like The Offspring and the refreshing pop feel of others like Neon Trees, this collection of five songs is sure to bring a little air-drumming happiness into your lives.

Thought Beneath Film is working towards a full-length album in the near future, but hopefully the ever-energetic Detours EP can hold you off until then. - The Gazette

These Hamilton boys definitely know how to get their listeners hooked.

Combining heavier rock beats with fun vocal harmonies and catchy riffs, Thought Beneath Film’s debut album Detours makes you want to jump around and sing along.

This is an EP that is easily enjoyed upon first listen. The simplicity of quirky and relatable lyrics in such songs as “Maybe I’m a Chump,” paired with an upbeat tempo throughout, make this album a great listen. The synthesizer backing on most of the tracks give the EP a more electric-pop feel, while the weighty drum, bass and guitar combination allows it to retain its fitting rock genre designation.

Although there is some lyrical repetitiveness within the tracks, in a way, it is beneficial in making the entire EP more of an earworm.

For those who revel in the modern rock style of groups like The Offspring and the refreshing pop feel of others like Neon Trees, this collection of five songs is sure to bring a little air-drumming happiness into your lives.

Thought Beneath Film is working towards a full-length album in the near future, but hopefully the ever-energetic Detours EP can hold you off until then. - The Gazette

Thought Beneath Film’s debut album Detours has only a few tracks, but if these five songs are a sign of what’s to come from this five-piece rock ’n’ roll Hamilton, ON–based band, then we are all in for a treat! They are probably in for a Billboard Hot 100 hit or two . . . or three. It is really great to hear a local band that has major talent and super catchy tunes that make you feel oh-so-good. Although their songs are easily perfect for an American Pie movie soundtrack, it only proves their likeability from the get-go and pure “It” factor where university students everywhere will agree.

Detours opens with “If I Could Fix You,” which makes you rock to the beat without even realizing you love it; your body already knows and that is okay. They sing “Don’t despair, I swear, the sun comes out, woo hoo hoo” and “Learn to love before you feel left out, woo hoo hoo.” If you like Weezer’s hit “Buddy Holly,” you will be hooked and bopping along sooner than you can say “if.”

“Maybe I’m a Chump” is reminiscent of Blink 182’s hit record “What’s My Age Again?” As I listened on, it was clear to me that I want to go back to college and relive those years with these songs as my own personal soundtrack. Interestingly enough, I found that this album was mixed by none other than Tom Lord-Alge, who has worked with the likes of Coldplay, Weezer (funny enough), and not surprisingly, Blink 182. The songs have just enough “bop, bop, bops,” guitar riffs, and peppy lyrics to keep you entertained and your toes tapping, and to find something new in each song no matter how many times you listen.

“False Skin,” “Hearts on Overdrive,” and “Sixty-Six” (their very own rock anthem) keep you rocking to the beat and get you through the most challenging part of your workout. All I can say is thank you, Thought Beneath Film, thank you. Brent Wirth, who is the lead singer, is perfect on vocals throughout. Yes, perfect.

According to their website their name came from an Emily Dickinson poem which “speaks to the unseen interpretations that can be found by looking in a different light.” This alone shows that they are not a flash in the pan; they put genuine thought behind their lyrics, music, and the finished product before releasing it. They believe in their own music, and I respect that most of all. The songs found here are light, pop rock interpretations of awesome bands past. I am pretty open to most genres of music with a taste for R&B and absolutely love every song on Detours. Long live rock ’n’ roll!

If all goes as well as I think it will, Thought Beneath Film will be everywhere before you know it, and you can say you loved them back when . . . don’t think about it, pick Detours up for the last bit of summer. - Cadence Canada

Thought Beneath Film’s debut album Detours has only a few tracks, but if these five songs are a sign of what’s to come from this five-piece rock ’n’ roll Hamilton, ON–based band, then we are all in for a treat! They are probably in for a Billboard Hot 100 hit or two . . . or three. It is really great to hear a local band that has major talent and super catchy tunes that make you feel oh-so-good. Although their songs are easily perfect for an American Pie movie soundtrack, it only proves their likeability from the get-go and pure “It” factor where university students everywhere will agree.

Detours opens with “If I Could Fix You,” which makes you rock to the beat without even realizing you love it; your body already knows and that is okay. They sing “Don’t despair, I swear, the sun comes out, woo hoo hoo” and “Learn to love before you feel left out, woo hoo hoo.” If you like Weezer’s hit “Buddy Holly,” you will be hooked and bopping along sooner than you can say “if.”

“Maybe I’m a Chump” is reminiscent of Blink 182’s hit record “What’s My Age Again?” As I listened on, it was clear to me that I want to go back to college and relive those years with these songs as my own personal soundtrack. Interestingly enough, I found that this album was mixed by none other than Tom Lord-Alge, who has worked with the likes of Coldplay, Weezer (funny enough), and not surprisingly, Blink 182. The songs have just enough “bop, bop, bops,” guitar riffs, and peppy lyrics to keep you entertained and your toes tapping, and to find something new in each song no matter how many times you listen.

“False Skin,” “Hearts on Overdrive,” and “Sixty-Six” (their very own rock anthem) keep you rocking to the beat and get you through the most challenging part of your workout. All I can say is thank you, Thought Beneath Film, thank you. Brent Wirth, who is the lead singer, is perfect on vocals throughout. Yes, perfect.

According to their website their name came from an Emily Dickinson poem which “speaks to the unseen interpretations that can be found by looking in a different light.” This alone shows that they are not a flash in the pan; they put genuine thought behind their lyrics, music, and the finished product before releasing it. They believe in their own music, and I respect that most of all. The songs found here are light, pop rock interpretations of awesome bands past. I am pretty open to most genres of music with a taste for R&B and absolutely love every song on Detours. Long live rock ’n’ roll!

If all goes as well as I think it will, Thought Beneath Film will be everywhere before you know it, and you can say you loved them back when . . . don’t think about it, pick Detours up for the last bit of summer. - Cadence Canada

Today Brent Wirth from Thought Beneath Film tells us about the track 'If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would)' from their debut EP "Detours". Here is the story:

Very few people truly appreciate the emotional turmoil that comes along with writing, recording and releasing a song. You spend countless hours brooding away in your room contemplating every aspect of the song and fine-tuning every minute detail of it until it's perfect. From that point, you do something that's even more insane: you go into a studio and spend thousands of dollars to put yourself through hell and endure a dozen emotionally draining sessions recording it. You do overdub after overdub until it's just right. You become so attached to the song that you begin to truly believe it's one of the best songs ever written and that it's going to redefine music. A few weeks go by and, finally, you get to release it to the world! And guess what happens next? No one gives a f**k. In one way or another, everyone endures this kind of heartbreak and, inevitably, the only way to keep going is to be optimistic and have faith that things will eventually turn around. That's what makes the underlying theme of "If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would)" so relatable.

As is the case with most of our songs, the melodies for "If I Could Fix You" preceded the lyrics. One of the major downfalls associated with this writing approach is that the lyrics always have the potential to suffer given the fact that you're never at liberty to say things exactly how you may want to. It's like a jigsaw puzzle. Every lyric has to work within the rhythmic confines of the melody. It can feel extremely restrictive at times, but one of the things I love about writing this way is that it forces me to find more interesting and creative ways of expressing an idea. Although the song's intended message may become abstracted through the process, it often adds additional layers of meaning to the song which, if anything, makes it more accessible and relatable.

Given that this was the last song on the EP that I needed to write lyrics for, I wanted to break out of my comfort zone and try something different to ensure that it didn't feel like I was just reiterating an idea that I had already tackled in one of the other songs. A few days prior to writing the lyrics, I was joking around with one of my songwriter friends about how both of us always seem to shy away from writing "relationship songs" for one reason or another. Inspired by the conversation, I was determined to write one. However, given the fact it had been quite some time since I was in a serious relationship, I felt so detached from those feelings that it was impossible to write anything sincere. Nonetheless, it got me thinking about relationships in general and how intense some non-romantic relationships can be, particularly those you share with bandmates.

To me, being in a band has always been like having three or four girlfriends simultaneously. There are so many different perspectives and emotions that are constantly colliding. It becomes a seemingly impossible challenge to keep everyone engaged in the project and inspired to keep grinding it out. It's easy to feel defeated as a musician at times, but, when you take on the role of being the band leader, you aren't allowed to show it. It's your duty to keep the other members' morale up and continue to promote optimism in the camp, even when you may feel emotionally crushed yourself. Ultimately, that's what the song deals with. Although it may be packaged as a simple relationship song about someone who is trying to console a friend who has recently been heartbroken, to me, it's about my band and my constant attempt to keep my band members (and myself) inspired to keep moving forward…even when it may seem impossible to do so. - Anti-Music

Today Brent Wirth from Thought Beneath Film tells us about the track 'If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would)' from their debut EP "Detours". Here is the story:

Very few people truly appreciate the emotional turmoil that comes along with writing, recording and releasing a song. You spend countless hours brooding away in your room contemplating every aspect of the song and fine-tuning every minute detail of it until it's perfect. From that point, you do something that's even more insane: you go into a studio and spend thousands of dollars to put yourself through hell and endure a dozen emotionally draining sessions recording it. You do overdub after overdub until it's just right. You become so attached to the song that you begin to truly believe it's one of the best songs ever written and that it's going to redefine music. A few weeks go by and, finally, you get to release it to the world! And guess what happens next? No one gives a f**k. In one way or another, everyone endures this kind of heartbreak and, inevitably, the only way to keep going is to be optimistic and have faith that things will eventually turn around. That's what makes the underlying theme of "If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would)" so relatable.

As is the case with most of our songs, the melodies for "If I Could Fix You" preceded the lyrics. One of the major downfalls associated with this writing approach is that the lyrics always have the potential to suffer given the fact that you're never at liberty to say things exactly how you may want to. It's like a jigsaw puzzle. Every lyric has to work within the rhythmic confines of the melody. It can feel extremely restrictive at times, but one of the things I love about writing this way is that it forces me to find more interesting and creative ways of expressing an idea. Although the song's intended message may become abstracted through the process, it often adds additional layers of meaning to the song which, if anything, makes it more accessible and relatable.

Given that this was the last song on the EP that I needed to write lyrics for, I wanted to break out of my comfort zone and try something different to ensure that it didn't feel like I was just reiterating an idea that I had already tackled in one of the other songs. A few days prior to writing the lyrics, I was joking around with one of my songwriter friends about how both of us always seem to shy away from writing "relationship songs" for one reason or another. Inspired by the conversation, I was determined to write one. However, given the fact it had been quite some time since I was in a serious relationship, I felt so detached from those feelings that it was impossible to write anything sincere. Nonetheless, it got me thinking about relationships in general and how intense some non-romantic relationships can be, particularly those you share with bandmates.

To me, being in a band has always been like having three or four girlfriends simultaneously. There are so many different perspectives and emotions that are constantly colliding. It becomes a seemingly impossible challenge to keep everyone engaged in the project and inspired to keep grinding it out. It's easy to feel defeated as a musician at times, but, when you take on the role of being the band leader, you aren't allowed to show it. It's your duty to keep the other members' morale up and continue to promote optimism in the camp, even when you may feel emotionally crushed yourself. Ultimately, that's what the song deals with. Although it may be packaged as a simple relationship song about someone who is trying to console a friend who has recently been heartbroken, to me, it's about my band and my constant attempt to keep my band members (and myself) inspired to keep moving forward…even when it may seem impossible to do so. - Anti-Music

Thought Beneath Film’s debut EP, Detours, is an encouraging first effort. The Hamilton band has put together five polished and high-level pop songs – a striking achievement for such a young group.

The EP opens with “If I Could Fix You (You Know that I Would),” an apt choice. With it, the band sets to work to craft a fun pop song perfect for starry-eyed, high school crushes.This seems to be the crux of the music. And it’s impressive how consistent the band is with this tone.

Surely producers Tom Lord-Alge and Bob Ludwig have helped with this. Drawing on their experience with bands like Weezer, Coldplay, and Foo Fighters, the two here have refined the band’s focus and attitude.

Evidently though, Thought Beneath Film is still searching for a certain sound. The song “Hearts on Overdrive” opens with a synth lead almost lifted from an Austra record. It’s funky and out of place. Thought Beneath Film’s roots are in rock. This is firmly brought to the listener’s attention on the guitar solo later in the track.

Frontman Brent Wirth sounds like someone you’ve heard on the radio before. He sounds professional, but also indistinct. At times his voice is laid back and at ease, but taut and cheeky when needed. It keeps the music interesting.

Extended Oohs and Ahhs are smattered throughout the EP. These ultimately detract from the final product. They’re a crutch the band turns to far too often.

These songs aren’t great, to be sure – but that comes with time. Some of the bigger issues with the band – the chorus on “Sixty-Six,” the transitions on “False Skin” – are all things which get ironed out as the band matures.

It’s hard not to imagine Thought Beneath Film playing at the MMVA’s next summer. Although, the music has enough substance to go much further than that.

There’s not much here you won’t get somewhere else – as it is with most debuts, but the foundation is solid. Thought Beneath Film is a band you should watch for. - Aesthetic Magazine

The Hamilton, Ontario band Thought Beneath Film has made their debut into the music industry, releasing their first EP, Detours. This five-piece band definitely knows how get feet tapping to what they describe as “hook-driven, guitar pop” music.

The band, which includes Brent Wirth (vocals and guitar), Brian Wirth (guitar and synth), David Lindsay (backing vocals and guitar), CJ Ricottone (backing vocals and bass), and Matt Foster (drums), say their name is derived from an Emily Dickinson poem.

According to the band’s website, it was no easy job creating their first album. Detours was re-recorded twice and then mixed by three engineers until they determined it was ready to be released. Helping to produce this album was Tom Lord-Alge, a multiple Grammy award winning record producer who has worked with a string of well-known artists from Sum 41 to Coldplay, and Bob Ludwig, a well-respected mastering engineer who has his name on albums by the Rolling Stones and Nirvana. Thought Beneath Film clearly took no chances getting their first one right.

Detours features five very upbeat tracks that any pop music lover would find especially fun to listen to. The band’s single “If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would)” opens with a catchy percussion and guitar beat quickly leading into echoing vocals that sound very similar to the quirky alternative rockers OK Go. Downside? As soon as the song begins it seems to end, in less than two and a half minutes, Thought Beneath Film leaves you wanting more.

“Maybe I’m A Chump” features the same catchy guitar beats, and a few instruments bridges that lead to some very uplifting lyrics.

The final song on their album, “Sixty-six” starts with a slow rhythm adding a new sound every few beats until every element merges together about 30 seconds in, which is when the vocals begin. Heavy with backing vocals, this song really shows the band’s diversity with different sound layers mixed into the music.

Detours is available now through the band’s website, as well as on iTunes. If you like what you hear, check out Thought Beneath Film at one of their live shows throughout August as they tour across the country including making a stop in Toronto on the 21st at Horseshoe Tavern. - Lithium Magazine

I have to admit that 2012 has practically bombarded music lovers with an astounding amount of fantastic debuts this year. It’s enough to give anyone hope that for every terrible generic band they hear, there’s another band giving it their all in a studio somewhere, proving that hard work can pay off. Thought Beneath Film is one of those bands, and they present enough talent to keep the radios turned up for a long time to come.

Playing an extremely catchy brand of pop-rock, Thought Beneath Film have a chemistry and youthful vigor that helps make up for any of the mistakes made on their debut. With snappy, shining production and songs that get stuck in your head instantly, Detours is a promising opening number from a band that has nowhere to go but up.

Right from the get go, Thought Beneath Film make good on their promise of guitar driven pop-rock, as opener If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would) could easily fit in on any radio station, with upbeat percussion and speedy guitar riffs floating beneath Brent Wirth’s flawless vocals. This track is a perfect indication of what’s to follow, as the easygoing, hook laden five tracks on display follow a similar patter.

False Skin puts the impressive guitar work at the forefront, giving Brian Wirth and David Lindsay the chance to show their chops, while Matt Foster’s high energy behind the kits keeps the song flowing well. The chorus absolutely soars, making it the perfect sing-a-long song for any summer drive. This is a perfect example of pure, plain and simple pop-rock, and much of the enjoyment comes from the eager simplicity that Thought Beneath Film exude.

The production deserves a mention for how tremendous it is. Although only a debut, this band is already working with names like Tom Lord-Alge and Bob Ludwig, whose work with bands such as Green Day, Blink-182 and Nirvana stand as shining examples of how an album should be done. To have this kind of support this early in their career gives Thought Beneath Film a huge advantage over their peers, and it shows on Detours.

Even though Maybe I’m A Chump is another catchy track, its bouncy beat and high energy already feel a little too familiar three songs in. It doesn’t feel less authentic or worse than any other song, but it does start to cause some weariness that could be avoided by integrating small changes to the usual pattern.

The lyrics on display aren’t horrible either, but they don’t do much to break past the usual genre tropes. With lines like “Don’t leave me behind/And fall into line/I’m killing time/Waiting for someone to find,” the wheel isn’t exactly being reinvented, but I would be lying if I said they weren’t easy to sing along to. And when it comes to pop-rock, isn’t that what really matters?

Hearts On Overdrive manages to break out of the mold a bit, taking the tempo down half a notch and relying on some well-implemented synth to incorporate just a little something different. The difference is noticeable and quite welcome, especially with Wirth’s pipes emulating a tiny bit of Tom DeLonge, but the closing track is where Thought Beneath Film really shines.

Sixty-Six builds to an explosive chorus of “bah-bah-bah’s” that were made for chanting, repeating, shouting, and any other action used for singing emphatically. Each band member gives all they can, and every note hits the right mark. I personally believe that the closing song on any album is a true indication of what a band can really amount to, and judging by Sixty-Six, we can expect a lot from these guys.

So at the end of the day, we’re left with an exceptional debut that serves to break down boring radio-rock in favor of pop-rock with some heart and genuineness for good measure. Despite the repetitive nature of the EP, Detours serves as a great introduction to an up and coming band that has a lot going their way. With a little more growth and some variation to their style, Thought Beneath Film could very well become the next band you hear blasting from the radio on a sunny day, as that’s exactly where they belong. - We Got This Covered

I have to admit that 2012 has practically bombarded music lovers with an astounding amount of fantastic debuts this year. It’s enough to give anyone hope that for every terrible generic band they hear, there’s another band giving it their all in a studio somewhere, proving that hard work can pay off. Thought Beneath Film is one of those bands, and they present enough talent to keep the radios turned up for a long time to come.

Playing an extremely catchy brand of pop-rock, Thought Beneath Film have a chemistry and youthful vigor that helps make up for any of the mistakes made on their debut. With snappy, shining production and songs that get stuck in your head instantly, Detours is a promising opening number from a band that has nowhere to go but up.

Right from the get go, Thought Beneath Film make good on their promise of guitar driven pop-rock, as opener If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would) could easily fit in on any radio station, with upbeat percussion and speedy guitar riffs floating beneath Brent Wirth’s flawless vocals. This track is a perfect indication of what’s to follow, as the easygoing, hook laden five tracks on display follow a similar patter.

False Skin puts the impressive guitar work at the forefront, giving Brian Wirth and David Lindsay the chance to show their chops, while Matt Foster’s high energy behind the kits keeps the song flowing well. The chorus absolutely soars, making it the perfect sing-a-long song for any summer drive. This is a perfect example of pure, plain and simple pop-rock, and much of the enjoyment comes from the eager simplicity that Thought Beneath Film exude.

The production deserves a mention for how tremendous it is. Although only a debut, this band is already working with names like Tom Lord-Alge and Bob Ludwig, whose work with bands such as Green Day, Blink-182 and Nirvana stand as shining examples of how an album should be done. To have this kind of support this early in their career gives Thought Beneath Film a huge advantage over their peers, and it shows on Detours.

Even though Maybe I’m A Chump is another catchy track, its bouncy beat and high energy already feel a little too familiar three songs in. It doesn’t feel less authentic or worse than any other song, but it does start to cause some weariness that could be avoided by integrating small changes to the usual pattern.

The lyrics on display aren’t horrible either, but they don’t do much to break past the usual genre tropes. With lines like “Don’t leave me behind/And fall into line/I’m killing time/Waiting for someone to find,” the wheel isn’t exactly being reinvented, but I would be lying if I said they weren’t easy to sing along to. And when it comes to pop-rock, isn’t that what really matters?

Hearts On Overdrive manages to break out of the mold a bit, taking the tempo down half a notch and relying on some well-implemented synth to incorporate just a little something different. The difference is noticeable and quite welcome, especially with Wirth’s pipes emulating a tiny bit of Tom DeLonge, but the closing track is where Thought Beneath Film really shines.

Sixty-Six builds to an explosive chorus of “bah-bah-bah’s” that were made for chanting, repeating, shouting, and any other action used for singing emphatically. Each band member gives all they can, and every note hits the right mark. I personally believe that the closing song on any album is a true indication of what a band can really amount to, and judging by Sixty-Six, we can expect a lot from these guys.

So at the end of the day, we’re left with an exceptional debut that serves to break down boring radio-rock in favor of pop-rock with some heart and genuineness for good measure. Despite the repetitive nature of the EP, Detours serves as a great introduction to an up and coming band that has a lot going their way. With a little more growth and some variation to their style, Thought Beneath Film could very well become the next band you hear blasting from the radio on a sunny day, as that’s exactly where they belong. - We Got This Covered

While cookie-cutter music currently dominates the airwaves, Thought Beneath Film hopes to make a lasting impression with their debut EP Detours, a five-track collection that will engross listeners.

The Hamilton five-piece has made a name for itself with their “textured, layered, hook-driven guitar pop.”As seasoned songwriters and touring veterans, Thought Beneath Film says they “understand what it takes for musicians to stay relevant and successful in society.”

The band’s lyrics mimic the songwriting style of Stabilo, and their musical signature is reminiscent of anArctic Monkeys meets Motion City Soundtrack combination.

The first song on Detours, “If I Could Fix You(You Know I Would)”,is an invigorating album opener with a powerful fist-in-the-air chorus that will keep any crowd on its feet.The percussion serves as an auditory treat with a powerful triad of bass, snare and tambourine, which accompanies the guitar riffs.

“False Skin” and “Maybe I’m a Chump” offer a powerful punk vibe which shows the band looking for true happiness in the world, and finding out how to actually achieve it. These songs have similar bass lines with a mix of dynamic chord progressions to amp up the rhythm.

The synth-heavy beat of “Hearts On Overdrive” pumps like a heartbeat to correspond with the lyrics, which focus on the various relationships a musician must endure.

The final song on the EP, “Sixty-Six”, slows down and echoes the same rhythm pattern and background vocals from two tracks previous.

This debut has been a long time coming -Thought Beneath Film re-recorded the EP twice and worked with three different engineers before getting the result they wanted. The band has finally found their fit, with mastering completed by the legendary Bob Ludwig, who has worked with bands such as Nirvana, Foo Fighters and Green Day.

The band has recently returned home from its East Coast tour, which had stops in Guelph, Toronto, Montreal, Charlottetown and Halifax. For music and information, check out Thought Beneath Film’s Facebook page, facebook.com/thoughtbeneathfilm, or their website at thoughtbeneathfilm.ca. - The Argus

While cookie-cutter music currently dominates the airwaves, Thought Beneath Film hopes to make a lasting impression with their debut EP Detours, a five-track collection that will engross listeners.

The Hamilton five-piece has made a name for itself with their “textured, layered, hook-driven guitar pop.”As seasoned songwriters and touring veterans, Thought Beneath Film says they “understand what it takes for musicians to stay relevant and successful in society.”

The band’s lyrics mimic the songwriting style of Stabilo, and their musical signature is reminiscent of anArctic Monkeys meets Motion City Soundtrack combination.

The first song on Detours, “If I Could Fix You(You Know I Would)”,is an invigorating album opener with a powerful fist-in-the-air chorus that will keep any crowd on its feet.The percussion serves as an auditory treat with a powerful triad of bass, snare and tambourine, which accompanies the guitar riffs.

“False Skin” and “Maybe I’m a Chump” offer a powerful punk vibe which shows the band looking for true happiness in the world, and finding out how to actually achieve it. These songs have similar bass lines with a mix of dynamic chord progressions to amp up the rhythm.

The synth-heavy beat of “Hearts On Overdrive” pumps like a heartbeat to correspond with the lyrics, which focus on the various relationships a musician must endure.

The final song on the EP, “Sixty-Six”, slows down and echoes the same rhythm pattern and background vocals from two tracks previous.

This debut has been a long time coming -Thought Beneath Film re-recorded the EP twice and worked with three different engineers before getting the result they wanted. The band has finally found their fit, with mastering completed by the legendary Bob Ludwig, who has worked with bands such as Nirvana, Foo Fighters and Green Day.

The band has recently returned home from its East Coast tour, which had stops in Guelph, Toronto, Montreal, Charlottetown and Halifax. For music and information, check out Thought Beneath Film’s Facebook page, facebook.com/thoughtbeneathfilm, or their website at thoughtbeneathfilm.ca. - The Argus

A new project by brothers Brent and Brian Wirth brings together a talented roster of Hamilton-area musicians to craft a crisp, melodic EP that promises great things to come.

The band, Thought Beneath Film, is composed of Brent on vocals and guitar, Brian on guitar, David Lindsay on guitar and vocals, CJ Ricottone on bass and vocals, and Matt Foster on drums. According to the band bio, the name comes from an Emily Dickinson poem and "speaks to the unseen interpretations that can be found by looking in a 'different light.'"

Their new CD, Detours, is a five-song EP with a clean musical arc and a tight thematic continuity. Muscular alt-rock guitars combine with quirky indie keyboards and catchy backup vocals of the "bap bap ba she-bap bap ba" and "woo-ooo-ooo" variety, all wrapped in a sweeping production by legendary sound engineers Bob Ludwig and Tom Lord-Alge.

Combined with the SoCal-pop-punk vocal stylings of singer Brent Wirth, the EP strongly recalls the Blink 182-meets-U2 sound of Tom DeLonge's Angels And Airwaves supergroup.

Thematically, the EP is an introspective snapshot of an artist on the cusp, preparing to take a frightening leap into the unknown. In "False Skin", Brent sings: "I feel I'm on the brink of something new/I feel I'm on the brink of something true/Feels like I'm gonna break/'Cause I'm tired of overthinking everything".

In "Hearts On Overdrive", he continues: "It kinda feels like my heart has been breaking up inside/My feet are tired and my hands have been shaking, can't run and hide/It kinda seems like someone has been making up my mind."

It is perhaps fitting that Detours took such a long, twisting road to birth: it spanned 18 months, three separate recordings and three different engineers before the band realized the uncompromising sound they wanted.

The result is an album that sounds fully-baked: rich, dense and layered without getting buried under a wall of reberb and muddle. My only complaint (prepare to be invited off my lawn) is that the dynamic range compression falls prey to the Loudness war and the music starts to exhaust my ears after repeated listens.

All in all, Detours is a welcome and encouraging milestone for a band that aims to say something important in a musical language of catchy hooks, warm vocals and thick, gutsy rhythm. I can't wait to see how their planned full-length album will sound.

Thought Beneath Film are playing a release party for Detours on Saturday, July 28 at The Casbah, 306 King Street West (at Queen), Hamilton, with Black Rhino Riot and The Boys Girl Band opening.

Copies of the EP will be for sale at Casbah, and you can buy it online in CD, digital or limited edition vinyl format. You can also sample "If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would)" and "Sixty-Six" on Soundcloud. - Raise The Hammer

A new project by brothers Brent and Brian Wirth brings together a talented roster of Hamilton-area musicians to craft a crisp, melodic EP that promises great things to come.

The band, Thought Beneath Film, is composed of Brent on vocals and guitar, Brian on guitar, David Lindsay on guitar and vocals, CJ Ricottone on bass and vocals, and Matt Foster on drums. According to the band bio, the name comes from an Emily Dickinson poem and "speaks to the unseen interpretations that can be found by looking in a 'different light.'"

Their new CD, Detours, is a five-song EP with a clean musical arc and a tight thematic continuity. Muscular alt-rock guitars combine with quirky indie keyboards and catchy backup vocals of the "bap bap ba she-bap bap ba" and "woo-ooo-ooo" variety, all wrapped in a sweeping production by legendary sound engineers Bob Ludwig and Tom Lord-Alge.

Combined with the SoCal-pop-punk vocal stylings of singer Brent Wirth, the EP strongly recalls the Blink 182-meets-U2 sound of Tom DeLonge's Angels And Airwaves supergroup.

Thematically, the EP is an introspective snapshot of an artist on the cusp, preparing to take a frightening leap into the unknown. In "False Skin", Brent sings: "I feel I'm on the brink of something new/I feel I'm on the brink of something true/Feels like I'm gonna break/'Cause I'm tired of overthinking everything".

In "Hearts On Overdrive", he continues: "It kinda feels like my heart has been breaking up inside/My feet are tired and my hands have been shaking, can't run and hide/It kinda seems like someone has been making up my mind."

It is perhaps fitting that Detours took such a long, twisting road to birth: it spanned 18 months, three separate recordings and three different engineers before the band realized the uncompromising sound they wanted.

The result is an album that sounds fully-baked: rich, dense and layered without getting buried under a wall of reberb and muddle. My only complaint (prepare to be invited off my lawn) is that the dynamic range compression falls prey to the Loudness war and the music starts to exhaust my ears after repeated listens.

All in all, Detours is a welcome and encouraging milestone for a band that aims to say something important in a musical language of catchy hooks, warm vocals and thick, gutsy rhythm. I can't wait to see how their planned full-length album will sound.

Thought Beneath Film are playing a release party for Detours on Saturday, July 28 at The Casbah, 306 King Street West (at Queen), Hamilton, with Black Rhino Riot and The Boys Girl Band opening.

Copies of the EP will be for sale at Casbah, and you can buy it online in CD, digital or limited edition vinyl format. You can also sample "If I Could Fix You (You Know That I Would)" and "Sixty-Six" on Soundcloud. - Raise The Hammer

Brothers Brent Wirth (vocals, guitar), and Brian Wirth (guitar) have long since making music in the Hamilton area in bands like the Kosmonaut, the Sitcom and otherwise but more recently the two have ramped up their own recording studio. Producing other bands offered the opportunity to meet more local musicians and better find musicians for their own projects. With the addition of David Lindsay (guitar,
vocals), CJ Ricottone (bass, Vocals), and Matt Foster (drums), Thought Beneath Film offers their newest line up and their debut CDEP, Detours.
“Matt played in Gin Rummy, CJ played in Slides and David played in Honour One – as devious as it might sound, they all came from bands that Brian and I recorded at our home studio,” explains Brian Wirth. “Seeing how someone carries themselves and reacts to various situations throughout the recording process tells you a lot about their musicianship, attitude and level of seriousness. The personal relationships and camaraderie between band members is equally as important as their musical chemistry. We’re all at the point in our lives where playing in a band is a lot more than just having fun playing your hometown once a month and looking cool to your friends.”
With the right band members in place, TBF then began fashioning five
songs best to introduce the band on disc. Musically slick, lyrically thought provoking, TBF offer thoughtful guitar pop and after recording their debut CDEP twice themselves, they decided to leave the mixing and mastering to some pretty big names. Tom Lord-Alge (Weezer, Coldplay, Blink 182) and Bob Ludwig (Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters) offer a punch and a sheen to the recordings that spotlights TBF’s talents. It’s pop with some hard guitar edge but catchy and maybe even easy to dance to.
“At the end of the day, the music you create is always a reflection of the music that you want to hear,” offers Wirth. “Our musical tastes are pretty diverse. We’ve always loved good, solid pop records — Katy Perry being one guilty pleasure — so we tend to be very melody and hook oriented, but then there’s the influence of bands like Weezer and the Smashing Pumpkins: massive guitar tone. We’re also into more eclectic and experimental bands as well.
“The common lyrical theme throughout the EP is the struggle of trying to be an artist in today’s society: having to deal with the apparent impossibility of being able to sustain your passion financially and emotionally and staying motivated and optimistic throughout it,” adds Wirth. “It just seems like people are selling themselves short these days. So many of my creative friends have given up on their art to pursue something more pragmatic. It’s depressing. Sure, money and stability can be important at times, but isn’t there a lot more to life? That’s the question that I’ve tried to pose throughout the EP. We’re at the age where most musicians have to decide if they’re in it for the long haul or not. I think we all share the same sentiment — it’s not that we don’t want to do anything other than playing music; we just can’t without being horribly depressed.”
With their local CD release party this weekend, TBF are hitting the road to introduce the new music to as many people as they can. With a follow up 7-inch already recorded for follow up potentially later this year, expect to hear a lot more from Though Beneath Film.
“The CD release show is more about acknowledging our friends and family for all their support,” adds Wirth. “Despite the fact that it’s only 15 minutes long, given the manner in which it was created, this EP was a pretty big undertaking for us and the show is a celebration of the fact that it’s finally complete. The fun part begins — getting to play the songs live to new audiences and in different cities each night.” - VIEW Magazine

Brothers Brent Wirth (vocals, guitar), and Brian Wirth (guitar) have long since making music in the Hamilton area in bands like the Kosmonaut, the Sitcom and otherwise but more recently the two have ramped up their own recording studio. Producing other bands offered the opportunity to meet more local musicians and better find musicians for their own projects. With the addition of David Lindsay (guitar,
vocals), CJ Ricottone (bass, Vocals), and Matt Foster (drums), Thought Beneath Film offers their newest line up and their debut CDEP, Detours.
“Matt played in Gin Rummy, CJ played in Slides and David played in Honour One – as devious as it might sound, they all came from bands that Brian and I recorded at our home studio,” explains Brian Wirth. “Seeing how someone carries themselves and reacts to various situations throughout the recording process tells you a lot about their musicianship, attitude and level of seriousness. The personal relationships and camaraderie between band members is equally as important as their musical chemistry. We’re all at the point in our lives where playing in a band is a lot more than just having fun playing your hometown once a month and looking cool to your friends.”
With the right band members in place, TBF then began fashioning five
songs best to introduce the band on disc. Musically slick, lyrically thought provoking, TBF offer thoughtful guitar pop and after recording their debut CDEP twice themselves, they decided to leave the mixing and mastering to some pretty big names. Tom Lord-Alge (Weezer, Coldplay, Blink 182) and Bob Ludwig (Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters) offer a punch and a sheen to the recordings that spotlights TBF’s talents. It’s pop with some hard guitar edge but catchy and maybe even easy to dance to.
“At the end of the day, the music you create is always a reflection of the music that you want to hear,” offers Wirth. “Our musical tastes are pretty diverse. We’ve always loved good, solid pop records — Katy Perry being one guilty pleasure — so we tend to be very melody and hook oriented, but then there’s the influence of bands like Weezer and the Smashing Pumpkins: massive guitar tone. We’re also into more eclectic and experimental bands as well.
“The common lyrical theme throughout the EP is the struggle of trying to be an artist in today’s society: having to deal with the apparent impossibility of being able to sustain your passion financially and emotionally and staying motivated and optimistic throughout it,” adds Wirth. “It just seems like people are selling themselves short these days. So many of my creative friends have given up on their art to pursue something more pragmatic. It’s depressing. Sure, money and stability can be important at times, but isn’t there a lot more to life? That’s the question that I’ve tried to pose throughout the EP. We’re at the age where most musicians have to decide if they’re in it for the long haul or not. I think we all share the same sentiment — it’s not that we don’t want to do anything other than playing music; we just can’t without being horribly depressed.”
With their local CD release party this weekend, TBF are hitting the road to introduce the new music to as many people as they can. With a follow up 7-inch already recorded for follow up potentially later this year, expect to hear a lot more from Though Beneath Film.
“The CD release show is more about acknowledging our friends and family for all their support,” adds Wirth. “Despite the fact that it’s only 15 minutes long, given the manner in which it was created, this EP was a pretty big undertaking for us and the show is a celebration of the fact that it’s finally complete. The fun part begins — getting to play the songs live to new audiences and in different cities each night.” - VIEW Magazine

There’s nothing quite like stumbling onto something you could grow to love. Within the next few days, I’m sure that that something will be Thought Beneath Film, an up and coming pop-rock band hailing from Hamilton. Set to release their debut EP Detours next week, fans of the genre will be hearing a lot more from them in the future.

With two legendary names in music involved in the creation of the EP, it’s easy to get excited for what’s to come. Tom Lord-Alge, who is renowned for his work with bands such as Blink-182 and Weezer, played an integral role, as did Bob Ludwig, whose work with Nirvana and Foo Fighters still stands as some of the best in the business. For a band with nothing released yet, that’s an impressive roster to have backing you.

From what I’ve heard so far, Detours is going to be a big contender for some major airplay. All five songs are ridiculously catchy and have been stuck in my head since I first listened.

Be sure to check back here for a review of Detours soon, and head to the video below for a preview of what to expect! - We Got This Covered

There’s nothing quite like stumbling onto something you could grow to love. Within the next few days, I’m sure that that something will be Thought Beneath Film, an up and coming pop-rock band hailing from Hamilton. Set to release their debut EP Detours next week, fans of the genre will be hearing a lot more from them in the future.

With two legendary names in music involved in the creation of the EP, it’s easy to get excited for what’s to come. Tom Lord-Alge, who is renowned for his work with bands such as Blink-182 and Weezer, played an integral role, as did Bob Ludwig, whose work with Nirvana and Foo Fighters still stands as some of the best in the business. For a band with nothing released yet, that’s an impressive roster to have backing you.

From what I’ve heard so far, Detours is going to be a big contender for some major airplay. All five songs are ridiculously catchy and have been stuck in my head since I first listened.

Be sure to check back here for a review of Detours soon, and head to the video below for a preview of what to expect! - We Got This Covered

Thought Beneath Film is a 4-piece indie rock band based out of a small town outside of Hamilton and their name pays homage to a poem by Emily Dickinson The band is comprised of brothers Brent Wirth (vocals, guitar) and Brian Wirth (guitar), along with Andrew McDermid (bass, vocals) and Paul Ciancone (drums). These guys are set to release their debut EP Marsupials, which was produced by Jon Drew, and it’s a solid release packed with zest and youthful energy.

Thought Beneath Film has put together quite a fun and catchy EP, really playing up on their pop sensibilities. “Maybe I’m A Chump” is loud, driven by hard-hitting drums, and highlighted by some catchy riffs and quick tambourine work that are heard throughout the EP. The pace changes a little with “Hearts On Overdrive,” as it’s a little more melodic, and the vocals become more of the focus. On “Sixty-Six” there is more of that in-you-face power pop, with “Magnet” ending the EP with some stand-out drum work, featuring some falsetto vocals as they’re really pushing themselves to test their sound. With time, I think these guys can push themselves more to capture a sound that is all their own. I look forward to seeing how these guys develop. Overall, the collection of songs is promising and the production quality is certainly excellent for a debut EP. - Buying Shots For Bands

Thought Beneath Film is a 4-piece indie rock band based out of a small town outside of Hamilton and their name pays homage to a poem by Emily Dickinson The band is comprised of brothers Brent Wirth (vocals, guitar) and Brian Wirth (guitar), along with Andrew McDermid (bass, vocals) and Paul Ciancone (drums). These guys are set to release their debut EP Marsupials, which was produced by Jon Drew, and it’s a solid release packed with zest and youthful energy.

Thought Beneath Film has put together quite a fun and catchy EP, really playing up on their pop sensibilities. “Maybe I’m A Chump” is loud, driven by hard-hitting drums, and highlighted by some catchy riffs and quick tambourine work that are heard throughout the EP. The pace changes a little with “Hearts On Overdrive,” as it’s a little more melodic, and the vocals become more of the focus. On “Sixty-Six” there is more of that in-you-face power pop, with “Magnet” ending the EP with some stand-out drum work, featuring some falsetto vocals as they’re really pushing themselves to test their sound. With time, I think these guys can push themselves more to capture a sound that is all their own. I look forward to seeing how these guys develop. Overall, the collection of songs is promising and the production quality is certainly excellent for a debut EP. - Buying Shots For Bands

Hamilton’s Thought Beneath Film put out their album ‘Cartographers’ last week and it is the perfect punk-pop-rock soundtrack to the summer. While this album isn’t exactly groundbreaking – it is a great take on the power pop / punk genre. Heartfelt power pop / punk bands have been a mainstay in popular music for a long time. The recent of success of Taking Back Sunday’s tour is a sign that this type of music is still alive and well.

Cartographers sounds like being young in the summer time. It sounds like spending your days at a crappy seasonal job, and spending your money on beach parties summer flings. BBQ’s, PBRs, and cottage fun. I haven’t listened to this type of music in a long time, however I do think that this album is really good and I know it would be my favorite if I was 19 years old.

Cartographers is a noteworthy album because the songs are clean, well produced, and they come off as heartfelt and genuine. These Hamilton boys have managed to put out a really slick album that is radio friendly and is accessible to a wide audience. Thought Beneath Film are well situated in Hamilton because there isn’t really another band in town that has this type of sound and that is this polished.

Favourite tracks: Cartographers (title track), Maybe I’m a Chump, and False Skin. - Cut From Steel