Photo by A.M. Fraser

by Matt Dixon, November '07

1. Please introduce I See Rowboats.
Hello! I See Rowboats are Solomon Vromans, Lisa Lipton, Darcy Fraser, Luke Fisher and Will Robinson. Solomon plays cello, bass, guitar, and saxophone. Lisa plays viola, piano, guitar, bass and glockenspiel. Darcy plays percussion and melodica. Luke plays fiddle and vocals. Will plays vocals, guitar and baritone uke.

2. What does I See Rowboats mean to you?
I See Rowboats means:
- friends that are family,
- something to live for,
- hard work that is fun that probably isn't hard or work…can fun be related with/to work or hard?
- a puddle that wants to find a pond that wants to find a river that wants to find a lake that wants to find an ocean…then I suppose evaporation occurs? Osmosis?
- Halifax, New Scotland, CANADIANA (north end for life)
- a vehicle to express and exercise many ideas and to help us move forward while occasionally glancing in the rear view mirror.

3. How would you describe your music to someone that has yet to hear it?
This is always a hard one. Futuristic nostalgia. Nostalgic futurism. Rock 'n' Roll (like this one the best). Rock 'n' Roll with strings. "Frustrating, yet ultimately satisfying" – C Whibbs.

4. What were the original goals of the band and have they been met?
In the beginning of I See Rowboats the goals that we initially wished to fulfill were to write, record and release an EP (hide and seek behind the throne) as well as to tour in support of the EP. Fifty percent of this has come true and the other fifty will become a reality next week when we embark upon a little tour of the Maritimes.

5. What are some of the things you try to communicate through your music?
A sense of time and place. Unpredictability. Our human emotions. Colours. Concept and Space (which we haven't really delved into yet). Vulnerability.

6. You're about to embark on a mini tour with Rebecca Higgs, how did the tour come about?
We had played with Ms. Higgs in Halifax a few times before and she asked us if we would like to join her on the road for a few dates in the Maritimes, we gladly accepted. A band called the Spades from my home town, Peterborough ON, will be playing with us as well. Tom and Josh from the Spades are high school friends of mine. I can't wait to hang out with them and catch up!

7. What is your take on the current state of the Halifax indie scene?
Personally, it feels as though the Halifax indie scene is in a period of rejuvenation, rebirth. There is an exciting energy existing that is a result of veteran and new bands feeding off each other, sharing stages and supporting one another. There are a lot of new young bands and artists with a lot of potential and energy that are developing and blossoming quickly, it seems like everyone in Halifax plays in a band. The north end of Halifax and Halifax in general is a special womb like place that fosters many talented artists and musicians/bands.

8. What do you think sets I See Rowboats apart from other bands?
One thing that sets us apart from other bands is that Solomon Vromans is in our band and not in any other band. He is ours so hands off! I don't think we are that different or "apart" from a lot bands, except maybe for the fact that we play a lot of different instruments in our sets.

9. When do you think the best time and situation to listen to a I See Rowboats record is?
In the bathtub. Making breakfast the morning after a good night of drinking. While drawing.

10. How would you describe Hide & Seek Behind the Throne in five words or less?
Schizophrenic salt from sentimental shakers.

11. The end of civilization will be caused by:
HUMANS WITHOUT ART OR MUSIC.

12. What future plans do you have?
On tour with Rebekah Higgs and the Spades from November 13th to 17th. Going to CMW in Toronto in March 2008 and embarking upon a Central Canadian tour in March as well.

13. How can people get in touch with you?
People can get in touch with i see rowboats via:
www.myspace.com/iseerowboats
www.iseerowboats.com
email: iseerowboats@gmail..com
www.sonicbids.com/iseerowboats

Final words?
Cheers. Electralane's cover of Leonard Cohen's the Patriarch is really worth listening and potentially dancing to!