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That’s the Spirit is the latest incarnation of Ottawa’s Ben Wilson - a multi-instrumentalist and well-known staple of the local scene - releasing his own brand of haunting, catchy space-folk on his debut L.P., Staying Places on September 23, 2008 (CD and digital).

Folks could call Staying Places a theme album – every song is based on Wilson’s travels and travel literature-readings over the years. From one angle, it’s a snapshot of the mind of the postmodern traveller – always wanting to be somewhere else, constantly in search of that idyllic exile, in a shrinking world with exhausted global space. From another angle, though, it’s a personal reflection of that age-old conflict of putting down roots versus extending branches – the comfort in routine, versus the challenge and excitement of the unknown and uncharted. From any perspective, Staying Places is meant to be a soulful, optimistic album for explorers and armchair travelers alike. Musically, it’s a mash-up of road song-friendly influences, from Yo La Tengo and My Bloody Valentine to John Southworth and Iron and Wine.

Staying Places was written, recorded, mixed and produced by Wilson in the basement studio he’s built up over the years. Long-time bandmate Brennan Pilkington lends his talents on the drums, Tom Thompson plays the pedal steel guitar and Nicholas Dyson takes the spotlight on trumpet for a number of tracks. 25 songs were recorded for the album, and only 12 made the cut to fit thematically – so it’s fair to say that looking into 2009 we’ll be hearing a lot more, a lot sooner, from That’s the Spirit.

20 Sep 2008 20:00 Antique Room New York City
4 Oct 2008 20:00 Ottawa CD release party (venue tbc) Ottawa, Ontario

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