DATE: 04/26/2009
URL: http://www.bravewords.com/features/1000608

Nadja is probably one of the unlikeliest success stories you’ll encounter. Though the Toronto duo - comprised of Aidan Baker and Leah Buckareff - has always been critically acclaimed for its fantastic doom, drone and ambient landscapes, it seems Nadja has tapped into a heretofore unimaginable market and has achieved a measure of commercial success to go along with the glowing press. Though obviously far removed from the glitzy world of mainstream harbingers, Nadja tours consistently and releases records at a torrid pace, ensuring its legacy is continually forwarded and, as mentioned above, a sizable group of people are now responding to Nadja’s unique and cathartic take on sound.

The group’s latest work is When I See The Sun Always Shines On TV, a covers record that massively re-invents tracks by, amongst others, Slayer, The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, Swans, Elliot Smith and A-Ha (!) to inimitable effect, creating a collection that is as varied as it is darkly contemplative.

“We thought it would be fun,” says Baker, when asked why Nadja has decided to release a covers record at this point. “The covers had to be songs that we like. There was also an element of trying of choose songs that would illustrate the roots of our sound and influences. Our sound and influences are varied, so it was important that the songs selected be varied.”

One of the most interesting aspects of When I See The Sun Always Shines On TV, aside from the impressive shock that results from the reinventions (Slayer’s ‘Dead Skin Mask’ sees itself in an especially eerie configuration), is the fact that Nadja covers certain of its primary influences, namely Swans and My Bloody Valentine. It’s sort of like the prodigies are covering the progenitors.

“To a certain degree,” Baker acknowledges. “But we’ve played ‘No Cure For the Lonely’ (Swans) live many times, so it’s kind of become one of our own songs. Sure, I respect Swans and My Bloody Valentine quite a bit, but idolatry is foolish. They’re still just people. We’re all just people.”

With Nadja’s recent success, one wonders where it can all go from here. How far can Nadja take its brand of sonic upheaval into the massive musical landscape of potential listeners?

“I don’t know that we really have any specific goals,” explains Baker. “At least, not any that any other band wouldn’t have. Our goals are things like keep making music, keep people listening, and keep ourselves happy.”