Toronto-based "city songwriter" Ten Kills the Pack — the folk project of Sean Sroka — just released his debut EP Force Majeure. Today the record is streaming in full at Exclaim! thanks to Sroka's new label home, Nettwerk.
Sroka describes his music as "city folk," having recorded the songs on Force Majeure across multiple sessions in Toronto high-rises. His urban environment, including walks along Queen Street, rooftop wine-fueled conversations and local live shows, were all major influences in his songwriting.
He elaborated further:
These songs have lived in different places, they've seen some shit. We bounced from apartment to loft to apartment to record for a few tired hours each night. I think it contributed to the minimal and distinct tone of the EP. We tracked after working all day while drinking wine to keep pace and had to be quiet to avoid noise complaints from neighbours. This forced me to embrace new subtleties, and I think it's where some of the intimacy and character comes from. It's why I think the EP managed to capture the various lives you can live in any given city.
Sroka had previously released multiple singles from the EP, including "Drunk All the Time," "When I Say You Are Killing Me," "Barcelona" and more.
Listen to the EP below, where you can also watch his recent Gavin Michael Booth-directed music video for "Talk My Ear Off."
Sroka describes his music as "city folk," having recorded the songs on Force Majeure across multiple sessions in Toronto high-rises. His urban environment, including walks along Queen Street, rooftop wine-fueled conversations and local live shows, were all major influences in his songwriting.
He elaborated further:
These songs have lived in different places, they've seen some shit. We bounced from apartment to loft to apartment to record for a few tired hours each night. I think it contributed to the minimal and distinct tone of the EP. We tracked after working all day while drinking wine to keep pace and had to be quiet to avoid noise complaints from neighbours. This forced me to embrace new subtleties, and I think it's where some of the intimacy and character comes from. It's why I think the EP managed to capture the various lives you can live in any given city.
Sroka had previously released multiple singles from the EP, including "Drunk All the Time," "When I Say You Are Killing Me," "Barcelona" and more.
Listen to the EP below, where you can also watch his recent Gavin Michael Booth-directed music video for "Talk My Ear Off."