Two Hours Traffic
Encyclopedia
Two Hours Traffic is a Canadian
indie rock
band, based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
. They are named after a line in the prologue to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
. Although often described as the band that Halifax guitarist Joel Plaskett
took "under his wing", they have increasingly become known as purveyors of original, well-crafted power pop
songs. Critics draw comparisons to 1970s power pop band Big Star, but the band members tend to cite Nick Lowe
as a prime influence. The band's achievements include a nomination for the Polaris Music Prize
in 2008 for the album Little Jabs
.
. While all were age 19, the quartet recorded a demo titled The April Storm
. After handing a copy of the EP to Canadian musician Joel Plaskett
at one of his Charlottetown performances, a collaborative relationship formed. In 2005 the band released their full-length album simply titled Two Hours Traffic
, which saw them work directly with Plaskett, who produced the album and added guitar tracks to two songs (3 and 10). Plaskett's sister, Anna Plaskett, also played French horn on two of the album's tracks (7 and 12).
The group has performed and toured with various East Coast artists such as Plaskett himself, In-Flight Safety
, and Wintersleep
. The self-titled album was recognized with the group's first nomination at the 2006 East Coast Music Awards, for Rock Recording of the Year. Their videos "Better Sorry than Safe", "Stuck for the Summer" and "Jezebel" have been in rotation on MuchMusic
. The group released a six-song EP
entitled Isolator
on September 26, 2006. Isolator was also produced by Joel Plaskett. It was nominated for Alternative Recording of the Year at the 2007 East Coast Music Awards.
Their second full-length album, Little Jabs
, produced by Joel Plaskett, was released on Bumstead Records
in July 2007. Documentary film director Ron Mann
directed the video for "Jezebel", Mann's first foray into music videos. Little Jabs has led to the band's most chart success to date, reaching the top ten of Chart magazine
's Canadian College Radio Top 50 Chart.
The band won Group of the Year and Alternative Rock Recording of the Year at the 2007 Music P.E.I. Awards.
Their songs have also garnered some airplay on several American television shows, including Gossip Girl
, The OC , The Secret Life of the American Teenager
, One Tree Hill
and Castle
. Most recently their songs have been featured on CBC's new comedy 18 to Life
.
In 2008, Little Jabs was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize
.
The band's 2009 album, Territory, was produced by Plaskett as well and mixed by Howard Redekopp. The album boasts some of the band's finest work and showcases a slightly darker and more atmospheric sound than it's predecessor, Little Jabs.
Two Hours Traffic were also winners of the 8th annual Independent Music Awards
Vox Pop vote for best Poster (artwork by Rebecca Ford).
In September of 2011 it was announced that the band would be parting ways with guitarist Alec O'Hanley. The announcement also indicated that the band would carry on and are working on a new record for release in 2012.
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band, based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
. They are named after a line in the prologue to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
. Although often described as the band that Halifax guitarist Joel Plaskett
Joel Plaskett
Joel Plaskett is a Canadian rock musician originally from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. He grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and now resides across the harbour in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia...
took "under his wing", they have increasingly become known as purveyors of original, well-crafted power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
songs. Critics draw comparisons to 1970s power pop band Big Star, but the band members tend to cite Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
as a prime influence. The band's achievements include a nomination for the Polaris Music Prize
2008 Polaris Music Prize
The 2008 edition of the Canadian Polaris Music Prize was presented on September 30, 2008. The prize was won by Caribou for his album Andorra....
in 2008 for the album Little Jabs
Little Jabs
Little Jabs is the second full-length studio album by Canadian indie rock band Two Hours Traffic, released on Bumstead Records on July 24, 2007...
.
History
Founded by Liam Corcoran (lead vocals and guitar), and Alec O'Hanley (guitar, keyboards and vocals), the group added bassist Andrew MacDonald and drummer Derek Ellis to its roster in 2002 after meeting while attending the University of Prince Edward IslandUniversity of Prince Edward Island
The University of Prince Edward Island is a public liberal arts university in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and the sole university in the province. Founded in 1969, it traces its roots back to its two earlier predecessor organizations, St. Dunstan's University and Prince of Wales...
. While all were age 19, the quartet recorded a demo titled The April Storm
The April Storm
The April Storm, initially a demo recording, is the 2003 debut EP by Two Hours Traffic, a Canadian indie rock, power pop band from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.-Track listing:# "Sweet and Sour"# "Lockup"# "Think More Often than I Should"...
. After handing a copy of the EP to Canadian musician Joel Plaskett
Joel Plaskett
Joel Plaskett is a Canadian rock musician originally from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. He grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and now resides across the harbour in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia...
at one of his Charlottetown performances, a collaborative relationship formed. In 2005 the band released their full-length album simply titled Two Hours Traffic
Two Hours Traffic (album)
Two Hours Traffic is the self-titled debut album by Two Hours Traffic, a Canadian indie rock, power-pop band from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island...
, which saw them work directly with Plaskett, who produced the album and added guitar tracks to two songs (3 and 10). Plaskett's sister, Anna Plaskett, also played French horn on two of the album's tracks (7 and 12).
The group has performed and toured with various East Coast artists such as Plaskett himself, In-Flight Safety
In-Flight Safety
-External links:* official website*...
, and Wintersleep
Wintersleep
Wintersleep is a Canadian indie rock band from Halifax, Nova Scotia.-Background:Wintersleep formed in 2001 and released two albums with Dependent Music, a music label and artists' collective that began in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in 1994....
. The self-titled album was recognized with the group's first nomination at the 2006 East Coast Music Awards, for Rock Recording of the Year. Their videos "Better Sorry than Safe", "Stuck for the Summer" and "Jezebel" have been in rotation on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
. The group released a six-song EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
entitled Isolator
Isolator (EP)
Isolator is the 2006 follow-up to the self-titled debut album by Two Hours Traffic, a Canadian indie rock, power pop band from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. It was nominated for Alternative Recording of the Year at the 2007 East Coast Music Awards. The song "Purple Eyes / Yellow Light" was...
on September 26, 2006. Isolator was also produced by Joel Plaskett. It was nominated for Alternative Recording of the Year at the 2007 East Coast Music Awards.
Their second full-length album, Little Jabs
Little Jabs
Little Jabs is the second full-length studio album by Canadian indie rock band Two Hours Traffic, released on Bumstead Records on July 24, 2007...
, produced by Joel Plaskett, was released on Bumstead Records
Bumstead Records
Bumstead Records was originally a small record label in Edmonton, Alberta, founded by Larry Wanagas in 1979 and run primarily out of Homestead Recorders. Wanagas launched k.d. lang's career and continued for 15 years with many tours, multi-platinum sales, accolades and awards. The management arm...
in July 2007. Documentary film director Ron Mann
Ron Mann
Ronald "Ron" Mann is a Canadian documentary film director focusing primarily on aspects of Canadian and American popular culture. He does most of his work through his company Sphinx Productions, while also running a film distribution company on the side called 'FilmsWeLike'. Mann has also put...
directed the video for "Jezebel", Mann's first foray into music videos. Little Jabs has led to the band's most chart success to date, reaching the top ten of Chart magazine
Chart (magazine)
ChartAttack is a Canadian online music publication. Formerly a monthly print magazine called Chart, which was published from 1991 to 2009, the web version continues operation....
's Canadian College Radio Top 50 Chart.
The band won Group of the Year and Alternative Rock Recording of the Year at the 2007 Music P.E.I. Awards.
Their songs have also garnered some airplay on several American television shows, including Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl is an American young adult novel series written by Cecily von Ziegesar and published by Little, Brown and Company, a subsidiary of the Hachette Group. The series revolves around the lives and romances of the privileged teenagers at the Constance Billard School for Girls, an elite...
, The OC , The Secret Life of the American Teenager
The Secret Life of the American Teenager
The Secret Life of the American Teenager is an American teen drama television series created by Brenda Hampton. It first aired on ABC Family on July 1, 2008. The show was renewed for a second season consisting of 24 episodes on February 9, 2009, which began airing on June 22, 2009...
, One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
and Castle
Castle (TV series)
Castle is an American comedy-drama television series, which premiered on ABC on March 9, 2009. The series is produced by Beacon Pictures and ABC Studios. On January 10, 2011, Castle was renewed for a fourth season...
. Most recently their songs have been featured on CBC's new comedy 18 to Life
18 to Life
18 to Life is a Canadian television sitcom that debuted on January 4, 2010 on CBC Television. The series is shown in Quebec on Vrak.TV with the title Majeurs et mariés.-Synopsis:...
.
In 2008, Little Jabs was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize
Polaris Music Prize
The Polaris Music Prize is a music award annually given to the best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label...
.
The band's 2009 album, Territory, was produced by Plaskett as well and mixed by Howard Redekopp. The album boasts some of the band's finest work and showcases a slightly darker and more atmospheric sound than it's predecessor, Little Jabs.
Two Hours Traffic were also winners of the 8th annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
Vox Pop vote for best Poster (artwork by Rebecca Ford).
In September of 2011 it was announced that the band would be parting ways with guitarist Alec O'Hanley. The announcement also indicated that the band would carry on and are working on a new record for release in 2012.
Other projects
Alec O'Hanley and Andrew MacDonald are also members of the Charlottetown band The DanksThe Danks
The Danks are a Canadian indie rock band from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, founded by Brohan Moore and Alec O'Hanley. Chris Doiron originally played bass guitar, but was replaced by Andrew MacDonald, a bandmate of O'Hanley's from Two Hours Traffic...
.
Discography
- 2003: The April StormThe April StormThe April Storm, initially a demo recording, is the 2003 debut EP by Two Hours Traffic, a Canadian indie rock, power pop band from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.-Track listing:# "Sweet and Sour"# "Lockup"# "Think More Often than I Should"...
(EP) - 2005: Two Hours TrafficTwo Hours Traffic (album)Two Hours Traffic is the self-titled debut album by Two Hours Traffic, a Canadian indie rock, power-pop band from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island...
- 2006: IsolatorIsolator (EP)Isolator is the 2006 follow-up to the self-titled debut album by Two Hours Traffic, a Canadian indie rock, power pop band from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. It was nominated for Alternative Recording of the Year at the 2007 East Coast Music Awards. The song "Purple Eyes / Yellow Light" was...
(EP) - 2007: Little JabsLittle JabsLittle Jabs is the second full-length studio album by Canadian indie rock band Two Hours Traffic, released on Bumstead Records on July 24, 2007...
- 2009: Territory
External links
- Two Hours Traffic official site
- Two Hours Traffic at Maple Music