Bobbyisms: Strong new EP from Brad Fillatre

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: MIKE CHATWIN
Brad Fillatre will be performing in Toronto on October 17 at the Drake Underground in support of his first solo EP, For Your Weakness.

I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. Did you know that the name Beastie Boys was an acronym that stood for Boys Entering Anarchistic Stages Towards Internal Excellence? Evidently emcee Mike D. said so in an interview long ago, although rock lore has made it difficult to be sure.

Whether that is true or not, the Beasties' drive toward their success and their unending artistic integrity for three decades transformed them into legends, their art rising above their obstacles. The concept of drawing a line in the sand and having the resolve to cross it is certainly not a new one, however it is one that Brad Fillatre finds profound.

Originally from Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Fillatre moved to Toronto in 2005 as a commitment to pursuing a career in music. Fillatre soon formed The Evelyn Room with some fellow Newfoundlanders, and the trio began earning acclaim in the Toronto scene.

Newly available on October 16, For Your Weakness is significant not only for Fillatre's step into solo waters, but also for his signing with Sparks Music — a deal that led to an unfortunate delay in the record's release, a cruel irony considering the album represents new ground for Fillatre on so many levels.

"It's a culmination of my life and pursuit of music," he explained, reflecting on For Your Weakness. "I've written and released independently in the past, but this is the first official thing I'm sharing with people outside of my immediate friends and family."

"It feels like it's out of my hands, in a good way," Fillatre laughed in relief. "Now there are other avenues in music I'm just discovering, and my music is reaching people even before it's out, it's a great feeling."

The transition to being a solo act seemed to happen quite naturally for Fillatre; despite the heavier artistic burden he faced, he had a clear idea of what he wanted to achieve in the studio and a strong sense of himself throughout the material he'd prepared.

"It is a challenge not having other people to bounce ideas off of, but I think I arrived at a place where for the most part I could just be honest and express what was in me to express in a concise way. It's personal, but it's not literal. I like that, I like listening to artists that express something that I can relate to, or a sound that I can relate to."

While Fillatre still finds inspiration in his native Newfoundland, he credited Toronto with giving him the confidence and motivation to realize his career. "I used to drive around and listen to my records in my car, out with the ocean and the mountains and space — there's a lot of sonic space there, and it shapes such landscapes."

Although the EP was held up for almost a year in order for all parties involved to coordinate the release, Fillatre explained that the songs resonate as strongly for him now as when they were recorded. As someone who makes strong connections to music, he said he hopes that For Your Weakness will resonate within his fans the way that music has with him throughout his life.

"I listen to music that is timeless," he said, pensively. "The songs I like, I think I'll like them forever. I think that even though these songs (of mine) were written a year or two ago, they're still relevant in my life. Hopefully people can relate to that and enjoy them."

For more on Brad Fillatre or For Your Weakness, visit him online at bradfillatre.com or follow along on Twitter @bradfillatre. If you find yourself in Toronto on October 17, Fillatre is celebrating the release at the Drake Underground; tickets are $10, and doors open at 9 p.m.

And for more of the latest music news, views and insights, consider following this column on Twitter @fsu_bobbyisms. Have another great week, I'm out of words.