The Absent Sound hails from good ole' Winnipeg, MB. They're into combining a progressive ambient rock sound with visual aids to create an experience that thrills the senses. You may be asking yourself: “Which senses are they going to thrill?” I'm sorry to report that they won't be thrilling our sense of taste. It's pretty unfortunate, seeing as how I always get hungry late at night. However, they do have most of the other bases covered. Makr B sent digital mail to Winnipeg and received the following in response.

Who is The Absent sound and what do you do? We are human beings reaching out with our music and thoughts. I, Rob Menard, play guitar and create the samples and loops/keyboards. Dave Fort plays guitar and a bit of voice. Dr. Seth plays violin. Freya Bjorg Olafson: choreographer/dancer. Brian Longfield: choreographer/stilt walk/film loops.

How did the band come together? We decided to collaborate while working at John Bosco Camp in Saskatchewan and wanting to carry on the spirit of our childhood through music. What made you decide to incorporate film loops/performance and dance into the live show? To make it a total sensory experience. Some performers are naturally evolving with us to create a whole production.

What type of audience reaction do you usually get? People are quite blown away by the whole experience. We get a lot of people thanking us for what they say was a spiritual experience. While we play, they are completely tuned in and not a peep in the crowd until we are through. It has been very nice, the reactions from the different crowds.

Any new recorded material we should be on the lookout for? Yes indeed we are releasing our new album Music to Live and Die To on May 28th here in Winnipeg and we'll have it with us on the road. CIUT FM 89.5 has a copy if you'd like to hear it.

What type of show can the kids in Toronto expect? It is very nice this time around because we have our full unit together so we will put on our whole show. Our dancer and stilt walker will perform their piece to the engaging music as the film loops are projected on the screen. And who knows what else will happen in a live sense.

What kind of images and feelings are you trying to create for the audience? Inspiration and an intense but peaceful means of facing ourselves. It's really up to you how it makes you feel.