Some of you may be familiar with the work of Samir Khan if you ever saw Kepler or experienced one of his recent solo shows. In his new '“ and bigger - band Tusks, five other friends take the music onwards and upwards towards the lush poppy heavens. Kat Burns learned about the band, and about "grrrblowy", over email...

Tusks is your latest project. Who are you all and what do you play?

SK: We are six fleshy human beings. Robin Buckley plays the drums and sings; Kristian Galberg plays guitar; Dan Goldman plays glockenspiel, percussion and sings; I play bass and sing lead vocals; Shaw-han Liem plays keyboards and sings; and Allison Outhit plays guitar, mandolin and....sings.

I recently saw Tusks perform at the Drake. It was a new filled-out sound and a crowded stage up there. How do you enjoy playing with so many musical counterparts?

SK: I do enjoy it. It's especially enjoyable because I don't think it feels too gratuitious or symphonic or whatever. It's still just a rock band.

The sound of Tusks is somewhat airy and poppy, much like a cool autumn day when one needs a light sweater. Does Tusks have a favourite season or weather pattern?

SK: If we are indeed a sweater-weather band, can I insist that the sweater be itchy? We are a transitional-weather type of band. I'm always annoyed there aren't any formal names for the in-between parts of the seasons. The warm slush before spring and the cold grayness before the first snow.

Allison Outhit: Where I'm from [Nova Scotia] we do have names for the inbetween parts. "Jaysus" comes in on the first two weeks of February. "Oobleck" takes place from March to early May and "Grrblowy" properly describes most of October through December. We don't have a word for the hot, sunny part...except maybe "all-inclusive Cuban vacation".

What is influencing Tusks and where are you going to take it?

SK: Primarily aging. Rock and roll is commonly described as a young person's gambit, whereas I feel we're all getting better with age. We'll take this band wherever we can be hosted.

What bands are influencing or inspiring your sound these days?

SK: The Band is a common love. Motwown/Stax Volt/Sam Cooke kinda stuff. Early, punky XTC. Fleetwood Mac. Allison says Prefab Sprout as well, which I am comfortable with, but Robin is not. He doesn't like Prefab Sprout apparently.

Do you write together or are you the main songwriter?

SK: I guess I am the main songwriter, but because the only instrument I can play competently is bass. I consider everyone [in the band] to be songwriters. Allison has a song we are going to try....

Are there any tour plans in the works?

SK: We have some shows in and out of town coming up. Nothing major - yet!

Record in the works/finished/old news?

SK: We're still thinking about this one. Hopefully sometime in the next year; the songs are almost ready.