NEWS
2.2.2024: Does a Painter C'est What? Available Now!
Does a Painter C'est What?, a compilation of live recordings from Toronto's little gem in St. Lawrence Market over the course of four years of performances, is the latest release from the Paint vaults. This one is special as well in that it has been personally curated by our dear friend Joe Mac.
The Bandcamp edition is THE one to get, as it includes a beautiful digital booklet with quirky pop-influenced artwork, live photos, behind-the-scenes details on each show, and mini essays. This gorgeous accompaniment is not available on any other streaming services.
Enjoy!
1.2.2024: Does a Painter C'est What? Live Compilation Available Feb. 2!
Up next from the Paint Archives:
"Paint is vivaciously displayed on the Wall of Fame at this little sanctuary in the heart of Toronto's St. Lawrence Market... Attendance records were set; attention was drawn to noble causes like suicide intervention; new material was stage-tested just days after being written; and a colourful smorgasbord of bands and comedians joined Paint in a celebration of life, love, rock 'n' roll, and a local institution. Without C'est What?, Paint would not have become Paint."
- Robb Johannes
The next gift from us to you from the vaults is a digital-only compilation of live performances at Toronto's C'est What? recorded between 2009-2013, fittingly entitled, Does a Painter C'est What?
Paint's history with C'est What?, on stage and off, is well-documented and full of memorable moments, many of which are captured here in soundboard recordings personally culled from several hours of tapes by our dear friend Joe Mac.
The Bandcamp edition includes a gorgeously-designed 13-page digital booklet by Clarence King with photos, posters, and liner notes by Robb Johannes.
Visit the Paint Store, pre-order on Bandcamp, or hit up anywhere you buy or stream your digital music on Friday, February 2.
12.4.2023: a question of when Screening and Album Release
Robb's new band, a question of when, is releasing its debut LP when it happens to you this Friday, December 8th, on vinyl, CD, cassette, digital HD, and Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 surround sound.
Pre-order now at a question of when's shop or Bandcamp, and preview the film for "faultlines" above.
You can also attend an advanced screening of the album's accompaying visual experience online TONIGHT -- visit Eventbrite for tickets.
Enjoy!
8.4.2023: 15th Anniversary Deluxe Editions Available NOW!
The Can You Hear Me? and Where We Are Today 15th Anniversary Deluxe Editions are available now on Bandcamp!
For some reason these are delayed on other platforms, but Bandcamp is where you want to go anyways; in addition to 45 tracks on each edition (including the original albums, demos, alternate versions, live performances, and interviews), you get lovely digital booklets with extensive liner notes, artwork, photos, and other surprises -- which aren't available anywhere else. Fittingly, it's also Bandcamp Friday, where 100% of what you pay goes directly to the artists.
A lot of love and labour went into these compilations, we hope you enjoy them! Use the links below!
Can You Hear Me? (15th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
Where We Are Today (15th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
7.27.2023: "End of the Reel" (acoustic studio version) Music Video
A preview of some of the vault content on the upcoming Can You Hear Me? and Where We Are Today 15th Anniversary Deluxe Editions:
The acoustic studio version of "End of the Reel" was recorded at the Harris Institute in Toronto in April, 2012.
Cameras were armed and on-hand during Paint's Spring 2012 tour with Katlina and The Gracious. The intention all along had been to make a documentary about the antics, trials, and creativity the bands shared. However, all of the key interview footage was lost in the years following, and it was decided instead to cut the best visual elements into an accompaniment for this recording -- which is the only studio document made by the touring lineup of Robb Johannes (vocals), Nathan Da Silva (guitar), Nik Odermatt (bass), and Pierre Luc Lalonde (drums).
Edited by Clarence King
Audio recorded and mixed by Rob McAllister and Duncan Balmain-Matthews
Executive Producer: Matt Hughes
Mastered by Clarence King
7.19.2023: Fare Thee Well, As You Were
Dear friends,
We imagine this may simply come as a confirmation of what you've been suspecting for some time now, but the least we can do to show our gratitude for the generous support you have all given Paint the past 15 years, is make it official: Paint is no longer touring or creating new music. Even before the world began unravelling in 2020, we had agreed, as a family of friends, who remain a family of friends, that the time had come to lay the active wheels on the Paint machine to rest.
Will there ever be a reunion tour? A full-catalogue performance night? An appearance at Live Aid 2035? Time will guide that course as it needs to.
We have been for the last few years, and will continue to be, absolutely committed to providing an ongoing interactive experience for so many of you who have been with us for the ride. Archival and anniversary releases from the vaults, remastering, more photo books, poster collections, and other audio/visual content will be released when we feel there's something worth sharing. Of course, all of Paint's social accounts and website will remain active forums for you to hang with us and one another.
While the life of a band can be punishing and unforgiving, not many bands are as lucky as Paint has been. The amount of kindness we have received from you the fans, industry colleagues, our musical peers and mentors, granting agencies, and between family members, is something we will forever cherish as we take our Paint-learned lessons forward to the next chapters of all of our journeys. Amidst the sea of edgy posturing that is the music business, Paint has honestly and genuinely accumulated enough material for a colourful Behind The Music episode, and the fact that we are all here to even deliver this news to you is, in many ways, a minor miracle. Honouring the highs, lows, and everything in between by keeping an active presence for all of you is a pleasure we are more than happy to indulge in.
As a treat to you, on August 4, both Can You Hear Me? and Where We Are Today are being released in 15th Anniversary deluxe editions, chock full of goodies. We'd suggest picking these up on Bandcamp, where you get exclusive and extensive digital booklets with all kinds of photos, new artwork, reflection and navigation notes, and easter eggs. But of course, they will be on all the usual platforms, along with newly-remastered versions of Chapter 11 and the "Life" single, which were previously unavailable anywhere but Bandcamp.
And trust us when we say: there is more in the vault. Stay tuned...
Thank you for walking alongside us. We're humbled to call you all members of the extended Paint family. We are you, you are us, and none of this would have been possible without your generosity and passion for the rock 'n' roll we've brought to you. Keep your eyes peeled for new branches growing from the Paint tree!
With love,
Jordan, Devin, Keiko, and Robb
10.1.2021: "Life" (Unreleased 2007 Studio Recording) AVAILABLE NOW!
AVAILABLE NOW from the archives: The 2007 studio recording of "Life" is really where the "wall of sound" that came to be known as Paint for the next decade began. We're excited to unveil this long-lost gem to you!
Bandcamp Friday is upon us -- what better time to grab the digital single, including instrumental mix and PDF booklet, than now!
9.13.2021: "Life" (Unreleased 2007 Studio Recording) To Be Released October 1
THE NEXT RELEASE FROM PAINT'S ONGOING TEN-YEAR ARCHIVES SERIES.
Whilst a later demo version of "Life" appears on the Can You Hear Me? 5th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, this 2007 studio recording, produced by Caleb Stull (Field Study, Parlour Steps) has remained in the vaults until now. The first hint at the eventual "wall of sound" that Robb Johannes, Matt Laforest, and Paula McGlynn would explore in spades through the Can You Hear Me? sessions and live shows, "Life" presents layers of stacked guitars and a finding-his-voice Johannes taking on a narration of a young prison abolitionist and what becomes a lifelong friendship with a prisoner serving a life sentence.
With subject matter as relevant today as when it was written (at the time, Johannes was also coordinating Transformative Justice initiatives in the federal prison system and lecturing about the 13th Amendment and prison-industrial complex -- long before the Ava DuVernay film), "Life"'s message of social justice ties directly to the Black Lives Matter movement and calls for investment into community resilience in the face of punitive systems rooted in long histories of racism.
The unreleased 2007 studio recording of "Life," remastered for 2021, along with an instrumental version of the song and digital booklet, will be available beginning on the next Bandcamp Friday, October 1st.
"Life" is dedicated in loving memory to Elizabeth Elliott.
8.30.2021: What It Takes To Make It Through Book Launch Sept. 10
A note from Robb:
"Hi friends! A book called What It Takes To Make It Through: Stories of Suicide Resilience & Loss has been published by the Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Suicide and Depression Studies Program at St. Michael's Hospital (which also offers critical suicide intervention support). This “storybook project” is the culmination of 5 years of work collecting stories from individuals across Canada who have been touched by suicide.
As a member of ASR’s advisory committee, I’ve contributed a chapter to the book (and designed the cover). I'll be on a virtual panel and Q&A with a few other authors for a launch event on Friday, Sept. 10 (World Suicide Prevention Day) from 12:30-1:30pm.
The event details and registration are HERE, and the book is available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book at the publisher’s site (it will also be up at the usual Indigo, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. in the coming weeks).
Thanks so much for helping to raise awareness and break down stigma around suicidality."
11.12.2020: "Shattered Hearts" (Fear To Hope Version)
Fittingly moving on to 11:12 with the flagship song from our feature film 11:11 and accompanying soundtrack Based on Truth and Lies, we are pleased to present a special "Fear To Hope" version of "Shattered Hearts" in honour of the Institute for Change Leaders' 4th anniversary.
Founded in 2016 by Canadian national treasure Olivia Chow, the Institute for Change Leaders (ICL) advances education by developing and delivering courses to the public that teach participants the tools, principles, ethics, and values of participatory democracy in order to acquire knowledge and skills to be involved, and leaders, in democratic processes.
This version of "Shattered Hearts" was performed by Robb Johannes (voice) and Amanda Ceniti (piano), and filmed on November 7th, 2020 -- a day truly representing the transition from fear to hope (#BidenHarris2020)!
Happy 75th birthday, Uncle Neil!
9.22.2020: The Book of Joe Available Now!
Happy release day!
The Book of Joe: A Collaboration Between the Rock 'n' Roll Band Paint and Photographer Joe Mac is available now in ebook format at the following locations:
Bandcamp*
Amazon Kindle
Chapters Indigo
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
* The Bandcamp exclusive edition includes an audio greeting from the band, a video trailer, and the book in both .PDF and .ePub formats.
Enjoy!
8.6.2020: The Book of Joe August 7 Bandcamp Day Exclusive Pre-Order
The wonderful people at Bandcamp have always treated artists and their fans more equitably than any other digital platform -- especially the last few months with designated "Bandcamp Days," where Bandcamp waives their fees and ensures that 100% of what you pay goes directly to artists. That's a lot more than $0.000004 a stream!
To mark the occasion, we'd like to draw your attention to the special Bandcamp edition of The Book of Joe, which includes an audio greeting and chapter reading from Paint vocalist Robb Johannes, The Book of Joe e-Book in both PDF and ePub formats, and other bonuses -- which are exclusive to Bandcamp.
Place your pre-order through Bandcamp tomorrow (Friday, August 7) and get the book immediately on release day (September 22)!
8.4.2020: The Book of Joe Photo eBook Release Date Sept. 22
We are very excited to announce the release of a project that has been several years in the making.
The Book of Joe: A Collaboration Between the Rock 'n' Roll Band Paint and Photographer Joe Mac will be released as an ebook on September 22.
Through the course of ten years, four albums, two feature films, and over 250 performances from Pacific to Atlantic, photographer Joe Mac found himself centre stage over 60 times, capturing the charismatic band referred to as "Picture perfect" (102.1 The Edge), "Best live act in the city" (Musica Mas), "One of the top acts of the year" (The Toronto Star), and "Intelligent people making incredible music" (The Examiner). The band, Toronto's rock 'n' roll institution, Paint, bedazzled audiences with their multisensory stage show while delivering insightful social commentary through their music, art, and relationship with its dedicated fanbase, becoming, in the words of Joe himself, "rockstars with a sincere change-the-world-with-heart attitude... the next U2?"
The Book Of Joe: A Collaboration Between the Rock 'n' Roll Band Paint and Photographer Joe Mac chronicles a visual history of the band and photog's eight-plus-year journey together, supplemented with reproductions of vocalist Robb Johannes' handwritten setlists and journal entries from the band's online newsletters.
"Lester Bangs did warn the young impressionable William Miller, 'YOU CANNOT MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE ROCK STARS.' I was given carte blanche and could shoot anywhere. I had the best seat in the house." - Joe Mac
"A complete tale of the relationship between a mysterious and enigmatic Roller Derby photographer and a rock 'n' roll band that just couldn't stand still -- truly a pairing matched in the ether of telekinesis." - Robb Johannes
The Book of Joe is available for pre-order now at Amazon Kindle, Chapters Indigo, Barnes & Noble, Bandcamp, and Kobo. The Bandcamp edition comes with a bonus audio greeting from the band.
8.15.2019: If You're Into That Streaming Thing...
It seems there are a few other (newer and apparently unable-to-do-their-homework) bands out there using the name "Paint," so just to ensure you're streaming the right content, look for our albums on Spotify here (click on the album cover image or title):
Deluxe editions and 10-year valut compilations haven't yet been added. We're working on it.
THANK YOU!
10.19.2018: Set The Children Free: The Lost Demos 2011 - 2018 coming Nov.2!
10 Years of Paint: Vault Release #2:
Paint's ten-year archives project continues with Set The Children Free: The Lost Demos 2011 - 2018, a compilation of demos and unreleased gems from the Paint catalogue, picking up where the Where We Are Today 5th Anniversary Deluxe Edition left off. Includes expanded 24-page digital booklet with artwork and band commentary on each track.
Pre-order NOW (digital only) on Bandcamp and through the Paint Store, and recieve an instant download of the alternate version of "Boomerang" as a preview track.
3.16.2018: Chapter 11 (Original Score for 11:11) Available Now!
10 Years of Paint: Vault Release #1:
Mixed, finessed, and assembled by Robb Johannes and filmmaker R. Stephenson Price from the instrumental tracks of the Based on Truth and Lies E.P. (a.k.a. the soudtrack to the film 11:11), Chapter 11 is the original instrumental score for 11:11.
It is available NOW (digital only) on Bandcamp and through the Paint Store.
3.12.2018: The Complete 1967 50th Anniversary Tribute Series
Last summer, members of Paint took part in a 50th anniversary tribute series to the Summer of Love with complete album performances of 1967 releases. Watch the entire series above, or specific performances below:
* The Velvet Underground & Nico
* The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band & Magical Mystery Tour
* The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced? & Axis: Bold As Love
* The Doors: Self-Titled & Strange Days
* Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits
1.8.2018: 10 Years and the Vaults are opening...
Stay tuned for some announcements in 2018 as we acknowledge 10 years since the birth of Paint!
10.17.2017: Chris Cornell Tribute August 11 (full performance)
Watch the entire tribute to Chris Cornell (1964-2017) featuring members of Paint and other Toronto musicians from August 11. The show set an attendance record at Toronto's C'est What? and raised startup funds for the Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Suicide & Depression Studies Program at St. Michael's Hospital to provide workshops for caregivers in supporting loved ones who may be suicidal.
8.10.2017: Chris Cornell Tribute August 11 (promo trailers 2 and 3)
Second and third in s series of teaser trailers in advance of tomorrow (August 11)'s tribute performance to the late Chris Cornell. All proceeds go to the Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Suicide & Depression Studies Program at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.
Full details / RSVP
8.3.2017: Chris Cornell Tribute (promo trailer)
First of a series of teaser trailers in advance of August 11's tribute performance to the late Chris Cornell, including Paint's own Robb Johannes on vocals, with proceeds going to the Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Suicide & Depression Studies Program at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.
RSVP on Facebook
7.28.2017: Chris Cornell Tribute August 11
An ensemble of musicians from various Toronto bands team up to boldly perform songs by Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, and Audioslave as a tribute to Chris Cornell (1964-2017), with proceeds going to the Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Suicide & Depression Studies Program at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.
Featuring:
Robb Johannes (Paint): vocals
Tim Dafoe (The Cheap Speakers): guitar
Mike Scarlett (Poet Dameron): guitar
Thor Thunders (Rulers of the Moon): bass
Peter Garthside (The Schomberg Fair): drums
Friday, August 11
C'est What?
67 Front St. E.
Doors 9:00, Show 10:00, 19+
Pay-What-You-Can (suggested $10)
Followed by "Summer of Love" 1967 Tribute: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
RSVP on Facebook
Donate to ASR @ St. Michael's: http://asrlife.ca/donate/
6.19.2017: Summer of Love 1967 Tribute Series
In 1967, the "Summer of Love" became a springboard of cultural revolution, spawning some of the most influential music in history. To mark its 50th anniversary, in a time needing a rekindling of the activist spirit of the late '60s, various musicians in Toronto bands (including members of Paint) are coming together to pay tribute to the masters that came before them, at C'est What?, fittingly located at 67 Front St. E.
The following shows will happen over the course of the summer:
June 23: The Velvet Underground: The Velvet Underground & Nico
July 14: The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper's Lonley Hearts Club Band and Magical Mystery Tour
August 11: The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Are You Experienced? and Axis: Bold As Love
September 8: The Doors: The Doors (Self-Titled) and Strange Days
Each night will also feature extended sets of songs inspired by and relative to the main attractions. Click the titles above to RSVP and get more info.
3.14.2017: "A Stitch in Time": fourth single off (disPLAY)
"A Stitch in Time," conceived in a dream and one of the band's most hooky tunes, is the fourth single from (disPLAY), the new album and concert film.
(disPLAY) is available now in physical and digital formats InDemand on IndieGogo, iTunes, Bandcamp, CDBaby, VHX and in the Paint Store (other listing available there as well).
3.6.2017: Panel on Diversity in Music
There will be a panel discussion for the Bell FibeTV program Offstage with Ward Anderson, examining diversity in music, including Paint's Robb Johannes, on Monday, March 6, 7:00pm, at Aki Studio, Daniels Spectrum (#250-585 Dundas St. E. in Toronto). Feel free to attend!
3.3.2017: Radiohead OK Computer Tribute Montage
On February 24, "OK Fred," a Toronto indie supergroup, formed to pay tribute to Radiohead's masterpiece OK Computer for the 20th anniversary of 1997. Paint's Robb Johannes was on vocals. Check out the video montage above!
1.17.2017: "It's Over (and Over)": third single off (disPLAY)
"It's Over (and Over)" is the third single from (disPLAY), our brand new album and concert film.
(disPLAY) is available now in physical and digital formats InDemand on IndieGogo, iTunes, Bandcamp, CDBaby, VHX and in the Paint Store (other listing available there as well).
1.11.2017: 94.9 Features Coming NEXT WEEK
Listen to 94.9 The Rock (online worldwide) EVERY NIGHT at 8pm ET NEXT WEEK to hear Paint featured on Generation Next.
1.10.2017: Adelaide Hall Review
On Paint's Toronto stop on the release tour for (disPLAY), Joe Mac notes:
With the massive scale of U2 in mind... Paint have made their mark with a larger than life, be-your-own-hero mentality that is reflected in the lyrics and live sound that has rumbling undertones of classic Manchester from yesteryear.
Read the full review on the Press page, or at Midnight Matinee.