In case you don’t know, the term “technicolor yawn” refers to colorful, projectile vomiting. Now, if this was a terrible band the association for the purpose of the article would be an all-too-obvious joke but given the fact that A Technicolor Yawn is fabulous, we must infer that the association is derived elsewhere. Perhaps we might suggest that the “spontaneous outpouring” can be aptly applied to both the band and the (hopefully not public) event.
While the music has a very post-punk feel that is both depressed and lively (the sound commonly associated with the Sub Pop movement of the late 80s and 90s) A Technicolor Yawn is in no way a throwback but instead very much in the present.
Jon Douglas is both vocalist and songwriter for the trio but it is the combination of the three that makes A Technicolor Yawn happen. John Schample on drums and Chris Dion on bass complete the ensemble. So while the songs might be penned by Jon, their manifestation is a joint effort described by Douglas as “an outgrowth of our personalities.”
Opting for an organic approach to music-making, the Jo(h)ns and Chris demure from the word “jam” as in “jam band,” the group is much more given to "improvisation." I would agree that they don’t have the jam band thing going in any sort of Phish fashion. Instead, A Technicolor Yawn adopts a more Sonic Youth approach, creating landscapes in noisy electricity. The music is something mellow and furious shaped in shadows, distortion, and a healthy dose of vintage pop to keep the spirits up.
During a recent happy hour conversation with the band at Phoenix’s Main Ingredient, it became apparent that practice sessions are an axial component to A Technicolor Yawn, something I certainly admire.
Playing without performing (or practicing) suggests a purism, a love of making music. Practice usually kicks off with a drink and a record-listening session. Oftentimes the initial “jams” stem from the music being listened to whether it’s something familiar, or wondrous and strange from distant lands. It’s about “taking that seed” and seeing where the sound wanders.
Fans might be left waiting on an album for a while yet. The band is always recording but doesn’t want that permanent pressing until it really feels like an album. And, frankly, iTunes just doesn’t feel like an album. The band said it and I certainly agree.
No worries, though. You can catch A Technicolor Yawn live or seek out their music on the interwebs with through the links provided. Any way you rock it, music lovers everywhere should check out this band.
