With “Yesterday’s Fair” out now, we took some time to hear from Steve Craik of 14 Flamingos. Read below to learn more about 14 Flamingos, the story behind “Yesterday’s Fair,” and what’s to come.
Hi! Let’s start with how did the group’s name come about?
Well, for a long time my spirit animal has been the flamingos, I then thought about the number “4,” and how it looked a lot like the legs of a flamingo. So at first I thought about calling us the “4 Flamingos,” but I figured that sounded too restrictive and a little bit too much like a ’50s vocal group, which was not what we were, also at the time we were a 3 piece, that grew into a 6 piece and still continues to add members and collaborators. With that the “14 Flamingos” has come to refer more to the plastic kind found on a suburban front lawn, than a flock of majestic birds, which is called a “flamboyance of flamingos” in case you wanted to know. The band is more of a collective style as well, which the name allows us to be.
What city are you all from, and where are you all based now?
We are all from the west coast of Canada, either Vancouver or Vancouver Island. We are based in Victoria, BC.
How and when did the band form?
The band started in 2022, when I had moved into a suite in the same house as my long-time ex bandmate Brendan Pye (drums, vocals), we played together in a band called Ballgag n Chain Gang from 2007-2017 and were still close. I had left Vic for a few years and had come back with some new songs and wanted to record some solo work. Brendan and his roommate at the time Gabe Pinchback (guitar/bass), said “no way you are going into the studio alone, we’ll make a band,” and that was basically the birth. Shortly after that, we teamed up with a burlesque troop and put together a combined live performance show for a festival. We added Alex Moore (keys) to the mix as well as Cluny Macpherson(bass), Cluny passed the torch to Ben Woods who helped us record our first EP, Lawn Songs, then handed the roll of bass to Josh Stull who has become a permanent fixture. During recording of Lawn Songs, we added Jeff Birmingham on trumpet and brought in our old Ballgag n Chain Gang guitar shredder Adam Cleland.
How would you all describe your group’s sound?
Retro music for the future. The soundtracks to your bad decisions and the lawn ornaments on your walk of shame. Cinematic, groove-forward art-rock with a cabaret snarl, part barroom noir, part danceable new-wave, part street-poet rock, with occasional gypsy punk flare. Sometimes described as “music that belongs in a Tarantino movie.”
Who are some of your group’s main musical influences?
Tom Waits, Talking Heads, Lou Reed, Ennio Morricone, ’60s surf rock, ’70s lounge music, Balkan and Brazilian traditional.
Who would be a dream to collaborate with?
Dream collab would be Tom Waits, David Byrne, Les Claypool, PJ Harvey, and Steve Gadd. And, if anyone knows the music supervisor for the Fallout franchise, we have a tune called “Apocalypse Man” that we think they might like.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your group’s music career so far?
Took us awhile to get around to finally recording, once we did and started putting out songs with Neil at Burning Rainbow Studios, I’d say those recordings have been some of our proudest moments. In terms of live moments…there was a local show at a place called Vinyl Envy, where we got to share a bill with local legends Fans & Motor Supply Company. About 3 years after the show, I was back at the venue and saw that our show poster was one of the two that was still up in the bathroom years later…that was a proud moment as well.
What would you all say are the greatest lessons that you’ve all learned so far?
Don’t rush sound check.
Now onto “Yesterday’s Fair.” What inspired this song?
It was inspired by personal drama. Musically, I had set myself a challenge to write a 2 chord song. Was able to do it with a g minor and a C7 in this track. Rhythmically inspired by Brazilian cumbia.
What is “Yesterday’s Fair” about?
A falling out with the individual who was the inspiration for a previous song, “Circus,” hence the circus references. Not going to get into the details of it, will let the dear reader parse that out of the lyrics.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “Yesterday’s Fair?”
I had received a print from an artist friend, Emma Coulette, a couple years ago and it was hanging on my wall. When we started putting together the 3 songs that we were going to use for this EP, I decided I wanted to use the piece that Emma had given me. Eventually, I had the idea to use 3 of her pieces of art for each of our new tracks, this is when the EP name, Fine Art, came about. The piece that inspired this will be the cover for our next song, “Hapsburg Chin.” For “Yesterday’s Fair,” she showed me a collection of her other pieces, and I thought this one fit the song the best.
What was the creative process like when making “Yesterday’s Fair?”
Writing wise it was one that really came quickly with one sit down really. Once I brought it to the band, the rhythmic ideas became clearer, then we had to get it locked down over a few months of preproduction. When we recorded it, the master take that we used was the first take that we did out of the gates. All instrument parts were basically one take Jake’s, including the shredding solos by Alex (keys) and Adam (guitar). The only part that wasn’t one take was the lead vocals, those took many, many more. Then, more still after that.
How long did it take to complete “Yesterday’s Fair?”
About a year from beds to release. 2 years from writing to release.
What do you all hope fans take away from “Yesterday’s Fair” and your group’s music in general?
That we have a spicy side, and can shred if needed, and that you never know what kind of sound will be around the next bend.
What’s next for you all? Are you all working on any upcoming projects, or do you all have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
We are finishing up the next track, “Hapsburg Chin,” then will have to start talking about what songs we want on our next EP/album. Lots of local shows right now, take a look at our socials for dates if you are in and around Victoria.
Where can we follow you all on social media?
Before you go, let’s ask an off-topic question. What’s your take on pineapple on pizza?
Pineapple very much does belong on pizza.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you all much continued success!
