After two years of work, Corduroy Aspects’ passion project is finally out
Photo via https://corduroyaspect.bandcamp.com/.
It’s The Best I Can Do Right Now is the gritty punk/pop debut album of UVic student band Corduroy Aspect. The 12-song record is an ode to the nostalgia of the band’s first year together in 2023. Their album is a collaborative effort between guitarists and vocalists Emile Courchesne and Ben Mason, bassist Taz Oldaker, and drummer Peyton Lam.
Their lyrics are centred around what it’s like being in your twenties and the problems one might face in this stage of life, such as “hating your job” and “fucking up often.” However, much like one hopes for their twenties, the band has gradually learned to find its rhythm.
Each song is a fragmented masterpiece of different memories and anecdotes from the band members’ lives.The second song on the album, “Sobriety and Sexlessness,” originated from a single line in Courchesne’s notes app. The song’s loud and unapologetic lyrics are layered on top of a fast-paced instrumental track; you can’t help but thrash around to them. The album’s third song, “Cold Concrete Curb,” explores the emotional unfulfillment that arise from constantly socializing and drinking with friends. Its insightful, haunting lyrics are backed by an aggressive instrumental track that feels like the empty promise of a “fun” night out.
Corduroy Aspect’s debut album, recorded in one weekend across multiple locations, is an honest representation of the band’s values and work ethic. To say that this album is the best they can do right now does not belittle their efforts — the band members truly gave this album their best. Without the help of their producer, Rupert Yakelashek — of the Victoria-based band Teenage Art Scene — and their friend, Silverware bassist Cole Davis’ home studio, the album wouldn’t have gotten off the ground. In Davis’ studio, they recorded all the drums, bass, and most of the rhythm guitar tracks. They split the vocal recording between Mason’s, Oldaker’s, and Yakelashek’s homes, resulting in a charmingly “do-it-yourself” setup.
The band’s name, Corduroy Aspect, began as a running joke in their friend group, after a kid in Mason’s sixth grade class said he liked the “corduroy aspect” of his baseball cap. When the group of four began brainstorming names for their band, “corduroy aspect” was mentioned, and what was once a joke quickly solidified into no joking matter. That kid in Mason’s sixth grade class had given the band their name.
Before the four came together to form Corduroy Aspect, Mason and Courchesne were a duo and played a couple of gigs together in June 2023. They really enjoyed it.The oldest song on the album, “Suburban Divorce” — was written by Courchesne when he was 17, but it never worked with just the two of them. Their first gig as a four-piece with Oldaker and Lam was in October 2023, a Halloween show that set the stage for the future of the band.
“When we finally got the full band with Peyton and Taz, and then we found our sound all together, it really clicked,” Emile said in an interview with the Martlet. Their songwriting process is a collaborative effort, with each member often stepping out of their primary “roles.” All their songs begin with either Mason or Courchesne coming up with chords and a vocal melody. Then, they piece together the sound, layering each member’s contributions.
While they’ve only been playing together for two years, each member of the band has a lengthy relationship with music. Mason has been playing guitar since around grade six, and started writing songs at 14. Lam has been drumming since middle school.
Courchesne has been playing guitar for 11 years, and still uses the Telecaster that was given to him by his grandmother’s boyfriend at the time. Oldaker has been playing guitar since he was 11 as well, but he picked up the bass two years ago when he joined Corduroy Aspect, and has since developed his own unique style.
When it comes to balancing other aspects of life with their commitment to the band, Mason said, “It can be hard to slow down and take that moment to really appreciate it.”
But, for Corduroy Aspect, playing music with their friends and experiencing pure moments of joy on stage makes everything worthwhile. Seeing their album, It’s The Best I Can Do Right Now, come together after two years as a band feels surreal for the members of the band.
“It is already imperfect, and it is already valued. It is the best I can do right now, and that is enough. It should always be enough,” Lam said. In a world where something’s value is often tied to its monetary value, Corduroy Aspect combats that notion, and believes that value comes from within. They don’t strive for perfection in their creative process, and didn’t have expectations for their debut album. The effort they put into creating It’s The Best I Can Do Right Now already gives the album value. Rather than fixating on generating a profit, they hope that their music can just be enjoyed.
Looking ahead, Corduroy Aspect just wants to make enough money to keep the band afloat and continue playing together. They also hope to play more shows and record many more albums. If you want to help them reach those goals, check out It’s The Best I Can Do Right Now on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Tidal.
The band may not know exactly where they’re going, but Courchesne indicates that they certainly know who they are. “Don’t book us if you don’t want a fast band that’s for a free Palestine and human rights.”
