- Ken Farrell conducts the crowd during Gravity Wave’s set
Just listening to Toronto group Gravity Wave‘s myspace page does nothing to prepare you for the genius of ringleader Ken Farrell. Although backed by turn tables, funk bass and drums, I hesitate to call Gravity Wave a band. It’s more of a concept (a la Japanther). Conceived by Farrell three years ago as an “excuse to do what he wants,” Gravity Wave is the product of someone wanting to be entirely rebellious in every possible way to the point of not even seeming like he’s rebelling. Not an easy task, but one Farrell has succeeded in doing. I chatted with him outside Gus’ and have the most intellectual and insightful conversation I’ve ever had with an indie-musician. (Note: the author of Gravity’s Rainbow is Thomas Pynchon. I drew a blank on that during the interview)
This article appears in Oct 22-28, 2009.