Bobbyisms: Unraveling Pacific Myth with Protest The Hero

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: CHRIS PREYSER
Protest The Hero committed to releasing a new song on the 15th of each month from October until March of 2016. The degree to which they've embraced their subscribers and shortened the process of writing and delivering music is astounding, not many bands could've done the same.

I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. For our Nov. 16 issue of Interrobang, we offered a look at Pacific Myth, the new subscription–based EP from Canadian metal group Protest The Hero.

Like a kind of digital record club, the band, including guitarists Luke Hoskin and Tim MacMillar, vocalist Rody Walker, drummer Mike Ieradi and bassist Cam McLellan, challenged themselves to record and release a new song through Bandcamp.com on the 15th of each month from October 2015 to March 2016.

For a one-time $12 subscription fee, fans would receive a download of the new song each month, including instrumental versions in MP3, exclusive digital artwork and even sheet music among many other perks.

The project began back in October with “Ragged Tooth” and has been gaining momentum through the release of “Cataract” a few weeks ago, the fourth installment in the series.

Months after our initial coverage, we reconnected with guitarist Tim MacMillar to follow up on how the EP has been progressing and what the band has learned along the way.

“This project has definitely been a challenge, but I think it’s helped us keep on track and set deadlines for ourselves to get music out to [subscribers] sooner,” MacMillar explained, speaking by phone during his dinner break from recording.

“It did kind of catch up with us, where we felt we were a little under the gun, but it’s good pressure that forces us to get down to work.”

“Our writing method has evolved, and challenging ourselves to work inside this framework has really helped,” he continued. “It taught us a lot about ourselves, our writing and our chemistry as a band and it was a perfect way to buy us a little time and not keep people hanging for too long before we dive into whatever is next.”

Monday, Feb. 15 sees the release of the fifth track in the series, and fans have been growing increasingly excited with each new song, thanks in no small part to incredible updates and exclusives from the band along the way.

Their frequent posts offer peeks into their progress in the studio, exclusive merchandise based on Pacific Myth single album art, and even instrumental play, through videos on guitar and drums. Check out MacMillar shred through “Ragged Tooth” while being fed slices of homemade pizza, or check out drummer Ieradi as he tears through “Cold Water” (including a picture– in–picture shot of his foot pedal work).

Not only does Pacific Myth see Protest The Hero at their best, it sets a high bar for artists to follow down the road. Sure, they flex considerable musical muscle throughout, but they’re also the perfect blend of engaging and entertaining, and the degree to which they’ve embraced their subscribers and shortened the process of writing and delivering music is astounding. At another time or with another band, this would have turned out differently.

There is no firm date yet planned, however according to MacMillar, Pacific Myth will get a physical release later in 2016. Though through a stroke of irony, producing the EP in physical formats will usher back in the sort of waiting period that first inspired them to explore a more direct method of releasing music to fans.

For subscribers, the experience has truly been one of a kind. Along with all of the perks that they offered, the band posted an update early in January asking for suggestions for the last song of the series. Fans left comments including musical styles and instruments they appreciated in the band’s work, feedback that could influence the big finish when the last song of the EP is released next month.

“All of the people that have subscribed have definitely helped us and motivated us to keep going, so we tried to give them as much for their value as we can,” MacMillar explained. “We feel indebted to them and try to give them as much extra and behind–the–scenes stuff as possible, I hope it’s been a good balance.”

For more on Protest The Hero or their Pacific Myth subscription EP, visit protestthehero.ca or follow @protestthehero on Twitter and Instagram. Just finding out about this project now? It’s not too late to subscribe through Bandcamp, and when you do all the music and media released so far will be added to your collection right away, including much more not covered above.

And for more of the latest music news, album streams and gigs coming to London, add @fsu_bobbyisms to your Twitter timeline. Do you watch the JUNO Awards in the spring? The annual celebration of Canadian music just announced this year’s nominees last week; see where your favourite artists stand at junoawards.ca. I’m out of words.