Mobile

Alternative / Indie

Montreal

Billboard

It's a common refrain that bands travel long, winding roads en route to finding success. But for Montreal rock band MOBILE, the journey isn't as much about miles traveled as it is obstacles overcome and appreciation earned, all thanks to inescapable charisma, a tireless work ethic and sheer undeniable rock smarts.

First formed in high school as a collaboration between friends, neighbors and fond musical acquaintances, MOBILE--vocalist MAT JOLY, guitarists CHRISTIAN "CRIQ" BRAIS and FRANK WILLIAMSON, bassist DOMINIC VIOLA and drummer PIERRE-MARC HAMELIN--have conquered their native Canada and are now ready to infiltrate America with their heart-rushing rock anthems. In case they've eluded your radar so far, it's not like MOBILE's rise has happened overnight. Or by accident. "We spent three years in our rehearsal spot practising these songs and recording," explains JOLY. HAMELIN laughs. "We may seem like a new band," he says, smiling. "But we're pretty tight. We should be-we've played these songs hundreds of times."

As MOBILE's airtight debut album, TOMORROW STARTS TODAY, is about to be released in the United States for the first time, it's certain that their tireless work ethic and attention to detail have paid huge dividends. Already highly acclaimed (winning a 2006 Juno award as Canada's "New Group of the Year") and hugely successful in Canada (where Tomorrow Starts Today has been certified gold en route to platinum), MOBILE's been making significant waves regardless of border boundaries, landing songs on the WB's One Tree Hill and on wildly-popular NHL07 and FIFA07 gaming franchises in the last year.

Drawing from influences from bands like Stone Roses, Primal Scream, Blur and U2, TOMORROW STARTS TODAY is a diverse collection of songs designed as much for winding drives and dance-floor remixes as it is self-reflection and rainy days. Produced by Matt DeMatteo (Hawksley Workman, Danko Jones)--whom MOBILE are currently helping build a studio to record their next album--the disc details MOBILE's journey from underrated Montreal rock upstarts to scene-stealing Toronto professional, hitting all the expected emotional landmarks--and testing the band's unwavering determination along the way.

"All these songs are about the hard times we were going through and the hopes and dreams we had to make it," intimates JOLY. "We felt the fire under our asses. We knew we had to do something if we wanted to make it as a band. To achieve something."

Whether it's the angular stomp of "New York Minute," the uninhibited release of resident floor-shaker "Out Of My Head" or the breathlessly-exposed emotional quotient brimming from "See Right Through Me," the songs on TOMORROW STARTS TODAY all share instantly-relatable, universally-shared themes of self-realization and perseverance. As a result, their impact often reaches beyond conventional rock boundaries, regardless of past experience or age. "I had a little girl tell me that "See Right Through Me" is the only song she's listened to for the last four months because her father died," intimates JOLY. "She said, 'That's all that's kept me going.' I didn't know what to say. But I'm glad it helped her feel better. When you're writing songs, you hope people relate to them and when they do, you're like, 'Wow, I'm not alone feeling that.'"

Whether your acid test involves album sales or the sheer emotional response generated by their incendiary live show, it's clear that MOBILE is anything but alone. And now that they have an opportunity to initiate America to their rousing rock wares, the band is confident their talents won't get lost in translation.

"We've had great success in Canada, with the gold record and the Juno, but you always want more," says JOLY. "So we're anxious to see what kind of reaction we get in the States. If we get the opportunity, we're going to prove that we're a great band. Every time we've had the chance, that's been the case. When we hit the stage we're confident and we know what we have to do."

"We always like the challenge of showing up to a room where no one knows us," adds HAMELIN. "It's going to be fun again to do that in smaller venues, where everybody's closer together. Arenas are cool, but I really like smaller venues where you can really feel the heat."
After years of preparation, hundreds of memorable shows in arenas, amphitheatres, dive bars and reputable rock clubs - as well as three European tours (including dates at Hyde Park, Oxygen and T In The Park - UK and Scotland editions) - MOBILE are ready for anything.
So if you're listening America--and you should be--you'd best get ready for them.

LISTEN TO MOBILE'S PODCAST by clicking the link below