Drawing from the sounds of classic post-punk, new wave, and 1980s gothic rock, Of Shapes crafts a dark and energetic musical universe where the urgency of post-punk meets a strong pop sensibility. Inspired by artists such as Siouxsie and the Banshees, IDLES, and Amyl and the Sniffers, the band puts its own distinctive spin on the genre.
Introduce yourself… (Where are you from, what band do you play in, etc.)
M: I’m Mélissa, and I sing in of Shapes, a post-punk band based in Montreal.
A: I’m Alex, guitarist and song writer for of Shapes.
C: My name is Charlie. I’m from Montreal, but I grew up in Terrebonne, on Montreal’s North Shore. play drums in the post-punk band of Shapes, as well as in a francophone indie rock band called Manèges. I also love my cat, Croustille. She’s a beautiful calico queen who may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but she’s definitely the prettiest one.
Why do you play music?
M: Music is one of my biggest outlets. Turning my emotions into songs is incredibly cathartic. If that connects with someone and helps them feel a little better or less alone, that makes it even more meaningful.
A:I play music mainly because it’s a passion of mine, and it always has been. Ever since I picked up a guitar at 13 years old. Obviously having some success would be great haha.
C: I play music because I feel a deep need to create something out of nothing. There’s something incredibly special about writing a song and watching it come to life. For me, that feeling is unlike anything else. I also believe there will always be room for new art in the world, and that people should never stop creating.
What was a major influence on you as an artist?
M: There are so many, it’s hard to choose just one. Hole is definitely a big influence. There’s something so raw, feminist and empowering about that band. I’m drawn to the ’90s, but also to bands that emerged in the late ’70s and early ’80s, like The Cure and The Damned. I find a lot of inspiration in current bands too, like Die Spitz, Mannequin Pussy and Amyl and the Sniffers. Badass women, basically.
A:I think influences for this band particularly are from listening to early goth and post-punk from the 70s and 80s like The Cure, Siouxsie and Killing Joke. It’s how the original demos came to be, I wanted to touch on those influences musically. I’ve also always been a fan of Kim Gordon and Kathleen Hannah so to have Melissa in the band is the best of both worlds in a sense.
C: I could name so many. Personally, my influences range from Thrice and Taking Back Sunday to This Will Destroy You, and so much more. These days, though, I’m mostly drawn to newerpost-punk, punk, and krautrock-adjacent bands like Lambrini Girls and IDLES, as well as incredible local acts like Yoo Doo Right and Population II.
What’s a favourite book or film?
M: Some of my favourite films: Rosemary’s Baby, Carrie (1976), Almost Famous and The Virgin Suicides. I also really enjoy Grady Hendrix’s books. I love how he mixes horror and dark comedy while still making you care deeply about his characters.
A: I’m a big David Lynch fan, so I would say Blue Velvet is one of them. I also love Videodrome and silly horror b-movies like Braindead and the original Evil Dead trilogy.
C: Unlike my other bandmates, I’m not going to name some dark, mysterious movie from the’70s involving black magic, unexplained murders, or ghosts. I’m going with one of the best comedies I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching: Anchorman. I even have it permanently tattooed on my arm as a reminder that “60% of the time, it works every time.”
Do you prefer the recording process or performing live?
M: I enjoy both. They’re two very different kinds of energy. But if I had to choose, I’d say performing live. There’s something beautiful about taking risks in a moment that you can’t recreate. It’s fleeting, unpredictable and never quite the same twice. I love that.
A: I don’t know if I prefer one over the other, they’re quite different. I think both are exciting in different ways. I suppose recording process can get a little tedious, but I still really enjoy it.
C: Both are very different experiences, and I really enjoy being part of each. But I have to admit, nothing quite compares to playing live. There’s something about the way music connects you with an audience and the energy you create together. It’s an incredible feeling that’s hard to find anywhere else.
What would be a dream collaboration?
M: Collaborating with David Lynch would have been a dream. His world, his aesthetic and the atmosphere he created have always resonated deeply with me. They still do.
A: I know I am going big here, but Robert Smith, Trent Reznor or we’re talking about visual art, Raymond Petitbon who did all the Black Flag stuff.
C: I have to say, doing something with Montreal legends Yoo Doo Right would be absolutely amazing. So yeah, let’s make it happen!
Describe a favourite album.
M: Live Through This by Hole. I think I was about 12 when I first heard it, and it felt like a revelation. There was something about its rawness and emotional intensity that made me want to make music myself.
A: One of my favourite albums is Devo’s Freedom of Choice. There’s no bad song on it, in my opinion. That statement would actually apply for most of the first four albums. I just love their sound, concept and aesthetic.
C: I think the album I’ve listened to more than any other is Thrice’s Vheissu. There’s something special about the way it blends the band’s emo and hardcore roots with a completely new sound. It really felt like a turning point for Thrice and laid the foundation for the direction they would explore over the following decade.
What’s your favourite local haunt?
M: Chez Ernest on St-Hubert Street. I love the cabinet-of-curiosities feel and all the old objects. It’s like wandering through a museum, except you can have a drink and dance.
A: A classic for me would be L’esco for shows, a lot of cool bands play there. It’s a little bit like our own CBGB’s.
C: I’m really torn between good ol’ Esco, with its amazing bands and legendary vibe, and L’Espace Public, which I have a huge soft spot for. It’s basically a crown jewel of Hochelaga, filled with wonderful people, great music, love, and everything nice.
What’s your strangest experience while performing live?
M: Being double-booked and ending up with a 10-minute set instead of 40. That was definitely an exercise in making every minute count!
A: I think it would have to be the time I played in France with my old band and after about 3 songs in, there was a power outage in the whole venue. We had to wait on stage for like 10 minutes until it came back.
C: I once played at a venue where we were told to play really quietly because part of the wall had collapsed the night before and the neighbors were already complaining. Haha.
If I were pursuing anything other than music, it would be…
M: Well, I’m also a headhunter for a music-and-technology company. Even outside the band, music still finds its way into my life.
A: Either In cinema, as a film editor or a sound engineer, since I studied in both.
C: I’d probably be an animal wrangler for movies. I mean, can you think of anything cooler than being the person who brings cheetahs and snakes onto a film set and somehow gets them to behave nicely for the camera?
What are some of your favourite aspects of being a musician in Montreal?
M: The collaboration, openness and willingness to help each other out. It’s a small world, but there’s so much talent here. I love that sense of community and how people come together to make things happen.
A: The camaraderie between musicians here is really cool. Everyone’s rooting for each other. I never really sensed any jealousy between bands.
C: I’ve heard so many major bands say that Montréal is one of their favorite places to play, and I honestly believe it. Our crowds are amazing, and there’s a real curiosity here when it comes to music. People are always open to discovering new bands, new sounds, and something a little different.
If you weren’t playing music in Montreal, where would you be?
M: I love Montreal; the culture, the art, the nightlife. There’s always something happening. But if I were somewhere else, you’d probably find me in the UK.
A: I’d still be in Montreal, I think. I like this city. I actually moved from a small city in the hopes of doing something creative with my life. That or in Berlin.
C: I’d say somewhere in the UK would be an amazing opportunity. Great bands, beautiful cities, and a nice pint of bitter. What more could you ask for?
Any sage advice for young musicians?
M: Stay true to yourself and the music you want to make. Take risks, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. They’re part of finding your voice, and sometimes they lead you somewhere you wouldn’t have gone otherwise.
A: Find what you’re at and focus on that, make it your own. You don’t want to sound like everyone else. Also, If you mess up playing live, don’t stop (a valuable thing I learned.
C: Do what you love, and always do it because you love it. The moment it starts feeling like a task, change something. Find a way to make it fun again, or take a different direction. Otherwise, you risk losing the reason you fell in love with music in the first place. At the end of the day, fun is fun, you know?