Body Breaks

Canadian duo Body Breaks shape their idiosyncratic songs through an uncommon pairing of non-standard microtonal guitar tunings with direct, memorable melodic hooks. The first tracks in this warped slacker pop style were assembled remotely and later compiled for the release of their debut album, Bad Trouble, in 2021.

Body Breaks comprises Montreal musician Matt LeGroulx and Toronto-based vocalist/producer Julie Reich, two friends who connected while participating in Canada’s experimental rock scene through projects including Galaxius Mons and Bile Sister. Following an unsuccessful initial attempt at remote collaboration, LeGroulx and Reich turned to completing pieces LeGroulx had begun writing as early as 2013. Drawing on unusual tuning methods inspired by sources that range from Glenn Branca’s tense scrawl to Balinese gamelan music, LeGroulx created instrumentals that joined microtonal guitar lines with more conventional rock rhythms. Reich then composed and recorded lyrics and vocal parts, lending fresh dimension to the material. The duo finished eight songs in this fashion, and Body Breaks’ debut album, Bad Trouble, appeared on the We Are Time label in June 2021.