Interview: Brenten LaVoy Canfield discusses debut album, “Space Time”

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Brenten LaVoy Canfield, a fellow percussionist-composer living in Cedar City who is set to release his first album, “Space Time,” under the moniker, LaVoy.

Jason Gottfried: Hey, thanks so much for setting some time aside for this interview. For starters, do you think of yourself as primarily a drummer or percussionist or as something else?

Brenten LaVoy Canfield: Although I have learned to play most percussion instruments, I prefer drums—especially drum set—over anything in that realm. I have been composing music since I first started my journey into music. So I would consider myself capable of all of the above but a drummer and a composer at heart.

JG: When did you start playing drums?

BLC: I honestly don’t remember a time when I wasn’t playing drums! I have always been tapping and finding objects to strike, making music.

JG: Ha, me too, and they diagnosed me with ADD. Are you currently involved in any projects besides your own?

BLC: I am currently the drummer for St. George-based band Wirelefant, but I also play with a band called Morning, Sexy. We all share the same rehearsal space, so that’s convenient. My biggest passion lies in writing my own music, though.

JG: I understand that you studied percussion with Lynn Vartan at SUU. Were you playing tonal or pitched music before then?

BLC: Oh, yes. I had learned a few marimba solos—one for an audition to attend school there, actually. And I also had written a full, three-movement percussion ensemble piece, all by hand, before attending school there.

JG: Wow, so when did you start composing?

BLC: I used to write drum solos out by hand on sheet music and perform them back in high school. So that was probably my first real, solid experience with composing.

JG: Ha, I remember doing that in high school too. I would transcribe Jimmy Chamberlin solos and then bang them out in the garage. So what led you to composition rather than just performance?

BLC: I wanted to give people something that I had created. I had been playing a lot of cover material to impress people growing up. But at some point, I felt that I had a lot to give. I felt like my music could give people a new way to see things and take me on the personal journey that I seek with music.

JG: Do you have any particular influences as composer?

BLC: Tool is the biggest. I remember at one point, I started hearing music from artists such as CombiChrist and just loved that raw, aggressive sound that the distorted electronics provided. I would attribute my love of exaggerated dynamics to Opeth. I really just absorb everything I hear and try to remember everything I like, though.

JG: I would categorize “Space Time” as EDM or IDM. Is that what you’re aiming for?

BLC: Short answer is “yes.” I would like to take people on a journey with my music, and dancing is just a grand part of that journey.

JG: Do you listen to a lot of EDM and IDM? I still have Röyksopp and Lusine and even older Björk on my iPod.

BLC: Absolutely. I also love going to raves and other scenes that involve this kind of music.

JG: Do you feel that anything you studied in college influenced the way you write?

BLC: Everything that I heard influenced me in some way, I’m sure. Everything from the world music to the classical music that I studied had a great influence on how and what I write and play.

JG: What made you decide to embark on a solo project?

BLC: A solo project has been years in the making, really. I have written and recorded countless tracks, trying to find my voice. I think I have reached that voice with this album, “Space Time,” though. Having this album finished and ready for people to indulge in is a dream come true for me.

JG: Do you hear anyone else in southern Utah doing anything like this? I don’t, but I’m a hermit.

BLC: The sound that I have achieved here I think is very unique, especially to this area. But I do see a lot of artists in this area putting electronic-based stuff out, and I see a lot of DJs at the Heart of Dixie parties and here on the SUU campus.

JG: What do you think of the music scene in southern Utah? Does it support this kind of music?

BLC: A lot of people really love electronic music, and I see a lot of friends and acquaintances traveling way out of town to experience this stuff. There are quite a few events that happen here, but not enough. This kind of music, I would say, has the biggest outgoing crowd around here though. The problem is that drugs are often associated with this kind of music, so officials around here are often fearful of that. But although I am a fan of personal freedom in that realm, I think that a clean dance scene to present my music to is just as great.

JG: What are your plans for the album and the project?

BLC: Get as many people listening as possible. I want everyone to experience this album. I hope in the near future I will be playing these tracks to live audiences as well.

LaVoy’s “Space Time” will be out Sept. 1. Each CD will be handcrafted and customized for the individual. “Space Time” will be on sale for only $5. For more information about purchase, CD release parties, upcoming shows, and more, visit LaVoy’s website.