Contrived
| Company type | Indie rock group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2000 in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Founder | Mike MacNeill, Loel Campbell, Mike Bigelow |
| Headquarters | Nova Scotia , Canada |
Key people | Loel Campbell, Mike MacNeill, Tim D'Eon, Jon Samuel, Mike Bigelow |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Contrived is an indie rock group from Canada, hailing from Nova Scotia, and features members Loel Campbell, Mike MacNeill, Tim D'Eon, and Jon Samuel. Four of these musicians also perform in the band Wintersleep, while two have prior experience with Holy Fuck.
Initially, the band issued two full-length albums and an EP through Dependent Music before transitioning to Hand Drawn Dracula, which released their third studio album in 2008.
History
The formation of Contrived dates back to June 2000 when MacNeill, Campbell, and Bigelow established the band during their high school years in Stellarton. This ensemble predates Wintersleep, which originally started as a side project. Their name was chosen as a tongue-in-cheek critique of the prevailing mainstream boy band pop culture.
They began performing locally in Halifax and debuted with the album Pursuit of Plots under Dependent Music in 2002.
Renowned for their dynamic live performances, Contrived followed up with an EP release in 2004. Their sophomore album, Dead Air Verbatim, partially recorded in London, Ontario and produced by Andy Magoffin, introduced guitarist Jon Samuel to the lineup. This album was highly anticipated throughout 2004 according to !earshot. The release supported their inaugural extensive national tour alongside Wintersleep and Jill Barber.
In 2008, Contrived unveiled their third album, Blank, Blank, Blank, with production by David Newfeld of Broken Social Scene. This record signaled a stylistic move away from heavier rock elements.
By 2010, as Wintersleep garnered nationwide acclaim with the single "Weighty Ghost", Contrived's performances became less frequent.
The group reunited in Stellarton in January 2018 for a commemorative event. Following members’ relocations, renewed collaborations between Wintersleep and Contrived emerged.
Work on their fourth studio album commenced in December 2021. The album titled Addicted to Sadness was released in September 2024 and featured singles such as "Gemini" and "Half of It".
Members
- Mike Bigelow – bass guitar
- Loel Campbell – percussion
- Mike MacNeil – lead vocals, guitar
- Tim D'Eon – keyboards, guitar
- Jon Samuel – vocals, guitar
Discography
- Pursuit of Plots (2002)
- Starshine (EP, 2004)
- Dead Air Verbatim (2005)
- Blank, Blank, Blank (2008)
- Addicted to Sadness (2024)