Novillero
| Company type | Indie pop ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Founder | Roberta Dempster, Sean Stevens, Scott Hildebrandt |
| Headquarters | Winnipeg , Canada |
| Products | Music albums |
Novillero is a Canadian indie pop ensemble that originated in 1999 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Their musical approach is often characterized as "mod-pop."
History
The group Novillero was established in 1999 by keyboardist Roberta Dempster, guitarist Sean Stevens, and multi-instrumentalist Scott Hildebrandt, who had previously played together in the Winnipeg lounge pop outfit Transonic. They were joined by Rod Slaughter (Duotang), Dave Berthiaume (Bulletproof Nothing), and Rusty Matyas (The Waking Eyes). Their initial tour during late 1999 was abruptly halted after a vehicular accident damaged a significant portion of their gear.
Their first album, The Brindleford Follies, came out in 2001 under Endearing Records. The band engaged in moderate touring before disbanding in early 2002.
After nearly a year apart, members Slaughter, Stevens, Berthiaume, and Matyas regrouped with fresh compositions focusing more on keyboard-centric pop melodies rather than psychedelic elements. When Matyas chose to concentrate on The Waking Eyes, Grant Johnson joined the lineup.
In 2005, Novillero released their sophomore album, Aim Right for the Holes in Their Lives, which was supported by an extensive touring schedule. Their 2005 appearance at the Winnipeg Folk Festival was lauded by The Globe and Mail as one of the standout Canadian rock performances of that year. In 2007, Jack Jonasson, previously with the Paperbacks, officially became part of the band as a vocalist and instrumentalist.
Novillero’s songs have appeared on television series such as Monk, where they performed "The Laissez-Faire System" and "Gaining Ground/Losing Sight," and Eureka, which featured their rendition of Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction" alongside tracks from Aim Right for the Holes in Their Lives.
After disbanding in 2010, Novillero reunited for live shows at the Winnipeg Big Fun Festival in 2016 and again at Winnipeg’s Burt Block Party in 2023.
Members
- Rod Slaughter – vocals, keyboards
- Sean Stevens – guitar
- Dave Berthiaume – drums, vocals
- Rejean Ricard – bass guitar, vocals
- Jack Jonasson – vocals, multi-instrumentalist
Past members
- Scott Hildebrandt – guitar, keyboards, vocals (1999–2001)
- Rusty Matyas – trumpet, keyboards, vocals (1999–2002)
- Roberta Dempster – keyboards, vocals, guitar (1999–2002)
Discography
- The Brindleford Follies (2001)
- Aim Right for the Holes in Their Lives (2005)
- A Little Tradition (2008)