The Motes
| Company type | Independent record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Members of The Motes |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Truro, Nova Scotia , Canada |
| Products | Cassette tapes, 7-inch singles, CDs, digital releases |
The Motes represent a Canadian indie rock ensemble originating from Truro, Nova Scotia, and are the creators of the Ant Records label. The principal members involved in studio recordings were J. LaPointe and Jon Hutt, while Daniel MacDonald and Craig Thibault contributed during live shows.
History
Starting in 1994, The Motes performed within their local scene and began issuing music on cassette tapes. Their debut release under Ant Records was titled Super Useless Powers. They shared stages in Halifax, Nova Scotia with State Champs, and in 1996, they delivered a 45 rpm split single named "You'll Love the Epcot Palms/The New Physics" through Ant Records. The band did not embark on extensive tours to support their releases.
The group dissolved by 1997, with former members forming other Halifax-based acts such as North of America, Recyclone, and INSTRUMENTS. In 2005, Dependent Records issued a compilation featuring their earlier recordings along with five new tracks. Later, in 2018, they released Normandy Oddity, a collection comprising alternate takes and outtakes; its cover art received attention on the Music That Doesn't Suck blog.
After a 22-year hiatus, three founding members reunited for a live show at the Dartmouth Flood music festival held in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, on October 26, 2019.
Ant Records
Ant Records was an independent record label established in 1993 by The Motes' members. The label focused on cassette and 7-inch single formats and remained active until 1999.
Discography
- 1994: The Motes - Super Useless Powers (cassette, Ant Records)
- 1994: The Motes - Secret Air Base (cassette, Ant Records)
- 1995: The Motes - Gesner (cassette, Ant Records)
- 1996: The Motes - The New Physics (split 7-inch with State Champs, Ant Records / Daydream Records)
- 1997: The Motes - Trellis I Tripod (cassette, Ant Records)
- 1998: The Motes - The Remains of False Starts (cassette, Ant Records)
- 1999: The Motes - Joe (CD, Ant Records)
- 2005: The Motes - The Remains of False Starts (CD reissue, Dependent Music)
- 2010: The Motes - History Missed (digitally remastered reissue including bonus tracks)
- 2018: The Motes - Normandy Oddity (collection of alternate versions and outtakes from 1994–1998)
- 2020: The Motes - Bad Sector (digital release)
- 2020: The Motes - Suggestion: Move Quickly (digital re-release)
- 2021: The Motes - Teleport Without Error: Live at Birdland (1995)
- 2021: The Motes - L:CD R:OM (digital reissue)
- 2024: The Motes - The Riveter (digital release)