Ume are not a folk group

Few bands even get one chance. Ume got two.
After recording their debut LP in 2005, singer/guitarist Lauren Larson decided to pursue her PhD in Philosophy, and put the band on hold.
"Right after we started, I moved away to graduate school in Pennsylvania. So the band was long-distance, like 1,600 miles apart," she said. "A couple years ago, we all moved to Austin, Texas, so we all lived in the same city. That's kind of when we became a band again, doing it fulltime. The fact that we were able to practice more than three times a year made a huge difference."
After reforming, the trio - rounded out by Larson's husband Eric Larson on bass and drummer Jeff Barrera - regrouped, recorded and released their follow-up EP, Sunshower - released the same day they play in St. Catharines, Oct. 27 - in a very do-it-yourself fashion.
The album's five songs do an excellent job of showcasing the range of talent within the members. From the pulsing, angst-ridden push-and-pull guitar of "Pendulum" to the soft, persistent rhythm in "Sunshower", it's clear that the comparisons to the bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is based solely on the fact that they are fronted by a female, rather than the actual sound of the group.
"I appreciate being compared to bands like that, but we're all trying to do our own style [. They] are not direct comparisons at all, but it's good company to be in," said Larson.
"We draw from a diverse range of influences. We all come from a punk rock background, and I was playing music long before I ever heard of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs."
Instead, Ume (pronounced "ooo-may") have built a reputation as one of the loudest, hardest bands in indie rock. Larson's skill on the guitar has created a sort of conundrum. While more than a few reviews have given her the title of "shredder", it always seems to be alongside a comment about her looks.
"It's something that I hope doesn't always have to be the case. I wish a woman could get to perform and be respected as a musician first and foremost, and one day, not just be seen in terms of her appearance and look [.] It'd be great to not have to talk about how you look, I think it's kind of ridiculous," she said.
"Someone told me the other day, 'Oh, I thought you'd be like KT Tunstall - a total folk singer'. There's always expectations for what [a woman] will be like, and I don't think there's the same expectations for male musicians."
Larson has put a great deal of effort into transforming these ideals, beyond just her work in Ume. She also works with young girl musicians in Texas at the Girl Rock Camp Austin, and hopes that one day, women will be able to take the stage without preconceived notions from the audience.
However, Larson finds a bit of humour in being compared to the other females in the genre.
"Women in rock music is a refreshing thing," she said. "I'm not too worried about being pigeonholed. And I think it's funny because there's really not that many woman doing [rock music] . So it is always kind of funny when you get compared to the few others that are doing it."
For now, Ume will continue to win-over skeptics with their live show, which Spin magazine said consisted of "Snarling guitars, catchy melodies, and a sense of NYC cool". The band is currently on tour through southern Ontario, having just finished up two nights opening for buzz bands like Cymbals Eat Guitars! and Crystal Antlers in New York. Having opened for bands like the Arcade Fire and .And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead in the past, and having been dropped from an opening slot for Cat Power because they were "too heavy", clearly this band has got their performances perfected.
"It's genuine - at least, that's how I hope it's coming across as because that's what it is," said Larson. "I consider it my chance to just let go and have fun and enjoy the moment. So hopefully, it will always be kind of refreshing. I think as long as you're honest, you can't lose."
Ume play Level 3 in St. Catharines on Oct. 27.