COURTNEY DICKSON — The Omega (Thompson Rivers University)

Left to right: Matthew Kopperud, Jerms Olson , Chris Morien and Will Quiring recorded their new album in record time.

KAMLOOPS (CUP) — Though they’ve only been working together for just over a year, alternative indie-rock group Close Talker has already made a name for itself.

“The West Was Won” from their first album, Timbers, debuted at number five on CBC’s R3-30 chart in July and the band recently played at Ness Creek Music Festival, which also featured well known Canadian indie artists Said The Whale, Elliott Brood and The Wooden Sky.

These four young men from Saskatoon, all members of different bands prior to forming Close Talker, were able to record their debut album in just a few days over their winter holidays in 2012. Timbers was released only a couple of months later in February of this year.

Their album has received approval from critics — and rightfully so. A polished sound is hard to come by, especially in such a young band.

Though Timbers had an exceptionally quick turn-around, drummer Chris Morien said they went through months of planning. Because they are split during the school year while two members attend post-secondary in British Columbia, most of the planning for the record had to be done long distance. The good news is that the band doesn’t mind taking time to plan ahead and record aggressively later. There are plans to do another whirlwind recording session during their upcoming  break this December.

Morien said although they are influenced heavily by prominent groups like The National and We Are The City, they also find inspiration from local bands in Saskatchewan and B.C.

“We also really try to draw from different genres,” he said.

Morien has spent his summers working in Lloydminster, Alta. when not performing with Close Talker. As September draws near, performances will be put on hold while his bandmates Will Quiring and Matt Kopperud head back to school in B.C. for their final year of study.

“After this year of school we’ll be back together more often and then we can really move forward,” Morien said. But as of right now, he said that the group is just “getting a taste of what they want to do next.”

“As long as I’m having fun, I’ve achieved my goal,” Morien said.

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Photo: Tyler Goodyear