Owen Pallett’s new album Heartland, his first since dropping the Final Fantasy moniker, was recorded over nine months in Iceland with an orchestral recording done in Prague.  Songs from the album focus on a fictional character created by Pallett called Lewis, a psychotically deranged farmer. Once in Prague, Pallet spent 10 days holed up in a hotel room completing all the arrangements for Heartland.

Predominately performing as a violinist, Heartland sees Pallet using piano, synths, bass and electronic programming.  Pallet has just come from working with Arcade Fire on their new album and is now going on a brief tour down south and overseas before heading back to Canada to play several shows. He’ll be performing at the Hillside Inside in Guelph on February 6.  We spoke with Owen about working on film scores, the most recent of which is the John Cameron Mitchell film that Pallett says he had to walk away from to take Heartland on tour.  We also asked Owen to tell us how he has developed creatively since He Poos Clouds and how he would like fans to listen to Heartland.

Win tickets to see Owen Pallett live at the Hillside Inside festival on February 6th.