View source for The Motes

{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = The Motes
| image           =
| caption         = Live at Jacob's Lounge 2019
| genre           = [[indie rock]], [[atonal rock]]
| origin          = [[Truro, Nova Scotia]]
| label           = [[Ant Records]], [[Dependent Music]]
| years_active    = 1994–1998, 2019–present
| associated_acts = [[North of America]], [[INSTRUMENTS (band)|INSTRUMENTS]], [[Recyclone]]
| current_members = [[J. LaPointe]]<br />[[Jon Hutt]]<br />[[Daniel MacDonald (musician)|Daniel MacDonald]]<br />[[Craig Thibault]]
}}
'''The Motes''' are a Canadian [[indie rock]] band from [[Truro, Nova Scotia]], and the founders of a record label called Ant Records. When recording, The Motes were J. LaPointe, and Jon Hutt. When performing live they were the recording duo plus Daniel MacDonald, and Craig Thibault.
==History==
The Motes began performing locally and releasing music on cassette in 1994.<ref name=exclaim>[http://exclaim.ca/music/article/motes-remains_of_false_starts "Motes The Remains of False Starts"]. ''Exclaim!'', By Kevin Hainey Aug 01, 2005</ref> Their first release, on their own label, Ant Records, was ''Super Useless Powers''.
The band performed in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]] with the band State Champs,<ref name=covey>James Covey. [http://www.labelobscura.com/i-dont-want-to-get-a-job-i-want-to-rock-it-up-full-time-a-look-back-at-the-original-halifax-pop-explosion/ "I don’t want to get a job…I want to rock it up full time : A look back at the original Halifax pop explosion"]. ''Label Obscura'', June 27, 2016</ref> and in 1996 The Motes released a 45 rpm split single, "You'll Love the Epcot Plams/The New Physics", with them, through Ant Records.<ref>[https://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/top-ten-halifax-singles/Content?oid=1350164 "Singled out: Top Ten Halifax Singles"] ''The Coast'',  October 22, 2009, By Mark Black</ref> However, the Motes did not tour extensively to promote their releases.<ref>[https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3233&context=etd "The Halifax Pop Explosion: Music Scenes, Sloan, And The Case For A Halifax Sound"].  Danielle Hamel, The University of Western Ontario, December 2013.</ref>
By 1997 The Motes had disbanded;<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/north-of-america-mn0000885588 "North of America"]. ''AllMusic'', Biography by Mike DaRonco</ref> members of the band went on to form a number of other bands in and around Halifax, including [[North of America]],<ref>[http://www.trurodaily.com/news/local/truro-musicians-an-inspiration-to-award-winning-band-144497/ "Truro musicians an inspiration to award-winning band"]. ''Truro Daily'', Raissa Tetanish Feb. 10, 2014</ref> [[Recyclone]], and [[INSTRUMENTS (band)|INSTRUMENTS]].<ref name=covey />
In 2005 a collection of the band's previously recorded tracks was released on Dependent Records, along with five new tracks.<ref name= exclaim /> In 2018 the band released a collection of alternate versions and outtakes titled Normandy Oddity. The cover art for Normandy Oddity was featured on the Music That Doesn't Suck blog.<ref>[https://thedoesntsuck.com/2018/08/31/best-album-covers-august-2018/ "Choice Album Art of 2018"]. ''Music That Doesn't Suck'', Aug. 31, 2018</ref>
Three of the original members The Motes performed live for the first time in 22 years as part of the Dartmouth Flood music festival in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on Saturday, October 26, 2019.<ref>[https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/lifestyles/local-lifestyles/walrus-migrates-home-for-halifax-pop-explosion-367157/ "Walrus migrates home for Halifax Pop Explosion"] "Halifax Herald", Stephen Cooke Oct. 23, 2019</ref>
==Ant Records==
{{Empty section|date=July 2019}}
== 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 w/ 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 re-release, Dependent Music)
*2010: The Motes - ''History Missed'' (remastered digital re-release of all previous albums with bonus tracks)
*2018: The Motes - ''Normandy Oddity'' (alternate versions and outtakes, 1994-1998)
*2020: The Motes - ''Bad Sector'' (digital)
*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 re-release)
*2024: The Motes - ''The Riveter'' (digital)
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://themotesthemotes.com  The MOTES official website]
* [http://themotes.bandcamp.com  The MOTES on Bandcamp]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Motes, The}}
[[Category:Musical groups from Halifax, Nova Scotia]]
[[Category:Canadian indie rock groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1994]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1998]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in Nova Scotia]]