Penning paeans to love and lust, relationships and hookings-up is old hat in the pop music world.  Where Montreal's Silly Kissers differentiate themselves is in articulating the exuberant turmoil at the heart of all of the mismatches, also-rans, and romantic disappointments.  The production values and pixelated tones of the music belies a melodic sophistication far beyond their years. Songs like You Could Even Like Me and Ghost In Your Heart contain melodies so joyous that your average band could spend two albums and countless grant dollars in search of them to no avail. In a short time, the Silly Kissers have forged a musical direction that is deeply satisfying, unique without being precious, and evidence of a preternatural gift for song composition. We had a quick chat with drummer Thom Gillies.

Listen: You Could Even Like Me - Silly Kissers

When your grandmothers ask, how do you describe your music?
My Grandmother seems to think of music as a very simple, homogenous thing.  "Are you still playing your music?" she will ask.  "Yes, but not as much as I'd like," I'll say. And she will smile; "That's good," she'll say.  She is decidedly lukewarm on the whole positive feelings about music, which she thinks of as a good inasmuch as grape jelly is a good - something one always wants to have on hand, especially for when guests visit, but never something one can really pay any attention to or become overly thrilled about.

Why is being a musician in Montreal awesome?
The rent is friendly, and affords one ample time to potter with one's gadgets. The fluctuation between extremes in temperature as the seasons run their course help to keep one in touch with that melancholy aspect of human nature which is the very source of song and creativity -- and the multicultural and multilingual reality of the city creates a lot of interesting intercourse.  This makes for good music, I suppose.

What’s your favorite place to hang out or eat in Montreal, and why?
Anywhere where we can all get free tummy rubs!

What are your favorite local bands?
Grimes, Sean Savage, Pat Jordache, Postcards

Who are you looking forward to seeing at POP this year?
Tom Tom Club!

What are you currently obsessed with?
Bob's body hair

What’s your favorite kind of pop?
Diet 7-Up

When you’re not making music, what do you do to relax or unwind?
Acid

3 albums you have on heavy rotation in your tour van:
wild nothing - gemini
ata kak - ata kak
ludacris - sex room

Silly Kissers play POP Montreal on September 30th at Rialto