* aural cavity located on the sides of the head for insertion of local music scene
The COMPASS Group, June 2003

STRIKING A DIFFERENT NOTE: TAINAN'S UNFINISHED By Steven Crook Translated by Zoe Teng Photos courtesy of Unfinished

      With their eclectic acoustic sound, and a preference for playing outdoors,Tainan-based Unfinished stands apart from pub bands and rock artists.

      The name Unfinished reflects a philosophy, according to double-bass player Jonathan Courtenay, that "things are always changing, evolving."

Over the past few years, the band's line-up has changed a number of times.       Performing songs composed by guitarist-vocalist Peter Smith, Unfinished currently counts as members: Yuri Opalev, a Russian who plays tenor saxophone, American percussionist John Duxbury, Courtenay and Smith--who both hail from the UK--and newest recruit Damien Trezise, an Australian violinist/fiddler.       The fact that all five are foreigners is not intentional, says Courtenay.

     According to Courtenay--who says he's into jazz, but has never studied that type of music--the band brings together disparate musical influences. Duxbury has drummed for rock bands, but plays congas for Unfinished. Smith is entirely self-taught, and is especially interested in Spanish music. Trezise is classically trained, and has played with folk outfits.

      The band's first full-length recording, 2002's Heaven Like Water, was recorded in the band members' homes, and mixed in a studio. Several of the 12 tracks feature the vocals of Janine Guinn, a Canadian who has since left Taiwan. The CD is available at the band's gigs, Tower Records, and branches of Eslite Books.

Income from gigs and CD sales is plowed straight back into song development and recording, Courtenay explains. "We've all got our day jobs. Most of us like it that way. It's not about money."       More recordings are planned, he says. "We've more than a CD's worth of new songs."       "We're quite happy staying small," says Courtenay. "People who like us can go on liking us. We just do what we do."

     Unfinished's CDs are available from Eslite Bookstores and Tower Records. For details of live performances, keep reading COMPASS!