Vancouver’s 604 Records is bringing new life to the city’s shoegaze roots with Then & Now, a collection from cult favorites Movieland. This album marks the inaugural release of 604 Decades, an archival series celebrating Vancouver’s underground music history.
Movieland, formed in the early ‘90s, captured a unique sound blending swirling guitars, heartfelt melodies, and hypnotic rhythms. At its core was Alan D. Boyd, a singer-guitarist who moved from Edmonton to Vancouver after a brief stint with garage rock icons The Gruesomes. Boyd joined forces with drummer Justin Leigh, whom he met while working at Benny’s Bagels, and bassist John Ounpuu, forming a trio inspired by British bands like Slowdive and The Stone Roses.
The band’s early recordings were raw and loud, with tracks like “Rant” and “Everything” showcasing their talent for merging jangled guitar lines with layers of distortion. Recorded at Downtown Sound, their debut cassette reflected the rebellious spirit of Vancouver’s alternative scene, influenced by the city’s burgeoning rave culture and a shared curiosity about psychedelics.
By their second demo, Movieland was experimenting even more. Boyd crafted intricate shoegaze songs on a borrowed 8-track recorder while living in a crumbling house nicknamed “The Mansion,” a hub for local musicians and artists. Songs like “I Relate” explored themes of connection and vulnerability, standing apart from the grunge-dominated music scene of the time.
Despite their creativity, broader success eluded the band. Movieland built a loyal local following but never landed the breakthrough gig they needed. After Ounpuu and Leigh left to form Pluto, Boyd continued briefly with a new lineup, releasing the anthems “Build Me a Dream” and “She’s a Mountain.” By 1994, the group had dissolved, and Boyd moved to Europe.
Movieland’s music is a time capsule of Vancouver’s overlooked shoegaze scene, and Then & Now captures their ethereal yet rugged sound with stunning clarity. Their ability to merge introspective themes with expansive, cinematic arrangements feels timeless, making their revival through 604 Decades a celebration not just of a band, but of a genre that never got its full due. Shoegaze fans will find plenty to admire in Movieland’s layered, unpolished beauty.