When the D'Urbervilles release their sophomore record, it will be interesting to see how much of it is flavoured by the Toronto-area quartet's recent jaunt into the snowy wilderness.

"I really believe that geography and location does creep into what you do, which is why we like to be able to work in different places like Montreal or Toronto or my uncle's cottage," singer-keyboardist John O'Regan tells Spinner on the line from the secluded town where the band is hiding out to workshop new songs.

"We got in late last night and played crazy eights and listened to Paula Abdul and were totally kickin' it," O'Regan says of the experience so far. "It's fun just to be here with the band. We're all really good friends."

While Abdul's influence might not make the cut for the next album, O'Regan says that mighty rockers Rage Against the Machine will.

"It still sounds like the D'Urbervilles, but take the top twenty seconds of a Rage Against the Machine song and that gives you an idea of what to expect," he explains. "We've been working a lot on rhythm and groove and we've always really enjoyed bringing elements of really heavy rhythms into what we're doing. Like any good rock band, the second album is going to be much heavier -- I hope people are ready."

After winning hearts with their 2008 debut, 'We Are the Hunters,' the D'Urbervilles have earned the right to experiment with their infectious indie rock sound. If the guys can find a way to work in ragged Tom Morello-esque riffs with material inspired by the serenity of a snow covered lakefront cottage, more power to 'em.

According to O'Regan though, the heavy rock-winter wonderland pairing isn't as strange as it seems -- at least not when you consider their woodsy surroundings aren't all that picturesque once the sun goes down. "I'm really into the night right now," O'Regan says of recent nocturnal jam sessions. "It's dark [outside] and the music is dark and freaky -- It works."

From the sound of things, the D'Urbervilles have plenty in store for their fans when their second record comes out in the new year.