by Jane Lambert

Video Voyager: Siren’s “High Wire”

Siren is the progressive fusion band of rock, metal, blues, and jazz, who are making strides with their latest release, the classic rock “High Wire.” The music video already has over 150K views on YouTube. The song is a metaphor for the music industry and the music labels that run it. Visually, the video depicts a clown (the musician) trying to catch the attention of the high wire girl (labels) by any means necessary. He does everything he can think of, like riding a unicycle and playing with fire. It isn’t until he leaves the confines of the circus tent (music industry at large) that he is finally able to get the girl.

We spoke with Siren about their video, so let’s see what they had to share:

Tell us the story of “High Wire”, and why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?

“High Wire” is a metaphor for the music industry. The music industry is like a circus. The clown is the artist and the High Wire girl is the music industry. I think all Clowns would prefer to be the main attraction like a circus performer instead of a side show act. There is a pecking order even in the circus world just like the music industry. Even Clowns can dream of greatness and sometimes as in this song come out on top.

What was the inspiration behind the video?

We envisioned taking the viewer into another world that exists within the circus tent. The relentless struggle and uphill battle the clown faces everyday to achieve his most fond desire of the High Wire girls love regardless of the cost. Our clown character was broken and burned but he never lost sight of his desires. He eventually triumphs in the end winning the heart/love of the High Wire girl. Rarely does the clown get the girl and in our story he does.

What was the process of making this video?

The video storyboard took a couple months to be completed. Mike and I had discussed a Black and White concept with only red standing out. The script for the story was basically the lyrics for the song. I had the idea for the old silent film intro at the beginning which worked out very well. Nathan, our video producer found the intro sound track that fit perfectly. This was the second time we had worked with Nathan’s company Kind Punk. He not only directed this video but was the main character the Clown. The High Wire artist was a joy to work with and she is not only beautiful but, She is also a very good actress. The video filming was somewhat difficult as the temperatures that day were in the 90’s and we were not getting a lot of air inside the circus tent. In the end it was worth it all. The video is like a mini movie that ties in with the song and lyrics. A great job by everyone involved!

Watch here:

Connect with Siren via:
Website I Instagram I Facebook I Twitter I YouTube I Spotify I Soundcloud

08.18.22

by Jane Lambert

Mia Baron Comes Alive with “Constant Contact”

Toronto-based pop singer-songwriter Mia Baron pens lyrics which touch on how challenging it is to figure out who you are and what you want. Baron’s songs show that for her, the sky’s the limit.

“Constant Contact,” her latest release, draws inspiration from a battle with addiction that the artist endured. Emotive vocals join with synthesizers and guitars to narrate a ballad which grapples with the loneliness that Baron felt when she was hiding her addiction from others.

The track blossoms into full indie electronic pop production as Baron asserts herself. Baron sees “Constant Contact” as a reminder of the isolation that facing hardships can bring, along with the relief and support that comes with letting go of the fear of being judged.

08.18.22

by Jane Lambert

JoJo Worthington Channels “Win Butler” for New Release

Over the past decade, JoJo Worthington has emerged as a distinctive presence in creative Canadian music, pairing deftly penned songs with spectacular sonic landscapes. Having wandered through the “lost, enchanted forest” (Bandcamp, New & Noteworthy) of 2016’s breakthrough album, \\, and sailed the seas of her epic avant-pop odyssey TCYK, BAPTIZED I sees this visionary songcrafter adorning her armour, grabbing her sword, and beginning a quest towards the divine.

The thunderous song, “Win Butler,” is a cacophony of feelings. It’s about the juxtaposition of wanting to succeed in the music industry and make art, while there are adverse and tragic events happening everyday, all around JoJo. Over the pandemic, it felt like the last thing anyone needed was more music.

When JoJo was in high school, she loved Arcade Fire (and still does), and she romanticized moving to Montreal to make amazing music. When she did finally move there, she was living downtown, and was heartbroken by the housing crisis and how many people were living on the streets here. Pursuing her dreams seemed like an incredibly selfish and insignificant thing to do, while people outside her apartment were just trying to get their basic needs met. The lyrics are inspired by some of the conversations she’s had with those people, and the conflict she felt as she pursues a career in music in this broken world.

The song ends with the sound of a tape being stretched, stomped, and ripped apart, to emulate producer Will Crann’s idea of the sound of God picking up the song and crumpling it up.

“The song is not really about Win Butler personally. I have nothing against him whatsoever,” says JoJo. “I honestly really hope he listens to it. I just wanted to call the song that because of my love for Arcade Fire’s music and how much it impacted me growing up. I wanted to move to Montreal, be in a 10 piece stadium art rock band and live the dream.”

BAPTIZED I finds JoJo making sense of her surroundings by looking inwards and going deep. On one hand, this means looking back and reconsidering formative memories and intimate relationships; on the other, it means looking critically at the present: seeing the local outcomes of ubiquitous housing crises, systemic racism, and mass misinformation. Through unprecedented vulnerable songs, Worthington works to make sense of what has happened, find spiritual purpose, and strive towards wisdom.

08.18.22

by Jane Lambert

Rebelle Get Heated on “Head On Fire”

Up and coming alt-rockers, Rebelle, of Wakefield, Québec, are sharing “Head On Fire,” a raw and angsty call to take a stand for yourself and reject a toxic relationship.

This energetic and cathartic rock track calls out an individual for their games, declaring “I’m going to shed some light expose the lies you’ve submersed.”

Recorded during the chaotic and frustrating period of March 2020 in Toronto with producer Anton Delost, “Head On Fire” is an electrifying and assertive show of strength.

08.18.22

by Jane Lambert

Queens County Roots (feat. Jesse Maxwell) “Feed The Hungry” from ‘The Moon Sessions’ EP

Queens County Roots is home to the blues rock songs of New York City-based guitarist Marlon Hurt. Collaborating with Jesse Maxwell, Hurt has created “Feed The Hungry,” harnessing the age-old metaphor of love as sustenance.

Jesse Maxwell’s vocals lead this track into an R&B vein, complete with ethereal and yearning lyrics, such as, “I have a thirst that I can’t seem to quell by drinking deeply from a wishing well.”

Undercurrents of neo-soul, prog, and major key blues rock flesh out this soaring and eclectic track.

“Feed The Hungry” is taken from The Moon Sessions, Queens County Roots and Maxwell’s collaborative EP, which features a collection of songs that deal with intolerable situations.

There is an uplifting quality to this music, approaching difficult topics with a positive outlook and clear-eyed vision.

08.17.22

by Jane Lambert

Kremidas’ ‘Hold On Tight’ is an Acoustic Dreamscape

Kremidas, the multi-instrumentalist songwriter, has just released his second album, Hold On Tight, a cool and chill acoustic album inspired by his brave and courageous journey through cancer. It’s optimistic tone is what emphasizes the instrumental stories of love, hope, and pain.

“I am past cancer, thankfully, but it made me pause and think, ‘where do I go from here? what happens when I’m gone?,’” Jim shares. “When I looked back, I felt this real appreciation for life. There is a lot of bad, of course, but really a lot of good—life is so beautiful. I wanted this album to encompass the full span of the wonderful emotions of life. We are here for a period of time—it’s over before we know it—and I wanted to share in the beauty of it all.”

Hold On Tight is a showcasing of Kremidas’ instrumental prowess. The album features his skills with the strings, except those that require a bow, like the banjo, acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, dobro, dulcimer, and pedal steel. Each aspect brings a different mood and emotion to the forefront.

“Refections (No Regrets)” is faster paced and has a Johnny Cash feeling to it, like he’s purging his emotions, while “Clara” is lighter and more delicate. He experiments with light synth sounds in “Over Half Way,” invoking a sense of mystery, like you don’t know what’s coming next. “You’re Not Losing Me” is the statement song of the album as it’s the only one with lyrics. He sings “You’re not losing me/I’m not losing you/ we’re just moving on/we’re just passing along.” The song is about moving on to new things and that being a good thing. “Between the Lines” is ambient yet carries a darker country sound. Jim says “This song expresses those times when you feel down—it’s meant to be sad, but also comforting.” The title song, “Hold On Tight” is interesting because it harkens back to “Refections” with the outlaw country vibe. The verses build tension that’s then released in the chorus. It’s emotive and moving.

Listen here: