"Am I Gonna Be Alright?"

One year ago, I lay in bed, strung out on Netflix, carrying a heavy weight within my chest.  My 9 year relationship was over. “It hurts so hard, a memory [I] can't forget”. “Under the pressure, [am I] gonna be alright…?” At the time I had fallen into a great darkness that had consumed my positive outlook. I shut everyone out. I didn’t want to talk. I didn’t want to move. I felt as if the ground beneath my feet was slowly crumbling to the sea. I was paralyzed in the moment before breaking the surface tension, unknowing of the dangers awaiting me. Usually I’m pretty quick to find a solution; a logical out; a positive route, but this time I was defeated. Love can leave you bleeding. 

“Welcome to the edge of decay

Have you been here before? 

With the lines in your face

All alone and hollow”

-Lifting Cure

As I sit here and reflect, I’m pleased to say I can address my turmoil with clarity. One reason this album resonated to a broad audience is because we’ve all been “on the edge of decay”. Maybe you're just moments from your foundations cracking and you’re left holding tarot cards close to your chest, praying for those dark predictions to prove false. It seems too often we suffer and must cope with loss and grief. Many nights, after I couldn’t strum my grief away anymore I’d retreated into “The Great Detachment”. My life in pieces gravitated towards the shared emotional tragedies and refreshing honesty revealed in human condition. Mystified by the unexplained connection between music and your soul, your feet lift off the ground when you plug your earbuds into your brain.

I remember Jay showing me “Amerika” on one car ride to a gig. I couldn’t get it out my head. The crisp hits of the snare, heavy backbeat layered among dispersed tremolo guitar lines is an aurally fixation only amplified when re-listening.  I was even lucky enough to have a reserved a spot to see Wintersleep’s CBC run of “The Great Detachment” in Toronto. My bandmates encouraged me to see this exclusive performance. It was a once in a life time opportunity complete with an acoustic rendering of their hit “Amerika”. I cancelled, gaining control of my life for a few fleeting movements, the feeling of weightlessness washing over my brain. I sank back into my cloud of unwashed sheets and proceeded to waste made up time, detaching myself from my friends, family and self. Maybe I should have gone…Clearly I would have enjoyed myself, and considering how much Wintersleep’s sixth album provided comfort and stability, it may be my single musical regret of 2016. Retroactive decisions never seem to work out.  

Beyond the Downie grade poetry, musically this record flows effortlessly between each track. Every song maintains a simple arrangement of complex musical phrases and progressions. Loel Campbell’s massive drums are reminiscent of Bonham, as compelling as The Hip’s Johnny Fay, yet as intricate and intentional as East coaster Phil Maloney of Hey Rosetta! The drums help carry the weight and excitement of the work. Each rhythmic idea originates naturally intersperse with captivating melodic gestures. Overall, Wintersleep creates a conceptual soundscape of the grief ridden mind, amongst the recesses of the subconscious, highlighting the melancholic sadness and hopes we all experience.

As this year passes over us we need moments of quiet reflection and mediation to grow. This album’s uniquely beautiful, haunting harmonies and unforgettable refrains are aurally therapeutic. We must not deny the power music has over us. Wintersleep embodies the perfect combination of pop music accessibility, indie-rock creativity and lyrical poetry that has the ability to transcend the human condition with honesty and realism.  “The Great Detachment” cuts inside your head and occupies your mind. While you age and perspectives change, this album matures in flavour and fullness.

“All my friends are running away

At exceptional pace

In the grass of their lawns and lousy private party

Are you so sure

A lifting cure”

- We may never meet, but thank you for the music and support. 

-AJ Fisico

Long Range Listens to 2016

Well, the end is nigh... 

Of 2016, that is. It was a crazy, crazy year, and I'm sure many people are happy to see it come to a close. For Long Range Hustle, the end of the year means only one thing: arguing about our most beloved records. Much like last year, we're going to discuss some of our favourite albums of the year with in-depth reviews written by each of us. 

"But how could you pick just 1?" I hear you saying. It certainly wasn't easy. While 2016 had all kinds of flaws, a lack of great music wasn't one of them. So to begin our second annual series of year-end album essays, we're giving ourselves a copout and publishing each of our Top 5 picks of 2016: 

AJ
1. The Great Detachment - Wintersleep
2. Man Machine Poem - The Tragically Hip
3. Hard Settle, Ain't Troubled - Donovan Woods
4. The Party - Andy Shauf
5. Secret Path - Gord Downie

Jay
1. The Party - Andy Shauf
2. 22, A Million - Bon Iver
3. The Dream is Over - PUP
4. Hard Settle, Ain't Troubled - Donovan Woods
5. We Move - James Vincent McMorrow

Josh
1. A Moon Shaped Pool - Radiohead
2. IV - Black Mountain
3. 22, A Million - Bon Iver
4. The White Album - Weezer
5. The Dream is Over - PUP

Mike
1. The Dream is Over - PUP
2. Stillworld - Invent, Animate
3. Heliospectrum - Auras
4. Drift - Erra
5. The Colour Clear - Reflections

Paul
1. Man Machine Poem - The Tragically Hip
2. I We You Me - OSHWA
3. The Dream is Over - PUP
4. The Party - Andy Shauf
5. Brasstronaut - Brasstronaut

All of the above albums are truly stellar specimens, and we bestow upon them our most vigorous recommendations. Keep your eyes peeled between now and new years for long-form musings on the top candidates. 

-p

"Paddle Away" Music Video Is Here!

Our debut music video, "Paddle Away", is finally here and we couldn't be more excited!

Set in the forests of Algonquin Park, the band travelled by canoe into the backwoods, built a stage, and invited our friends, family, and fans to come meet us for a midnight romp in the trees.

The video is being released exclusively by The Spill Magazine, and you can see it here.

Paddle Away Tour Starts April 29

Mmmm it's finally Spring!

How are you?  Did you survive the winter? If you're reading this, you probably made it, so congratulations. To celebrate the return of the sun, we are hitting the roads, rivers, and lakes to bring you some music. As you may already know, we'll be touring out to Winnipeg (FINALLY!) and we'll be hitting North Bay and Thunder Bay on the way.  Winnipeg, your prodigal son and guitar phenom Joshua Weiss will finally be back home! And the rest of us can't wait to finally get to know you in person, so tell your friends/family/enemies/pets we're coming to town!

Here is a complete list of our Paddle Away Spring Tour dates:

April 29th - Toronto - RSVP on Facebook
April 30th - Waterloo - RSVP on Facebook
May 6th - Tweed - RSVP on Facebook
May 12th - North Bay - RSVP on Facebook
May 13th - Thunder Bay - RSVP on Facebook
May 14th - Winnipeg - RSVP on Facebook 
June 11th - Toronto - RSVP on Facebook
June 18th - Waterloo - RSVP on Facebook
               

Feature in Imprint - University of Waterloo Newspaper

We were pleased to find an article about us in the latest edition of the University of Waterloo's student newspaper, Imprint. Contributor Elizabeth Esnard touches on the band's early days at UW, and gives her take on "From Seedlings to Saplings." You can check it out here.

We're heading to Ottawa for a show at the Rainbow Bistro this Friday (March 18). We'll be joining our old friends Fathers of Modern Rocketry as well as our new friends Hearts & Mines. If you're in the national capital - don't forget to RSVP!

-p