North Lakes have been crossing the Confederation Bridge a lot since the release of their 2010 debut, Cobra. That recording earned them not only a nod from their home province in the form of a Music PEI Award for Best Alternative Album, but also showcases at Canadian Music Week and the East Coast Music Awards and a bunch of gigs in between. Their new offering, Grand Prix, continues to weave in threads of Elvis Costello, Supergrass and Television, but there are some stylistic differences, and a more personal bent to the lyrics.
"I really wanted to write with some overarching thematic ideas and give it a uniform sound," says guitarist and vocalist Nathan Gill, who also plays bass for Two Hours Traffic. "That also meant accepting that we want to make rock and roll records, which I don't think the first record fully admits."
Grand Prix isn't just a title that evokes confidence and ceremony (with a touch of competition), but a theme that knits the album's eight catchy tracks together.
"The songs on the record look at trying to escape or transcend being trapped in a closed circuit. I was interested by the idea of travelling on a winding race track, covering a lot of distance, but still ending up back where you started," says Gill. "And, somehow, someone wins. I felt like I was doing that in my thoughts a lot."
Gill is enthusiastic about making music in Charlottetown. "I think its vitality, in some ways, can be attributed to the fact that we're all marooned here, so the community is very grounded and sincere," he says. "But, for the same reason, it's also difficult to escape. Another grand prix, in a way."
North Lakes w/The Space Age, Levy Step, Friday, May 4 at The Seahorse Tavern, 1665 Argyle, 10pm, $8
Latest in Music Feature
- More »
MUSIC FEATURE »
On your Whitehorse
posted by LINDSAY RAINING BIRD, Jun 13/13
Whitehorse isn’t just another folk-duo, here’s why. comments 0
MUSIC FEATURE »
Stigma screening
posted by LINDSAY RAINING BIRD, Jun 13/13
Zac Crouse’s Paddle to the Ocean project isn’t just good music and film, it’s starting conversations about mental health, too. comments 0
MUSIC FEATURE »
Trews love
posted by EMILY HILTZ, Jun 6/13
The Trews play an acoustic set at Raise a Little Hellp—a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. comments 0
MUSIC FEATURE »
The right Old Crow Medicine
posted by LINDSAY RAINING BIRD, May 30/13
Alt-rockers Old Crow Medicine Show are sold out for good reason. comments 2
MUSIC FEATURE »
Turn up the Baseline
posted by KAYLEIGH ROBINSON, May 30/13
Dartmouth rapper Baseline releases a new Monster of an album. comments 0
MUSIC FEATURE »
Hayden’s family ties
posted by SHANNON WEBB-CAMPBELL, May 23/13
Soft-spoken, reclusive Hayden presents his latest album, Us Alone, showing that he’s still one of Canada’s most heartfelt musicians. comments 0
Guides
- Home |
- Dating |
- Bitch |
- News |
- Music |
- Movies |
- Dining |
- Arts |
- Opinion |
-
Best Of
| - FAQ |
- Halifax Free Classifieds |
- Jobs |
- Housing |
- For Sale |
- Classes |
- Bulletin Board |
- Health, Beauty |
- Services |
- Real Estate |
- Wanted
- About Us |
- Our Staff |
- Contact Us |
- Advertise |
- Work With Us |
- Send us a Tip |
- Privacy Policy |
- Comments Policy |
-
RSS Feeds
|
- Archives