Five albums into its decade-long career, Slowcoaster has found its way back to the beginning with the newest album, The Darkest of Discos. “It sounds like our early stuff,” says Steven MacDougall, the band’s lead man. “A band is like being in a marriage: things change over time, relationships change, perspectives change. This record is kind of like being in love again.” With MacDougall and bandmates Mike Lelievre and Brian Talbot bringing only their voices, bass guitar and drums to the album, it emits a stripped-down version of themselves, with a bit more lyrical fun and poetic, slower tracks. “There’s lots of us in there,” says MacDougall, adding that, while Slowcoaster isn’t known for its confessional lyrics, the work on this album took that turn. “The title’s kind of a reflection of a dirty rock bar that you’re always in, but you’re addicted to it at the same time—it’s like a joggers high for us.” Don’t fret, though—these Cape Bretonners will still bring a danceable party to the Paragon this Friday—there’ll just be a few slower, contemplative tunes for you to enjoy. “We’re thinking of calling our next album Unicorns and Rainbows,” MacDougall says with a laugh.
This article appears in Oct 7-13, 2010.