Jessie Brown and The Black Divine are kicking off their second tour with high hopes and a harder sound. You can expect rock 'n' roll with a lot of soul---and something for the metalheads, too.
Brown says the first album was a bit more "subdued," and the sophomore Act II: Decisions promises to be a lot louder. Many listeners have been very surprised, says Brown. "It's a lot heavier than it used to be," she says, "which I'm happy about."
The album features an edgy and eclectic sound that draws from musical influences cross-genres. "I'm obsessed with Queen," says Brown. "It's a problem." Led Zeppelin, Queens of the Stone Age and Janis Joplin are a few other big ones. "Adrian"---Dunn, co-writer and guitarist---"loves Elliott Smith," says Brown. "So that brings a bit more of an acoustic side to his writing, which is really neat."
The six-song EP, conceived in Nashville with Rob Crowell of Deer Tick, is overflowing with rich, raspy wails. It took Brown and Dunn a long time and a fair few member changes, but they finally landed on Jason Vautour and Thomas Spence as the final half of the live touring band.
The tour will kick off appropriately close to home at The Seahorse Tavern on April 25, before The Black Divine heads all over Eastern and Atlantic Canada---from Charlottetown to Toronto---with an appearance at Canadian Music Week.
Brown says: "It finally sounds like you!" is her favourite reaction so far. "That and a lot more metalheads show up," she says. "So I'm happy."
Jessie Brown & The Black Divine w/Kilmore, The Holy Snappers
Friday, April 25 at 9pm, $8
The Seahorse Tavern, 1663 Argyle Street