We are very excited to introduce the debut single Time To Leave from London, Ontario band Basic White off their forthcoming album The Second Half, which comes out Feb. 22. The song and video is out today, Jan. 11, and you can check out the video down below!
And if that isn’t enough, you can catch Basic White, along with two other great bands, The Meringues and Running Violet, on Feb. 21 at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto.
So, who is Basic White?
In short, Basic White is a band that is a guaranteed good time in any live situation, and whose recorded music is sound to be in regular rotation on any rock fan’s playlist. The band is comprised of founder/guitarist/
songwriter Riley White, guitarist Sandro DiStefano and drummer Jordan Wallace.
“We’re all happy and excited for people to hear this music,” said White, who explained there had been a few false starts and a lot of frustration before he, Wallace and Di Stefano captured lightening in a bottle once they started writing and performing together.
For what is essentially their introduction to a wider rock and roll world, Basic White has crafted a collection of songs that have appeal across a broad spectrum of music lovers. There are enough rockin’ riffs, and examples superlative musicianship to appeal to the ardent rocker, but the hook-laden choruses, close quarter harmonies and insistently memorable melodies can’t but help to fire up those with more straightforward pop sensibilities. At the same time, the deft turns of phrase and real-life authenticity and sincerity of the lyrics can draft in those for whom the words and meaning of a song are paramount.
The album was recorded partially at the Jukasa Studio in Oshweken, ON, and at The Sugar Shack in London, with White co-producing alongside engineer Kyle Ashbourne. The band spent a lot of time road testing the new songs, ensuring they could deliver a potent live punch and would send their audiences home singing the choruses into
the night.
The first single, Time to Leave is emblematic of Basic White’s ability to craft the kind of song that would fit on multiple radio formats, without sounding as though they are pandering to any one audience demographic. It’s a naturally skillful ability that comes from playing and practicing often, and understanding the building blocks required to create meaningful, memorable songs.
“Time to Leave came together very last minute, and was the last song written for the record. It started out as a little guitar riff and just grew from there. It’s about being in a relationship with someone and getting to the point where it’s time for someone to make the move to leave. You both know it’s the right thing to do, but neither person wants to say it,” said White.
A similarly up-tempo tune with excellent vocal hooks and an infectious chorus – but also based on a topic that is not necessarily as jolly as the upbeat melody that surrounds it – is the anthemic Brigade.
“It’s about starting your own team to fight the good fight – whatever that fight might be in your life. It’s saying that the only person you can really depend on is yourself and if you want to get anything done, start your own brigade,” White explained.
White, who is originally from Smiths Falls in eastern Ontario, and his bandmates feel that earning their wings as professional musicians and songwriters in the vibrant and diverse music scene of London has been of great benefit.
“It’s a really good place to get a lot of stage time under your belt before you have to make the jump to larger markets” said White. “You get a chance to really work on your show, get all the kinks out, and hone your craft as a live band, and also as songwriters. We feel supported here by all the other bands. It’s an amazing music community. We’ve also had the chance to open for some amazing acts, like Teenage Head, Ill Scarlett, Our Lady Peace and Treble Charger. And I think that’s because of the reputation we’ve built up here in London,” he said.
That reputation is sure to soar once the album is released and Basic White has a chance to share its energetic live show with music fans from coast to coast. And for this band, who is just now finding its firm footing as a creative entity, this is their Brigade.
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