Edmonton pop-rock sensation White Lightning is on the leading edge of a pop-rock renaissance that is seeing organic sounds, authenticity and genuine artistic expression return to prominence in songwriting, production and performance.
The band has released a new single, Follow Your Heart, and accompanying video in anticipation of the launch of their second full-length album, Face to Face, which comes out on Aug. 19.
The album is a tour de force highlighting the band’s ability to transcend musical genres, musical eras and create a collection of songs that sound remarkably current, yet have a timeless appeal.
“It’s meant to be fun music that really grabs people, gives them energy and transports them along this positive, upbeat and uplifting journey. It’s party music for sure; it’s music to get you up off your seat and dancing and having a good time,” said vocalist/songwriter Steve Bosch.
It is a tour de force highlighting the band’s ability to transcend musical genres, musical eras and create a collection of songs that sound remarkably current, yet have a timeless appeal.
“It’s meant to be fun music that really grabs people, gives them energy and transports them along this positive, upbeat and uplifting journey. It’s party music for sure; it’s music to get you up off your seat and dancing and having a good time,” said Bosch.
We have been described as a cross between KC and the Sunshine band and The Black Keys – and as much as we don’t like comparisons, that pretty much hits the nail on the head!”
The core of White Lightning is rounded out by bassist Jason Grillo and drummer Enoch Rottier, who all brought a different musical upbringing to the table when the band formed in 2009.
“What turned the page for me was a couple of live shows where I was just so entertained and engaged. One was by The Cat Empire out of Australia and the other was by Chromeo, a Canadian band. I was blown away by the performance side of their music. Both bands had everybody up dancing and having the time of their lives the entire time. That inspired me to want to be a part of evenings like that and really invest in creating music that could also do that,” he said.
“Jason came from a strong Portuguese family and his first instrument was the organ and playing Portuguese traditional music. Jason ended up in a gypsy-rock band for a while, whereas Enoch was always more into Led Zeppelin and the older rock stuff. So this band goes from blues to gypsy rock to classic rock – all our different starting points come together in a pretty cool way, I think.”
Face to Face saw the band work alongside noted Canadian producer Howard Redekopp (Mother Mother, Tegan and Sara, The New Pornographers) on many of the tracks. Follow Your Heart, was mixed my pop music heavyweight Dave Pensado.
“Working with Howard was something we aspired to do for a while before we had the chance to make it happen. We found that every recording he did had such an awesome balance between keeping a commercially viable and polished sound, with the desire to stay true to the organic side of the music as well: keeping it real and raw and natural. So we were really excited to work with him,” Bosch said, adding they were introduced to Pensado by some musician friends.
“He was incredible to work with. He has worked with Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce but is also really interested in connecting with indie bands and he gets super involved in a project. So working with him and Howard and some local guys here in Edmonton was just really cool and instructive to see their different approaches to recording and mixing. And we will use those lessons moving forward.”
The band has worked hard to hone its energetic and entertaining stage show, which they will be bringing to audiences throughout the summer. Here is a list of their current tour dates.
June 26, Pets In The Park – Edmonton AB
June 30, Magnificent River Rats Festival – Athabasca AB
July 1, Canada Day, Alberta Legislative Grounds (Afternoon Show)- Edmonton AB
July 1, Canada Day, Centennial Park(Evening Show) – Edson AB
July 15, Wild Mountain Music Festival – Hinton AB
July 22, Sasquatch Gathering Festival – Entwhistle AB
September 10, Glenwood ‘Party in the Park’ – Edmonton AB
September 11, Gateway Alliance Annual Kickoff Party – Edmonton AB
For more information on White Lightning, visit www.whitelightningmusic.com, their Facebook page, or twitter.com/whitelightningmusic
SHARE THIS POST:
