For the past five years Toronto-based North Reign has been refining their craft to stand out as a true original with their no-holds-barred, authentic approach to time-honored rock and roll.
With their new single and video for Better Off, released on January 15 and produced by Brian Moncarz (OLP, The Trews, The Tea Party), they have put a vibrant spin on this four-on-the-floor rocker that boasts the cocky swagger of Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones with the guitar-driven, melodic sensibilities of Van Halen. Better Off is a coming-of-age song from a band that isn’t shy about wearing their influences on its sleeves.
“Those bands are definitely a touchpoint, a common denominator if you will, between the four of us,” declares North Reign vocalist-guitarist Anthony Carbonara. “On an individual basis, we each bring a little something different to the table, and I think that’s something that is reflected in our individual styles.”
Inspired by a riff guitarist-vocalist Nick Scaglione brought to band practice, Carbonara says Better Off came together relatively quickly and easily with drummer Daniel Perri and bassist Dave Drosi making equal contributions to the songwriting process.
Combining a performance aspect with the drama of a plot hatched by rabid North Reign
fans to kidnap the group, the video for Better Off captures the contagious energy of the group’s live show, while also highlighting a more playful side of the group.
Filming the performance aspect of the video at the legendary Sneaky Dee’s in Toronto, Carbonara says the group wanted to ensure an authentic feeling permeated all aspects of the video.
“Those are the exact types of venues we play when we’re doing shows. We wanted to stay true to ourselves,” Carbonara says. “In our world, the song and the video hold equal weight. There’s a lot of other bands out there competing for the same eyes and ears that we are. The kidnapping/story plot was important as we wanted to give the audience something that would hold their attention and keep them guessing at what’s going to happen next.”
What’s evident in the attitude of Carbonara and his bandmates is that they are in it for the long haul. The confidence that shines through on Better Off is a testament to the work they know will be required to help introduce the group to a wider audience.
“I don’t think we sound like a lot of other bands out there. And that’s good; we want to stand apart. But ultimately, we just want to put our best foot forward,” Carbonara says. “And that means nothing more than staying true to ourselves. We’re not the kind of group that’s going to rely on gimmicks or anything to sell what it is we’re doing. Our music does the talking for us.”
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