Down The Lees' emotional powder keg "Antiseptic Heart" has a heavenly heaviness

AP Track Review

Down The Lees' emotional powder keg Antiseptic Heart starts with the obligatory slow burn lit fuse sound riding on minimalistic chunky guitar, shifting drums, pumping bass and Laura Lee Shultz's darkly turned down forlorn vox. It is appealing, of course, but there are inklings that you've heard this kind of thing before (and you have) but when the eruption happens, when the explosive giant post punk walls of rock happen and Shultz dark introspection turn into full tilt wails of hope laced pain, it pushes you back in your seat. The heavy waves of distortion are formidable like if METZ got a bit gothy. When you think it will go quiet again it gets heavier and at one point I felt the cold tinges of goose bumps scatter across my arms. About two thirds in the quiet introspection starts again but only for one stanza then all glorious hell breaks loose and it is mesmerizing. 

Based in Ghent, Belgium, Down the Lees is Canadian Laura Lee Schultz and Belgian's Jonathan Frederix (HEISA) on drums and Kwinten Gluehorse (OLAF) on bass.

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Robb Donker




THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:

Caustic and raw, Down the Lees’ dynamic vocals and guitar draw you in, only to strike a blow from the heavy rhythm section. Based in Ghent, Belgium, Down the Lees is Canadian Laura Lee Schultz and Belgians Jonathan Frederix (HEISA) on drums and Kwinten Gluehorse (OLAF) on bass.

The project has followed an eclectic musical path with engaging and dynamic soundscapes inspired by genres such as post-rock, shoegaze, hardcore, slowcore, and no-wave - often echoing the work of artists such as PJ Harvey, Cloud Nothings, Slint, Sonic Youth and Low.

Growing up in the 90s Vancouver live scene, Laura Lee toured with her previous projects (Queazy, New Years Resolution, Skinjobs) extensively in the USA and Canada, before releasing two full length albums and an EP as Down the Lees. Started as a solo act back in 2005, Laura Lee performed all the instruments and wrote all of the material on her debut album, 360 DEGREES. Her sophomore album, THE GUEST ROOM (2008), featured guest musicians and was recorded at the infamous Mushroom Studios in Vancouver. The WEAR ME OUT Ep (2012) was recorded by Laura Lee in her home studio with special guests musicians.

2019 sees the release of a new studio album, recorded and mixed in one cold January week by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago. This is a raw album, stripped down to showcase the live, emotional vibe of the power trio. The warm analog production lets the compositions and dynamics take the forefront. Guitarist/vocalist Laura Lee makes her guitar sing soft melodies with harsh contrasts while belting out the most impassioned vocals. Drummer Jonathan mixes math-rock and prog-rock beats with speed, energy and emotion, alongside Kwinten’s powerful and guttural bass riffs inspired by his metal roots.

Live shows range from intense, sweaty, full band sets to intimate and dynamic solo performances.