Vancouver's Hotel Mira and the art pop / indie rock confessional "Speaking Off the Record" (Official Video)

"are you feeling better, baby?"

Charlie Kerr (JPNSGRLS), the front man and lead singer for his latest project Hotel Mira (based out of Vancouver) has an artfully captivating voice. His vocal aesthetic with each syllable held up in the air like questions is enticing. His delivery on the song Speaking Off The Record from Hotel Mira's debut LP "Perfectionism" is both tender and brash, broken and commanding. Along with Colton Lauro (guitar), Mike Noble (bass) and Clark Grieve (keyboards) the song cuts a clear path through art pop affectations with post punk tones coated with a sparkly glam rock patina. Of the song Kerr says:

"Speaking Off the Record is a song that explores several things that I never thought I would sing about / address publicly. It explores some of my lowest lows and the confessional, blunt lyrics and paired-down production elements of the song lent itself to an equally simple, bold video."

While the song might be a confessional of sorts, it also feels like a butterfly punching it's way out of cocoon. Love this.

-Robb Donker Curtius




THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:

Vancouver’s Hotel Mira is the latest project fronted by JPNSGRLS mastermind Charlie Kerr. The singer and his new bandmates – guitarist Colton Lauro, bassist Mike Noble and keyboardist Clark Grieve – have taken the sound out of the garage and into a considerably lusher landscape, as heard on Hotel Mira’s debut LP “Perfectionism.”

Working with Grammy-award winning producer Eric Ratz (Billy Talent, Arkells), Kerr directed his creative energy at writing sharper hooks and more memorable melodies. The results – as heard on charged-up numbers like “The Eyes On You” and “This Could Be It For Me” – are songs that boast anthemic, soaring choruses while sacrificing none of their sheer rock ‘n’ roll energy.

The sound showcased on “Perfectionism” is wrapped up in a polished, pungent, yet untethered and cracked aesthetic. There’s no such thing as perfect, nor should there be, and this album communicates exactly that, lyrically and sonically. Kerr and company have created an 11-track masterpiece that tempts the listener through stories of relationships, growth and the struggle to live in one’s own mind. The infectious project is impeccably crafted, making Hotel Mira well worth checking into.