photo courtesy of Ryan Wagner
Step into the sonic hurricane that is "Douse" by Okanagan Valley, British Columbia's Down The Lees, the powerful three piece alt rock / post-noise-rock project lead by singer-songwriter / guitarist Laura Lee Schultz, and you might find yourself in a heightened state of your being, shoulders raised, up on your heals and ready to thrash your body about pushed with a blend of adrenaline and gleeful anxiety coursing through your veins. The sheer heaviness expressed in pummeling drums, throttling bass and massive guitar chord strikes (like a collision of Tropical Fuck Storm, Black Sabbath, Metz, A Place to Bury Strangers) is one thing, YES, one fucking thing but the vocal countenance of Laura Lee is the other thing, the other big half of it all.
Listening, reveling in the heavy, HEAVY artfulness of "Douse", front and center is Laura Lee's vocals that are not only beautifully darkly drawn with a sort of deep well of emotional gravitas but also so incredibly unique, and proto-punk wonderfully different as to be totally, weirdly charming. In terms of vocals that are artful abstractions there are female artists that I think of that bring power, strange avant garde attitudes, dark passions. Artists / front women like PJ Harvey, Concrete Blonde's Johnette Napolitano or Diamanda Galás (off the top of my head) and Laura Lee's incredible performance here, that at times feels like a holly roller possession, is exquisitely over the top amazing. I mean, who would have thought of such a vocal / lyrical arc, of the "da, dah, da da, dah daht", who would (in their artful mind's eye) go from high register dreaminess to dark mid-register operatic shifts to broad bold throaty wails and roars like a lioness.
This might be my favorite Down The Lees track so far... for now.
LINER NOTES:
They're set to release a new EP titled "DIRT", produced by Jesse Gander (Brutus, Japandroids), on May 3, 2024. The first single from the EP, Douse is scheduled for release on February 15. Created with the consideration that artists have experienced a significant dampening of their creative spirit in recent years, and explores themes of mental health and the resilience to persevere.“ Don’t you douse my flame”.
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://downthelees.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/downthelees/
https://www.facebook.com/downthelees
https://offwhitehouserecords.com/artists/downthelees/
Emerging from Vancouver's dynamic music scene, Down the Lees initially took shape as a solo project led by the creative force, Laura Lee Schultz, renowned for her work with Queazy, Skinjobs, and New Years Resolution. Evolving over time, the project has produced three albums, an EP, and a diverse array of singles exploring post-rock, shoegaze, hardcore, slowcore, and no-wave.
Undergoing a transformative phase in Belgium, Down the Lees transitioned into a vibrant live band. In 2020, the European chapter embarked on a tour featuring the critically acclaimed album 'Bury The Sun,' produced by the legendary Steve Albini. This tour spanned Belgium, France, and The Netherlands, culminating in an invitation to share the stage with the Sisters of Mercy in Italy.
In response to the global pandemic, the project briefly paused, prompting Laura Lee's return to Canada for a period of self-care and reflection. Undeterred by challenges, she channeled global adversity into the creation of new music. With the anticipation of a return to normalcy, a Canadian incarnation of the band emerged, introducing seasoned professionals Chris Carlson on bass and Andy Ashley on drums. Hailing from the Okanagan Valley, this trio weaves a sonic tapestry characterized by thunderous guitars and pulsating drums, complemented by LL's vocals delivering the undeniable harsh truths of life.
Down the Lees' journey, from Vancouver to Europe and back, stands as a testament to resilience amid global upheavals. With a touring history encompassing Canada, Belgium, France, and The Netherlands, the band has left an indelible mark on diverse audiences. Their discography includes three albums, an EP, and a series of compelling singles, all underscored by a noteworthy recording experience with Steve Albini in Chicago.
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