"I know you want to live / halfway around the world / never read your mail / and I'm a different girl..."
I have written about the 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, a fair amount of times and every time they continue to craft a kind of heavy, heavy, doom gloom-esque mix of slow core, post hardcore, alt rock perfection. Perfect in it's darkness, in it's unrelenting nature. Most often, the sound, the production is stripped down so you can feel space between the emotional mayhem, a spatial quality, spread in a way that many artists just don't get. The tendency to pile on layers of sound, so much that there is literally no room to breath or feels the intense pain after the gut punch is, in my opinion a huge artistic mistake. Maybe mistake is a bad word, music, art is subjective but I can tell you that I love a more measured approach because oftentimes the hard space between the sonic hurricane makes that storm feel all the more powerful.
The measured approach whether planned or simply innate is on full display on their track "Downplay". It begins with chunky textured guitar and Laura Lee Schultz's powerful vocal stare ramping up tensions, slow burning for nearly a full minute before the proverbial walls come crashing in. The aforementioned sparse, yet full monstrous heaviness, allow us to hear Andy Ashley's absurdly cool avant drumming as well as Chris Carlson's big bass drones and, of course, the massive guitar and Laura Lee's emotionally wrought vocals. To many layers or false steps on production would obscure these things. "Downplay" is the second single from the upcoming EP "DIRT" all recorded by Jesse Gander (known for his work with Brutus and Japandroids) and is scheduled for release on May 3rd, 2024.
On past reviews I have likened Down The Lees's sheer heaviness expressed in pummeling drums, throttling bass and massive guitar chord strikes to an amalgam artists like Tropical Fuck Storm, Black Sabbath, Metz, A Place to Bury Strangers and I stand by that general descriptor. I have also likened Laura Lee Schultz's artistic angles and vocal countenance / attitudinal passion to front women like PJ Harvey, Concrete Blonde's Johnette Napolitano and Diamanda Galás and this still feels right to me. Laura Lee's vocal countenance stands apart from most killer female vocalists in terms of the bottom of her registers, the full throated power and absolutely fury of her voice. Apart from her vocal prowess is the emotional sinew she brings. You feel the pain, loss and resolve. Amazing.
LINER NOTES: Exploring the realms of slowcore and post-hardcore, "Downplay" delves into the internal struggle of self-deception as a means of survival.
CHECK OUT UPCOMING LIVE DATES:
May 4 - Vernon, BC @ May the 4th be with BBDBs Fundraiser
May 23 - Vancouver, BC @ Green Auto
May 24 - Victoria, BC @ Little Fernwood
May 25 - Nanaimo, BC @ The Vault
April 6 - Vancouver. BC @ The Pearl w/Brutus
April 7 - Kelowna, BC @ Jackknife w/Chastity
-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.
A highly anticipated EP, produced by Jesse Gander of Raincity Recorders (Brutus, Japandroids), is scheduled for release in Spring 2024.
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