Post-rock, noise-rock band Down the Lees, with roots in Vancouver, Belgium and now the Okanagan, is set to release its new album Dirt on May 3, and promote the album with live shows around B.C. in May.
The album comes after the band’s transformative phase in Belgium, marked by a 2020 European tour for their critically-acclaimed album Bury the Sun. The album was produced by Steve Albini, a recording engineer mogul who has worked with the likes of Nirvana, Pixies, The Jesus Lizard, among many others.
The name of Down the Lee’s fourth full-length album, Dirt, in part comes from the band’s B.C. connection, as it ties to their concerns for the environment affected by Okanagan wildfires.
“It shows our relationship with the Earth, climate change, and humanity’s impact,” frontwoman Laura Lee Schultz told Black Press. “Being based in Kelowna, B.C., where the Okanagan wildfires were raging, we couldn’t ignore the issue. That’s why we decided to channel our thoughts into song and action.”
The band is commited to aiding recovery efforts, including donating a portion of proceeds from a special commisioned poster by Norah Bowman to the BC Wildlife Recovery Fund, Schultz said.
Fronted by Schultz, renowned for her work with multiple bands, Down the Lees was initially a solo project. It wasn’t until months of lockdowns in Europe and a return trip to Canada that current members Chris Carlson (bass) and Andy Ashley (drums) were brought on board. Together, they fully fleshed out the band’s current sound; a blend of post-rock, shoegaze, hardcore, slowcore, and no-wave.
Schultz’s favourite new track off of Dirt, titled Douse, reflects the trying time of the COVID-19 pandemic as an artist. She wrote the main riff alone when she let loose on the drums and guitars after months of lockdown. The song eventually evolved with the band’s Canadian incarnation.
“As the song started to come together, it really became my personal anthem, a constant reminder to never back down,” Schultz said. “Dealing with setbacks and feeling like I’m invisible in the music scene, I constantly battle imposter syndrome. That line, “Don’t you douse my flame,” came from that internal struggle. You know, as artists, especially us older ones, we’re often our own harshest critics. I needed something to hold onto, to keep me moving forward. Breaking through industry barriers feels like climbing a mountain, especially with all those outdated sexist and ageist standards holding me back.”
Other topics on Dirt, produced by Jesse Gander of Raincity Recorders (Brutus, Japandroids), include imposter syndrome, resilience, ageism, sexism, depression.
“You know, light topics,” Schultz said. “I tend to write under a microscope of what is happening in society. Which in turn, helps me cope with the struggle of being human.”
Down the Lees tour dates:
May 3 - Penticton @ Clancy’s
May 4 - Vernon @ May the 4th be with BBDB’s Fundraiser
May 23 - Vancouver @ Green Auto
May 24- Victoria @ Little Fernwood
May 25- Nanaimo @ The Vault
For more information on the new album, go to downthelees.bandcamp.com or follow them on Instagram/Facebook @downthelees.