Catching Up with Canadian Rockers Drop Top Alibi

Photo: Jay Ashcroft

After the summer break, I'm back with an interview with Toronto-based rock band Drop Top Alibi whose single Summer Nights & City Lights will drop this Friday! 

Congrats on winning 97.7 FM’s Rock Search! That’s awesome! What did you guys do to prepare for the contest?

Thanks Krystal! It was a fun ride for sure, and honestly came rather unexpectedly. We submitted our entry very early on, and a few months went by before they announced the Top 16, so we kind of forgot about it. The morning that they did, I woke up to a number of congratulatory messages and thought, 'Holy S**t, we got in this year!'

We knew that if we got to the semi’s and had a chance to play on stage, there was a good chance we could win. We had been playing a lot and were in the midst of recording some new material. The confidence in how tight we were playing was there, so we didn’t change a single thing. Luckily for us, with the support of everyone who voted and the HTZ FM staff who scored us into the Top 8, we had a chance to let the music do the talking. It was a bit of a toss up between a few bands, and we were happy we won. I will say though, those two shows were two of the best shows we’ve played and it felt good to know that we were good enough to stand out among a group of talented bands.

Last time we spoke, you guys were working on new music in the studio- do you guys have an album release date set?


Our next single “Summer Nights & City Lights” will be released on September 20th, 2019! What happens next you’ll just have to stay in tune for.... ;)

Sometimes people can get problematic at concerts (getting too drunk/annoying/harrassment, etc.). No one likes it when something kills the show’s vibe. How do you diffuse the situation while remaining professional at your shows in these instances?


Honestly, we haven’t had anything too crazy happen yet. Sometimes we will address the fans who are moshing, especially if photographers or women standing in the front are getting knocked around and don’t seem to be enjoying it. One time, a couple of drunk folks in Streetsville started getting into it in front of the stage and we just had security take them out. Having a microphone is handy for sure. 

Ultimately, we want people to feel like there is nothing to worry

Photo: Francesca Ludikar

about at our shows and that people who don’t or won’t respect that will be removed and dealt with. If and when the day comes that someone is being harassed at one of our shows, it will be dealt with right away and if it’s something we can see from the stage we won’t hesitate to stop the show until it’s dealt with.

As musicians -who have the weirdest schedules at times- how do you guys stay mentally grounded as your band progresses?

The biggest thing we’ve all noticed is that staying hydrated and getting enough rest is the most important thing. Mental strength is much easier to have when you’re not fighting other debilitating circumstances like fatigue. It helps keep everyone’s moods level as well, which means communication is strong and tension low.




Drop Top is also made up of members who have been grinding away in the music business for almost ten years. We have earned everything by ourselves, and oftentimes by burning the candle at both ends. The biggest thing keeping us grounded, is the fact that we now have a strong platform to have people listen, and if it starts to really move along, we won’t want to ruin it with ego and addiction. Maintaining the band of brothers mentality of partnership and compromise will be important as well.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen at a show you’ve played so far?

The first time we ever played in Hamilton, was at an outdoor

motorcycle festival on Hess Street. We were on the last song of our set, and this astonishingly hammered dude insisted on Dylan (Lead Guitar) letting him sing into his microphone. We were mid song and this dude starts trying to muscle his way to the mic and shoved Dylan. I think his guitar got unplugged in the process as well! We sort of forced this dude away from us, and he proceeded to try and fight everyone watching. This other guy, who was also drunk, decided he’d try and scrap the guy so he started egging the dude on a bit. The drunk guy who shoved Dylan then says, “15 years for murder, and I’d do it again...” Definitely the strangest thing we’ve seen so far, and to top it off this dude got picked up by the cops down the street and they smashed all his booze. Classic.

Anything else you would like to add?

Rock n’ Roll is alive and well! We will be playing a double-single release show at Lee’s Palace October 4th in Toronto with our brothers in The Crooked. They are also releasing a new song, and you definitely don’t want to miss this party!

Thank you guys for your time and I look forward to hearing more from you!


Follow Drop Top Alibi on their social media found here!


@thatchickkrys

Interview with J.C. Sandoval of The Crooked!

Photo: Dylan Weller

It's always exciting to see artists from your local scene get out
there and do big things like gearing up to tour Europe and opening
for national acts at a notable music festival in your city.

I got the chance to chat with frontman and guitarist, J.C. Sandoval
of Toronto-based alt-rock band The Crooked about all that and then
some! Here is the interview:

How did you all meet?

I’ve known our drummer Dell’Orso through the Toronto music scene for
many years now and then the both of us met our bassist Russ in a
similar fashion. We may or may not have met our lead guitarist Neelesh
through the Casual Encounters section of Craigslist.

[laughs] What are the highlights of the band’s career so
far?

We've done many things in a short time, but getting asked to play the
main stage at Norway’s Rockstream Festival this summer is it for us
right now. We’re beyond excited for this show when we tour Europe

Photo: Kirsten Sonntag

this summer. We’ll announce dates soon.



That's amazing! Congratulations! That sounds like an amazing
opportunity! Favorite thing about playing your style of alternative
rock?

From the start, we’ve always tried to be unconventional within rock
music. For example, we fused calypso rhythms with heavy guitar riffs
on our song Tarot Cards. Lately, we enjoy adding subtle dissonance
to our songs. We’re essentially tricking the audience into liking
something “ugly” by rewarding them later with something pretty
or familiar.


What is your favorite song you guys play live?

At the moment it’s an unreleased song called Villain. It’s getting a
really good reaction from the crowd. We’re planning on recording it
this month, and releasing it in the fall as a single.

I see you guys are playing a showcase at CMW on May 11. How do you prepare for events like that? Is the prep any different than that of regular shows around the

Photo: Dylan Weller

city?

Nothing prepares you for a big show like hitting the road. We’ve almost
completed the Uncivil Service Tour. We have one more show in Barrie
on May 9, and then play with Danko Jones at Horseshoe Tavern for
CMW the following Saturday.

Photo: Kirsten Sonntag

If you were to form a dream tour with artists -dead or alive- who
would be on it with you?

We would love to form a tour where we open for ourselves in
disguises and play extremely bizarre music. That “band” would then
amass a large cult following, which would demote The Crooked to
openers for the next tour. This is the kind of stuff we think about.


[laughs] I would be interested in seeing this happen! If there was
one message you would like to spread to your fans, what
would it be?

We think the world right now could use less conformity and a lot more
of the peculiar. Open your ears, open your mind and open your heart.

Amen! Thank you so much for your time, J.C and I look forward to
seeing what's next for the band!

For upcoming tour dates, announcements and new music, get social!
Follow The Crooked on Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

@thatchickkrys

Interview with Scott Carruthers of Northern Heirs!

L-R: Braeden, Scott, Kevin. 
Photo: Boris R. Aguilar

There are storytellers, then there are storytellers that paint vivid memories of an ex-lover you've never even met. 

Paired with music that makes you want to slow dance outdoors -in brisk weather- at sunset (with said ex-lover you've never met), Toronto-based indie band, Northern Heirs epitomizes the latter. Here is my interview with their singer, Scott Carruthers! 

Scott- I must say you’ve got quite the buttery-smooth singing voice. Any tips on how you’ve maintained it over the years?

SC: Thank you so much - that means a great deal to me! A few years ago I blew my voice completely because I wasn't taking care of my throat or myself. It ultimately lead to me leaving music entirely because I couldn't sing. I didn't want to write, play guitar or even go to see live music. Even in 2017- when we released Northern Heirs' first EP- I was barely getting by in the studio. Sometimes it physically hurt to sing; it was a frustrating and emotional time. However, the EP was a start and it inspired me to quit smoking, reduce alcohol intake, get in shape... then last year I committed to recovering and getting back into playing again. 

Photo: Boris R. Aguilar

In the past 13 months, I've been patient and disciplined. I'm now at a point where I'm surpassing my previous ability in terms of tone, range and confidence. 

For anyone going through voice issues: I just want to say that I'm always here to listen and help in any way I can. In my case, I don't expect my vocals will ever feel or sound the same as before, but with time and patience I've found that it is possible to navigate around the issues and to rediscover your artistic practice. Sorry for rambling, but I appreciate the compliment and I'm glad you enjoy the sounds I make.

No apologies necessary! It is great to hear you've found the solutions vital to your return to music! I noticed there’s a more mellow vibe musically compared to your previous band, Here Below.  What inspired the transition?

SC: Actually some Northern Heirs' songs predate Here Below, so it wasn't a linear transition from heavy to melodic. Most of my songs start just with me and an acoustic, so it's more a question of arrangement whether they become a folk tune or a hard rock number (or anything in between). 

I think the new sound is just a result of having a more balanced palette and working with different people. That said, if you see us live I'll still be throwing my guitar around and there are select moments where I'm kicking on the drive. Lower lows make for higher highs.

How did Northern Heirs meet/form as a band?

SC: It started as a studio project between myself and Producer, Michael Norberg. We were working on a record at Mushroom Studios (which, sadly no longer exists) and when we had some downtime, I played some songs from my back catalogue. Mike convinced me it was worth recording, and together we set about

Photo: Boris R. Aguilar

creating what would become Northern Heirs' first EP. After we released the EP we decided to take the project to the stage and recruit other musicians. I've since brought in Kevin O'Leary on bass, and Braeden McMillan on drums, respectively - they're awesome multi-instrumentalists and have a background working together as a rhythm section.

What is your favorite part of performing live? Least favorite?

SC: The start and the end. There's no substitute for the challenge of performance and establishing a feedback loop with an audience. When you really connect with a crowd, there's no other feeling that compares. I suppose the logistics of it all might be my least favorite, but I weirdly enjoy carrying equipment and loading vehicles efficiently, so... I have no negative feelings, generally.

Being in a band that is inspired by our beautiful country of Canada: if a restaurant were to name a gourmet poutine after the band, what would be in it?

Photo: Boris R. Aguilar

SC: Well, we're all about storytelling, discovering new things about the places and people around us, and we want to share personal stories in our music and live show. So, I'd say the Northern Heirs Poutine would be a straight-up traditional dish, brought out by a bardic server regaling you with a human-interest mystery involving their home town. Moose meat optional. Thick-cut East Coast spuds and maximally squeaky Quebec curds. You'd say, 'Hey thanks, that was interesting, and the music was delicious, and let me just go dust-off my photo albums and hit up the local reference library cause this gravy is inspiring me to follow a path of ancestral self-discovery'.

You've definitely painted quite the picture for me with that description *Toronto poutineries- take note!* Which one of your own songs is your favorite and why?

Photo: Boris R. Aguilar

SC: Stone Song is my favorite we've recorded so far because it's heart-breaking and epitomizes our style in terms of presenting simple melodies with hidden rhythmic complexity. That said, my favorite song will always be the latest one we've written, which you'll usually be able to catch at the live show!

If you were to collaborate with other artists of your choice- dead or alive- who would you work with?

SC: My 90s heroes - either Jeremy Enigk or Allen Epley. Do yourself a favor and go listen to SDRE and/or Shiner/The Life and Times. Or like, Adrian Belew... but that would be crazy.

Anything else you would like to add?

SC: I just want to say we appreciate all the love since we started the live band late last year. Would love to hear from folks and if you've got an interesting story we're all ears.

Thank you so much for your time, Scott! 

For upcoming announcements, new music, and shows near you, get social! Follow Northern Heirs on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

@thatchickkrys