The Hello Darlins have today released their debut album – Go By Feel – a stunning, thoughtful and well considered collection of songs that stake the band’s place in the rich landscape of Americana, yet not being boxed into a single genre.
Stream the album here now.
Canadian collective – The Hello Darlins – have today released their stunning debut album Go By Feel, a powerhouse project that infuses their Canadian roots, with a fresh and whimsical freedom. The band took root back in 2016 when vocalist/producer Candace Lacina crossed paths again with keyboardist/producer Mike Little after first meeting at a recording studio years earlier. Once reconnected, they soon found themselves making music together in between their work with other artists, an impressive list that ranges from Shania Twain to Charlie Major, The Road Hammers to George Canyon as well as the late B.B. King. In short order, the couple began inviting others within their circle to participate, including Murray Pulver (Crash Test Dummies), Clayton Bellamy (The Road Hammers), Matt Andersen, Dave and Joey Landreth (aka The Bros. Landreth), Russell Broom (Jann Arden), and ace fiddler Shane Guse. The result is this phenomenal collection of tracks that showcase the multi-layered talent of the band and its individual members, whilst shining a light on the traditions of the Canadian musical landscape from which the band were born.
The title track and third track on the record sets the scene for the record as an entire project – ‘Go By Feel.’ There is a freedom felt in this song as there is on the rest of the project to record music that feels right, rather than being defined by genre or musical constraints. So, there is a glorious gospel-tinged backing note on this track that fits seamlessly with the more blues-y guitar riffs. Similar infusions of musical tradition continue throughout the record, so on ‘Still Waters’ in the more classic rock vocals and on the classic country-rack track ‘Mountain Time.’ Still, the result is completely cohesive and compelling, rather than feeling fragmented.
One of the early standouts on the record is without doubt the stunning yearning track ‘Aberdeen’ on which the band enlist the help of Joey Landreth’s uniquely distinctive vocal on a wonderfully emotive and pensive ballad that meanders in such a way as to allow the listener to get lost in the stunning sonic landscape they have created. It’s an idea carried through from the starting track ‘Catch That Train’ that sees the band seek freedom and escape through to the acoustic final track ‘Farewell River Rouge.’
The power of bringing together such a talented pool of session musicians together has truly paid off on this seamless project that showcases the best of the Canadian musical tradition, setting out a new musical vision for the Canadian scene – in this timeless and respectful tribute to the weight of the musical genres that have shaped them.
