Eliza Niemi, Patrick Holland, and Colyn Cameron
Eliza Niemi
Staying Mellow Blows // Vain Mina/Tin Angel Records
Eliza Niemi’s Staying Mellow Blows is a patchwork quilt of indie-folk tunes sewn together by a huge network of collaborators from across the country. Upon a first listen, one might wonder how Niemi possibly dreamed up such a diverse collection of songs, however learning about this incredibly unique project makes all the pieces fall into place.
Created over the course of the pandemic, Niemi worked from afar with friends on every song, sending stems back and forth, swapping melodies and harmonies and stories, weaving closer together despite all the distance. Niemi recorded and produced her own voice and cello, acting as a strong sonic pillar while so many instruments, players, and production techniques swirl around her core sound. It’s marvelous. And this album only gets better and better the further you go–Eliza’s first offerings are sweet and quirky, cramming so many words into one sentence to paint a full picture with all the details. There are lighthearted observations and musings, similar to the playful writing of Kimya Dawson or the storytelling of Ada Lea.
I don’t know Eliza Niemi, but this is one of those albums that makes you feel like you really know the artist personally, and I don’t mean in the sense that she is extremely vulnerable or leaves every detail of her personal life out on the table, I actually think the contrary–Eliza takes listeners along with her inside her brain, from humorous storytelling to existential thoughts; in “Death I” Eliza sings “I never liked cats that much” , and “Death II” she sings “there’s nothing normal about outliving your children, no one should have to do that”. The contrast is stark, but crucial to her songwriting–this is just how life is, the extraordinary mixed in with the ordinary.
It’s truly a work of magic to hear an artist so in their element with such a collaborative album–I would think it’s difficult to trust such a large team of collaborators to fully understand the vision and make a cohesive work, but I think this is exactly where Niemi’s power lies. In fact, this diverse accompaniment and production work is where Niemi’s eclectic songwriting settles best. She is no cookie cutter indie artist, and what better way than this unique creation process to highlight her genius.
- Lana Winterhalt
Patrick Holland
You’re The Boss // Next Door Records
When the opening track “Sinister Bell” kicked off with this overtly catchy bass line, I knew I was into a groovy time. Little did I know that I would stumble upon an album with some disarmingly heavy lore that ventures into the paranormal.
You’re The Boss is the newest release from Montreal-based Renaissance man Patrick Holland. Striving in the fields of photography and graphic design, his new album holds competence on its own while also showing aesthetic similarities to both his digital and analogue images.
Holland’s mainly been known for his electronic music under the names Project Pablo and Jump Source. Diving into lyrics and singing was a huge step into new territory, but with his extensive knowledge of audio production and musical structure, he still manages to pull out a powerful release.
Now here’s the heavy lore: Despite the album's light hearted tone, this album displays a theme many consider to be quite bleak; relinquishing control. See, over the last few years Holland has been dealing with a haunting as electronics break down and glasses shatter right beside him. However, this absolute badass sees it as no more than an annoyance.
“The unknown is only as frightening if we allow it to be.”
This paranormal experience is what inspired the themes of the album. Even the title, You’re The Boss, is addressed to a pseudo-paranormal other. In order to express the vulnerability of putting vocals to wax, Holland let this being take over to allow the power of creation and the knowledge of production to create an amazing vocal debut.
It’s almost hard to think that this is Holland’s first time singing on a record. His lyrics are thought provoking, well placed, and his vocal delivery perfectly accents the instruments groovy and bubbly sound. After giving this album a listen you’ll be bound to be venturing into Holland’s discography.
- Brandon Kruze
Colyn Cameron
Freehand // Market Garden Records
Life has been feeling crazy these days. Go go go…. Like an intense rollercoaster… I’ve been spending my days looking for ways to calm the storm. Read a book, paint, sit outside, crochet, listening to the birds, and gardening. What a pleasant touch to add to life’s experiences then the romantic touch of music. Found it “So maybe we can scavenge for some sweet relief” like any day of the week, raising four kids and farming. You literally pray you make it to the end of the day. To find “sweet relief”…sleep lol and music is just that. A relief and its always sweet when you find things in life to enjoy that cut into the hectic pains of everyday life.
While enjoying Freehand I'm relaxed and reminded of easier times. Those days when music seemed simpler. Not everything has to be complicated. Freehand literally speaks for itself, the album was birthed, Colyn quotes “done without mechanical aids or devices.” A whole new respect for raw music spilled out from the heart.
I recently went to the movies and watched Elvis, it's interesting to see how music like everything in life has evolved. Colyn’s album gives a gift, one that is enjoyable, a touch of going back in time, with splashes of artistic pleasure.
I always try to find good in any bad situation, there's always got to be light at the end of the tunnel, a purpose a reason behind everything. “Ain’t that fabulous” when you find it. When you look around the world today there are many “Fault Lines” in this tune I love the lyrics, relatable and raw. Musical nuances of playfulness, and a touching violin spilling out emotion.
As I sit in the mountains on a… without the kids' vacation with my husband. I'm reminded how fast time flies by. Even so quickly as we sit by a stream, “cause everywhere I leave, nothing stays pristine” even mother nature has her own agenda. What a fitting song to add to the adventure “steam”. Up lifting softness and deeply embracing. Spectacular form of raw musical art.
Enjoy the finer details in life.
- Stephanie Harrold
