Gearing up for a jubilant year, St. Albert rockers Tupelo Honey are ready to put the last 18 months behind them.
After a major personnel change that threatened their popularity, the five-piece alt-rock band regrouped and is releasing their first full-length album, Caught Up in The Excess, on Tuesday, March 8.
They’ll host an official CD release concert at the Starlite Room on Friday, April 1.
“We have felt a little disconnected from the fans who supported us because we’ve been away for so long,” says frontman Dan Davidson. “We are doing the CD release concert and some summer festivals as a grassroots follow-up. We want to keep in touch with the Prairies.”
Part of the problems surfaced when vocalist Matt Landry parted company with the band last year. It left a hole and Davidson, a band guitarist, stepped up to carry lead vocals. Filling his spot was newcomer Brad Simons.
“I had always written a lot of vocals and it was easy to sing the crafted melodies,” Davidson explains. “It took a bit of work but we feel comfortable in our own skin. We know what we want and know what to expect from ourselves. We no longer stumble through. We have a plan.”
Due to the lack of stability, recording Caught Up in The Excess turned into a one-year project. However, the 17-track album, almost double the size of most indie CDs, was produced under the expertise of Canadian producer Jeff Dalziel and is distributed by Wax Records/Warner Music of Canada.
Delivering nine new songs, a hidden track and seven of the band’s most successful driving pieces arranged in a rock-ballad acoustic setting, this hybrid CD has the potential to gain Tupelo Honey fresh fandom.
“This album shows both sides of the band. The girls really like our acoustic ballads. We’re not just a heavy rock band that guys like. ”
The CD’s artwork looks like a crazy L.A. freeway and reflects the band’s views on the music business.
“There’s so much crap going on in the industry. Everyone wants to look cool. We want to keep it simple and make a career. We don’t want to get lost and become a band that could have had a life.”
The first single Best I Could was released last August as a teaser. It was picked up by Travel Alberta and featured as part of 30-second commercial at the 2010 Grey Cup. “I saw it on the Jumbotron. It was neat to see it.”
Pull Me Closer, the fivesome’s first official single, was released a month ago and has been featured on The Bear and Now! Radio as well as large numbers of smaller markets. “Our strong suit is that we seem to make a lot of friends.”
Next month, Tupelo Honey is hoping to hit the studios to film a video for Falling, a peppy arena rock song with a fun call and response. Added to the list of special numbers is Moments, a jam song that “started to sparkle.”
Although the fivesome had hoped to organize an Australian tour this year, the needed $30,000 fell through. Instead of flying across the Pacific, they’ll be truckin’ down to Los Angeles to play a few gigs, write some songs and get their foot in the American door before returning home for the summer festival circuit.
“It’s been a rough year. But I’m super proud. We made it work and we have better material than we ever had. It says something about the quality of the guys.”
Tickets for the Starlite CD release party are $10 advance and $15 at the door. Check for details at www.tupelohoney.ca.
