This Saturday at the Capital Ballroom, Victoria lovers of independent music can witness the next steps in a pathway of music being followed by a committed city musician.
Many have already heard some or all of Joy, the first album officially put out under Adrian Chalifour’s own name rather than as the singer-songwriter with Towers and Trees. While the album was unveiled in its entirety in October, the weekend show is the near culmination of a release tour that began in Ontario at the end of September.
Backed by a band that includes longtime T&T member Dave “Shred” Zellinsky on guitar and vocals, Ben Lubberts on keyboards and vocals, Dave Arter on bass and Sascha Enns on drums, Chalifour will play material from the new album as well as from the full catalogue of Towers and Trees.
“My songs have been made so much better by collaborating with the people I have had the privilege of making music with,” he says.
So is the new music different than the T&T compositions he’s been writing for the past decade?
“Sonically and creatively, there’s not a huge distinction to be made,” Chalifour says. “This record was made the way every Towers and Trees record was made, I bring the songs in, the band works it out … This feels more like an evolution than a disruption or the end of something and the beginning of something new.”
As is common these days, the material has been released with singles. “Open Heart” led things off, complete with an entertaining home-grown video starring drag queen Jimbo Insell and choreographed with local dancers by Raino Dance’s Monique Salez.
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“The Collapse,” a powerful piece with reflective lyrics that deal with loss and feelings of helplessness, was released in September and contrasts with the upbeat “Open Heart.” Overall, the package of songs is Chalifour’s way to speak about his own process of feeling a sense of joy.
The eight-song album is bookended with “Joy, Pt. 1” and “Joy, Pt. 2,” a configuration that speaks to the songwriter’s state of mind around this next stage of his career and life; from becoming a parent, to getting older to continuing to chase his musical dreams.
“Joy is still there to be found and experienced and carved out in the midst of these life things, not like your childhood or youth, but we can still be seekers of joy,” he says. “I think that will come though in the music. It’s uplifting and energetic and fun.”
Tickets for Saturday’s show are $17.50 and available at eventbrite.ca. Vancouver’s Old Soul Rebel is opening the show.
editor@mondaymag.com
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