New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Frontperson is the new project from Kathryn Calder (vocalist and keyboardist for The New Pornographers) and Mark Andrew Hamilton (who has released 6 albums as Woodpigeon), forging a union between two of Canada's finest songwriters. The duo is set to release Frontrunner, their auspicious debut, on
September 21st via Calder's own Oscar St. Records.
The duo announced Frontrunner in July with the rousing first single "Tick - Tick (Frontrunner)," followed by "
Young Love" "a song that's just as lovely and sweet as its title." (Stereogum) earlier this month. Now Frontperson is pleased to share the gorgeously unfurling latest single "Long Night."
"I originally wrote 'Long Night' with a '60s British psychedelic-folk direction in mind for it, but when we went to the
National Music Centre studio to record, they had so many incredible instruments at hand, we ended up putting a drum machine on it, plus a ton of cool synths, and it completely changed the atmosphere in a really great way." Calder explains "Mark and I still wanted to keep some of that psychedelic-folk influence of the original vision, which is more prominently heard at the beginning of the song, but then the song morphs in a neat and unexpected way."
A video for "
Long Night" has premiered via Billboard, co-directed by Maëlle Ramsay and Frontperson's own Mark Andrew Hamilton.
"The video stars my amazing, inspiring friend Tranna Wintour, who's a performer, singer, comedienne here in Montréal." saysHamilton "In terms of the LGBTQ+ community here in Montréal - and the rest of Canada, to be honest - she's a beacon of what's possible and what can be for someone who just wants to be who they are. I remember having such a fun time making this song so when we were discussing video ideas, I thought the idea of Tranna singing the song (sometimes one, sometimes three of her to make up for all of Kathryn's amazing harmonies) would fit it perfectly. We spent some nights running around Montréal, including on the rooftop of an underground venue (which is now sadly defunct) we all love called Crystal Palace. A lot has happened under that roof, so it's nice to document some great stuff happening on top of it too. I just love watching Tranna having an amazing time and looking fantastic."
Be it Calder's fluttering vocals on "Young Love," the crashing percussion and crumbling instruments of "This City Is Mine," the hushed and pulsing elegy of "Insight," or the layered queer epic "He Follows Me," Frontrunner marks Frontperson's rich and multifaceted musical territory.
For the making of their debut album, Frontperson were joined by Melissa McWilliams (drums, drum machine), Jen Sévertson (bass, also of Peach Pyramid), Clea Foofat (cello, also of Raleigh and Dojo Workhorse), Foon Yap (violin), Marek Tyler (percussion, also of nêhiyawak), and producer Colin Stewart (The Cave Singers, Dan Mangan,
Black Mountain).
