By Jim Barber
It doesn’t all the time occur the best way of us hope within the fickle world that’s the music enterprise. However typically – simply typically – arduous work, dedication to craft, glorious inventive expertise and blindingly apparent expertise can result in success and acclaim.
A staple on the Kingston scene for almost a decade, rock band Luscious has put within the time, slogged it out in space golf equipment and made profitable forays into the massive, foreboding metropolis of Toronto getting higher with each present. Alongside this journey, the quintet constructed a fame for offering superior leisure because of a blistering dwell present, a capability to write down, file after which carry out glorious arduous rock songs that not solely are ear wormy, however incite audiences to bop, sing and shout it out loud.
That fame for each excellence and professionalism has led, during the last couple of years, to some wonderful alternatives for the band. This contains opening for Canadian music legends resembling Kim Mitchell and I Mom Earth and enjoying in entrance of 1000’s of individuals on the annual Empire Rockfest occasion in Belleville opening for The Seashores amongst different prestigious live performance occasions. Later this summer season, they’ll be on the largest stage of their profession, because the band opens for American alt-rock pioneer and activist Tom Morello and one of the vital profitable rock bands of the Nineteen Eighties – Def Leppard – at this 12 months’s Ottawa Bluesfest on Wednesday, July 16.
Alongside the best way, Luscious has hit the studio to file eight tracks of outstanding, memorable, melodically infused, badass rock and roll music which highlights the standard of musicianship of the quintet in addition to the compelling, powerhouse vocal prowess of frontwoman Brielle LeBlanc, the band’s charismatic and infectiously energetic co-founder and considered one of its main songwriters.
The person band members have been all younger musicians and music college students in Kingston when serendipity introduced them collectively in 2016. As youngsters, Brielle befriended guitarist Kurt Paquette and drummer Wyatt McMullin once they all participated within the Rock Academy program placed on by native music retailer Renaissance Music. Brielle then found O’Handley by his YouTube channel the place he was exhibiting off his piano and keyboard prowess. On the time, the singer was solely 17, together with her two burgeoning bandmates across the identical age. O’Handley is just a few years older (now 32, in comparison with 26 for Brielle, Paquette and McMullin.) A few bass gamers got here and went over the band’s first half decade, earlier than they actually determined to make it a household affair by inviting Brielle’s older brother Cole, now 31, into the fold.
As a unit, Luscious shows a dynamic and versatile mixture of expertise, cohesiveness and disciplined drive that works onstage and within the recording studio, however simply as importantly, works offstage. Music Life Journal sat down for an old style telephone dialog with the band to speak about their previous, current and future.
“All people has completely different influences, and behind the scenes everyone has completely different roles to play. We’ve all performed in different bands and realized lots of musical classes and life classes from these bands, which we’ve utilized right here. And I believe character smart, we’ve a little bit little bit of the whole lot. If we have been all the identical, I don’t suppose it will work in addition to it does,” mentioned McMullin, with Brielle including “All of us have a job collectively and I really feel like I’d be nothing with out them. I’m very grateful to have them in my life and I believe they really feel the identical.”
“All of us usher in these completely different kinds to the band and that’s what makes Luscious the band that it’s. And we’re all there for one another, similar to good mates. We like to hang around and I believe we’ve actually bonded collectively. Since we’re opening for Def Leppard I used to be actually wanting into them and the explanations for his or her success and that’s what’s made them large for all this time – having that bond for years and years, a long time truly. That friendship, it’s extra necessary than anything. It makes the whole lot simpler. We’re all mates, I’ve recognized all of them since I used to be a child.”
“All people’s completely different from a musical standpoint as Wyatt mentioned. If I needed to drill right down to what everyone’s good at, I’d say Kurt is a real riff machine. He’ll simply give you these wonderful riffs after which they arrive collectively so effectively as songs. Wyatt might be probably the most versatile drummer I’ve ever labored with in that he’ll play a component and 99 per cent of the time it’s the precise half we’d like, however the one per cent the place we give him suggestions, he’s very versatile and keen to work till it matches the track completely. He has no ego about these things, regardless that he’s so good. Cole is the opposite one in addition to me who has the weirdest style in music within the band. A whole lot of the much less rock and roll influences come from Cole which balances issues out properly,” mentioned O’Handley.
“Brielle is wonderful at including the lyrics to the songs. Each time we write a track, and we form of write our songs in reverse in comparison with lots of different bands: we are going to simply write the music and never have any kind of lyrics deliberate out. We’ll write the instrumental portion after which Brielle will present up actually to the subsequent observe with a lyric and melody to that track. So she’s a grasp at that. And I’m only a musical concept nerd – that’s what I deliver to the desk.”
Brielle is the visible focus of the band, together with her boundless effervescence permeating each efficiency, she initiatives the right mix of playfulness, confidence and badassery. You recognize she was meant to be on the massive stage with the seemingly easy means she will join with heaving plenty of humanity at massive festivals, or eye to eye with these simply a few toes away in a sweaty membership.
Initially named The Brielle Leblanc Band, the vocalist felt uncomfortable with the moniker, as a result of she was adamant that this was a band, not a venture for which she was the chief. In order that they selected a reputation that fits the music, one that’s barely cheeky, eminently democratic, however very rock and roll. And Luscious it grew to become.
“Visually and musically, when you take a look at the definition of the phrase, it form of matches our aesthetic, which is rock and roll, and our sonic picture. I all the time say we’re a contemporary interpretation of basic rock. We’re not basic rock. We’re not fashionable rock. We’re taking a contemporary strategy to how we play and write the basic rock fashion of music that we grew up with,” mentioned O’Handley.
“I believe we’re kind of outdated souls and we’ve all these completely different influences and that kind of offers us this basic rock really feel, however we’re a contemporary model of these influences,” added Brielle.
These influences embrace the apparent ones resembling Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, but in addition The Tragically Hip (it’s Kingston in any case!) Stone Temple Pilots, Pink Scorching Chili Peppers, Grateful Lifeless, steel experts like Meshuggah, in addition to Dream Theater.
Should you observe Brielle’s private social media accounts, she has little hesitation in broadcasting her idols and influences, significantly the enduring Debbie Harry of Blondie and Gwen Stefani – significantly her days fronting No Doubt.
“Nicely, I’m all in regards to the ladies artists being in a female-fronted band. So I believe these influences come naturally as a result of I’m a lady in rock, and it’s actually who I’m in comparison with. However I simply love an excellent frontperson whether or not they’re a person or girl. I really like Debbie Harry. I really like Gwen Stefani however there’s so many others I love from Gord Downie [Tragically Hip], David Usher [Moist] Scott Weiland [Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver] and naturally Joan Jett,” she mentioned.
The entire influences and experiences of the band members come collectively in a cacophony of creativity once they observe and once they determine it’s time to write down some songs.
“The method is a little bit completely different for each track. And when you actually know our music, while you pay attention to every particular person track you may get a fairly good concept who was the one that began it off, who obtained the ball rolling and actually deliberate out the track. If it’s a extremely riff-driven track, Kurt could be the one who go issues going. If was a little bit extra different sounding, you’ll be able to guess it was Cole’s concept. So Kurt’s strategy is that he’ll deliver a riff in and we’ll kind of construct the track round it in actual time as a band primarily based on that riff,” O’Handley defined.
“Cole and I’ve just about the identical strategy as one another; we’ll go right into a cave and simply write an entire track after which deliver it to observe, put it on the working desk and let everyone make their cuts and do what they should do. After which Brielle, for the track ‘Alone (We Are Not),’ she totally wrote the track acoustically after which we got here in and turned it right into a rock track for the entire band. So, it form of is dependent upon who had the preliminary concept. However the primary factor is all of us have a hand in it.”
‘Love Youngster’ is among the most emotionally resonant of the unique songs within the Luscious repertoire and has Brielle thrusting her personal ache and unhappiness out into the world for the catharsis created by such an unburdening, but in addition to let others going by heartache or heartbreak know they’re not alone.
“Once I wrote this, I used to be going by a really darkish time in my life. I don’t suppose I knew on the time how unhealthy it was. But it surely was throughout COVID which is a provided that it was a darkish time for everybody. But it surely was actually a low level in my life and I believe it was only a therapeutic option to write about how I used to be feeling. Clearly the lyrics and speaking about ‘the struggle dancing within my head,’ I believe additionally goes with only a common societal standpoint of seeing all of the chaos on the planet,” she mentioned.
“And I assumed ‘Love Youngster’ was a cool means of expressing it. And we added an incredible riff to it as a result of we wished to make it a significantly rock and roll track. So regardless that it has a darkish theme, it’s very upbeat and really rockin’ and every individual within the band added their components to make it an incredible track.”
“That was one of many songs that began with the guitar riff. If I keep in mind accurately, it was a type of when the day was performed the entire track was there. After which by the subsequent observe, Brielle had the lyrics and the track was completed. However not all of them are that fast,” added Paquette.
‘Bombshell’ is one other track that you simply couldn’t think about anybody aside from Luscious creating or Brielle LeBlanc singing. It has develop into one of many band’s hottest dwell tracks, with its raucousness matched solely by its melodic memorability and sing-along nature.
“That was one other Kurt riff and was one other fast one. I believe after we obtained to the refrain we have been caught for only a second after which we thought, why don’t we simply play two chords and let Brielle sing the hook,” mentioned O’Handley, with Paquette selecting up the story.
“It’s humorous, as a result of normally I’m the one who’s saying, ‘let’s simply simplify this half or that half, ‘ and Doug’s the one who desires to develop it and add extra components. I believe this was a type of cases the place it was the reverse, the place I used to be saying, hey let’s attempt to do all these chords and it was Doug who mentioned, ‘let’s simply do two chords.’”
“We wished to maintain this very rock and roll. It’s your basic rock and roll sound. I mentioned this to the fellows the opposite day if individuals name us a rock band, it’s due to songs like ‘Bombshell.’ That’s form of the meat and potatoes of rock and roll. And I keep in mind Cole including a extremely cool bass line to it which put it excessive and I simply liked it. It’s considered one of my favourites and it went fairly fast as a result of I had a lot of the lyrics round for years, simply ready for the best track,” mentioned Brielle, with Paquette including that there’s some apparent inspiration from the basic Runaways track, ‘Cherry Bomb.’
If there’s one other track which may very well be added to a time capsule as one which utterly epitomizes the angle and vitality of Luscious, it’s the banger ‘Fireplace Me Up’ which is among the band’s earliest compositions that made it to the recording stage.
McMullin and Paquette had the riff sitting as a recording on McMullin’s telephone for numerous years earlier than deciding to see if they may do one thing with it.
“We introduced it to the band and I keep in mind that there was considered one of our mates who was all the time coming to our exhibits and he would yell, ‘hearth me up!’ We thought it will virtually be like a novelty track to do one referred to as ‘Fireplace Me Up,’ due to that. We have been enjoying the bar scene and have been at The Service provider Faucet Home [a Kingston live music venue of some renown] and we had this group of mates that may all the time chant ‘hearth me up.’ In order that’s form of how we conceived of the thought for the track,” mentioned Paquette, with Brielle acknowledging that it’s most likely the band’s hottest track in a dwell setting.
“They [the fans] have been an enormous inspiration for us. That track is known as a crowd pleaser. I believe the group actually will get into it after we play it dwell. It’s simply made for that interplay with the viewers. There’s a lot vitality going between the band and the group. It’s a type of moments in a present the place it simply lifts up the group and will get individuals going. And I believe that’s why we’ll all the time hold it in our units. It actually showcases who we’re and how much a present we do and regardless that it was considered one of our first songs, it’s nonetheless all the time actually enjoyable to do.”
it at present, it looks as if it was solely a matter of time earlier than Luscious started to reap the rewards for all their arduous work, for his or her skill to craft superior rock songs, to be so devoted to all aspects of their inventive craft and for conducting themselves as true professionals. But it surely isn’t all the time the case as many failed bands and artists can attest. There’s additionally a side of getting a eager eye to see when a possibility arises and the fortitude and wherewithal to benefit from these alternatives.
Any time Luscious has been given an opportunity to open for a much bigger identify act, they’ve pounced shifting effortlessly from levels in smaller Kingston venues like The Service provider and The Mansion to performing in entrance of 1000’s at Belleville’s Empire Rockfest (3000-plus in attendance), in addition to bigger indoor venues resembling The Ale Home in Kingston and The Bronson Centre in Ottawa. And now, add to that checklist the large Ottawa Bluesfest, the place the group measurement is measured within the tens of 1000’s.
Luscious have put within the time, put within the miles, and put within the sweat fairness during the last 9 years, treating any sacrifices and dues paying as merely the worth of doing enterprise – that enterprise being rising to the higher echelons of the music trade, with out compromising their artistry, integrity or their friendship.
“We’re simply actually grateful for these alternatives. It’s probably the most stunning feeling on the planet to carry out on a stage typically, however to carry out on these larger levels, I believe it actually matches Luscious. I don’t know, I simply really feel so emotional on the market with these guys. I’m virtually crying proper now fascinated about it, as a result of there have been moments once I take a look at them after we’re on the market and suppose, ‘wow, this can be a actually stunning second in our profession and we’ve labored so arduous.’ However we’re additionally so grateful. I believe we have been simply shocked in any respect these wonderful exhibits we’ve been in a position to do, and we’re simply so humbled by them,” mentioned Brielle.
“It doesn’t even really feel actual typically. I’m nonetheless form of fighting the entire course of, questioning if I’m allowed to stroll round backstage, the place can I’m going, who can I speak to. It’s all nonetheless form of registering with me, however like Brielle, I’m completely simply grateful and glad to be in these conditions and attempt to soak it up as a lot as I can, as a result of, you by no means know if it’s going to go away. So I need to all the time respect it,” added O’Handley.
“We don’t take something as a right. We take the preparation for all this actually significantly. As soon as we began getting these larger exhibits, we had a good friend of ours who’s a part of the sound crew for Bryan Adams are available when he’s not on the highway to ensure we’re being introduced in one of the simplest ways attainable. A whole lot of thought goes into our units, the notes on what we’re going to say in between songs and making certain our crew is skilled as a result of we need to ensure that we’re making one of the best impression attainable. As a result of, as we’ve mentioned, when you don’t benefit from these alternatives and drink it in, and put your greatest effort into it, then you definately’re much less more likely to hold it going.”
One of many first large alternatives got here from Mark Rashotte, proprietor of the Empire Theatre in Belleville and promoter of the annual Empire Rockfest sequence of outside exhibits in downtown Belleville, Ontario every July. He put Luscious on a invoice opening for the rising band The Seashores in the summertime of 2024. A 12 months on, and The Seashores at the moment are considered one of Canada’s most commercially profitable, critically lauded and fashionable bands.
“He was the one who obtained us on the invoice with The Seashores and it form of led to a snowball impact from there. As a result of after you have a present like that in your resume, so long as you don’t bomb, the phrase will get out within the trade and also you by no means know the place that might lead. From there we obtained the present with Kim Mitchell [later in November 2024], and from that we obtained I Mom Earth [at the Ale House in Kingston] after which we ended up occurring with Edwin [from I Mother Earth for a solo show at the Bronson Centre in Ottawa]. It’s like I mentioned, the kind of snowball impact the place you retain getting larger exhibits as a result of every day out you show your self. So we felt extremely fortunate and grateful that Mark put us on that first present. I nonetheless have the cheque we obtained from Empire Rockfest, simply kind of mounted above our whiteboard in our rehearsal area as a reminder that earlier than that present we have been caught doing solely bar gigs, however he obtained us out of that,” mentioned O’Handley.
“That specific Empire Rockfest was cool as a result of Brielle, Wyatt and I noticed The Seashores just a few years in the past for the primary time once they have been the opening act [for The Glorious Sons] at Empire Rockfest. After which right here we’re just a few years later and so they’re the headliner and we’re within the spot that that they had. It was like a full circle second,” added Paquette.
So now, the band’s sights are firmly set on Ottawa Bluesfest, one of many largest musical occasions to occur in Canada every summer season, with internationally famend headliners every night. It needs to be a heady expertise for any younger band to see themselves on a poster or commercial with solely two names above theirs – one being Tom Morello of Rage Towards the Machine, and legendary Sheffield UK rockers Def Leppard.
“I texted my oldest brother Dan and informed him we’re opening for Tom Morello and Def Leppard on the primary stage at Bluesfest and he instantly referred to as me and the very first thing he mentioned was, ‘what the ***ok is happening?! How is that this taking place?!’ It isn’t misplaced on us how lucky we’re but in addition how loopy that is,” O’Handley mentioned.
Moreover making ready for Bluesfest and a handful of different upcoming exhibits, work continues on new music, with the intention of releasing extra singles regularly with the potential for an album sooner or later within the close to future. A number of the different exhibits embrace enjoying the brand new Line Spike Competition in Frontenac County on a invoice that features the enduring Burton Cummings, Sunday, June 29, adopted by a return to Empire Rockfest on July 25 to open for legendary Canadian acts David Wilcox and Trooper.
“There’s a plan down the road to get a vinyl urgent however proper now our schedule is a little bit bit unconventional for what lots of established bands do as a result of while you’re not tremendous established there’s normally strain to maintain releasing new music and have a constant circulation of music coming. So, I believe the plan now’s to maintain releasing singles, however then retroactively kind of amalgamate these singles into an album that we’d then launch as a bodily product,” O’Handley defined.
“We’ve obtained 5 unrecorded tracks able to go, and we’ve two tracks which can be recorded and prepared for launch. One we’re releasing in July and the opposite one within the fall. I believe the objective is to get a bodily launch for all these new recordings and have an precise album pressed. And hopefully we will try this by March of subsequent 12 months, which is our tenth anniversary, and have a giant album launch occasion.”
For extra info on Luscious, their new music and tour dates, go to
Jim Barber is a veteran award-winning journalist and writer primarily based in Napanee, Ontario, Canada, who has been writing about music and musicians for greater than 30 years. Moreover his journalistic endeavors, he works as a communications and advertising specialist and is an avid volunteer in his group. Contact him at jimbarberwritingservices@gmail.com.
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