It will be the third time around for the Fernie-based folk band Shred Kelly as they get set to release a new music video and album, and head out on a national tour across the country.
Sing To the Night is an album that builds further upon the slow addition of synthesizers and modern touches the band has tapped into.
“It just felt like a gradual progression,” said vocalist, songwriter and myriad instrumentalist for the band Tim Newton.
Vocalist Sage McBride added, “[Changing the sound] wasn’t a main focus, but with two vocalists [herself and Newton] it sort of naturally started sounding different.”
A high point off the album for Newton is the title track and new single “Sing To the Night”, a fast-paced song developed during one of the band’s early morning writing sessions when Newton was quite literally singing to the night.
“It’s a fast-paced song but it’s a song that I feel represents the band as a whole and the direction that we’re going in,” explained Newton. “When all five of us came together and agreed on this song we realized just how special it was. It feels like a combination of everything this band is and where we want to go and I’m really quite proud of it.”
The music video for the latest single was filmed this week at Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR).
— S. Kucharski
A continuous one-shot with volunteer dancers, snowboarders, circus acts and stunts, the idea for the video came from the band itself who chose to hire local talent to star in the video.
— S. Kucharski
“We really just wanted to make use of the abundance of local talent that Fernie has here,” explained McBride, adding that the process of planning and organizing the video was both nerve-racking and fun. She also noted that it contrasted the hectic process to the single that preceded it: “Family Oh Family.”
That particular video turned into a day of endless laughter as the band tried to emulate corny family photos.
“We got dressed up in about 29 different costumes but it was great having a director with such great vision who basically told us what to do, how to hold ourselves and look and then see how it would all come together as a final product. The experience with this new single is totally different. But still worthwhile,” said McBride.
Other plans for the group will include a national tour, launched by the band’s CD release party at the Community Centre on Jan. 31. The night will include an all-ages event from 6-8 p.m. as well as a 19+ event later on in the evening from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Tickets for the release party are currently available for earlybirds at Freyja or through Shred Kelly’s website. Tickets will also be sold at the door.