A Chat with North Lakes (31.08.23)
If you went to a dive bar party or a road trip with the windows down, North Lakes would be leading the soundtrack. Blending elements of proto-punk, garage rock and power-pop, the Canadian foursome bring all sorts of surprises in their melodies. We speak with vocalist and guitarist Nathan Gill about their new single ‘Up Where You Are’, music videos, future plans and more.
OSR: What drew you to music and how did North Lakes form?
Gill: We formed in the winter over a decade ago. There’s not much else to do on Prince Edward Island in the winter except start a band.
OSR: What inspires you to make music?
Gill: Lyrics, mostly. I really enjoy unlocking words that I find appealing. The whole thing feels like a puzzle.
OSR: You recently released your single ‘Up Where You Are’. What can you tell us about it?
Gill: This is among our most shoegaze-y songs. It’s a sound we’ve always been after. We had it a bit on our album Grand Prix, particularly the track ‘Crumbling Dice’. It’s probably the song the band is most proud of releasing. There was a vision for it in our heads and that’s pretty much what you hear on tape.
OSR: Did you face any challenges when recording the single?
Gill: We live in different provinces now – a couple of us are in Toronto, ON and the others are in Charlottetown, PE. There’s a slowness to progress when working at a distance, but it also helps you slow down to make meaningful choices.
OSR: You also released a music video for ‘Up Where You Are’. What can you tell us about
the video?
Gill: It was filmed in the spring, by Ryan Faist (aka Boy Wonder) all on 35mm. I think that analog style really suits our band. Our guitarist, Chris Robison, did an excellent job editing it. Check it out!
OSR: What was the most exciting and least exciting thing about filming the music video?
Gill: Getting hit in the head with a breakaway milk bottle. I had no idea what that would be like. I was excited for how it would look, but not excited to experience it. Turns out, it felt like nothing and ended up being a cool moment on camera.
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OSR: What makes North Lakes unique as a band?
Gill: It’s hard to be unique in rock and roll, and I’m not sure that we are, but I hope the music feels immersive in its own way. Immersive like swimming in the Atlantic, a shower beer or somewhere in between.
OSR: If you could spend the weekend with any celebrity who would it be?
Gill: I don’t really care that much. Ian Wright.
OSR: I don’t know if you enjoy TV shows but if you do, what show would you binge-watch?
Gill: I watched this sci-fi animated show called Pantheon that was really weird and cool. I haven’t heard a tonne of people talking about it, so I’d say check that out.
OSR: Do you have future plans for North Lakes?
Gill: More singles are coming soon!
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Gill: Drink more water.
Many thanks to Nathan Gill for speaking with us! Find out more about North Lakes on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
