by Scott Roos
band photo by Tara McDermott/The Portrait Witch
“Ballad of a Trapeze Artist”, the latest single from Saskatoon pop punk scenesters Checkout Queens is self described as having “grounded verses, zero gravity choruses, and a destabilizing bridge, supporting the overarching narrative of a misunderstood trapeze artist who is done with trying to please the circus crowds”. It’s a bold statement, and well penned to be sure, but it’s also coming from a band used to making bold statements with their music. And besides, what they say about their own track is pretty accurate. The song is straight fire.
Recorded and produced by Matt Stinn at Rainy Day Recording Co. in Saskatoon, the same as their debut EP, “Ballad of a Trapeze Artist” very much picks up from where they left off last time round. There’s that same bold, borderline brash, urgency in the delivery, with the twin guitar attack of Spencer Krips and Braden Buhler appropriately punchy whilst the rhythm section of Alan Neiman on bass and Derrick Frost on drums laying down a capable groove, collectively creating the expected pop punk sonics one has come to expect from the S’toon sextet.
The uniqueness of this band, however, continues to be in the dual lead vocals of Oli Guselle and Avery Wall. The intensity is there that is quickly becoming the band’s calling card vocally, but there’s also a cool harmonic dissonance in the chorus that stands out. In short, the song is catchy as hell but its progressiveness is a strong stride forward. It makes one wonder what other tricks this band has up their sleeves. With "Ballad of a Trapeze Artist" it's very evident that Checkout Queens have an abundance of talent and drive to continue to do exciting things musically and it would be great to see them continue to stretch themselves in new directions. They deserve all the recognition and spins they can muster as they continue to inch closer toward whatever the perceived “prize” is within this crazy thing we call the music business.
If you're not currently at Ness Creek then your next opportunity to see The Checkout Queens live is at MooseFest in Bellevue on Saturday, August 10th. For more info on this amazing festival click HERE.
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