by Matt Stinn
photo courtesy of Sëdézë
I like to think that I do a decent job of being engaged and current in the Saskatchewan music scene. I wouldn't go as far as pretending I'm some tastemaker-type character but I certainly feel like I hear about new groups, buzz bands and releases early on. Count me as surprised when I was asked to review a new single from a band called Sëdézë. Who? Pronounced Seh-day-Zeh, this foursome of blues inspired rock took me by surprise.
The band’s debut single “Purple Blanket” leans heavy on all the classic tropes of the genre while cutting all the fat that we tend to associate with it. Clocking in at a modest four a half minutes, the track opens with some nuanced atmospheric guitar that gives way to clean fender-type guitar tones as the band slowly cascades into a familiar progression. This whole section feels understated and for me, the highlight here is the restraint and subtle choices made by drummer Karlen Janvier that set up for the payday - Lov Tootoosis’ vocal entry on the first verse. As the band blooms for the first time, she enters with a low mid-focused sultry tone that immediately drew me in. Paired with a verse counter melody provided by bassist Duncan Shury, this section perfectly propels the track towards its chorus while keeping it short and sweet.
The choruses of this track, again, shows off the group’s restraint. No unnecessary lead lines - just support for powerful lyrics about a family bond formed in the face of adversity. Now don’t get me wrong, restraint on the choruses doesn't mean this band doesn't show off their six-string slinger. Jade Houle opens up in the post-choruses and bridge with blues leads that serve a dual purpose - they function both as a moment of reprieve from the weight of the lyrics and also as a way to escalate the track forward dynamically. In every case of these instrumental breaks, they felt like they lasted just long enough to give me a mental rest but not long enough that I caught myself wondering why there's a sixteen bar solo that goes nowhere but the player's ego.
Verse two surprised me the most as drummer Karlen takes over lead vocal duties. This dual lead approach landed perfectly - something which many bands struggle to do. Proceeding into the track's largest chorus, both singers find their footings with each other and deliver an absolutely soul crushing performance. Seemingly as quick as this track escalated, it slowly winds its way down, mimicking the way the track initially kicked off. I should also take this moment to comment on the stellar work of Chris Douglas on this track. It feels airy and ambient while still maintaining great definition and allowing the more aggressive sections to stand strong. In my opinion, the production and mix here pair perfectly with the content and performances on “Purple Blanket”.
Smart arrangement, heartfelt writing and a knack for knowing what not to play are key take-aways from the debut release from Sëdézë. While this one certainly caught me off guard, don’t miss out on what promises to be another fantastic addition to the already stacked Saskatchewan music scene!
“Purple Blanket” is available now on all platforms.