Post-rock, noise-rock band Down the Lees, with roots in Vancouver, Belgium and now the Okanagan, is set to release its new album Dirt on May 3, and promote the album with live shows around B.C. in May.
The album comes after the band91Ƶs transformative phase in Belgium, marked by a 2020 European tour for their critically-acclaimed album Bury the Sun. The album was produced by Steve Albini, a recording engineer mogul who has worked with the likes of Nirvana, Pixies, The Jesus Lizard, among many others.
The name of Down the Lee91Ƶs fourth full-length album, Dirt, in part comes from the band91Ƶs B.C. connection, as it ties to their concerns for the environment affected by Okanagan wildfires.
91ƵIt shows our relationship with the Earth, climate change, and humanity91Ƶs impact,91Ƶ frontwoman Laura Lee Schultz told Black Press. 91ƵBeing based in Kelowna, B.C., where the Okanagan wildfires were raging, we couldn91Ƶt ignore the issue. That91Ƶs why we decided to channel our thoughts into song and action.91Ƶ
The band is commited to aiding recovery efforts, including donating a portion of proceeds from a special commisioned poster by Norah Bowman to the BC Wildlife Recovery Fund, Schultz said.
Fronted by Schultz, renowned for her work with multiple bands, Down the Lees was initially a solo project. It wasn91Ƶt until months of lockdowns in Europe and a return trip to Canada that current members Chris Carlson (bass) and Andy Ashley (drums) were brought on board. Together, they fully fleshed out the band91Ƶs current sound; a blend of post-rock, shoegaze, hardcore, slowcore, and no-wave.
Schultz91Ƶs favourite new track off of Dirt, titled Douse, reflects the trying time of the COVID-19 pandemic as an artist. She wrote the main riff alone when she let loose on the drums and guitars after months of lockdown. The song eventually evolved with the band91Ƶs Canadian incarnation.
91ƵAs the song started to come together, it really became my personal anthem, a constant reminder to never back down,91Ƶ Schultz said. 91ƵDealing with setbacks and feeling like I91Ƶm invisible in the music scene, I constantly battle imposter syndrome. That line, 91ƵDon91Ƶt you douse my flame,91Ƶ came from that internal struggle. You know, as artists, especially us older ones, we91Ƶre often our own harshest critics. I needed something to hold onto, to keep me moving forward. Breaking through industry barriers feels like climbing a mountain, especially with all those outdated sexist and ageist standards holding me back.91Ƶ
Other topics on Dirt, produced by Jesse Gander of Raincity Recorders (Brutus, Japandroids), include imposter syndrome, resilience, ageism, sexism, depression.
91ƵYou know, light topics,91Ƶ Schultz said. 91ƵI tend to write under a microscope of what is happening in society. Which in turn, helps me cope with the struggle of being human.91Ƶ
Down the Lees tour dates:
May 3 - Penticton @ Clancy91Ƶs
May 4 - Vernon @ May the 4th be with BBDB91Ƶs Fundraiser
May 23 - Vancouver @ Green Auto
May 24- Victoria @ Little Fernwood
May 25- Nanaimo @ The Vault
For more information on the new album, go to or follow them on Instagram/Facebook @downthelees.