Federal Lights, the Winnipeg-based pop rock group with Niverville roots, has spent the last few years touring extensively throughout Canada and Europe.
In 2013, the band signed with Aporia Records in Toronto and released their critically acclaimed album We Were Found in the Fog. Three previous performances at the famous Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany led to a successful 12-date European tour in 2014, with a 2015 return to the Reeperbahn for a sold-out performance. This last year found the band back in the studio recording their latest project, the newly released Coeur de Lion (Lionheart).
“The name really is an homage to the people of Manitoba,” explains front man Jean Guy Roy. “You have to have strength to live here, to endure the weather, the remote location, and the solitude. Things that the rest of the country doesn’t always understand.”
This new 12-track compilation begins with a short yet artfully composed instrumental piece that sets the stage for further listening pleasure. The more upbeat “Into the Ground,” the album’s first single release, along with “This Town” and the equally heartfelt “You and I” are solid well-delivered tunes worthy of being added to anyone’s personal playlist.
“The songs are about finding beauty and profundity in the mundane, everyday moments,” says Roy.
Tracks “Amelia,” “Dark of the Night,” and “Then Came the Light” carry weight by exploring the more profound, sometimes darker and poignant emotions associated with love.
The deep richness of Roy’s vocals perfectly resonate with the melodic, graceful voice of his wife, Jodi, who takes the lead on title track “Coeur de Lion.” Further accompaniment by Robert Mitchell, David Pankratz, and Jason Pankratz seamlessly ties together the band’s signature sound.
With the release of Coeur de Lion, 2016 has already seen Federal Lights back on the road, touring across Canada with plans to return to Germany and the UK. They bring their show home to Winnipeg fans on March 10 at The Good Will Social Club, 625 Portage Avenue. Tickets are $10 and are available at Ticketfly.
Coeur de Lion is available on iTunes.
