LoungeFM of Niverville has been busy establishing themselves in the local music scene, filling bars and music venues with smooth tunes, melodic sounds, and groovy undertones. Now, riding off the momentum of their debut album, Love Will Let You Down, which they released last spring, the quartet is taking their music to Eastern Canada on their first-ever tour.
Almost a year after the band released their album, they dropped two new singles—“Act This Way” and “New Phone/Who Dis”—which quickly garnered more than 47,000 YouTube views in their first two weeks.
Recording their newest singles at Arcade Studios with producer Evan St. Cyr, LoungeFM’s sound has caught the attention of audiences around the world.
“The new songs were ones we started writing near the end of recording the album,” says bassist Joel Braun. “We had some member changes after the album came out, so once we figured out what the new line-up looked like, it was just a matter of feeling out how we wanted our sound to evolve as we moved to the next chapter. We had been sitting on these two songs ideas for long enough, and when the opportunity came to record at Arcade, we jumped at the chance.”
“The two singles were my first experience writing and recording with the band, so it was a significant milestone for me,” adds newcomer Graeme Leaver. “I definitely felt nervous going into it, but it ended up being a great experience. Arcade is a beautiful studio and everyone in the studio and band was very supportive along the way.”
Drummer Adam Pauls, who produced the band’s first album, handed over the reins to Evan St. Cyr as they headed into the studio to record their singles.
“I found myself getting anxious in between sessions, but like anytime you switch up the way that you’re accustomed to doing things, you learn something new,” Pauls says. “Evan’s a pro and was very accommodating, so he was the perfect guy to work with on this project and to bounce ideas off of. Arcade’s also a step up from the basements I usually produce in, so it was inspiring to work somewhere nice for a change.”
The band kicks off their tour with a Winnipeg show on March 12 at The Handsome Daughter before heading out on the road for ten days, playing four more shows along the way. The group will make stops in Windsor, Toronto, and Montreal before heading back to Toronto for a second show to wrap up their tour.
Picking a place to start was tricky, as the band has listeners throughout Canada and the United States, and as far as Europe and South Korea. However, using information gathered from various streaming services, Toronto and Montreal have a large listening base.
“A few days after we released ‘Act This Way,’ I found a lyric video in Spanish for the song on YouTube,” says Leaver of how far their audiences reach. “It was very cool to see the song connecting with a non-English-speaking audience outside of Canada, and that someone cared enough to go to the trouble to translate the song and make that video.”
In a year of firsts, LoungeFM recently did their first live podcast with WitchPoliceRadio, where they did an interview and played five songs. It was a more intimate setting than the venues they’re used to. The group has had to adapt their sound to the energy of the room and create an experience that is unique to the audience.
“It was a great, intimate space to get to play in,” says Leaver. “It’s always interesting to me to experience how the songs change when you’re playing to ten people hanging out on some couches instead of playing over the crowd in a bar. I feel like there is a lot of adaptability in the songs to meet the energy of whatever room we end up in. I’m excited to see how that plays out on the road.”
Braun agrees that tapping into the energy of the room is how they make their shows an experience.
“Whether that comes from an audience, or even just us as friends on stage, any chance to give in to that moment feels wonderful,” Braun says. “With the way that music works now, through streaming services… there’s this added knowledge that there are people out there who are listening and liking the music that we’re creating. So it feels easier to capture that live energy and connect with people who enjoy the same music as us.”
After the tour, the group will open for The Amadians’ release show at The Park Theatre before focusing on more writing and recording.
“We still want to make our way west in the near future as well… maybe another tour at the end of the year,” says frontman Corey Wohlgemuth. “Keep your eyes open for festival announcements this summer.”
Regardless of whether you’re seeing a live show or listening to their album, people can expect to get their groove on with LoungeFM and experience a performance that strips away the bells and whistles until they’re inundated with the raw, genuine sound that only this band can deliver.
