Music
Halifax's beauts wear their indie-rock pedigree on their sleeves
by Joe Smith-Engelhardt
June 11, 2015
The band seamlessly combines different genres on their debut self-titled single.
Three east coast Canadians and a Californian make up Halifax’s beauts. The diverse band mixes ’70s punk, classic rock, and contemporary indie, citing influences such as The Clash, The Hold Steady and Bruce Springsteen. In other words, they easily fill a current Japandroids void.
Guitarist Darryl Smith described the band’s writing process as a collective operation. “I think everyone brings a different piece and because the writing is really broken up amongst all of us, everyone gets to bring something to the table,” he says over the phone from Halifax.
The band’s upcoming Eastern Canadian shows are among the first they will play together, but some of the members are no strangers to the Canadian music scene. Smith — originally from southern California — met bassist Erik Van Lunen and drummer Joel Waddell while playing in Rich Aucoin‘s band (who Waddell also writes with). Other resume highlights within the group include post rock groups Kuato, Night Surf, and indie-rock band Writers’ Strike.
Beauts’ brand of scrappy, vibrant rock captures the DIY attitude that they employ outside of their music as well. Guitarist Palmer Jamieson engineered recording sessions for the single at Echo Chamber Studios (where other Halifax artists such as Buck 65 and Rita MacNeil have recorded). With plans to hit the studio as soon as they return from tour, beauts hope to release a full length within the year.
“I think our show will be energetic, I think it’ll be fun,” says Smith. “All of my favorite bands are energetic guitar bands that look happy to be there and want you to be happy too. Jeff (Lawton, vocalist) is a bit of a wild card in his normal day-to-day life so I’m hoping he gets a bit silly. That’s what I imagine—a big silly rock show where everyone feels invited to the party.”
Check out beauts at one of the following eastern Canadian tour dates:
June 15 – Ottawa, ON @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
June 16 – Toronto, ON @ The Horseshoe
June 17 – Peterborough, ON @ The Spill
June 18 – Hamilton, ON @ Baltimore House
June 19 – Toronto, ON @ M For 159 (NXNE Showcase)
June 20 – Toronto, ON @ Rancho Relaxo
June 27 – Halifax, NS @ The Seahorse Tavern
