By Margaret Adams
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Toronto, Canada-based artist Jon Stancer recently released a new single, “These Arms (Won’t Let You Go), which explores themes of disillusionment and loss of childhood innocence. His upcoming EP In Light Of is set to drop on January 21.
Stancer’s EP was influenced heavily by the past two years of chaos and uncertainty experienced by individuals across the globe. For Stancer, the darkness hit particularly close to home. “I personally felt very out of sorts and I could see that others were too. I was privy to breakdowns. A couple of people I knew took their own lives,” he shares.
Mental illness resulting from the pandemic, marital strife, climate change, racial inequality, and systemic inequity are all explored throughout Stancer’s collection in an empathetic, nuanced way.
“These Arms (Won’t Let you Go),” the breathtaking lead single from Stancer’s EP, is grounded by lulling piano, ambient soundscapes and harmonies, and rugged beats, evoking an immediate emotional response.
I did for you
All I can do
You’ll figure it out
You’ll figure it out
In Light Of was recorded at Dan Kurtz’s (Dragonette /theNEWDEAL) studio, theAsylumTO in Toronto, and co-produced by Stancer and Kurtz, and mixed by Sam Jackson Willows, who has also worked with artists Ruby Waters and Tasha Angela. Fans of Radiohead, Noel Gallagher, and Richard Ashcroft will enjoy Jon Stancer’s artful textures and immersive arrangements.
“I actually view this record as a beginning,” Stancer acknowledges. “I wasn’t always as assured as I feel now. Making this record was a particularly cathartic experience for me, not only because I had something to keep me busy and engaged throughout the pandemic, but because I think I found myself as a writer, while also getting some pent up shit out of my system.”
Prior to launching his solo career in 2017, Stancer played guitar for John Southworth, appearing on the critically acclaimed album, Mars Pennsylvania. He also served as one-third of the songwriting trio, Family Ritual.
Stay tuned for the release of Jon Stancer’s new EP In Light Of, which releases January 21.
Margaret Adams is a Psychology major and Rhetoric and Writing minor at The Catholic University of America from New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition to her work with Alchemical, she writes for CUA’s student newspaper, The Tower, and has recently been named Quill Editor. She enjoys reading, writing, and looking at pictures of her dog, Bella.
By this point in his life, Foghat founding drummer Roger Earl has visited quite a few doctors. But what may be surprising is that the percussionist, 77, is quick to point out that many of the medical professionals who have worked on him also enjoy rocking out.
“Nearly all the doctors and surgeons I know, they all play something: trumpet, sax, violin, guitar,” Earl said recently. “There’s not too many drummers that are surgeons, there’s probably a good reason for that!”
Earl half-jokingly invites his surgeon-rockers to join him and the other members of Foghat onstage at the Fillmore in Silver Spring March 9, where they will be headlining the Rock and Roll for Children Foundation benefit for the Children’s Inn at NIH. Earl, the only original member of Foghat still in the band, will be banging the skins behind guitarist Bryan Bassett and other members Scott Holt and Rodney O’Quinn. “Slow Ride,” the band’s 1975 megahit, is all but assured to be on the setlist, along with tunes from Foghat’s most recent record, “Sonic Mojo.”
Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.