Saint John’s snowbird and songstress Apryll Aileen’s newest single leans into the current trend of 80s throwbacks. Break out the shoulder pads and hairspray while “Don’t Make Me Wait” breaks out the gated reverb on this dance party.
Aileen, who says her early musical influences were founded upon 80s and 90s icons George Michael and Madonna, is joining the ranks of Canadian musicians who have decided that if it’s not broke, maybe try revisiting it once every couple decades or so. It’s worked well for the like of East Coast artists like Natalie Lynn who has worked with In Flight Safety’s John Mullane to produce her dancey singly “Company” and Ria Mae’s equally synth-laden “Bend.”
While Aileen independently arrived at the conclusion that it’s time to bring back a little more Duran Duran to our lives, it might be a sign of something that we’re all headed back there together. Perhaps it’s a longing for the relative innocence of the Reagan administration, or the fact that we were all, quite literally, drinking the Kool-Aid. The 80s may have been ridiculous, and I think we knew that even though, but to have existed in a time and place that afforded that ridiculousness was, in hindsight, a luxury. A little nostalgia is the least of the inevitabilities.
Written in Venice Beach, California by Perry Rod and Apryll Aileen and produced by Marty Rod, Aileen says that “Don’t Make Me Wait” is a song about love, and getting the timing right.
“This song is about the importance of being present and realizing that time isn’t infinite,” explains Aileen. “It’s about taking risks and not waiting to start that adventure with someone. I’m sure we’ve all been on the fence before with regards to jumping into love, wondering if we should go for it or not. This song is about being ready to take that chance and dive in with both feet.”
That description makes it sound like Aileen has fallen for someone and is ready to get serious, but we suspect she may have been referring to the piano…
“The day before Valentine’s Day, my friend Andrea invited me over to her friend Perry’s place, who I had never met. When I walked into his house, I was instantly drawn to the upright piano,” explains Aileen. “My heart is always so full of love in Venice Beach and this night was no exception. As soon as I sat down, I started writing the hook for the song.
Perry came over and started giving ideas and by the next day we had full song. Turns out his brother Marty, is a producer. We went into West LA and laid down the track and that’s how this song came to me – through serendipity and no expectations. That’s how love should be.”
Aileen says that though it started on the piano, that late 80s/90s vibe naturally blossomed from the song for some epic big-haired, big-shoulder pads, love-ballad throwback. Sounds like we’ve got a genuine trend.
Apryll Aileen is currently recording her second album, Home, which will be released in spring/summer 2019.
Tour Dates:
10.26.18 – St. Andrews, NB @ Kennedy Inn
11.02.18 – Saint John, NB @ Peppers Pub
11.04.18 – Halifax, NS @ The Carleton
12.04.18 -Toronto, ON @ The Horseshoe Tavern