It’s been a year since we have heard new music from Designosaur. This doesn’t mean they haven’t been busy. They’ve been opening for acts like Heart Attack Kids and Little You Little Me, and reminding everyone that they’re still and their time is coming.
Drive is the first EP to feature a new sound for the Halifax trio, with a double helping of lead and rhythm bass. This really comes across on the opening track “Drive” with that deep funky bassline being the first thing to hit your ears.
Becca Dalley joined Designosaur as the band’s second bass player and vocalist three years ago.
“Joining Designosaur was kind of funny because I actually didn’t play bass prior to being in the band. I’ve been playing music since I was a kid, just itching to play in a band and to do something with it,” says Dalley.
“Me and AJ [Boutilier], being close friends for a few years, were trying to figure out some way to get me to sing in his band. It all just seemed to work out perfect that they needed a bass player at that time. He sat down with me and taught me all of their songs, and we really just went from there, writing new songs where there was more opportunity for me to sing!”
The lyrics to the title track “Drive” and closing track “Colourblind” were both written by new member Dalley, who is fitting in perfectly to her new role in the band. Her voice delivers just the right amount of edge and strength which adds the perfect texture to this fuzz-punk band.
“The inspiration for ‘Colourblind’ me took place in the fall, which is always a very comforting season for me,” says Dalley. ”The song is sort of a projection of what I was going through at that time. Feeling blind to my surroundings, and unable to fully take in the colours and joy that comes to me that time of year because of that feeling of moving past a time in my life that I wasn’t quite ready to let go of. The finished product ended up being a classic breakup song, about feeling like trash during a time of year that always brings me such joy and comfort.”
“Associate” delivers in its own unique way a Nirvana-esque style and sound. The lyrics delve into the conflict of a musician whose dream is to play music but explains the struggles of having to work “not so great jobs” in order to fulfil their dream.
“The song ‘Associate’ is personal to me and I feel most people in the arts can relate to,” explains guitarist AJ Boutilier. “The struggles of having a dream to play music, which means working less than ideal jobs for a less than ideal pay just to have the time and motivation to follow that dream.”
“3996” is short but sweet, exactly one minute of instrumental bliss. With a slow and steady pace, it sinks into your ears like white noise in an almost soothing “I leave my fan on to help me sleep” kind of way. Hopefully there will be some fresh tunes from Designosaur by the time we wake up.
You can catch Designosaur performing during Halifax Pop Explosion and the upcoming Nova Scotia Music Week, November 8th at Truro’s Belly Up Bar and Grill.
Show Dates:
10.24.19 – Halifax, NS @ Halifax Pop Explosion
11.08.19 – Truro, NS @ Nova Scotia Music Week