“Little Reasons,” the debut single from Charlottetown’s Brandon Howard Roy, has more polish on it than any debut single has a right to. Absolutely resplendent in pop glory, the single is an ominous harbinger of dance parties to come.
It’s not all that surprising that Roy has more than a head start on his music career. Not only has he graduated from Sheridan College’s prestigious Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program, he’s also working with a dream team out of Charlottetown – namely producer Colin Buchanan (Paper Lions) at Hill Sound Studio, Logan Richard on guitar, Evan McCosham on bass, and Josh Langille on drums.
“I’ve been singing for a long time, but the lion’s share of my experience as a performer is in musical theatre. Really only started focusing on music professionally this year,” says Roy who was raised in Montreal, but moved to Prince Edward Island after university.
“When I got here for a summer job in 2014, I knew pretty much instantly that it was gonna be home some day. I just really loved the people, the community, the performing arts scene. The size of the place and how rich the music scene was attracted me right away. Networking doesn’t feel like networking here because for the most part everyone feels like a friend.
“My choice to transition to a more music based career after working as actor was because I want to have more control over my day-to-day life and what I’m able to create. There’s definitely opportunity to do that in theatre, but I’m finding more freedom in building a mould and growing into it, rather than being out there constantly auditioning for jobs and trying to fit a certain mould.”
Beyond drenching us in the powerful warmth of its pop majesty, “Little Reasons” captures the complex dance of a tumultuous relationship.
“It’s about embracing the messy parts that go along with being loved. The mistakes, the regrets, the overreactions, the spaghetti sauce on the face and the pile of laundry that just grows and grows,” explains Roy.
The debut single has already been picked up by the Prince Edward Island music community, and lauded by its musical members.
“She bangs!” exclaims Josh Carter (Coyote/Calm Baretta), “It’s like MIKA meets Queen but BETTER!”
Roy says he’ll be making music his sole focus for 2020, though the release of an EP is still a ways off – potentially as far off as early 2021.
Show Dates:
12.18.19 – Charlottetown, PEI @ Sportsman’s*
01.17.20 – Charlottetown, PEI @ Baba’s Lounge**
*Single release party
**with Braden Lam