Bionic Buzz® got to interview interview Tim Wilson the drummer of the band Calling All Captains. We talked about where his passion for music came from, his love for Equal Vision Records artists, how the band got its name, new album SLOWLY GETTING BETTER and more.
Bridging the gap between pop-punk/post-hardcore, Calling All Captains has today shared another new single from their forthcoming debut full-length album, Slowly Getting Better. Fans can check out the music video for “Laurel Canyon,” out now, here: https://callingallcaptains.lnk.to/Laurel. Slowly Getting Better is set to be released on October 29th, 2021 via Equal Vision Records and is available for pre-save here: https://callingallcaptains.lnk.to/SGB.
“‘Laurel Canyon’ was the first song that we KNEW we were writing for this album. It kind of jump-started the creative process and bridged the gap between our writing style in ‘Nothing Grows Here’ and the styles you’ll hear on ‘Slowly Getting Better’,” the band shares.
They continue: “The opening riff was actually written during one of our big US tours. We had stopped in a local guitar shop in Rochester, NY to kill some time and Connor picked up a Laurel Canyon acoustic, and out came that opening guitar part. We took a quick video to remember it, and then later when we returned home we paired it up with some lyrics inspired by real events in our lives. There are a lot of new flavors on this album, and ‘Laurel Canyon’ encapsulates a large portion of them all in one song. Feast your ears.”
Additionally, Calling All Captains has today announced two special events celebrating the release of Slowly Getting Better. On Thursday, November 4th, fans will be able to join the band at The Buckingham in Edmonton for Slowly Getting Better: Making An Album documentary screening as well as an acoustic set and Q & A with the band.
On Friday, November 5th, Calling All Captains is teaming up with 100.3 The Bear for the Slowly Getting Better Album Release Show at Starlite Room in Edmonton. The show will feature special guests Mobina Galore, Dead Friends, and Gutter King.
Originating from small towns outside of Edmonton, Alberta, pop-punk/post-hardcore band Calling All Captains, consisting of Luc Gauthier (vocals), Brad Bremner (guitar/vocals), Connor Dawkins (guitar/vocals), Nick Malychuk (bass), and Tim Wilson (drums), has been manifesting the release of their debut full-length record, Slowly Getting Better, for the past few years and are eager to finally share their creations with the world.
Slowly Getting Better is a compilation of hardships, persistence, love, and acceptance, and is a thrilling follow up to the 2019 EP, Nothing Grows Here. Calling All Captains’ unique sound allows them to dip their toes in both the pop-punk and post-hardcore realms using poppy instrumental elements with a punk-like, aggressive vocal style.
After their initial recording plans were halted in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic, the band was able to bring in their Nothing Grows Here producer, Quinn Cyrankiewicz, and safely record the album at The Audio Department in their hometown. With more demos and songs than they’d ever written before, the band got to work refining and perfecting every note of every song, taking weeks to decide which were good enough to make the cut for their first debut full length album Slowly Getting Better.
Calling All Captains has a fluid dynamic where each member holds an untold responsibility for writing and being an asset to the band. Luc and Connor are the primary songwriters. Brad focuses on the technical elements. Tim concentrates on the beat, and Nick envisions how the songs will perform live and which technical aspects will draw the crowds in. According to Luc, this collaboration “allows the song to be relatable and personable to each member of the band.”
The lyrics on the record reflect the woes of their mid-twenties and issues about drugs and mental health, while simultaneously offering the listener the comfort of someone else who understands the struggle. “Tailspin,” the first single released from the new record, is an energetic and emotional track to kick off this cycle with, and it perfectly highlights the seamless collaboration of all of the members. “We didn’t want any lull points, but we also didn’t want to give too much away about the record,” Brad stated. Connor joins Luc on vocals and takes over a verse to add even more depth to an already technical track.
Slowly Getting Better is a soundtrack for the struggling yet hopeful people out there. “Hang in there. We’ll all get better, together.”
