Bonjay: Medicine For Melancholy

By Kerry Doole

Bonjay: "Medicine For Melancholy" (Mysteries of Trade): This Toronto duo comprises Alanna Stuart and Ian Swain, and it first made an international splash with debut EP Broughtupsy. A new full-length, Lush Life, comes out on May 28, preceded by this compelling new single.

The track showcases Stuart's powerful pipes and strongly soulful vibe. That voice has an old school feel, and it is expertly framed amidst a contemporary-sounding production featuring staccato beats and plenty of backing vocals.

A press release describes Lush Life as "a commentary on the way we live in cities today.”The vivid present. Yearning immigrants and students, artists and scientists, writers and entrepreneurs – ambitious outsiders of all motivations and hues. Cities exist to bring these people together to birth new ideas, and new ways of being. Along the way, there’s beauty – and chaos. These are the stories Lush Life tells."

The album was written in Berlin, recorded and arranged in Toronto, mixed in Hamilton, and rounded out with additional mixing sessions in Beenie Man's Kingston, Jamaica studio. It features an A-list cast of collaborators, including Thom Gill (Owen Pallett, Bernice),  Maylee Todd, Allie Hughes (Allie X), Felicity Williams (Bahamas, Bernice), Carleigh Aikins, and Kieran Adams (DIANA), plus studio assistance from Jeremy Greenspan (Junior Boys), Sandro Perri, Alphonse Lanza (Azari and III), and Ian McGettigan (Thrush Hermit, Camouflage Nights).

Bonjay begins a tour at E-bar in Guelph on May 23, followed by shows in Montreal, Ottawa, Hamilton, and Toronto. Details here

Links

bonjay.net

facebook.com/bonjaymusic

Spotify

Booking & Management: hey@bonjay.net

Press: Kim Juneja kim@takeaimmedia.com