advertisement
FYI

The Darcys - Just Here With My Friends (feat. Leah Fay)

This brand new cut features a collaboration of some major players on the Toronto scene. The lyrics of the shiny and danceable confection may seem trite, but there's a social message underneath.

 The Darcys - Just Here With My Friends (feat. Leah Fay)

By Kerry Doole

The Darcys - "Just Here With My Friends (feat. Leah Fay)"  (Indie):  Released to radio and streaming services today, this cut marks a collaboration between some major players on the Toronto scene, with Leah Fay of July Talk guesting with two pals, Wes Marskell and Jason Couse, aka The Darcys.


"Just Here With My Friends" is further confirmation of the radical shift of sound for The Darcys. Initially, earning their rep for an atmospheric and adventurous modern rock sound, the band has slimmed down and gone for a glossy pop sound, as on their last album, Centerfold.

advertisement

The move disappointed many fans, including this scribe, but Marskell and Couse have persisted. There's no denying that "Just Here With My Friends" is an attractively sugary confection. On the surface, the lyrics initially sound trite, but there's a deeper meaning, it appears.

In a press release, co-writer and guest vocalist Fay explains that “mindless pop songwriting often perpetuates a multitude of boring and damaging gender norms that have nothing to do with real life. We wanted to see if we could write a song about two empowered humans meeting in a club that wasn’t predatory on either side.”

“We created something fun that people could dance to and knew we had the opportunity to challenge the traditional ‘boy meets and tries to convince girl' narrative,” adds Wes Marskell.

The message is conveyed effectively by contrasting male and female vocals, and the track has a catchy and danceable vibe.

The Darcys play on Canada Day at Niagara Falls with more dates TBA.

 

Links

Website: www.thedarcys.ca

Instagram: @thedarcys

Twitter: @itsthedarcys

Facebook: @itsthedarcys

Spotify: The Darcys

Publicity: Jessica Leach  jessicaaleach@gmail.com

advertisement
Aaron Rowe performs at Spark Arena on Dec. 2, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand.
Dave Simpson/WireImage

Aaron Rowe performs at Spark Arena on Dec. 2, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand.

Pop

Former Ed Sheeran Opener Aaron Rowe Defends Singer Amid Macklemore Tour Fallout

"I haven't had a chance to talk to Ed too much, but I fully believe he knows that was a mistake," Rowe said.

Aaron Rowe has defended Ed Sheeran amid the continuing fallout over Macklemore’s removal from the singer’s Loop Tour, arguing that public criticism is being directed at the wrong person.

Rowe was among the artists who withdrew from Sheeran’s remaining tour dates after Macklemore was dropped from eight scheduled appearances.

keep readingShow less
advertisement