Vancouver musician Leah Abramson of the band the Abramson Singers has always enjoyed choral music which comes through on their second CD “Late Riser.”
“ There’s something just very magical about people singing together. There is a real physical reaction. I grew up in choirs and there is something very special about it,” Abramson enthused, getting ready for a western Canadian tour which begins at the Owl Acoustic Lounge, May 11.
“ I love harmonies so much. I’m just drawn to it,” she said.
She promised an energetic show.
“ I’m bringing a four piece band including myself with guitar, drums, bass and keyboards,” said Abramson.
“There aren’t any lighting or costume changes. It’s more focussed on the songs. We’re doing everything to make the songs come across,” Abramson said, who hasn’t been to Lethbridge since playing here with her former band Octoberman.
“ They moved to Toronto and I couldn’t do it,” she said.
“ I’m looking forward to Lethbridge,” she said.
The first single off the new CD, “Jack of Diamonds” is already getting lots of airplay on CBC3, hitting number one on their indie rock charts.
“ People seem to be digging it,” she said
“ The first CD was a solo CD with a band on some songs. This one is more of a band effort. And it’s a little more upbeat,” she said.
“The songs are different,” she said. Her voice is reminiscent of other Canadian pop/ rock musicians like Hannah Georgas, a little Sarah Slean and with just a touch of Natalie Merchant.
The band just returned from Canadian Music Week in Toronto and are planning an European tour,
One of the CD's highlights “Lose Lose” almost didn’t make it onto the CD.
“ I thought it was too much of a pop song, but everybody seemed to like it,” she said. I was going to change some of the lyrics, but just left them. They are very tongue in cheek,” she laughed.
She sang almost all of the vocals, including the ones that sound like a choir, except for the last track on the CD, “Red River Valley.”
“I recorded it at the Banff Centre. I just got anybody who was around to sing on it, so there are parents and their children. I just love the sound of a lot of different people singing together,” she said.
“ I’m looking forward to Lethbridge,” she said.
There is no cover for the May 11 show, which begins at approximately 9:30 p.m.
