With their release of their second EP, ‘The River Court”, In Lights plans to show the world they are not the band you thought they were, or even the band they thought they were.
Birthed from basements and garages from around the GTA, In Lights formed late 2006 to the dying local scene. Their 5 song debut EP (With an extra 2 bonus demo songs from 07) entitled “Constellations” was released independently in early 2008. Constellations could easily pass as a mix tape you would give to your high school sweetheart. From their pop-punk ode to past bands (“For Every Day After Ever”) to their 80s Hair Metal/Post Hardcore hate anthem (“Dias Place”) and even an acoustic love song inspired by love and best friends (“1993”) this EP covered the last 20 years in 20 minutes. But which style made the group feel most at home?
It wasn’t until late 08 when the band decided to ditch the screaming and try something new. They wrote and recorded 2 new songs “Ending With You and Me” & “Consider the following” Over flowing with raw emotion, these songs showcased something new, something that was lacking in the local scene. After gaining much momentum after the release of the 2 new songs, “Ending With You and Me” went on to win the band a spot on the Ernie Ball Stage at the Montreal Warped Tour in 2009.
With inspired hearts and a now permanent line up, Dylan French (Vocals), Gavin Sutton (Guitar Vocals), Nick Dooley (Guitar), Andrew Brunette (Bass) and Tyler Jones (Drums) headed back to the studio to record their most ambitious songs yet that would soon become “The River Court” EP.
The 4 songs on The River Court EP set all the cards on the table. “We’re the king of hearts, the jesters ex-lover with talent under cover,” French sings passionately on the track “The Debut” about straying from the scenic route of rock stardom, diving in head first without looking back. But it’s not all business. When it comes to the poppy sing along chorus you can see they still have a lot of fun, even at the expense of themselves. “We sing because were not very good at much anything else.” The second track shows a more mature side, both musically and lyrically as they talk about past regrets, hopeful romances and a few sweet metaphors regarding water. The buddy track “Ace and Jocelyn”, with a polite nod towards college humors Jake and Amir, tells a tale of best friends and life in the small suburban city in which they live. This track dares you to think of “North East South West” without singing this catchy tune the rest of the day. That’s right, you can’t. The closing song is a re-done ‘acoustic’ version ‘Consider The Following’ The song goes where no In Lights song has gone before. Haunting strings line the pre chorus lines ‘Consider this, the last thoughts I’ll ever think of you…’ while synth and piano replace the lead parts of the song, making the song, in the end, an eerie yet beautiful masterpiece.