Chasing the Sun

Trilling banjo and strummed guitar, expressive fiddle lines and the purest close-harmony vocals: Chasing the Sun opens with a gorgeous, light-filled song that, paradoxically, is about a flooded town and environmental concerns. It is an auspicious start to the third studio album from this Vancouver-based vocal and instrumental trio: Amanda Blied on guitar, Shanti Bremer on banjo and Miriam Sonstenes on fiddle. Like other bands from this region, they are inspired by the natural environment and beauty of British Columbia. But musically the trio pull together styles from across North America – bluegrass and country most strongly, due to Bremer's banjo – to create their own, original roots music. Lead vocals are shared and songwriting is split equally (only one track isn’t an original), leading to satisfying stylistic and atmospheric breadth. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of The Sweet Lowdown's music is their singing, however. The a capella tune ‘Leaving’ is spine-tingling in its mournful stillness. Final track ‘The Rain’, composed by a friend of the group, juxtaposes the solo verses with group-sung chorus, to soulful effect. Appropriately, this album is built from music of warmth and beauty, skilfully performed.