“Over Yonder” is the first single to be taken from Canadian B.C. duo Roberts Hall‘s sophomore release, entitled “2016“, that will be available on all platforms on April 6th, 2018. The video was filmed live at The White Room, an invaluable multi-purpose art space in Nanaimo, B.C. (read our recent live review here).
Since the arrival of their stunning Animal Encyclopedia debut EP in the summer of 2014, young Nanaimo, BC musicians Etienne McGuigan and Brendan Holm have relentlessly pursued a deeply personal artistic vision as Roberts Hall. And now, more than ever, with so many cataclysmic events, widening societal divisions and uncertainty creating grim headlines on a daily basis, that vision is in sharp focus as McGuigan and Holm ready their powerful new album for release.
With the notion of any song starting in the heart, by observing the ills of the world and drawing from a deep well of musical and cultural influences, McGuigan (vocals/guitar) and Holm (vocals/drums/synth/guitar) have found both a muscular sonic identity and direct sociopolitical lyrical approach to mark Roberts Hall as a compelling, vital new voice in Canadian indie roots-rock.
During a globally and personally tumultuous 2016, the duo undertook two self-financed coast-to-coast Canadian tours in support of their debut full-length offering, I’ll Send a Friend (NoiseAgonyMayhem, 2016). These eye-opening journeys served to considerably shape the lyrical content of the unambiguously entitled 2016.
A sophomore album of poignancy, depth and gravity, the song themes include homelessness, technology addiction, social anxiety and the ongoing stigmatization of mental illness. Featuring guest contributors including Juno winner Trent Freeman (The Fretless/Speaker Face), and recorded and produced by Arlen Thompson (Wolf Parade), 2016 is a mature and emotional work, fully intended to provoke thought, awareness, discussion and action.
2016 will be promoted with further touring across Canada throughout 2018. Plans are also being hatched for Roberts Hall to perform in the US, as well as a first visit to the UK for one week of special shows. In addition, to live activityRoberts Hall are adopting a multi-media rollout approach to the release of 2016 with performance, concept, or animated videos for every album track currently in pre-production, as well as interpretive collaborations with visual artists.
https://www.facebook.com/RobertsHallBand/
https://robertshall.bandcamp.com/
Video Credits:
Filmed and Edited by Raymond Knight @ Knight Studios
Recorded and Mixed by Christopher Thompson
Mastered by Arlen Thompson
Lights by Wes Mulholland