While this is the first time I’ve heard of Toronto’s Luka Kuplowsky, the solid reputation of Mama Bird Recording Co. is always enough to make me check out any new signing. They have, after all, introduced me to Haley Heynderickx, Izaak Opatz, Vikesh Kapoor, Courtney Marie Andrews and Barna Howard to name just a few. While those names may set high expectations on those that follow, Luka Kuplowsky is certainly no threat to disrupting the matrix. On his new EP Judee Justin Arthur Mary (24 April 2020), he taps into some highly commendable personal influences including the late great Arthur Russell, Justin Haynes and Judee Sill. And on his new single, he presents a reimagining of fellow Canadian Mary Margaret O’Hara’s “Anew Day” from her 1988 debut recording (apparently, her only full-length studio album released to date) “Miss America”.
On the Song:
“When I sing Mary Margaret O’Hara’s “Anew Day”, I feel directly channeled to the joy and sorrow embedded in the music and lyrics. The first time I covered the song was the closing night of the Holy Oak Cafe – a space in Toronto that is so deeply important to my songwriting. The song is forever tied to memories of change and rebirth. Singing “Anew Day” is always utterly present and moving for me.”
A good cover song should, a) sound like you – this most certainly has his DNA all over it and b) in the words of John Cale “If you unearth new meaning, or someone else realises something, it’s, ‘Holy cow! That’s what that song is about!? It’s great.” That’s two ticks in the box then.
For the new EP, Luka Kuplowsky (voice, guitar, harmonica) brought together a cast of some of his most familiar Toronto players including U.S. Girls and Andy Shauf collaborator Evan Cartwright on drums, Thom Gill (Sam Amidon, Bernice) on electric guitar and organ, the incredible jazz player Josh Cole (Sandro Perri, Martha Wainwright) on bass, and Bahamas’ Felicity Williams for backing vocals. Together, they’ve taken these songs and re-imagined what they could look like in a truly collaborative process to extract something new from each composition. Although it may seem like an EP of covers on first blush, this collection is a reverent take with the distinct fingerprints of each of the collaborators throughout. Luka Kuplowsky will be on tour this spring, including sets at the Treefort Music Festival.
Pre-Order Judee Justin Arthur Mary (out on 24 April 2020) HERE
Luka Kuplowsky Tour Dates
Mar 25 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge *
Mar 28 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Fest
Mar 29 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Fest
April 3 – Hamilton, ON – Jillard’s Guitars ^
April 4 – Toronto, ON – Drake Underground ^
* w/ Nap Eyes
^ w/ Charlotte Cornfield
Photo Credit: Melissa Richards