Introducing Canadian Alt-Indie Band Dizzy
Dizzy is a rising Canadian band that’s gearing up for their most personal release yet with their upcoming second album ‘The Sun and Her Scorch’. The Oshawa, Ontario-based four-piece first formed in 2015 through the friendship between frontwoman Katie Munshaw and Charlie Spencer. After high school, the pair decided to pursue music full time soon joining forces with Charlie’s siblings – Alex and Mackenzie – to create the dreamy band Dizzy. After playing a string of gigs and shows the group found themselves signing a deal with Royal Mountain Records changing the trajectory of the foursome. Since signing, the group has released an array of singles and their first album ‘Baby Teeth’ – which won a Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year. With their second record slated for a July release, Dizzy is ready to bring a new era of music that will touch the soul and take listeners through an introspective journey.
We were able to chat with the band about everything from their new single ‘The Magician’, the difficulties of songwriting, upcoming album and more…
You guys recently announced your sophomore album ‘The Sun and Her Scorch’. How has your music evolved since your last album ‘Baby Teeth’?
We decided to produce this album ourselves, so I think if anything the new record is the best representation of what we want to sound like as a band to date. Where Baby Teeth was largely electronic sounding, The Sun and Her Scorch incorporates a lot of live instrumentation. Live drums, acoustic guitar, violins.
Your latest single ‘The Magician’ touches on grief and death. Was it challenging to open up about something so personal?
I think one of the most challenging parts was the release, surprisingly. I wasn’t expecting it to affect me so much, but it was a hard week. People who knew who the song was about were reaching out to me, and then on the flip side strangers were sharing their own grief stories with me. It’s easy to distance yourself from songs once they’re out in the world because people interpret the lyrics in different ways and it’s not so full-on, but because I was so upfront about the song’s contents, it was hard to avoid.
Another part of that song’s process that I found difficult was the guilt I felt for writing it. My friend died six years ago now, and I was mad at myself for not being over it yet. I felt guilty and nervous that people would think I was recycling my grief for my own gain, or that they’d be bored by the topic since I’d already touched on it briefly in Baby Teeth in the song Pirouette. But what I’ve learned is that grief is always shifting. It’s a heartbreak that never fully closes, and I know that I’ll always write a sequel to this story.
You also mentioned on your fantastic YT series ‘Liner Notes’ that the track initially came about from voice notes that fellow band member Charlie sent you. Is this usually how song ideas come to you guys? What’s the band’s creative process?
It’s different every time, but often it’ll start from somebody’s seed of an idea. A melody or a lyric or a guitar loop. For ‘The Sun and Her Scorch’ we rented a cottage up north, set up our gear in the living room and just jammed for a week straight. We all brought ideas to the table, and we sorted through what we wanted to keep and what didn’t work. It was extremely collaborative.
The lyrics to your music are out of this world, each having a distinct story or meaning. How do you tackle writer’s block or self-doubt during the writing process?
I wish I knew the answer. I have a hard time with the lyrics. What I like and don’t like comes with such a visceral feeling of either acceptance or detest. I can delete a whole day’s worth of work because I didn’t like the shape of a sentence or the phonetics of a verse. I don’t deal with self-doubt well. My band can vouch that mental breakdowns are frequent. I think the one thing that gets me back on the horse is a mental toughness. Which feels funny to type after knowing how many times I’ve wanted to throw a song in the garbage or go back to school and quit music entirely, but I really believe I’m tough in a way that keeps me pushing through that writer’s block or self-doubt.
Describe the upcoming new era for Dizzy in 5 words or less
I’m a jerk, I’m sorry. (lol) New Instagram bio?
Coronavirus has temporarily changed the way the world runs. Has it been challenging creating music during this time of self-isolation?
I was so ready to go on tour and share new music that I haven’t quite gotten back into a mode where I feel ready to create again. We just finished the record at the top of March. I was totally drained creatively and ready to navigate the way these new songs were supposed to feel physically, on stage. I think I need to live some more to gather stories to write even newer songs right now. Luckily there’s a lot going on so inspiration shouldn’t be too hard. But who knows. Never me!
Have any of you taken up new hobbies or routines in quarantine?
I take my dog out for two very long walks a day which she is loving. I’m trying to stay active by doing yoga and pilates in my room by following along with YouTube videos, which sounds glamorous and fit (maybe?) but is usually just sweaty and frustrating with lots of dog hair sticking to my mat. Though I do enjoy it. I also video chat my friends multiple times a week which has been an unexpected lifesaver for someone who has a fear of talking on the phone.
When the “coronavirus dust” settles, what are you all looking forward to doing?
I can’t wait to meet and hug and dance and sing with people. I can’t wait to go thrift shopping again and also just SEE MY BAND <3
Make sure to listen to Dizzy’s latest track ‘The Magician’ and watch their music video for the record below…
