Three voices.
Each a seasoned instrument with a passionate core.
This trio of personality and experience merged forms The Lion The Bear The Fox. It’s the combined force of Ryan McMahon, Christopher Arruda and Cory Woodward, three solo career artists who joined together in 2012. Shortly after, in the fall of 2013 the group released its self-produced EP, We’d Be Good Men.
The trio has reached another milestone and is putting the finishing touches on its self-titled LP, expected to be released this fall.
McMahon said the common theme on the band’s album is that the members are all getting older.
“We’re getting to the point where all the ego is beaten out of us,” said McMahon. “It’s an album about becoming a better man and doing what you can every day.”
McMahon said the band has been trying to define its style.
“There are so many different flavours to what we do,” said McMahon.
Before creating the album, McMahon said they wanted a clearer picture and direction. They enlisted the help of their friend Nygel Asselin, who is a Vancouver-based producer, engineer and songwriter. The trio worked with Asselin in The Woodshop Recording Studio in Duncan.
“It was out in the middle of nowhere in the woods. We did 10 songs in 10 days. We used all the spontaneity,” said McMahon.
He said it was great working with Asselin on the project because sometimes the trio can “obsess” over the work because they are so close to it and the group needs another perspective on the music.
The Lion The Bear The Fox performs with special guest Northcote Thursday (April 21) at the Queen’s. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $15 in advance from Lucid, The Dog’s Ear, Desire Tattoo, the Queen’s, www.ticketzone.com or $18 at the door.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
