Edmonton singer-songwriter Alex Vissia returns to the West Coast to support her debut solo release A Lot Less Gold.
Released Nov. 10, the album resonates with just what the title suggests: a lack of excess. Recorded in a farmhouse loft outside of Edmonton and two bedroom “studios” with five young innovative musicians, the record is a testament to how music can make an impact from the grassroots level without the need for big money or big names.
The album opens with Alex’s warm, roots-influenced vocal sound on a track called Get Well Soon. The Eva Cassidy-meets-Serena Ryder vocals that propel her debut are those of a mere 23-year-old. Alex’s prose dives deep into personal revelations and at times, as in Ursa, poses questions of societal and environmental responsibilities.
The band weaves these lyrical short stories with sometimes powerful, sometimes subtle textures in the organ (Alex Vissia), drums (Nich Davies), bass (Kurtis Cockerill), saxophone (Savic Panylyk) and guitars (Alex Vissia, Jeff Kynoch).
Listen for the soulful tenor solo on Don’t Tell Me Riddles, the dramatic bass ostinato on Ursa, the haunting organ pad in the bridge of Wild Fig Tree, and the organic yet driving pulse of the drums on Blue Flowers.
“Her latest effort, the cryptic A Lot Less Gold, is the sort of album that rewards multiple listens. Readily accessible yet slow to surrender its secrets, the record offers ample opportunities for exploration — and some old-fashioned rock & roll,” writes Alex MacPherson of Verb News in Regina.
Alex and her trio will play an afternoon show at the Zocalo Café on May 6. Music starts at 2 p.m. The album will be available at the show, and is also online via Alex’s website.
For more information and complete show listings, visit www.alexvissia.com.
— Alex Vissia
