Dear Rouge

Dear Rouge bring the Lonesome High Tour to The Bronson Thursday February 20, as part of the Mill Street Brewery Concert Series!

Tickets are on sale now, and can be bought via the link above or at spectrasonic.com

Presented by spectrasonic with the support of Ontario Creates 

About Dear Rouge

Brace yourself for the answers as powerhouse duo Dear Rouge release their latest record Lonesome High, ready to sweep you away into a realm of rock music that fully embodies the band’s longtime mantra of “grit and gloss”. There is substance in the vulnerability revealed on the record, as they lean hard into the expression of the human experience. From the feedback of amps turning on at the top of the record, to the comedown ballad of the closing title track, each song on Lonesome High is a testament to Dear Rouge’s dedication to crafting a sound that's simultaneously timeless and cutting-edge. It’s a pulse-quickening ride through throw-your-hands up punk songs, the tastemaker tracks of the indie renaissance, and stadium-sized anthems, all the while being thoroughly Dear Rouge at its core: biting, gut-wrenching, but always hopefully optimistic. 

The soul of Lonesome High draws inspiration from the melancholic beauty of “high lonesome” bluegrass music. The genre is rooted in deeply emotional lamentations about love lost, interpersonal tensions, and the weight of unwanted social and cultural changes, serving as the emotional bedrock for Dear Rouge’s latest auditory odyssey. Lonesome High is a representation of life overall, with its highs and lows, and so it has a more relational, more vulnerable sound. The duo had previously ventured into the depths of their struggles on Spirit, a record that was deeply seated in the struggles of personal hardship, worldwide uncertainty, and fighting to keep your head above water. “Now it is time to get to the joy as we come through the shadows,” Danielle shared. “Continuing in the vein of “Gimme Spirit”, it’s a vibe of things getting better. Fighting your goons, achieving your dreams, and making the world better as you do so.” For the listener, there is a feeling of coming through a long hard journey. It is written from a place of happiness but remembering what you’ve come through; the pathway from the shores of suffering, up to the mountaintop of joy. 

In every note and lyric, you'll find echoes of the timeless struggles and triumphs that have defined this bluegrass tradition. It’s a dynamic world, one that Danielle and Drew McTaggart used to channel the spirit of rock’n’roll. The duo took elements that have surfaced over the band’s career and honed it into a snapshot of their sound. “We can’t help but be ourselves,” Drew says unapologetically. But Danielle assures us that they do not want to be “a banging gong, adding to the noise around us all”. Dear Rouge’s music is about a sharing of hearts, and in doing so, adding to the beauty and openness in our life. “We want to have fun while we deal with substance,” she says with a laugh. Lonesome High is Dear Rouge’s most condensed record to date as it was written and recorded in under a year while touring its predecessor, with the band returning to the studio in between festival dates over the summer months. In the studio, Dear Rouge collaborated with acclaimed producer Gus van Go, known for his recent work with The Beaches and Metric, at the esteemed Giant Studios in Toronto. The city’s electric energy and eclecticness served as the ideal inspirational backdrop for the duo, adding life to the record’s most vibrant moments. 

From the outset, Lonesome High gets you invigorated with “Goon”, an anthem for dealing with those who won't leave you alone. It could be that slimy dude at the bar, the person who continually crosses a boundary you clearly set out, or an ex who just won’t stop calling. Whoever they are, Danielle commands them it’s “time to go away!” Tracks like “Too Close To The Heat”, and “Cutting Teeth” showcase the versatility and dynamism within the album. “Too Close To The Heat”’s guitar riffs are razor-sharp, the rhythms are relentless, and Danielle's vocals soar to new heights, capturing the essence of the rock genre while injecting fresh modern energy. “Cutting Teeth” embraces the thought that even negative experiences can be where you get your strength, and your chance to succeed in life. 

One of the highlight tracks on Lonesome High, "Garbage" stands tall with powerful vocals and lyrics that serve as an anthem for overcoming adversity. Drew's musical prowess underscores an impassioned song that resonates with strength and triumph. In ironic contrast to the song’s name, Danielle reminds us not to give up, that there is a point to even the most baffling times, and implores us “Wait; I believe nothing is a waste”. When speaking about the track, Danielle gets emotional, holding back her tears as she explains, “People feel like, and even I feel like, certain circumstances are a waste. Like, what’s the point? But God doesn’t waste what he created for us. That’s my conviction on it.” After a 7 year battle with infertility, the heartbeat of Drew and Danielle’s infant son hums in the background of the bridge; a testament to resilience, and knowing the context, hits even closer to the listener’s own heart. The final line of the song drives the point home, as she wails, “Even though everything has changed; won’t throw it all away!” 

"Selfish Love" then takes centre stage as an unassumingly devastating exploration of heartbreak. The duo navigates the complexities of love gone astray. “My shivering heart, we’re so far apart; I’m still waiting on you,” Danielle croons, almost as if through tears, hoping the message reaches its intended audience before it’s too late. Midway through the record, “The Show” is a sonic rendezvous; a meeting point of diverse musical influences converging to create a genre-defying experience. Uniting forces with an unlikely collaborator, Carly Rae Jepsen guitarist Tavish Crowe, the song stands as a testament to the unexpected magic that unfolds when creative minds collide. “The Show” is a delightful detour into a landscape of sultry vibes. 

In a departure from their previous records, Dear Rouge ventures into experimental territory with "Not Afraid To Dance," inspired by the bold rhythms of artists like LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip. The explosive "Wallpaper” is an auditory detonation that marks a foray into further uncharted realms, with a dynamic fusion of raw power and experimental flair. The lyrics “Say what you are!” are a rebuke to cancel culture that threatens individual expression to the point where people feel the need to censor their honesty. “Blow My Heart Right Up” then dances its way into your ears with all the makings of an indie classic with a chorus that makes you want to scream along and jump in a mosh pit. Lonesome High’s penultimate track “Without You” could almost be classified as classic Dear Rouge with its emotive lyrics, captivating melodies, and soul-stirring vocal; elements that have become a core part of the band’s musical identity. The album reaches its crescendo with "Lonesome High," a building piano ballad that serves as the perfect closing chapter. Subdued piano intertwines with Danielle's vocals, creating a poignant atmosphere that lingers in the air, leaving listeners with a sense of catharsis and reflection. 

With a career that has already seen many “peaks” over it’s trajectory, including winning a Juno Award, countless radio hits, and playing alongside some of the biggest names in music, Lonesome High is a record that focuses on the electric energy of Dear Rouge's live performances. It highlights Danielle's magnetic presence and Drew's masterful guitar work. Each note of the record is a declaration of independence, beckoning listeners to join Dear Rouge on a heady journey through life's trials and triumphs.