Vancouver
The personal history with Auroras runs deep, born out of two previous bands, Columbia and Louder Than Love. The Vancouver-based trio of Rich Jacquard (Dicky Baby) on vocals and guitar, Nate Parsons (Potato) on bass and backing vocals, and Brian Welsch (Tithead) on drums, has created a new sound with some familiar influences. Focusing their sonic efforts on upbeat, Brit Rock-meets-Southern Rock, the band has drawn comparisons to the likes of Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes and Kings of Leon.
With Jacquard having completed the debut Auroras album Broken Beats on his own in 2016 and playing with Parsons and Welsch sporadically in Vancouver up to 2019, Auroras are now taking their new record Welcome to the Lizard Lounge to the next level. The record channels old-school Las Vegas bar vibes, kicking off the 10-track album with a 45-second cocktail lounge piano and organ duet, before smashing its way into the record’s most radio-friendly track Coming Alive. The strength of this, the band’s first single, is clear right from the first few chords, but comes to full fruition once the chorus hits. Evoking feelings of a large arena-style atmosphere while still sticking to raw, groove-focused, simple lines, Coming Alive is extremely accessible from the first listen.
The rest of the record delivers strong variety, from power tracks Speed Demon and Fireworks, all the way back down to the dark brooding ballad Unbelieve. Summer favourite Surf’s Up, the album’s fourth track, channels feelings of watching the sun come up on a beach after a late night out, while B-side lead track Isolation Blues takes the listener through the emotions of post-pandemic separation from a partner.
With Welcome to the Lizard Lounge set to drop on Apple Music, Spotify and on vinyl in November 2020, the band hopes to support the release with live shows once the current global pandemic allows. In the meantime the band has been working hard to create video and live stream content to bring their new music to fans’ living rooms, rumpus rooms and beach blankets.