thechroniclesofcure fight the quarantine blues with their debut EP Social Distant Story Book Album — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Armed with a heady combo of edgy synth pop, alt rock, and singer-songwriter vibes, the Canadian trio of Claire Warren, James Feschuk and Camille Irvine are using quarantine-created music to benefit a quarantine-related cause: Providing elderly residents of long-term care facilities with technology to stay socially connected during COVID-19.
“We didn’t really know each other at all beforehand,” Irvine says on behalf of the trio, whose members are split between Victoria, Ottawa and Halifax. “But we ended up having a really fun time working with each other. We found that sending each other tracks back and forth was the best part of our socially isolated weeks.”
That helps explain Social Distant Story Book‘s title. “It’s our story of how being in isolation doesn’t mean you’re alone,” Irvine explains. “It’s that, although we can’t meet in person, we can still create and connect with one another. The privilege we have had making music virtually, however, is something not everyone is able to do. Not everyone has access or know-how for using technology to connect — especially the elderly. These vulnerable populations are experiencing severe isolation, many without consistent access or ability to use technology, so by donating our streaming revenue and additional contributions raised from our website, we hope to translate the privilege we’ve had to make music into providing the elderly with access and ability to connect with their loved ones.”
Musically, thechroniclesofcure drew inspiration from the likes of The Cars, Peach Pit and City and Colour to create songs that balance timeliness with nostalgia. “The pandemic has shown us how valuable connection with others is, and how dark and bleak life can be without it,” Irvine shares. “That’s why the album starts with the ‘end’ and finishes with the ‘beginning’ — we started writing while feeling isolated and ended on a hopeful and excited note, patiently waiting for the days when we get to play as a band together. This album, to me, is about the struggles of growing up and, more than that, the oscillating experience of being a human — an experience encased by love, loneliness, insecurity, lust, and joy. Just like those emotions make you see life in different colours, I hope each of these songs make you feel in a kaleidoscope of different ways.”
Listen to Social Distant Story Book above, watch the lyric video for Playground Fantasy below, and keep up with thechroniclesofcure via their website, Facebook and Instagram.
