Ontarians are Trippin’ in more ways than one with their dreamy new psychedelic anthem and footloose video — premiering exclusively on Tinnitist.
The latest preview of the rootsy pop-rockers’ upcoming album More How It Is, Trippin’ is a fittingly, well, trippy throwback to the paisley-clad halcyon days of Cosmic American Music and the Laurel Canyon / Sunset Strip sound. As the band massage the sweet spot between country, folk, pop and rock by layering jangly guitars and swirly sonics over a lazily loping groove, their smoky vocal harmonies spin a confessional tale that will ring true to anyone who’s tried to put their best foot forward as they fall head over heels:
“I got tired
Of doing things I know that I should do
Came unwired
Couldn’t find the light to see me through
Now I’m falling into you
I’m tripping all over myself
I’m trippin’.”
Superbly illustrated by a lighthearted video that follows a carefree beauty as she playfully meanders and dances through her day listening to music, Trippin’ will slide seamlessly into your playlist between classics from The Flying Burrito Brothers and Crazy Horse at their mellowest, along with newer fare from likeminded acts such as Blue Rodeo.
No surprise there. Befitting their name, Ontarians have a sound that could only be made by a group of guys raised on a steady diet of Neil Young, The Band and The Tragically Hip. They demonstrated that on their critically acclaimed 2021 debut album The Greatest Short Story Never Told, and now they’re back with the sequel, More How It Is, 10 new songs from the band’s co-founders Frank Deresti and Craig Smith.
The pair crafted the new material over the past couple of years in their usual manner, through writing sessions at their respective home bases in Sault Ste. Marie and Collingwood, as well as other excursions to northern areas of the province. The album was then laid down at Smith’s studio with the band’s drummer Chris Johns and keyboardist Jay Stiles. It was a lot of ground to cover, but the results on More How It Is speak for themselves; on top of Deresti and Smith’s rootsy melodicism there’s also a bit more of a Northern Gothic element to the new songs.
“Increasingly so, Ontarians have become very comfortable taking risks both musically and lyrically,” Smith says. “The sometimes lush and adventurous arrangements lift the songs to new heights, but the songwriting itself stands on its own.”
Deresti adds, “Each song on the record tells its own story, but the album as a whole represents a period of time where the world seemed to offer more questions than answers, and preconceived assumptions were being challenged at every corner. Amidst the somewhat dystopian tone of some of the writing, there is a thread of curious optimism and light-heartedness that has become a calling card for us as a songwriting team. This juxtaposition of darkness and light, disillusionment and lightheartedness, and care and nonchalance is a common thread throughout the album.”
Although Deresti and Smith handled much of the instrumental parts themselves in the studio, there’s no denying that the live sound of Ontarians comes through even stronger on More How It Is than on their debut. With Jay Case handling bass duties on stage, Ontarians are once again preparing to get out on the road as a five-piece and treat audiences to an all-around rock ’n’ roll experience.
As Ontario’s license plates used to say, it’s yours to discover. Due Sept. 20, More How It Is may be the best musical discovery you’ll make this year. But first, watch the video for Trippin’ above, hear more from Ontarians below, and find them on their website, Facebook and Instagram.
