Canadian rocker Lee Aaron returns with a new single, her rendition of the Heart classic, ‘Even It Up’, ahead of new album, Tattoo Me, due on 26th April through Metalville Records.
“Heart were a very big influence on me and my music journey,” Aaron reflected. “The Wilson sisters were the real deal – Bad-ass women playing instruments and writing their own music. I loved all their albums up until that point, but ‘Even It Up‘ from Bebe Le Strange sent a really strong message about female equality that resonated with me.
“Songs like ‘Even it Up’ and ‘Barracuda’ were empowering both musically and lyrically and hugely influenced my later work. We slowed our version down and gave it a T-Rex groove which I love. I think it makes it even tougher.”
Available digitally, you can check out the video here at RAMzine.
18 Albums into her career, Aaron has written, recorded and produced music achieving gold and multi-platinum sales. Recognised as one of Canada’s top rock vocalists she’s also made forays into jazz, blues, and even opera, receiving numerous awards and accolades and most recently, a 2023 induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame.
“Songs are like tattoos,” is the first line from Joni Mitchell’s classic Blue album, and it’s apparently a sentiment that has always resonated deeply for Aaron, who noted such, regarding her own forthcoming release: “The one thing I’d never done was a full covers album,” adding playfully, “It seemed like a really cool and super fun project to tackle at this point.”
Taking a nostalgic journey, Tattoo Me pays homage to musical trailblazers who helped shape her own artistic path. As a reflection of her eclectic taste, yet in keeping with a profound respect for the greats, these 11 tracks are a unique tapestry of influences tending to transcend era and genre.
“It started out as a heartfelt nod to artists we’d been influenced by in our youth, but the truth is, we didn’t stop being influenced or being fans at 18, so the list kept evolving. It covers a few decades and a few unconventional choices, but it was incredibly rewarding to make!” she stated.
Featuring Sean Kelly on guitars, Dave Reimer on bass, and John Cody on drums, alongside Aaron on vocal, each track is a labour of love, infused with her and her band’s signature rock ’n’ roll swagger, yet in keeping with a sense of reverence for the originals.
The album was produced by Aaron in her Vancouver studio and mixed by multi-media genius Frank Gryner (Rob Zombie, L7, Def Leppard, Larkin Poe, Ian Hunter and more).
“One of the positive things that came out of the pandemic was that we all upgraded our home studios and got very good at engineering and recording ourselves. No one was under the pressure of a studio clock, so the performances are as genuine as they’re gonna get.”
From the sizzling blues-rock of 1960’s Nina Simone’s ‘The Pusher’, to the rebellious energy of 1972 Alice Cooper’s ‘Is it My Body’, Aaron growls, purrs, whispers and wails, sounding like she’s having an absolute blast infusing these songs with her own fiery spirit. Her voice is as versatile and powerful as ever.
Standout tracks include a rendition of Led Zeppelin’s ‘What Is And What Should Never Be’, Heart’s ‘Even It Up’ and Hole’s ‘Malibu’. Stellar performances by Aaron’s long-term band channeling these ’70s and ’80s rock giants and seeming to capture the original magic of each of the tunes.
Another gem is Aaron’s take on Elton John’s ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’. Kelly’s acoustic guitars create the soundscape, then strings and lush harmonies support Aaron’s stirring vocal performance. The tribute is passionate and heartfelt. She reflected, “I spent hours and hours laying on my basement floor with headphones listening to ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’ on repeat. I desperately wanted someone to save me from my boring life when I was a teenager… Music ended up being that for me.”
The album also takes some unexpected turns, with delightful interpretations of songs from a diverse range of artists, including late’ 90s Brit-Pop band Elastica, California’s 77’s and The Undertones. Each track echoes the vibe of the era while fitting into the lineage of Aaron’s own storied career.
Tattoo Me is a sonic time capsule, bridging the decades. Once again, cementing her status as a rock ’n’ roll chameleon, Aaron blends the old and the new, proving not only that the transcendent power of music never stops, but that she herself isn’t ready to anytime soon.
The album’s full track listing is: ‘Tattoo’, ‘Are You Gonna be My Girl’, ‘Even It Up’, ‘What Is And What Should Never Be’, ‘Is it My Body’, ‘Go Your Own Way’, ‘The Pusher’, ‘Malibu’, ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’, ‘Connection’ and ‘Teenage Kicks’.
Regarding previous single release, ‘Tattoo’. Aaron said: “I’ve always thought songs are like tattoos. Tattoos are permanent on the skin but songs are permanent on the soul. When I heard this tune (by the 77s) about a decade ago, I knew I wanted to record it one day. It had a gritty, Stones-y, glam-rock vibe and I loved the sentiment: ‘Tattoo me on you’. Over the years, I’ve had many fans get tattoos of my signature and that’s about the highest compliment they could ever give me besides loving the music to.”
Also available digitally, you can check out the video here at RAMzine
