With all that is going on in America, it’s sometimes hard to wrap your head around the negative going on elsewhere. But it’s there. Everyone has hardships, and for those in Falcon Jane, sadness hit hard last year due to severe floods that caused havoc and heartbreak in their area of Canada. With a lot of lost in the air, Falcon Jane took the pain of that and the reality of dealing with grief and penned their latest single, “The News.” We talked with their own Sara May about music, reality and what’s to come – like their show tomorrow at Monarch Tavern in Toronto.
Kendra: When and how did Falcon Jane go from an idea to a reality?
Sara May: Falcon Jane was a solo project I started in 2012, but back then it was more of a stage name I would use at open mics. Over the last six years, everyone and everything has come together quite naturally, and I’m feeling really good about what the band has turned into. Falcon Jane is ever-evolving, as we all are, but I hang onto that name because it reminds me to stay true to the original reason I started creating music – as pure, honest, expression – whatever that may be at the time.
Kendra: Was the sound instant? Because I know you guys say you’re plez rock, a throwback it seems to the ’60s and nature.
Sara May: We really found the plez once Andrew McArthur joined the group in 2014. He is such a positive, fun-loving person, with such amazing grooves and vibes. I tend to write moody songs, so when we jam together we create these cool hybrid tunes that are emotionally powerful, but also really fun and groovy. It became hard to describe to people, so we came up with “plez rock” which seems to fit.
Kendra: Now let’s talk about “The News.” I feel like this is a song that many can relate to, especially with everything that continues to go on in the world. Has music always been the number one way you personally dealt with grief?
Sara May: Oh yeah. It’s pretty much my number one way to deal with everything! When I’m emotional, I tend to get quiet, shut down and try to close myself off from people. But music is so opposite of that. I can pick up my guitar and start singing and everything I’m feeling comes out so fluidly. And then revisiting those feelings when I’m performing on stage is really interesting, because it’s like taking your emotions and deep, dark thoughts and putting them on display. But it’s like a celebration! Like “Yay! I’m human and I felt these things, and now let’s dance to them!”
Kendra: You mentioned the recent flooding in your area. Are there any sites or foundations people can check out to help?
Sara May: There was a lot of property damage over this past year, and specifically this spring – but I think everyone has gotten through it. Thanks for asking! There were a lot of fundraisers for the little boy who got washed away in the Grand River in February. Now I think the family is laying low now and trying to heal.
Kendra: Will “The News” be a part of an album in the coming months?
Sara May: Yep! It’s either going to be the first or the last track on “Feelin’ Freaky.” I still gotta make up my mind on that one. Look for it in August! Super excited for y’all to hear it!
Kendra: You guys have some dates coming up in June throughout Ontario. Any more planned for the rest of the summer? Perhaps in the states?
Sara May: Yeah we’ve got some super cool shows this summer!
July 14 – Burdock – Toronto
August 11 – Chill Fest – Mono
August 18 – Rainbow Trout Music Festival – Manitoba
We’ll be adding more soon! And yes hopefully a few in the states.
