Studio Sessions

Recording engineer: Steven Kray, with technical assistance from Bill Ward

Despite the title, The Dears' latest Degeneration Street represents something of a rebirth for the long-running Montreal band. Murray Lightburn and Natalia Yanchak started over on their own for the previous release, Missiles, before being joined by old Dears cohorts Rob Benvie, Patrick Krief and Roberto Arquilla for its completion. After that re-energizing experience, according to Lightburn, it was natural that the new (old) lineup would spill over into creating and touring for the next album.

The band joins us for a set of new songs, often co-mingling dark and foreboding subjects with anthemic pop hooks. We talk to Lightburn and the band about those impulses, as well as the unique way they brought Degeneration Street to the world before its release this past February.

Video: Jarratt Taylor / Ethan Derner / Anthony DelCalzo

Photos: Inger Klekacz -- see the entire set here

Other sessions you might like:

                 Patrick Watson & the Wooden Arms                                                          Frightened Rabbit

Audio Files