Down the Lees shares their latest single, “Dead and Over”
“Dead and Over” was intended to be Down the Lees’ swan song.
In 2020, the music industry faced unprecedented challenges as the global pandemic halted live performances and tours. Down The Lees, the Ghent-based trio led by Canadian musician Laura Lee Schultz was no exception to this harsh reality.
Despite the promising trajectory of their latest album, Bury The Sun, recorded by the acclaimed Steve Albini, and a string of dynamic shows across Belgium, France, and The Netherlands, the band’s momentum came to an abrupt halt when the world stopped. Adapting to the new normal, Laura Lee Schultz played a handful of solo online shows and began writing new material, hoping to collaborate with her bandmates in the future. Unfortunately, the prolonged uncertainty and distance took their toll, and Laura ultimately made the decision to relocate to Canada.
Laura’s mental state experienced both highs and lows as the months turned into years, which
can be especially challenging for musicians. The media has not addressed the mental health
crisis of artists during these difficult times, and it continues to be a huge problem. However, she
channeled her self-doubt and depression into her songwriting, resulting in music that is
vulnerable and introspective. This led to the creation of “Dead and Over,” intended to
be Down the Lees’ final recording. A song of farewell to her first love, music.
As the first release for Down the Lees in over three years, “Dead and Over” captures the raw
emotions of sadness, frustration, and anxiety that permeated throughout the years since the
pandemic began. With candid lyrics such as, “No one gives a fuck about aging women” and
“sweat like the rest of you, now I’m dead and over,” the song is a poignant reflection of the
challenges faced by older female musicians.
The track was primarily recorded at Laura’s home and Andy Ashley’s studio in the Okanagan
Valley, capturing the raw emotions of feeling erased, unheard, and forgotten. To perfect the
drum parts, Laura took online drum lessons from William Goldsmith (Sunny Day Real Estate),
while the song was mixed by Jesse Gander (Brutus, Japandroids, White Lung) of Raincity
Recorders and mastered by Blake Bickel (Dynamic Sound).
The creation and recording of this song led Laura Schultz down a new path, involving the
addition of new band members (Andy Ashley/Chris Carlson), new music, and a renewed
passion for being a musician. It’s true that hitting rock bottom can often be the catalyst for
realizing that the only way forward is to stand up and keep moving.