Derina Harvey

Derina Harvey Band shares new single, “Waves of Home” (Interview)

Derina Harvey

Edmonton’s Celtic Rockers Derina Harvey Band Release “Waves of Home”

From its opening explosive fiddle riff to its driving dance-floor chorus, the award-winning Derina Harvey Band has created a dazzling ball of Celtic rock in its latest single “Waves of Home” from the new album of the same name. This new single arrives with powerful sweet vocals from frontwoman Derina Harvey, accompanied by a raucous fiddle, solid instrumental backing, and a stomping beat. This single doesn’t pull any punches right from the get-go.

With the Derina Harvey Band being described as if Great Big Sea has upped their rock game and recruited Adele on vocals, you know exactly what to expect before you listen. This band and their music are full of high energy that leaves audiences out of breath and hollering from their seats at every show.

Harvey delivers an exciting Celtic stomper, “Waves of Home,” from her and the band’s latest album featuring eight original tracks and three re-imagined folk songs. This single sets a precedent for the entire album’s fully fuelled road trip, which takes us on a heart-thumping journey exploring themes of connection, perseverance, and the joys and hardships of Canada’s people.

Hailing from the East Coast, but now based in Edmonton, Harvey explains,

“I’ve always been inspired by the honest folk songs of my native Eastern Canada. I believe that people across Canada are connected by their triumphs and tragedies.”

With a further explanation of the lyric themes, Harvey goes on to say, “The lyrics of the album explore connections to self, connections to the community, and our interactions with the land.”

“Waves of Home”‘” is described by Harvey as a Celtic pop-rock anthem, an invitation to Canada’s east coast that kicks off with overdriven guitars and an unmistakable riff that is layered with Irish-inspired fiddle, Hardanger fiddle, and bouzouki; one that weaves in and out of the vocals and instrumentation.

Additionally, Harvey’s vocals are musical, powerful, and empowering, with the band putting everything into playing just to keep up. There are hints of UK folk ensemble Bellowhead running throughout this single. And there are some quiet moments during ‘Waves of Home’ which allows us to focus on the talent of the entire Derina Harvey Band’s harmonies working alongside Harvey herself. 

Lyrically, “Waves of Home” is a song of connection and reflection that stomps its message throughout the single.

Come home with me, roam these streets that I remember
And we’ll get carried away (we’ll get carried away) on the waves of home
One hand to the sky with a wink and a smile, we’re getting caught up in it
So drink it all in
You’re drifting in the waves of home.

Harvey talks about how the single and album tracks were recorded,

“The majority of these songs were written and recorded in Edmonton, Alberta. That said, if we’re considering the entire writing process – from inspiration to finished work, then technically, these songs were written across the country, with songwriting sessions happening everywhere from a shed by the ocean in outport Newfoundland to behind the wheel on a Rocky Mountain highway.”

The album features more than just original songs. The Derina Harvey Band presents their re-imagined versions of Labrador folk songs “Northern Lights of Labrador” and “This Is My Home.” These two poignant, pared-down tracks provide a balance to the energy of the rest of the record, staying true to their traditional selves with thoughtful arrangements and an undeniable honesty in Harvey’s vocals.

The album was mainly recorded at the Audio Department in Edmonton, engineered and mixed by Derina Harvey Band’s own Scott Greene. 

Alongside Harvey is a band made up of talent that also hails from Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland & Labrador, and New Brunswick, featuring Steve Pinsent on drums and percussion, Edward Smith on bass, keys, and vocals, Jessica Blenis on fiddle, viola, Hardanger fiddle, and vocals, and Scott Greene on guitars, bouzouki, banjo, and vocals. Now all based in Edmonton, Alberta, this top-rated pool of musicians always keeps up with Harvey, supporting her energizing vocals and allowing her intention to shine through.

If you need a potent dose of a foot-tapping Celtic blast, then the “Waves of Home” single is perfect.  

“Waves of Home”‘ is out now, and the album arrives on June 23rd.

Listen to “Waves of Home” below and learn more about Derina Harvey Band via our mini-interview.

Care to introduce yourself?

Hello there, my name is Derina Harvey and I front the five-piece international touring, and award-winning, Celtic Rock group “Derina Harvey Band.” All five members are originally from Canada’s east coast, but we are based in Edmonton Alberta! We play traditional favourites and Celtic classics along with a growing number of original songs like the title track to our new album “Waves of Home.”

Tell us about the process of writing “Waves Of Home?”

Waves of Home came together over time. With each band member adding ideas along the way for example: 

Guitarist Scott Greene brought forth ideas for the progression and melody for the verse and chorus. This inspired drummer Steve Pinsent to share an instrumental riff that fiddler Jessica Blenis, took and adapted in her style and you hear this in the opening and after the choruses.  

It was so peppery and fresh it made me think of an old brick (brick is used here as a reference to a small idea to use when song-building) where I explored the idea of Waves of Home… (greeting of hand waving, the soundwaves of both the nature and the trad music wafting through the streets, the water itself, the way memory hits you and transports you into a moment).  The lyric idea found its way to paper… and was reviewed and tossed out and rewritten and re-worded and then I circled back to some of the original thoughts. Then I had to step away from it and let it come around again… so there are still a few good ideas for other songs that were left behind…  I needed to change patterns and progressions to make the second verse sit how I heard it in my head and my very talented and multi-instrument trained bandmates were quick to arrange it to lift as you hear it now. 

As the chorus evolved during the writing process, bassist Edward Smith carves out a stomping bass line that works into the marching drums.   

Sometimes when I write the songs they pour out in solid verses and choruses almost like they were already there, ready to go, and just needed a vessel to be captured in.  Then there are songs that take me years like Waves of Home. I needed to give the song the time that the idea deserved, and that also gave the band members time to write and refine their parts. We are pleased with the result and the response from our amazing audience.

What’s it like being a musician in Edmonton?

Edmonton, Alberta has a very diverse music scene! The community is filled with folks who are very supportive! The venues, the crews, and also the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta, and Edmonton Arts Council, and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts have helped us along our journey from bar band to the theatre circuit where we now tour across Canada and the US! Edmonton has fantastic recording studios and highly sought-after industry professionals! It’s a great place to make music!

Who was the first Canadian artist to blow you away?

I think it was either Bryan Adams or Ron Hynes! Seeing Hynes (a songwriter from my home province of Newfoundland and Labrador) with music videos on TV and hearing him on the radio was so inspiring!  Bryan Adams was the first festival concert I ever attended! The vibe was amazing and the performance is still in my heart today! Alanis Morissette was a big influence too, but I hold a special place for Gord Downie – he will always be my fave!

You’ve been making music for a while now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?

I would say to try your best to learn at all times. There is an opportunity for lessons in every moment. I would repeat this “gather around you, that which you need to produce what you want” and build a team that believes in you, and your product. Treat everybody you work with, with respect. Be yourself. If you use someone else’s yardstick to measure your success, you will always come up short. I learned a lot of these things early in my career… some later… I’m still working on accepting some of these as I forget to put these things in practice.  I still have lots to learn.  Oh and get a good accountant!!! 

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