Andre Pettipas and The Giants To Release New Album Under Control on July 7th
East Coast Rock Band Andre Pettipas and The Giants have recently unveiled their single, “Definition Of A Dweeb,” from their upcoming album Under Control, out July 7.
The track is fun and energetic, with lyrics that will transport you back to your teenage years. The song is all about being a highschool outcast, and not fitting in with the rest of your peers.
Recorded in the summer of 2022 at The Tragically Hip’s studio, The Bathouse and Shoebox Studios, Under Control was made possible with the help of producer Brian Moncarz. The 13-track album highlights important matters such as alcohol dependency, love, loss, and taking accountability as displayed in new tracks Borrowing Happiness, Obstacles, and Monumental Health.
Andre Pettipas shares on the upcoming album,
“Inspiring growth through perseverance, ‘Under Control’ ebbs and flows bending the rock/pop influences from generations before us combined with our personal flair to create a product that is uniquely ours. We didn’t shy away from the messages, topics and production throughout the album. We walk a thin line between a showboat and a shipwreck and we wanted that portrayed on the record. This album is straight from the heart. It’s about reflection; looking in the mirror, digging deep and telling the stories about some of the most influential ups and downs of the last decade.”
We didn’t want to put any restrictions on the album sonically or contextually as we were aiming to show vulnerability throughout. Getting to record the album at The Bathouse was an absolute dream. The vibe in the house was nothing short of extraordinary and we are grateful for the opportunity. We’re excited for people to get a deeper look into what we have to offer as a group with this release. It’s about getting your life ‘Under Control’ and finding the balance that works for you so that you’re able to pursue what makes you tick.”
Listen to “Definition Of A Dweeb” below and learn more about the band via our mini-interview.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m the frontman of the Grease Coast Rock N’ Roll outfit, Andre Pettipas and The Giants from Nova Scotia, Canada. We’ve been a band since early 2015 and come this July we’ll have 3 studio albums and one live album under our belt. The band consists of best buds with a common goal in mind; sustaining careers as full-time musicians. Over the years we’ve set goals for ourselves and with perseverance and determination have been able to make a lot of them happen. Our last album, “No Fools No Fun” was nominated for Rock Album of the Year at both the ECMA and NSMW festivals. We landed a top 30 song (Sympathy Card) and a placement on the NHL Stanley Cup finals (Overtime) during the album run. This put into perspective, to us that our dreams were attainable.
Building off of those successes we recorded a live album at the legendary El Mocambo Tavern to segue the road we travelled already to the path we’re set to take on. This led us to where we currently are today; weeks out from releasing our third studio album, Under Control which was recorded at The Tragically Hip’s studio, The Bathouse, and Shoebox Studios. As we grow as people and musicians we want our followers to feel compelled with joining us for the ride. We feel as if the new album is the most honest and vulnerable material we have done yet.
You have unveiled your new single, “Definition Of A Dweeb.” Tell us about the writing process behind the release.
The music behind Dweeb was created in the winter of 2021. I wrote the hook and melody for the chorus “My highschool hair-do, all I wanted was a buzz but the last thing was I got cut too” in a cabin in Ingonish, Cape Breton during a post-work jam with my brother (our bassist.) The core of the song was written that night and stemmed from a story my brother and I had from a time in grade 9 when I accidentally shaved a bald spot into my head. I then developed the song into a general overview of the growing pains that come along with adolescence.
Since the song is all about teenage years, what is one memory that has stuck with you from those years?
I think the inspiration from Dweeb is one that will always stick with me. I was cutting my hair into a mohawk for soccer provincials and after realizing I left a long hair slightly off center of my head I went back to trim it up. Little did I know that my brother had taken the guard off the clippers and I was going to cut that part down to the skin. After looking how I did I figured I should just shave the rest of my head bald. I went to school the next day while wearing a toque (Mom had sent me a note for teachers to tell them I was sick and had to wear it, haha.) I actually found a photo of said note recently. I’ll have to share it as a throwback soon!
What’s your favourite thing about being a musician on the East Coast?
I love the East Coast for its diversity and hospitality. The music scene has some of the best folk, rock, and hip-hop in the world. The small-town festivals and people who attend are some of the nicest people in the world. You really feel welcome while attending. No matter where this musical journey takes us we will always call the East Coast home.
You have teamed up with Q97.9/ Q104 on the inaugural Giantstock, a three-day festival of music, camping and Pettipasitivty. Tell us how this came to be?
Giantstock has been years in the making. Over the years we have played multiple times at our buds, The Stanfields festival, “The Blacktop Ball” on the same grounds. During those shows we had our pal and property owner, Orville Mason tell us that we should produce our own festival at that location. With a new album ready and our team growing we decided that this was the year to do it. We invited some of our best buds to play the inaugural year and can’t wait to host some amazing bands and festival go-ers for this unique experience. Expect a whole lot of collaborations between bands throughout the entire weekend. Our friends at the Q have been behind us since we won their Homegrown challenge in 2017. When I came to them with the idea they did not hesitate on hopping on with us.
What’s up next for you in 2023?
A whole lot of touring. We are currently on a cross-Canada tour supporting the single. When we return home we’ll be touring the Maritimes for the remainder of the summer months before we head on another cross-Canada rip in September in support of the album. We want to explore new markets while continuing to build upon our live show and the connections with our audience.
Andre Pettipas and The Giants Tour Dates
June 15 – Vancouver, BC – The Roxy
June 16 – Revelstoke, BC – River City Pub and Patio
June 17 – Calgary, AB – Commonwealth Bar & Stage
June 18 – Edmonton, AB – SOHO YEG
June 23 – New Glasgow, NS – Shoebox Cantina
June 24 – Arisaig, NS – Steinhart Distillery
July 7 – Shelburne, NS – Boxing Rock
July 8 – Lunenburg, NS – Lightship Brewery
July 21 – Halifax, NS – The Carleton
July 22 – Bridgewater, NS – Firkinstein Brewing
July 25 – Inverness, NS – Coalminer’s
July 27 – Fredericton, NB – The Cap
July 28 – Moncton, NB – Tide and Boar
August 10 – Sydney, NS – Rock The Fiddle
August 11 – Amherst, NS – Trider’s
August 12 – Wolfville, NS – Old Orchard Inn
August 19 – Saint John, NB – Area 506 Waterfront Container Village
August 25 – D’escousse, NS – The Groundswell
September 1-3 – Merigomish, NS – Giantstock (Inaugural year of the band’s own festival)
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