Victoria Houser Unveils Her Latest Single “When You’re Sober” – A Sobering Reflection on Fading Love Disguised in Revelry
Emerging singer-songwriter Victoria Houser, a talented, Toronto-based country/roots artist hailing from the tranquil coastal town of Hubbards, Nova Scotia, unveils her latest single, “When You’re Sober.” This upbeat, unusually melancholic, and infectious track is the first single from her upcoming 4-song EP, titled Somewhere Close to Home.
Accompanying the single launch is a music video, which was recorded with live audio from The Root Down in Toronto.
Victoria Houser’s musical journey began organically, influenced by her East Coast upbringing. She seamlessly combines country and folk elements with an East Coast flair, drawing inspiration from musical luminaries such as Gillian Welch, Neko Case, Lucinda Williams, and Anne Murray.
“When You’re Sober” perfectly reflects this blend, delivering a catchy country song everyone can relate to.
Victoria shares her inspiration behind “When You’re Sober”:
“I love to write songs that tell a story, and for ‘When You’re Sober, I aimed to tell a tale that would make listeners feel a little sad and a little amused, juxtaposed with a catchy melody, to showcase the complexities of relationships (and couples who drink) in a light-hearted way.”
This heartfelt single was born out of a challenging relationship. Still, it captures the resilience of the human spirit and the power of music to heal. “When You’re Sober” is a testament to music’s magic in expressing those emotions and experiences that words alone cannot capture.
Victoria adds,
“The song touches on something many of us can relate to–staying blind to problems in a relationship… at all costs.”
Victoria’s musical talent shines through in “When You’re Sober,” with each instrument acting as a character in her story, including Victoria’s delicate, warm vocals. The single and soon-to-be-released EP features an entirely Canadian team, with key collaborators like Toronto-based musician Chris Staig who co-produced the EP. The song, a snapshot of a couple’s night out at the bar, is a candid exploration of the complexities of human emotions and relationships.
Musically, “When You’re Sober” delivers a warm palette of sounds. Acoustic guitars are accompanied by walking bass, bell-like electrics, train track drums, Calexico-style trumpets, and dancing fiddles.
Layered at the top of the track are Victoria’s lyrics, which, in her own words, “explore the idea that a drink at the bar can feel like the comfort of old friends, and will leave you wondering if you should laugh or cry.”
Her songs offer a unique blend of storytelling and musical artistry. Victoria’s favourite lines of the track appear in verse two.
“The comfort of some old friends who’ve seen us through time and again.
I’ll take a Bulleit to the heart, Jack and Jamie do your part.
Don’t you leave us all alone,
‘cause if we go home, it’ll all fall apart.”
“When You’re Sober” is set against an addictive melody that will stay with you long after the song ends. Its humour and honesty make it a captivating addition to Victoria Houser’s growing repertoire.
Key members and musicians on this sonic adventure include Victoria on lead/background vocals and acoustic guitar, Chris Staig on electric and acoustic guitars, Dennis Mohammed on bass, David MacDougall on drums, Shelley Coopersmith on fiddle, and Tim Hamel on trumpet. The recording took place at the Lincoln County Social Club in Toronto, Ontario, with sound engineering and mixing duties taken up by John Dinsmore with mastering expertise from Andrew Seok. The music video was shot and directed by Joy Webster and Nick Tiringer, with sound engineering by Michael Legere.
“Beneath the whiskey and wine-soaked facade of ‘When You’re Sober’ lies a poignant narrative of a relationship held together by a fun night out, even as it teeters on the brink of collapse,” says Victoria.
The song cleverly disguises a tale of love’s demise with the cheerful clinking of glasses and lively tunes, offering a humorous glimpse into the fragile veneer of a failing romance.
Victoria Houser’s ”When You’re Sober.’ is a refreshing and authentic take on the complexities of love and relationships, wrapped in an unforgettable Americana melody. Be prepared to embark on a musical journey that will make you laugh and tug at your heartstrings This is an artist to watch in roots and country music.
Care to introduce yourself?
I’m Victoria, a Nova Scotian-raised, Toronto-based singer and songwriter. I grew up in a small coastal town called Hubbards with my family, and my Dad and brother still live there so I go home every few months or so. My Canadian East Coast roots are a big part of my identity and I like to weave that into my songwriting whenever possible.
Tell us about the process of recording “When You’re Sober”?
We recorded out of Lincoln County Social here in Toronto, and we decided to record the four songs in the order that they’d appear on the EP. ‘When You’re Sober’ happens to be the first of the four. Considering all of the songs were brand new, I couldn’t believe it when the fantastic team of musicians I brought on for this project (Chris Staig on electric/acoustic guitar and harmonica, Dennis Mohammed on bass, David MacDougall on Drums, and Shelley Coopersmith on fiddle) started playing this particular song as if they’d been playing it for years. We had so much fun with this one, there’s a cheekiness to the melody and lyrics that had us all giggling at times throughout the process and it quickly became a favourite, which is why I felt inspired to make it a single before releasing the rest.
What’s it like being a musician in Toronto?
I think what makes Toronto’s music scene unique is the community. It’s really supportive and people love to roll up their sleeves and dive in to help each other out and make projects like these come to life. I’m grateful for the incredible network of musicians I’ve been fortunate enough to build over the course of my time in this city.
Who was the first and most recent Canadian artist to blow you away?
There are so many I could name but I’ve been inspired by Shania Twain since I was a little kid, I have vivid memories of belting ‘Honey I’m Home’ at the top of my lungs for anyone who would listen. As for recent artists, I recommend Aysanabee. Lead singer Evan Pang was nominated for a 2023 JUNO Award for Contemporary Indigenous Group/Artist of the Year, and his song ‘We Were Here’is pretty spectacular.
You’ve been making music for a bit of time now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
You’re not going to please everyone, so write and play songs that mean something to you first. The right people will tune in!