The Lookout Service shares new album, The Gambit (Interview)

From the pulsating heart of Toronto’s vibrant music scene, indie-rock duo, The Lookout Service is igniting a sonic revolution with their debut album, The Gambit

Toronto, ON -based indie-rock duo, The Lookout Service has unveiled their debut album, The Gambit.

As listeners traverse through The Gambit, they’ll find themselves caught in a sonic whirlwind of poignant narratives, proving that The Lookout Service is more than just a band – they are storytellers, weaving tales of the complexities of the human experience.

In advance of the release, the band unveiled a slew of singles, such as “I Am The Dragon,” and “Rough Around The Edges.” Each track was accompanied by a music video.

The Lookout Service was formed in 2018 and you have been gaining traction on the Toronto music scene ever since. How has your musical style evolved since your early days as a band, and how would you describe your sound today?

I feel like our sound has become more refined over the last few years, but still retains all of the energy and chaos of the earlier recordings. Rob and I have come into some better gear over the years, so we’re happy that nothing is exploding or catching fire on stage anymore. I think after a few years of being a two-piece band, we’ve dialed in our sound in a way that can fill each venue we perform in no matter the size.

You have just released your new album, The Gambit. How did the creative process unfold while you were working on the album and were there any specific challenges or special moments you can share?

We recorded the album last January in Toronto at Room 21 Studios, with Luc Chiasson. The album is a collection of songs that we had written over the last four years (a few were even older than that) that we decided to record and release as a debut record. The majority of the songs were written in rehearsal spaces and jam rooms in a very traditional and simple way. I would come in with a guitar part and some vocal melodies, and then Rob would lay down the drums creating the skeleton of the song. We would record it, listen to it a bunch for a week, and then come back to the next rehearsal, to add finishing touches. Rob and I both work full-time jobs, so we would leave our day jobs and go straight to the studio to record. We would work 16-hour days, but every minute was worth it!

Can you highlight some of the key tracks on the new album and explain the significance behind them?

I’m really proud of every song on the album because each song has its own stories and memories attached to it. The singles (I Am The Dragon, Rough Around The Edges, Moving Away, and BMFR) are special because I feel like they showcase the dynamic of our band really well, and are staples in our live set. Some other songs on the album which I can’t wait to start playing live are Dafazzank (which is a made-up word) and Exodus (which features an actual thunderclap at the apex of the song).

In the current musical landscape, how do you feel your music stands out or sets you apart from other artists on the scene right now?

Being in a two-piece band always helps when people are discovering our music, and it helps us make an impact when we play live. Even though the limitations of having only two members are very apparent, I love the challenge of creating art with limitations, and seeing other musicians’ reactions when we pull up with a ridiculous amount of gear for 2 people is very satisfying. I hope that our music conveys attitude and energy in a genuine/authentic way, which is something I think sets us apart from a lot of mainstream music.

Are there any specific rituals or routines you follow before hitting the stage?

Without fail, we have listened to Send Me on My Way by Rusted Root before the start of the drive to every gig that we have ever played. It started because it was the first song on our “Pre-show Playlist” and would always come on when the car would start. We make a point to play it before anything else comes on, it’s almost like meditation at this point. Kinda stupid, but then again, all rituals are a little silly.

How do you approach translating your recorded music into an engaging live performance?

We recorded our record in a way that was as true to the live performance of the songs as possible. We wanted to do this because we wanted the record to showcase our talents in the most raw and clear-cut way, without using the magical powers of the studio to make them sound more or less than what they really are. Most of the tracks were recorded in full takes, to capture the essence of our band as much as possible. We’ll figure out what metronomes do on the next record, hopefully.

In your opinion, what is the best part of playing live, and what can audiences expect to see at one of your shows?

The best part of playing live is getting to hear a room full of people sing your lyrics back to you. We try to get the crowd as involved as possible in our shows, and we almost see them as our third band member in a way. I feel like the music that we play feeds off of the energy that we get from the crowd, and the more intensely we play the bigger the reaction from the crowd. Our band has only two band members, so if we can get the crowd singing along to our songs, it takes the music to the next level.

What has been the highlights of your musical career so far?

A career highlight for me was when Alan Cross selected our song, “I Am The Dragon” as his Undiscovered Gem of the Week on 102.1 The Edge. Growing up my father and I would listen to Alan’s Ongoing History of New Music podcast and talk about bands that my father had seen when he was living in Greece and England. It was a truly special moment to share with him.

What’s next for the Lookout Service?

Merch drops, vinyl releases, a tour, new music, videos, live sessions, and much more! You name it, we’re gonna do it!

And finally, what Canadian bands are you listening to right now? Are there any bands you would recommend that our readers should check out?

We’re always trying to promote other bands from our scene, and right now Delyn Grey is one of the best female artists in the rock genre. Her voice is incredibly powerful, and she writes music with her Dad, who also plays drums for her live performances. A real and true rock n’ roller who should be on everyone’s new music radar!