Canadian Alt-Pop Sensation With Violet Drops New Album “Saturday Nights in Your Sunday Best” and Electrifying Single “That Boy”
Straight out of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canadian alt-pop band and local faves With Violet are expanding their eclectic sound to new levels with their latest album Saturday Nights in Your Sunday Best, and a new single “That Boy.”
The group – comprised of Sarah Newell (vocals & saxophone), Peter “Pete” MacDonald (vocals & keyboards), Matthew Cadigan (guitar), Spencer FitzGerald (bass), and Hunter Madden (drums) – formed in 2018 and have been a local sensation ever since dropping their debut EP Long Story Short, racking up several award nominations and wins and performing at festivals all across NL, including a headlining stint at the Woody Point Spring Thaw Festival in 2023.
Saturday Nights In Your Sunday Best, is a marriage between their two previous EPs, Saturday Nights In and Your Sunday Best, both released in 2023. It’s the culmination of two years’ worth of work and many hours in the studio in which the band decided to whet their fans’ appetites for the final full-length release by dropping bite-sized EPs. The new album features all the songs from the EPs plus some new tracks for a fresh yet familiar listening experience.
The lead single off the album, “That Boy”, is a neon-tinged joyride through the perils of longing and desire, with a feel-good, East Coast vibe that puts one in mind of an ‘80s rom-com. MacDonald’s powerful and emotional vocals seem to both lament and celebrate those whirlwind feelings of temptation that come with being attracted to someone, while With Violet’s signature infectious energy and beats let you know that, regardless of the lyrical subject matter, this is a band that you can be sure will have you on your feet at any live venue, including opening for Barenaked Ladies and Tokyo Police Club at the Iceberg Alley Performance Tent in St. John’s on June 19.
Hi With Violet, care to introduce yourself?
Hello! We are With Violet, an indie pop band from St. John’s, Newfoundland. Our lineup includes Hunter Madden on drums, Matthew Cadigan on guitar, Pete on keys and vocals, Sarah Newell on saxophone and vocals, and Spencer Fitz on bass. Our music is lively and dynamic, with influences ranging from Paramore and early Maroon 5 to Steely Dan and Bruno Mars. When we’re not making music, we love indulging in our usual shenanigans, which include playing Nintendo Switch and grabbing wings at Wingin’ It in the nearest town.
Tell us about the process of recording “That Boy”?
A: The recording process of That Boy was a fun collaborative effort by the band and our team (consisting of Manager Dave Shears at Hurricane Music). Recorded at Clyde Avenue Studios, With Violet had the incredible opportunity to work with Pop Producer Daniel Adams on this track. Dan’s influence on the track is immediate – from the first chord to the last lyric, the pop sound of Daniel Adams shines through. With Violet is excited for “That Boy” to come through a set of speakers near you.
What’s the music scene like in St. John’s?
While many think of Celtic or traditional music when they think of St. John’s, our music scene is incredibly diverse. St. John’s is a vibrant melting pot of influences, instruments, and musical styles. A place where a trad outfit is playing the bar upstairs, a pop band downstairs, and a jazz trio down the road. Recently, we’ve seen tremendous growth in genres like world music, hip-hop, Latin, and more. Our bars are always lively and packed with musicians belting the night away and we are proud to be a part of the eclectic music scene here in St. John’s.
Who was the first and most recent Canadian artist to blow you away?
The Beaches blew us away. We had the chance to open for them last year at the Iceberg Alley Performance Tent and were immediately impressed by their live performance. Their album is fantastic, but their live show is even better. It’s something we aspire to achieve – sounding as good or better live as we do on our records.
What are your plans for Spring and Summer?
We have a fun-filled Spring and Summer ahead! We’re excited to play at the Iceberg Alley Performance Tent again this year. Last year, we opened for The Beaches and Walk Off the Earth, and this year we’re thrilled to be opening for Tokyo Police Club and Barenaked Ladies on June 19th. We’re also looking forward to playing the George Street Festival after-party following performances by Loud Luxury and Down With Webster.