Ottawa Roots Rock Group The All Canadian Soundclash Offer Harrowing Story “Tired” From Forthcoming Nashville EP
Events in one’s life can be recalled vividly regardless of the distance from when it first happened. Ideally, one ends up with more pleasant, happy recollections than tragic ones, but tragic ones are also part of life. For The All Canadian Soundclash‘s vocalist Andrew Michelin, the gorgeous lead single “Tired” from the group’s new four-song EP Nashville was inspired by a friend who was killed by a drunk driver when Michelin was in his early twenties.
“I wrote the song in about ten minutes when I was twenty-one sometime after my friend’s funeral,” Michelin, the lead vocalist of the Ottawa-based roots rock group, says. “It’s only now that I had the chance to have it professionally recorded. I think my friend Heather is looking down on me. Proud of the song.”
He should be. Despite the grief bursting through the song’s surface, “Tired” is a gorgeous tune Michelin sings perfectly about the pain of loss. From the tender piano introduction courtesy of keyboardist Dane Bryant to guitarist Troy Lancaster’s fantastic guitar work throughout, “Tired” is a song that will put The All Canadian Soundclash on playlists internationally.
Fleshing out the cut are the rock-steady rhythm section of bassist Lex Price and drummer Shawn Fichter while Tim Galloway adds acoustic guitar and Tania Hancheroff’s delicate but dreamy backing vocals. Listeners familiar with Tom Petty’s deeper ballad-leaning cuts featuring Mike Campbell’s guitar wizardry or Bob Seger’s “Turn The Page” would realize the quality emanating from “Tired,” a recording Michelin says is “a deeply personal and emotional song for me.”
Young and bright, oh sunflower. Please don’t turn out your light.
You’re colorful, so radiant and I know by now you’ve taken flight.
And when you spoke I almost choked fighting back the tears.
Now you’re gone I’ll write this song, inspiring through the years.
“Tired” is the lead single from The All Canadian Soundclash’s Nashville EP, a four-song effort which originated from a meeting between Michelin and acclaimed Nashville producer Dean Miller. Miller, who worked with Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson and the late Merle Haggard among others, heard the band’s 2021 album Better Late Than Never. Piqued by Michelin’s songwriting, Miller invited him down to Nashville to record.
In the summer of 2024 Michelin ended up in Nashville’s Sound Emporium, an iconic studio founded by Jack Clement that saw a who’s who record there, from R.E.M. and Jelly Roll to Taylor Swift and Johnny Cash. “I thought, ‘What in the world am I doing here?'” Michelin says. “The more I realized who had recorded at Sound Emporium before me, the more I was blown away! My daughter was excited that Taylor Swift had recorded there too.”
A behind-the-scenes mini-documentary for Nashville and a music video for “Tired” have been released. The All Canadian Soundclash will also celebrate Nashville’s release with a special concert at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern on Nov. 13 which is sure to be a hot ticket. But for now, fans should instantly fall in love with “Tired,” a devastating but delectable jewel.
Can you take us back to the moment when you wrote “Tired”? What emotions were you processing at that time, and how did they shape the song’s lyrics?
When I wrote “Tired,” I was processing a mix of exhaustion and introspection. The song reflects a period when I was feeling overwhelmed by the loss of a close friend in a tragic accident. This fatigue wasn’t just physical but emotional and mental as well. Because the loss was at a time in our lives where we were so young and it was the first real tragedy I had experienced, it stayed with me to this day. Songwriting was a coping mechanism.
“Tired” features some incredible musical contributions from your bandmates and other musicians. How did their talents help elevate the emotional core of the song?
The talents of the Nashville session musicians played a crucial role in elevating the emotional core of “Tired” by adding depth and nuance to the track. Each musician brought their unique strengths to the table, whether it was the intricate piano work that added texture and mood, or the evocative rhythm section that provided a solid emotional foundation. Their collective contributions helped to enhance the song’s dynamics and intensity, ensuring that the emotional message was conveyed more powerfully and authentically.
How did working with producer Dean Miller influence the recording of Nashville, and what was it like recording at the legendary Sound Emporium in Nashville?
Working with producer Dean Miller had a significant influence on the recording of “Nashville.” Dean Miller’s experience and expertise in the industry helped shape the sound and direction of the album, bringing a refined and polished approach to the project. His ability to understand and capture the essence of the music contributed to a more cohesive and powerful final product.
Recording at the legendary Sound Emporium in Nashville added an extra layer of prestige and authenticity to the project. The studio’s rich history and state-of-the-art equipment provided an inspiring environment that enhanced the recording process. The ambiance and acoustic qualities of Sound Emporium allowed for a more immersive and dynamic sound, helping to capture the true essence of the music and elevating the overall production quality.
You’ve mentioned that recording at Sound Emporium felt surreal, especially knowing the iconic artists who have worked there. How did that experience impact your confidence as an artist?
Recording at Sound Emporium was indeed a surreal experience, given its storied history and the legendary artists who have graced its studios like Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift and even Jelly Roll. Being in that space, surrounded by the legacy of such influential musicians with their gold records on the walls had a profound impact on my confidence. It reinforced the feeling that I was part of something big. The studio’s atmosphere and the weight of its history inspired a heightened sense of purpose and commitment to the music. This environment helped me believe in the quality of my songwriting and pushed me to deliver my best performance, knowing we were creating something in the footsteps of greats.
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