THE SLING SISTERS ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM ‘WHAT I HOPE TO FIND’ AND PREMIERE NASHVILLE-RECORDED SINGLE “CHASING WHISKEY WITH A KISS”
There is a rare kind of magic that happens when three voices find their perfect fit. The Sling Sisters, the powerhouse Blues-Americana-Country trio from Cambridge and Toronto, Ontario, are thrilled to announce the release of their debut album, What I Hope to Find, arriving January 31, 2026. This project is a soulful collection of songs defined by grit, groove, and heart, rooted in the storytelling warmth of folk and country traditions. Led by award-winning vocalist and producer Elana Harte, the trio is rounded out by the soulful clarity of Suzie B. and the grounded, gravelly texture of Kelly Mulholland.
The journey begins with the lead single, “Chasing Whiskey With A Kiss,” out now with a brand-new music video. This track is a special piece of the puzzle, recorded at East Iris Studios in Nashville with an incredible crew of session legends, including TOTO’s Buddy Hyatt on keys and Brent Mason on electric guitar. While Elana produced and mixed the rest of the album herself, she let this one capture a specific Nashville swagger, resulting in a playful anthem about living in the moment.
Elana describes the making of this record as a deeply personal labor of love. “Rooted in a lifelong devotion to craft, I am an artist who puts the song above all else-following the muse, honouring nuance, and building music as an immersive, communal experience,” she shares. The band feels more like a family than a group, and Elana’s production style reflects that, using real instruments and honest performances to create a sound that wraps around the listener like a conversation.
The heart of the album shines through in the title track, ‘What I Hope to Find’, especially in these opening lines: “The dust behind my tires / Makes me feel like I’m the only one alive / For at least the last five hundred miles / Since I waved goodbye and started on this drive / Where I belong / Is what I hope to find”. These words are a reflection of the band’s own journey-finding the courage to speak their truth and the faith to chase after what they really want.
The Slings’ origin story is just as organic as their sound. Elana and Suzie ran in the same circles as teenagers in Montreal but didn’t actually meet until years later. The trio finally clicked into place during a chance gig in Kitchener when Elana’s duo partner fell ill, Suzie sat in, and Kelly jumped on stage from the audience. That night, the “Slings” sound was born instantly. Their chemistry is built on a lifetime of loving music, from Elana playing an out-of-tune piano in her grandmother’s basement to the three of them finally finding that “magic click” of harmony.
The production of ‘What I Hope to Find’ is a global effort, featuring contributions from musicians in New York, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Ukraine. Harte employed a meticulous mixing approach inspired by the old-school principles of placement and stereo field to create a layered experience.
While the album maintains a traditional roots foundation, it utilizes unorthodox instrumentation, such as atmospheric embedded sounds and sparse electric guitar, opting instead for a focus on string arrangements and vocal depth. This intentional design ensures that every instrument is given a voice within the musical community of the record.
The album’s credit list is extensive, featuring mastering by Joao Carvalho and contributions from international artists like cellist Ben Trigg and drummer Chris Barber. Every element of the project is designed to resonate with those who value musicianship and meaningful storytelling.
The Sling Sisters will perform a series of live dates to celebrate the new music, focusing on venues that support their core values of accessibility and community. There is something visceral about the way these three voices lock together in a room, and the upcoming live dates are where that connection moves from the studio to the stage. These shows are an invitation into the family, centered on inclusion and the simple, honest power of three-part harmony.
Hi, Elana! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers for those not familiar with your music?
Hello! Great to meet you!
I’m a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, producer, engineer, and performer. I live in Toronto and grew up in Montreal.
I’ve played in bands since my early teens. I’m a huge David Bowie fan.
I studied opera for two years as a kid, and I have a lifelong love affair with recording, performing and producing.
I have a large-ish collection of guitars. And microphones. And vinyl.
I’m intrigued by all styles of music and am a big fan of co-writing and collaborating with artists.
I’ve written and released music across many genres, including pop, blues, rock, country, Americana, and folk. There might have been a ska and a metal tune in that mix…
Oh, and strings make me cry…
Three-part harmony can feel almost mystical when it works. When did you first realize your voices had that rare kind of lock-in?
Singing with The Sling Sisters is not only a mystical experience; it’s also a magical sound to create. It almost feels like there’s a shimmer in the air, a feeling of being exactly in the moment, totally present.
We realized the potential from the first second we started singing together: I had a duo show in Kitchener, Ontario, and the person scheduled to perform with me couldn’t make it. I had been playing with Suzie in another band, so I invited her to sub in, and she did.
Kelly was at that show, and we invited her onstage. We had never performed together before. I didn’t know her at all.
The vocals were an immediate lock, unrehearsed and unexpected. We formed the trio right then and there, and I began to imagine what the music would feel like on a sonic level.
Sometimes the universe lines up in unexpected ways. This was truly a gift!
“Chasing Whiskey With a Kiss” was the one track you took to Nashville. What did that city give the song that you could not get anywhere else?
The vibe in Nashville is special, and taking the song there got me in front of Desmond Child and Joe Vitale, both of whom contributed significantly to this song.
Having Greg Collins, Brent Mason, Buddy Hyatt, and the rest of the incredibly talented studio players record the song – that Nashville tone was a treat to bring home and mix.
There are nuances in the arrangement of Chasing Whiskey that set it apart from the rest of the album, including the introduction of steel guitar and the way the guitars are tracked. This song is more layered without being overcrowded, with a rounded sound that serves as a counterpoint to the lush, open arrangements elsewhere on the album.
Elana, you produced and mixed most of the album yourself. How did wearing both hats change the way you trusted your instincts?
This is a very good question!
I actually produced and mixed the entire album: Greg Collins is the Nashville tracking engineer, but the entire process of building and refining the mixes took place in Toronto.
I’ve taken on both roles separately on other projects, but this is the first time I’ve tracked, mixed, and produced.
No matter what role I’m playing (including songwriter), I always try to follow the muse and the song’s direction as best I can. I try to stay out of my own way.
Wearing multiple hats on this album allowed me to fully explore the songs’ vision and concepts without interference or limitation. Using Musiversal to tap musicians from all over the world and combining that access with local talent exponentially expanded the possibilities.
I could actually hear what the output was supposed to be for each song. I just had to figure out the best way to get there. (Following the muse, right?)
I’m a bit obsessed with how sounds and instruments work together to create soundscapes and the feelings they evoke. That’s what happened with this album.
Finally, when it comes to mixing and producing, it can go on forever if you let it!
I think I’ve done the best I can with this album, and that the result was critically enhanced by Joao’s mastering.
I had to learn to stop second-guessing myself and to let it go when it reached that point.
Now that this debut is finally arriving, what does it represent for you beyond being just your first full-length album?
This album is a departure for me, as it’s the first I’ve written, mixed, and produced. I’m proud of the process, the authenticity, the depth of the production, and the songwriting.
I’m putting it out there: I want to get involved in more creative projects, and I’m hoping this album will do good things for the ‘Slings!
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