Canada’s Rock Power Couple ALTERED BY MOM Releases ”Waiting On A Sign That’s Already There” From Upcoming AHEM Album
ALTERED BY MOM is an alt-rock/indie duo from Toronto that combines a knack for infectious melodies and classic songwriting with a quirky sense of humour and a tongue-in-cheek post-grunge aesthetic. They sound like Alanis Morissette, Oliva Rodrigo, and Sloan chowing down on a party sub in the security line at YYZ.
On the heels of 2021’s monolithic collection 52 SONGS, one of Canada’s best-known musical power couple Gina Kennedy and Devon Lougheed are releasing AHEM upon the world on June 30, 2023. Until then, you can enjoy the newest single “Waiting On A Sign That’s Already There”, debuting May 12. The song was inspired by “the utilitarian urge to joke about our own struggles with depression and anxiety as a survival technique”, according to Lougheed. The anxious joke was almost on them during filming for the music video, as one shot was interrupted by a road-rage-inspired shouting match between a driver and a pedestrian. “Maybe the sign they were waiting on was the ‘walk’ sign…” joked Kennedy.
The upcoming release AHEM is a metaphorical throat clearing, a demand for attention, and a command of the floor. While 52 SONGS was a 52-course meal, the four tracks on AHEM are a power snack, like a banana with a Red Bull chaser, an amuse-bouche for the ears. Lead singles “Dive In”, “Everygirl” and now “Waiting on a Sign That’s Already There” are compelling fun, and introspective songs about self-belief, pursuing love, and embracing the weird and wonderful in life.
The EP AHEM is out on June 30, 2023; the single “Waiting on a Sign That’s Already There” precedes it on May 12.
Watch the video for “Waiting on a Sign That’s Already There” below and learn more about Altered By Mom via our mini-interview.
Care to introduce yourself?
We’re Altered by Mom, an alt-rock/indie duo from Toronto. Our prime movers are Gina Kennedy and Devon Lougheed. We couldn’t help but notice you from across the bar, and we were wondering…
Tell us about the process of writing “Waiting On A Sign That’s Already There?”
Have you ever wanted to make fun of your own mental health as a coping mechanism? Have you ever put those jokes to a melody atop a swirling phasery guitar because it makes you feel better? If so, you might be us. This song was inspired by the utilitarian urge to joke about our own struggles with depression/anxiety as a survival technique.
What’s it like being a musician in Toronto?
There are so many interlocking scenes and interdisciplinary creators living here. It can be really inspiring to see what people are creating. There’s also a large enough interested public to support those endeavours. We each come from small hometown scenes, Devon from Brantford (Ford Plant what uppppp) and Gina from Pictou County, Nova Scotia, and want to bring the best parts of elements of those scenes to the larger and definitely more intense Toronto scene.
Who was the first Canadian artist to blow you away?
When I (Devon) was 12, I saw The Philosopher Kings play, and Gerald Eaton was literally pelted with bras from the audience. I knew then that my destiny was to become an absolutely frickin rockstar… if only for the free bras. Hey, if you like this story, you might like our music/videos – might as well hit up streaming and YouTube, right? Yeah, let’s do it!
You’ve been making music for a while now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
Create, release. Don’t let art die on a hard drive or locked in your mind. Surround yourself with good people and trust your gut instinct. Rejections suck but acceptances feel so good that there is a sort of loose universal balance. Don’t take it personally, even when it’s really personal. Share that selfie, we love who you’ve become. Come see Altered by Mom live, and listen to our music – you’re gonna love it.