Canadian folk-rock project, The All Canadian Soundclash has unveiled a video for the new single, “Romp”.
At first listen, “Romp” immediately lives up to its name; the bouncy beat and melodic lyrics serve as both an infectiously rollicking track and prime preview for The All Canadian Soundclash’s self-titled EP, which was released June 8, 2020.
“They say the music you first discover and fall in love with is the music that stays with you for the rest of your life,” Ottawa-based frontman and composer Andrew Michelin considers. “That’s true in my case… I come from the early 90s era of alternative grunge rock and, like any other 40-something, I can still remember the exact moment I first heard Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ or Pearl Jam’s ‘Alive.’”
As much as those influences burst through on Michelin’s — and therefore The All Canadian Soundclash’s — sonic offering, “Romp” offers equal nods to song-building blocks of even earlier mixed with his decidedly fresh perspective.
“I take a ‘less is more’ philosophy when it comes to creating music,” he says. “Oddly enough, ‘Romp’ is the very first song I ever wrote. I remember wondering whether or not it was a song…
I would ask around to all my friends, ‘does this sound like a song?’
My grandfather, Stewart, also wrote songs, but not for notoriety or any sort of career path,” he continues. “It was for fun. It was a game. It was a competition.
He was one of the last generations of trappers in northern Canada to still work and trade with the Hudson’s Bay Company and, while isolated out in the wilderness for weeks at a time, each trapper would write a song. When they all came home, they would show off their songs to one another to see who wrote the best one.
One ended up being the ‘best’ after all; his song ‘The Grand River Song’ has been recorded and performed by numerous musicians to this day.”
Check out the video for “ROMP” below and find out more about The All Canadian Soundclash via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Andrew Michelin and I’m a Singer, Songwriter from the Ottawa, Ontario area. My current musical recording project is called The All Canadian Soundclash.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
The All Canadian Soundclash’s music is considered indie folk or alternative rock n’ roll and I try to take on a less is more philosophy when it comes to creating my music. Which helps make the songs accessible and radio-friendly and I understand both the importance of structure and the desirability of pop hooks and repeatedly I try and deliver both.
Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?
Of course, at this time like every other live performer, there are no live shows in the near future but then again I’ve been thinking about doing a Facebook live show to promote my new E.P. that recently dropped on June 8th.
From what people have told me, The All Canadian Soundclash reminds them of a Noel Gallagher, Tom Petty or City and Colour performance all rolled into one.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
I would suggest “All my Life” it’s kind of a dark song but it’s the song that inspired my producer Dale Murray to agree to work with me.
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?
My go-to Canadian artist that I always listen to is Hayden. I grew up listening to his records and always loved his style. My second favourite right now is Dan Mangan.