New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Heather Hill Official Website) Rooted in piano rock, Canadian singer songwriter Heather Hill is set to launch her sophomore album Leuty Station, May 12, 2012 with a CD release party at the
Drake in Toronto followed by a Canadian tour. The new collection of songs speak to how women make it through life's trials with strength and grace.
The name Leuty Station comes from an old lifeguard station that sits at the east end of Toronto that was built in 1920. Hill was running on a stormy day, looking to briefly escape the weight of her responsibilities as a mom, wife, friend, daughter... As she reached Leuty Station, the storm, the power of nature, and the beckoning lighthouse galvanized her. She was recharged and ready to embrace her realities.
With the percussive quality of
Fiona Apple and the vocal phrasing sensibilities of Kate Bush, the album kicks off with "
How Long" a song about a woman facing a possible diagnosis of breast cancer and how her view of the world changes when she hears her doctor speak those unwanted words. All beauty was drained from life and replaced with fear.
"Wading Through Normal" is the ultimate female power song and a tribute to women of all walks of life that make great sacrifices to look after those they love. These women are often unnoticed for their tireless efforts and don't always realize how strong they are while they are "wading through normal". The song has elements of Alanis and Tori Amos, an anthem rock ballad with ABBA-like back-up vocals.
The quirky, light hearted "Between the Leather and the Lining" came through Hill's time living in New York and being fascinated how handbags popped up everywhere. Handbags seemed to really reflect the woman wearing them. When talking to women about what they put inside their handbags, the idea kept coming up that the most important items fell between the leather and the lining.
Leuty Station is a departure from her first album, Listen (2005), which was produced by Steve Addabbo of Shelter Island Sound (Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin) and released in New York. Her guitar-driven debut effort was based on experiences in her life at the time - quitting her big high tech job, traveling the world and living in New York. For her second album, she chose highly regarded composer/musician/producer Orville Heyn (Suzie McNeil, Telma Hopkins, Mike Myers) to produce because he is adept at nurturing an artist's creative vision. Leuty Station reflects Hill's growth as an artist.
Hill and her band: Eddie Paton on guitars, Russ Boswell on bass and Paul DeLong on drums, will be performing at Leuty Station's album release party on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the
Drake Underground at 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door ($5 for students).
