July Talk is a Canadian rock band formed in 2012 in Toronto, Ontario. The band consists of duo vocalists Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay, guitarist Ian Docherty, bassist Josh Warburton, and drummer Danny Miles. July Talk is known for their blend of rock, blues, and alt styles, as well as the strong vocal interplay between Dreimanis and Fay.
Who are the members of July Talk?
As mentioned, July Talk has 5 core members:
- Peter Dreimanis – Vocals, guitar
- Leah Fay – Vocals
- Ian Docherty – Guitar
- Josh Warburton – Bass
- Danny Miles – Drums
Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay are the lead vocalists and essentially the “face” of the band, while Docherty, Warburton, and Miles provide instrumental backing. The interplay between Dreimanis’ gruff vocals and Fay’s sweet vocals is a hallmark of the July Talk sound.
How did July Talk form?
July Talk came together in 2012 after Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay were introduced by a mutual friend. Both were working on separate music projects at the time but decided to collaborate. The chemistry was instant and the duo began writing songs together that would form the foundation of July Talk.
Dreimanis and Fay played a few live shows as an acoustic duo before deciding to form a full 5-piece rock band. They recruited the other current members and started playing clubs around Toronto. The band’s live shows, characterized by the intense vocal back-and-forth between Dreimanis and Fay, quickly generated buzz on the local scene.
How did July Talk gain success?
After building a following in Toronto, July Talk released their self-titled debut EP in 2012. Songs like “Paper Girl” and “The Garden” showcased their blues-rock sound and helped expand their reach. In 2013, they signed to Sleepless Records and began work on their first full-length album.
July Talk’s debut album, also self-titled, was released in October 2013 to strong reviews. The lead single “Guns + Ammunition” became a rock hit in Canada, reaching #1 on the Alternative charts. July Talk won a Juno Award (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy) for Alternative Album of the Year.
The band has gone on to achieve continued success in Canada, releasing the 2016 album Touch and several EPs. They’ve also toured extensively, playing major festivals like WayHome, Osheaga, and others. While less well-known in the US, they’ve started to make inroads in the American market as well.
What is July Talk’s musical style?
As discussed, July Talk is known for their blend of genres like blues, rock, punk, and alt styles. Some specific characteristics of their sound:
- Driving, blues-influenced guitar riffs
- Gritty, passionate male and female vocal duo
- Intense builds and anthemic choruses
- Sexual, confrontational lyrical themes
- Raw energy in both recordings and live shows
While difficult to pigeonhole into one genre, July Talk clearly takes influence from the rock and blues of the 60s/70s but with a modern, alternative edge. Reviewers often compare them to bands like The White Stripes, but with two vocalists instead of one.
What are July Talk’s most popular songs?
Here are some of July Talk’s most popular and well-known songs:
- “Guns + Ammunition” – Their breakthrough single from their first album.
- “Picturing Love” – Another single from their debut, with an anthemic chorus.
- “Push + Pull” – Title track from their 2013 EP.
- “Summer Dress” – Slower blues number and fan favorite.
- “Johnny + Mary” – A gritty, blues-rock tale of dysfunctional romance.
- “Beck + Call” – From their 2016 album Touch.
- “Pleased to Please You” – More recent single from 2018.
These songs showcase July Talk’s talent for memorable hooks and choruses, while also displaying Dreimanis’ and Fay’s vocal interplay and sexually-charged lyrics.
Have July Talk members released solo work?
For the most part, Dreimanis and Fay have focused their efforts on July Talk and its collaborators. However, a few side projects have emerged over the years:
- Leah Fay released a solo album titled Other in 2008 prior to July Talk.
- Fay provided guest vocals on the song “Lucky One” by Canadian artist Lukas Graham in 2016.
- She also sang on the song “Alone” by EDM producer Felix Cartal in 2018.
- Peter Dreimanis is featured on the song “Comin’ Home” by Canadian group Madison Violet, released in 2018.
These guest appearances allowed both vocalists to showcase their talents in other genres outside July Talk’s rock/blues style. But their main focus and collaboration remains with July Talk itself.
What is July Talk’s impact on Canadian music?
July Talk has had a significant impact on the Canadian indie rock scene over the past decade. Some of their key contributions include:
- Bringing blues influences back into the forefront of modern rock music.
- Showcasing a powerful male/female vocal dynamic lacking in other bands.
- Scoring crossover alt-rock hits and introducing their sound to wider audiences.
- Headlining major festivals and venues across Canada.
- Paving the way for other young blues-inspired rock acts.
- Earning critical and commercial success both at home and abroad.
July Talk helped revitalize indie rock with retro blues elements and a distinctive vocal approach. They represent the vibrant, evolving Toronto independent music scene that has grown exponentially since the 2000s. Along with acts like The Arkells, Alvvays, Pup, and others, July Talk showcases Canada as a hotbed for emerging young rock talent.
What is next for July Talk?
As of late 2022, July Talk is reportedly working on material for their fourth studio album, expected for release in 2023 or 2024. This comes after some downtime for the band during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In September 2022, July Talk released a new single called “Blood + Honey” which may appear on the upcoming album. The song follows in their signature blues-rock style, suggesting the new album may be a “back to basics” approach.
Beyond the new album, fans can expect more touring from this veteran live act. July Talk remains a powerful concert draw and will likely return to playing Canadian summer festivals and venues when new music is ready.
Nearly a decade into their career, the unique creative partnership of Dreimanis and Fay continues to anchor July Talk. Their bluesy, sexually-charged rock music and magnetic live shows have won them a dedicated fanbase. July Talk helped re-energize Canadian alternative rock, and likely have more boundary-pushing music ahead as they enter their next era.
Conclusion
July Talk is an acclaimed Canadian alt-rock band built on the powerful vocal interplay between singers Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay. Since forming in Toronto in 2012, they’ve perfected a blues-influenced sound paired with sexually confrontational lyrics. July Talk won early success in Canada with their critically praised debut album and earned a reputation as a formidable live act. Nearly a decade into their career, the band is working on new music and continues touring arenas and festivals across North America. With their trademark raw, gritty sound still intact, July Talk remains a unique presence on the Canadian rock scene.