July Talk is a Canadian alternative rock band formed in 2012 in Toronto, Ontario. The band consists of singers Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay Goldstein, guitarist Ian Docherty, bassist Josh Warburton, drummer Danny Miles and auxiliary musician Dani Nash.[1] The band has also performed and recorded music with artists Kyla Charter and James Baley. July Talk released its self-titled debut album with Sleepless Records[2] on 16 October 2012 and its second album Touch on 9 September 2016.[3]

July Talk
July Talk at Riverfest Elora 2018
Background information
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Years active2012 (2012)–present
LabelsSix Shooter Records Sleepless (CAN)
Island (US)
Universal (UK)
MembersPeter Dreimanis
Leah Fay Goldstein
Ian Docherty
Josh Warburton
Danny Miles
Dani Nash
Past membersEamon McGrath
Websitejulytalk.com

Universal Music Canada released an extended version of the album[4] in 2013. July Talk received a Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year[5] in 2015. The album went gold in Canada the same year.[4] It was released to American audiences in the spring of 2015 through Island Records,[6] and was joined by an EP in Canada titled For Your Bloodshot Eyes.[7]

With a reputation for explosive live shows, July Talk has found most of their following on the road.[4] Since the release of their debut album, they have toured Canada, the United States, Europe, and Australia, and played numerous festivals, including the WayHome Music and Arts Festival near Toronto, ON;[4] Shaky Knees Music Festival in Atlanta, GA;[8] Voodoo Music + Arts Experience in New Orleans, LA;[9] Osheaga in Montreal, QC;[10] Isle of Wight Festival in the UK;[11] and Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, TX.[12]

The band's second album, Touch, was released on 9 September 2016 by Sleepless Records in Canada, Island Records in the United States and Universal Music Group/Vertigo Records in Europe.[13] "Push + Pull", the album's first single, held the #1 spot on the Canadian Alternative Radio charts for thirteen weeks in 2016 and was released on American Alternative Radio in September 2016.

Biography

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July Talk at Orange Blossom Special Festival, 2022

In 2010, Latvian-Canadian[14] singer Peter Dreimanis approached Leah Fay Goldstein after hearing her sing with art/folk group Mothers of Brides at The Communist's Daughter, a bar in Toronto.[15] Dreimanis had just returned to the city following a European tour with The Mohawk Lodge and Eamon McGrath.[4] Dreimanis and Goldstein began to record demos together, and soon formed July Talk with McGrath, Josh Warburton and Danny Miles.[4] Eight months later, McGrath left the band to focus on his own material and was replaced by Ian Docherty.[4]

Goldstein, the daughter of Toronto Sun columnist Lorrie Goldstein,[16] was usually credited as Leah Fay in the band's earlier years, but has more recently used her full name.[17]

The band's ten-song debut album was released on 16 October 2012, by Sleepless Records. An extended version was released a year later in collaboration with Universal Music Canada.[4] The extended version included four additional songs: "Summer Dress," "My Neck," "Black Lace," and "Headsick."[18] In early 2015, the band recorded three additional songs for an American release with Island Records: "Gentleman," "Blood + Honey," and "Uninvited." These three songs were also released on a Canadian EP entitled For Your Bloodshot Eyes.[7]

In 2013, after releasing their debut album, they toured with Billy Talent, Matt Mays, Arkells, Sam Roberts, The Besnard Lakes, Weezer, Matthew Good, and Tegan and Sara. July Talk was nominated for Breakthrough Group of the Year at the 2014 Juno Awards[19] in Canada. During the live broadcast they presented the award for Group of the Year to Canadian Artists Tegan and Sara, alongside Canadian Rap Artist Shad. In 2015, July Talk won a Juno for Alternative Album of the Year for their debut album July Talk.[5] They have since opened for bands such as Spoon,[20] Red Hot Chili Peppers,[21] Weezer,[22] Alabama Shakes,[23] Frank Turner,[24] Against Me![25] and The National.[26]

 
Leah Fay Goldstein and Peter Dreimanis, 2022

In 2015, Dreimanis and Goldstein created July Talk Votes to encourage young voters to participate in the Canadian federal election. More than 1000 voters under 25 tweeted a photo of themselves at a polling station and received a phone call from the band thanking them for their involvement.[27]

Goldstein had the lead role in the 2015 film Diamond Tongues.[28] She received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Actress at the 4th Canadian Screen Awards in 2016.[29] She also had a smaller acting role in Sundowners, the 2017 film by Diamond Tongues director Pavan Moondi.[30]

Peter Dreimanis is also known for his cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's classic, "Bad Moon Rising" which was used in multiple television shows, films and video games such as The Walking Dead, Green Room and Teen Wolf. The cover was released under the moniker Mourning Ritual.[31] He has also had a number of film credits as a cinematographer, including both Diamond Tongues[32] and Sundowners.[30]

The band's first three studio albums won the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year.[33]

In 2017, the band began putting up posters at their shows titled "Love Lives Here". The posters are put up to help ensure that fans feel they have a safe space at the concerts they're attending- and ones free from sexism, racism, homophobia, ableism, and sexual assault.[34] That year, the band removed itself from dates supporting Nothing but Thieves, who had sexual assault allegations leveled against them. "We can no longer participate due to accounts we’ve read online of misconduct," they said.[35][36]

An August 2020 concert, performed by the band at a drive-in venue due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, was filmed by Brittany Farhat for the documentary concert film July Talk: Love Lives Here, which premiered at the 2023 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.[37]

In 2024, Dreimanis had an acting role in the forthcoming film by Ryan Coogler,[38] and released "Keep Me Free", his debut single with the side project Peter Dreams.[39]

Discography

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Studio albums

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July Talk was released on 15 October 2012 by Sleepless Records.[42] An extended version, containing three new songs, was released in 2013.[18] Louis Roberts of CultureFly credits the album as "a tour de force in how to refresh a genre," adding, "the debut album from July Talk is an aggressive, assertive and irresistibly mischievous slice of 21st century blues-rock."[43]

On 30 September 2014, July Talk released an EP titled For Your Bloodshot Eyes, which brought the three new songs included in the extended American album to their Canadian audience. When reviewing the album, Alyson Shane of The Spill Magazine wrote, "For Your Bloodshot Eyes serves two purposes: to continue to showcase the band’s exceptional talent, and to reaffirm that they are on the cusp of absolutely exploding in popularity. It is a must-hear."[44]

On 9 September 2016, July Talk released their second album, Touch.[45]

On 10 July 2020, July Talk released their third studio album, Pray for It, via Sleepless Records/BMG.[46]

On 20 January 2023, July Talk released their fourth studio album, Remember Never Before, via Six Shooter Records.[47] In December they followed up with Solstice, a five-song EP collecting cover versions of songs by James, Wilco, FKA twigs, Mclusky and Floyd Crow Westerman that they had recorded over the past decade for release as one-off non-album singles.[48]

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
CAN
Rock

[49]
"Paper Girl" 2012 July Talk
"Let Her Know"
"Guns + Ammunition" 2013 8
"Headsick" 2014 24
"Summer Dress" 34
"The Garden" 2015 28
"Push + Pull" 2016 1 Touch
"Picturing Love" 2
"Beck + Call" 2017 5
"Lola + Joseph" 3
"Pay for It" 2020 Pray For It
"Governess Shadow" 8
"Identical Love"
"The News" 14
"I Am Water" 2021 10 Remember Never Before
"Certain Father" (featuring Spencer Krug) 2022 3
"When You Stop" 2023 20
"G-d Mother Fire" 40

Music videos

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Before forming July Talk, Dreimanis and Warburton ran Vulture Culture Films, a Toronto-based music video production company.[50] Both brought their creative expertise to July Talk, staying closely involved in the direction, editing, and production of the band's distinctive videos.[4]

Goldstein has a BFA in contemporary dance from Concordia University in Montreal, and co-founded performance art collective WIVES. She choreographed the video for the band's number one single, "Push + Pull".

Title Director Director of Photography Editor Producer
"Paper Girl" Peter Dreimanis, Josh Warburton Adam Crosby Peter Dreimanis Peter Dreimanis
"Let Her Know" Josh Warburton Adam Crosby Peter Dreimanis Peter Dreimanis
"Guns + Ammunition" Josh Warburton Adam Crosby Peter Dreimanis
"Summer Dress" Josh Warburton Adam Crosby Peter Dreimanis Peter Dreimanis
"The Garden" Evan Morgan Adam Crosby Peter Dreimanis
"Push + Pull" Nadia Tan Adam Crosby, Maya Bankovic, Mike McLaughlin Nadia Tan Peter Dreimanis
"Beck + Call" Jared Raab, Norah Sadava, Amy Nostbakken Adam Crosby Nicole Powell, Katy Maravala, Peter Dreimanis
"Picturing Love" Jared Raab Jared Raab Peter Dreimanis

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ "JULY TALK Artist Page". CBC Radio 3. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  2. ^ "July Talk" (sound recording), Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada, OCLC 609518600, AMICUS No. 41148850, retrieved 19 February 2013
  3. ^ "JULY TALK Artist Page". bandcamp.com. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "July Talk in Living Colour". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Juno Awards 2015: List of Saturday's winners – The Star". Thestar.com. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Exclusive: Listen to 'Someone' by July Talk, Releasing Self-Titled Debut on Island Records". Billboard. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Sleepless Records – July Talk's surprise with new EP". Sleepless-records.com. 2 October 2014. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  8. ^ "JULY TALK – Shaky Knees Festival". Archived from the original on 8 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  9. ^ "Voodoo Music Festival + Experience Tickets, Lineup & Dates". Seatgeek.com. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  10. ^ "Artists | Osheaga". Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  11. ^ "The Masquerade - artist - july-talk". Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  12. ^ "July Talk joins Austin City Limits lineup – Yaletown Financial Management Inc". yaletownfm.com. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  13. ^ "July Talk Touch". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  14. ^ Larkins, David (29 March 2014). "20 Questions with July Talk's Peter Dreimanis". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  15. ^ The JUNO Awards (8 May 2014), JULY TALK – Q/A, retrieved 30 August 2016
  16. ^ Graham Rockingham, "Wrestling with the beauty and the beast". Hamilton Spectator, March 1, 2020.
  17. ^ Nick Krewen, "Toronto band July Talk explodes with new pandemic-inspired album ‘Remember Never Before’". Toronto Star, January 20, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "July Talk Reveal Expanded Version of Debut Album, Map Out Canadian Tour". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  19. ^ "Juno Awards 2014: The full list of winners". National Post. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  20. ^ "Photo Galleries – The Buffalo News". galleries.buffalonews.com. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  21. ^ "With Sting, Selena Gomez, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Quebec City's Festival d'été had something for everyone". News.nationalpost.com. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  22. ^ "July Talk – The KEE to Bala". Thekee.com. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  23. ^ "Collective Concerts » SUPPORT ADDED: ALABAMA SHAKES + JULY TALK". Collectiveconcerts.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  24. ^ "July Talk & Frank Turner defeat the Sound Academy". Blogto.com. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  25. ^ "Excited about Against Me!, July Talk – Gov Ball After Dark". Live Nation. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  26. ^ "Field Trip Announces 2016 Lineup". Indie88.com. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  27. ^ "#JulyTalkVotes: July Talk will personally call you if you vote this election". indie88.com. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  28. ^ "July Talk’s Leah Goldstein isn’t an actress, but she plays one in Diamond Tongues"[usurped]. chartattack.com, 5 August 2015.
  29. ^ "Room, Schitt’s Creek lead 2016 Canadian Screen Award nominations". National Post, 20 January 2016.
  30. ^ a b Goldstein, Lorrie (20 August 2017). "The rise of Sundowners". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  31. ^ "'Bad Moon Rising': This Is the Band That Sings the Song From 'The Walking Dead' Trailer". yahoo.com. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  32. ^ Wilner, Norman (5 August 2015). "Diamond Tongues". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  33. ^ Holly Gordon and Andrea Warner, "Here are the 2021 Juno Award winners". CBC Music, 4 June 2021.
  34. ^ Mitch Pollock, "'Rock 'n' roll shows can be a sanctuary': why July Talk prioritize fans' safety". CBC Radio, 17 August 2017
  35. ^ Guest, Dork News (15 November 2017). "July Talk have pulled out of Nothing But Thieves' UK tour". Dork. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  36. ^ Mahjouri, Shakiel (16 November 2017). "July Talk Cancel U.K. Tour Dates Over Sexual Assault Allegations Against Nothing But Thieves". ET Canada. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  37. ^ Jennie Punter, "‘Twice Colonized’ to Open 30th Edition of Hot Docs, Toronto Non-Fiction Festival Unveils Slate". Variety, March 28, 2023.
  38. ^ Matt Grobar, "Newcomers Yao, Miles Caton & Peter Dreimanis To Round Out Cast Of Coogler-Jordan Thriller". Deadline Hollywood, May 1, 2024.
  39. ^ Lindsey Harren, "91X New Song Pick of the Day – Peter Dreams, Keep Me Free". CJLX-FM, June 27, 2024.
  40. ^ Allie Gregory, "July Talk Announce New Record 'Pray for It'". Exclaim!, 2 April 2020.
  41. ^ Alex Hudson, "July Talk Announce New Album 'Remember Never Before,' Share Three Songs". Exclaim!, October 5, 2022.
  42. ^ "Album Review: July Talk's self-titled debut". Postcity.com. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  43. ^ "July Talk's Debut Self-Titled Album Review". Culturefly.co.uk. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  44. ^ "SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JULY TALK -FOR YOUR BLOODSHOT EYES". The Spill Magazine. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  45. ^ "July Talk Detail Sophomore LP 'Touch'". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  46. ^ "Spill Album Review: July Talk - Pray for It". The Spill Magazine. 11 July 2020.
  47. ^ "July Talk Take Us Through Their Sprawling New LP Remember Never Before Track by Track". 20 January 2023.
  48. ^ Megan LaPierre, "July Talk Celebrate the Longest Night of the Year with 'Solstice' EP". Exclaim!, December 21, 2023.
  49. ^ "July Talk – Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  50. ^ "VULTURE CULTURE FILMS". vcfilms.com. Retrieved 15 October 2018.