Magneta Lane Are In A Happier Place

If you've heard Magneta Lane's Dancing With Daggers album, you'd probably agree that it's not exactly cheery. Maybe that's why the Toronto band's shows aren't particularly suited for daylight.

"I remember this one show we played in a foreign city," says lead singer Lexi Valentine. "I don't want to name the city, 'cuz that's kind of mean."But it was a university show. It was outdoors in the daylight. It was just weird to have people lounging on the grass and watching you in the light, just really weird."

If Magneta Lane's Halloween set at the Mod Club was any indication, their brand of brood and cynicism is complemented only by smoke machines — and possibly the costume head wound sported by bassist French. Regardless, the ladies opted to play every gig they could on the outdoor festival circuit this year.

"The challenge part of it is excellent, especially when you're kind of collaborating with the other bands on the bill," says Valentine."And you're trying to win over people who might never have heard of you. We'll definitely continue to play festivals and attract new fans, but there will be a full solo club tour for the next album — something just for our fans."

Speaking of the next album, it's already in the works.

"We have the songs done, and we'll get back to the studio soon after this year," Valentine predicts. "So it should probably be ready for next spring — maybe."

Dancing With Daggers, produced by Jesse F. Keeler and AI-P (MSTRKRFT), is grittier than their previous EP, The Constant Lover. It seems, however, that the next effort will be a lighter endeavour.

"The next album is going to have a different producer, Jon Drew, who produced our EP, and I guess we're just trying to get back to our roots," says Valentine.

"We're all in a happy place right now, and the new music should reflect that. The next album is going to be more alive and a little lighter."

Until then, Valentine says fans should expect lots of performances. "There will be a lot of surprise shows, and more all-ages shows."

Here are Magneta Lane's tour dates:
Nov. 5 Winnipeg, MB @ Ramada Theatre w/K-OS
Nov. 7 Regina, SK @ Distrikt Nightclub w/K-OS
Nov. 8 Saskatoon, SK @ Louis' Pub w/K-OS
Nov. 9-10 Edmonton, AB @ The Starlite Room w/K-OS
Nov. 11 Banff, AB @ Wild Bills w/K-OS
Nov. 13 Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall w/K-OS
Nov. 14 Castlegar, BC @ Element w/K-OS
Nov. 15-16 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom w/K-OS
Nov. 17 Victoria, BC @ Sugar w/K-OS
Dec. 8 Ottawa, ON @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
Dec. 9 Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
Dec. 11 Guelph, ON @ Club Vinyl