Besnard Lakes Frontman Launches Soft Province Side-Project

02/04/10 2:39pm

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

Releasing an album with The Besnard Lakes was apparently not enough for singer/guitarist Jace Lasek. He's launched a new side project with Besnard Lakes co-founder Michael Gardiner.

The Soft Province's self-titled debut album will be out sometime this year through Three Ring Records. Lasek recorded it at his Breakglass Studios in Montreal, while Gardiner also spent time cutting it over two years in Regina. The final sessions were laid down in August 2008, when Gardiner flew to Montreal with a 12-string guitar and some songs.

The Soft Province is said to sound like a mixture of British dream poppers Broadcast and French singer/songwriter Francoise Hardy. The disc also features guest appearances from Lasek's wife and Besnard Lakes singer/bassist Olga Goreas, Young Galaxy's Max Henry and Jonathan Cummins.

No track listings or definite release date has been revealed for The Soft Province, but you can hear five of the band's songs on their MySpace page.

Lasek will be extremely busy with The Besnard Lakes this spring, as they're planning to release their third album, The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night, on March 9.

You can see The Besnard Lakes on March 11 at Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern as part of CHARTattack's Canadian Music Week showcases, and the next night at Montreal's Il Motore.