Julian Taylor's "Compete With Loneliness" is a Soulful Reimagining of Joel Plaskett's B-Side Circa 2009 Record, 'Three'
• LISTEN TO/SHARE “COMPETE WITH LONELINESS” HERE •
In over three decades of making music—on the road and from his beloved Fang Recording Studio in Nova Scotia—Joel Plaskett has made a lot of friends. To mark his 50th birthday on April 18th, a cherished group of those pals came together—under cover of night and without Plaskett’s knowledge—to create Songs From The Gang, a surprise double album of heartfelt covers pulled from across his catalogue.
5x JUNO nominated Toronto roots musician Julian Taylor offers a sparkling and soulful take on Plaskett’s “Compete With Loneliness,” a 2009 bonus track from his triple record Three that explores the theme of being alone.
Taylor’s rendition of the track is both heartfelt and fresh, bringing his own unique style to a song that has long resonated with fans. His smooth vocals and the production’s warm, retro-inspired vibe blend seamlessly, delivering a timeless interpretation that captures both the melancholy and beauty of the original.
The recording took place in a small, cozy studio just around the corner from Taylor’s home, with his longtime friend Tim Bovacanti at the helm. “I actually got to play the drums on this track, so that was fun,” says Taylor, reflecting on the intimate, collaborative process.
The track’s production reflects the duo’s shared love for The La’s and the second wave of the British music invasion of pop and punk. “It’s got a bit of an Elvis Costello vibe too,” Taylor adds, highlighting the stylistic choices that give the song its upbeat yet bittersweet tone.
Listen to “Compete With Loneliness” HERE.
When I was asked to be involved with the project, it gave me a good opportunity to dig deep into his catalog. This song spoke to me. – Julian Taylor
• “COMPETE WITH LONELINESS” ASSETS – DOWNLOAD •
Is that you
Down the hall
Staring through the bedroom wall
Swinging like a wrecking ball
Out now (via turtlemusik), Songs From The Gang features over 20 artists from across Canada and beyond. Songs From The Gang is a playful, passionate tribute to the Duke of Dartmouth and a testament to the community he’s built through music. The collection is an apt exhibition of the same spirit of playful experimentation that Plaskett has fostered throughout his career.
And how did Joel find out about the album? That moment turned out to be just as memorable. On the evening of Wednesday, April 9th, his longtime manager, Sheri Jones, arranged a surprise in-store display of the new record at Ditch Records in Victoria, BC. She and Joel had planned to meet at the shop before dinner — but what he didn’t know was that the display was waiting for him.
Afterwards, they headed to Burning Rainbow Studio with a few friends for an intimate listening session of the album.
Later that night, Joel shared a quiet, emotional video [here], clearly caught off guard as he says, “I was really moved by it — listening to all the great versions of the tunes. Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to it.”
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