Behind the Song: “Douse” by Down The Lees

Emerging from Vancouver’s dynamic music scene, Down the Lees initially took shape as a solo project led by the creative force, Laura Lee Schultz, renowned for her work with Queazy, Skinjobs, and New Years Resolution. Evolving over time, the project has produced three albums, an EP, and a diverse array of singles exploring post-rock, shoegaze, hardcore, slowcore, and no-wave.

Undergoing a transformative phase in Belgium, Down the Lees transitioned into a vibrant live band. In 2020, the European chapter embarked on a tour featuring the critically acclaimed album ‘Bury The Sun,’ produced by the legendary Steve Albini. This tour spanned Belgium, France, and The Netherlands, culminating in an invitation to share the stage with the Sisters of Mercy in Italy.

In response to the global pandemic, the project briefly paused, prompting Laura Lee’s return to Canada for a period of self-care and reflection. Undeterred by challenges, she channeled global adversity into the creation of new music. With the anticipation of a return to normalcy, a Canadian incarnation of the band emerged, introducing seasoned professionals Chris Carlson on bass and Andy Ashley on drums. Hailing from the Okanagan Valley, this trio weaves a sonic tapestry characterized by thunderous guitars and pulsating drums, complemented by LL’s vocals delivering the undeniable harsh truths of life.

Today we’re excited to be teaming up with Down the Lees to give our readers an exclusive behind the scenes look at their new single “Douse”! Check it out below.

Douse came into being during my time in Belgium back in the summer of 2020. After being cooped up for months due to lockdowns, my music career vanished overnight. I got a brief break from the monotony to visit our jam space, all by myself. It was the first time in ages that I could really let loose on the drums and guitar, and that’s when the initial spark for Douse ignited. Just a riff and a vocal idea at first, it ended up on the back burner for years until I finally polished it off with some new bandmates (Chris and Andy) from Down The Lees in 2023. Moving back to Canada in 2020, the project took a backseat as I navigated the struggles that countless artists faced during the pandemic.

As the song took shape, it became a personal anthem, a reminder to myself never to give in. Constantly facing setbacks and feeling invisible in the music world, I battle through imposter syndrome. The line “don’t you douse my flame” emerged from that struggle. Too often, artists, myself included, are their own worst critics. I needed something to cling to, to keep pushing forward. Especially as an older woman in music, breaking through industry barriers feels like scaling a mountain thanks to some archaic standards.

But then it became clear that Douse was morphing into something bigger—a rallying cry for anyone whose passions have been snuffed out and needed a fierce rock anthem to reignite their fire, in any walk of life. It’s become one of our favorite tracks to perform live; there’s a catharsis to it, and the audience feels it too. That connection with the crowd is unlike anything else.

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