By Bryen Dunn
Photo Credit: True North Records
Although many in the Toronto music circles know Hunter Valentine as the rockin’ all-girl trio fronted by the sexy vocalicious Kyomi McCloskey, our neighbours to the south are just being introduced to their glorious sounds.
The Toronto trio first got together in the summer of 2004 playing a slew of bar gigs around Toronto, and shortly after Ian Blurton came on board to produce a self-titled demo EP. This was soon followed by a full-length, The Impatient Romantic, produced by Julius Butty, (Alexisonfire) and engineer Nick Blagona. Ears were opened and they soon were playing beyond the Canadian borders, including festivals in New York and London (UK).
By the winter of 2008, Hunter Valentine was ready to take it to the next level. The trio recorded a collection of demos with famed-guitarist Tim Welch (National Velvet, Carole Pope), which revealed a matured sense of sophistication in both the writing and arrangements of the songs. In July 2009, the band reunited with producer Ian Blurton to record new material at Toronto’s Chemical Sound Studio. Armed with these fresh new recordings and a determination fostered in Canada’s independent music scene, Hunter Valentine signed a worldwide licensing agreement with Tommy Boy Records (US) for the release of the “Lessons From the Late Night” EP to be released in February 2010.
Leading up to that release, the gals have released a live performance DVD entitled “We’re Here To Recruit You”, which is currently only available at their gigs. It was filmed on June 27, 2009, in New York City at the legendary Stonewall Inn on the 40th Anniversary of the historic Stonewall Riots, and includes many of their new tunes.
The sounds generated by Hunter Valentine, rounded out by drummer Laura Petracca and bassist Adrienne Lloyd, are best be described as romantic rock. Anyone who’s been heartbroken or messed about will certainly align themselves easily with the lyrics. Catch them live and take them home with you, at least on DVD.
Find out more at www.huntervalentine.com, www.penetrationinc.com, www.tommyboy.com