Alvvays (pronounced "always") is a Canadianindie pop band formed in 2011, originating fromCharlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and subsequently based inToronto, Ontario. It consists of Molly Rankin (vocals and guitar), Kerri MacLellan (keyboards), Alec O'Hanley (guitars), and Sheridan Riley (drums).[3] Theirself-titled debut studio album, released in 2014, topped the US college charts.[4] Their second studio album,Antisocialites, was released on September 8, 2017. Their third studio album,Blue Rev, was released on October 7, 2022.
Alvvays | |
|---|---|
 Alvvays performing inLondon, UK, 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2011 (2011)–present |
| Labels | Royal Mountain (Canada) Polyvinyl (US) Transgressive (Europe) Pod / Inertia Music (Australia) |
| Members | Molly Rankin Kerri MacLellan Alec O'Hanley Sheridan Riley |
| Past members | Phil MacIsaac Brian Murphy Abbey Blackwell |
| Website | alvvays |
Antisocialites andBlue Rev each won theJuno Award for Alternative Album of the Year. All three of their albums were shortlisted for thePolaris Music Prize. The song "Belinda Says" fromBlue Rev was nominated forBest Alternative Music Performance at the66th Annual Grammy Awards.[5]
History
editFormation and early years (2011–2015)
edit
Molly Rankin, the group's singer-songwriter, is the daughter of John Morris Rankin,[6] a fiddler with the Celtic folk family collectiveThe Rankin Family, who enjoyed international success in the 1990s.[7][8] She wrote and sang the song "Sunset" on the 2007 Rankin Family albumReunion. Rankin grew up inMabou, Nova Scotia, writing music with her neighbour, keyboardist Kerri MacLellan. She later met guitarist and partner Alec O'Hanley at a concert. With the help of O'Hanley, Rankin quietly released a solo extended play titledShe in 2010.[9] Alvvays was formed the following year, with Rankin recruiting MacLellan, O'Hanley, drummer Phil MacIsaac and bassist Brian Murphy.[3] Rankin picked the name Alvvays because it had a "shred of sentiment and nostalgia."[10] The spelling of the band name was due to the fact that there was already a band named Always signed to Sony.[11]
The band members moved to Toronto and secured jobs that allowed them to tour occasionally.[12] The group toured extensively as supporting acts for bands such asPeter Bjorn and John andthe Decemberists.[13][3] Their self-titled debut studio album,Alvvays, was recorded in Calgary withChad VanGaalen in March 2013;Graham Walsh helped track the album whileJohn Agnello helped mix it.[10][8]
Alvvays were signed toPolyvinyl Records (US) on the strength of their performances atSouth by Southwest[14] and online response to the demo of their single "Adult Diversion".[3] The albumAlvvays was released byRoyal Mountain Records (Canada), Polyvinyl Records (US) andTransgressive Records (Europe) in July 2014.[15] Simon Vozick-Levinson, writing inRolling Stone, called the album an "indie-pop wonder".[16]Alvvays went to #1 on US college charts on August 5, 2014;[17] in November that year they performed in Los Angeles with another Canadian band,Absolutely Free.[18]
"Archie, Marry Me" became a minor hit.[11] The single for "Archie, Marry Me" featured the B-side "Underneath Us" which was recorded after the eponymous album.[19]
The group toured heavily in support of their debut, including slots atGlastonbury 2015 andCoachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2016.[20]
The debut album was nominated to the shortlist of the2015 Polaris Music Prize. They performed at that year's gala with theToronto Symphony Orchestra. At theJuno Awards of 2015, the band was nominated as Breakthrough Group of the Year, andAlvvays was nominated for Alternative Album of the Year.[21]
Antisocialites (2016–2018)
editAlvvays began recording and writing their second studio album in 2015.[20] Several new original songs had been performed throughout 2014 and 2015, including "Your Type" (often the opening song of the show), "New Haircut" (later retitled "Saved By A Waif") and "Hey". In 2016 they added "Not My Baby" and "Dreams" to their performance repertoire.[22]
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Following the addition of new songs such as "Plimsoll Punks" as part of live shows in spring 2017, Alvvays released a teaser clip of a song called "In Undertow" from their second album,Antisocialites. Along with songs performed at previous shows, new songs for this record included "Already Gone", "Forget About Life", "In Undertow", "Lollipop (Ode to Jim)" and "Saved by a Waif". The album was released on September 8, 2017. A North American and European tour in support of the album was announced for autumn 2017. In 2016, Phil MacIsaac left the music industry for a career in graphic design;[23] he was replaced by Sheridan Riley.[24] A second UK tour in spring 2018 was announced in September 2017.
On September 16, 2017, at a show inAntwerp, a male audience member jumped on stage and attempted to kiss singer Molly Rankin. Ken Veerman, the director at Trix, the show’s venue, apologized on Facebook.[25]
In 2018 the band received aSOCAN Songwriting Prize nomination for the song "Dreams Tonite",[26] andAntisocialites was shortlisted for the2018 Polaris Music Prize.[27] At theJuno Awards of 2018, Alvvays was nominated as Group of the Year andAntisocialiteswon the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year.[28]
Blue Rev (2021–present)
edit_(cropped).jpg)
Between 2019 and 2022, members of Alvvays largely stayed out of the public eye, with suggestions that the band had disbanded. Bassist and founding member Brian Murphy left the band in 2021.[29][30] Alvvays released "Pharmacist", the first single from their third albumBlue Rev, on July 6, 2022.Blue Rev was released on October 7, 2022.[31] "Belinda Says", the third single fromBlue Rev, was nominated forBest Alternative Music Performance at the66th Annual Grammy Awards.[32]
Musical style and influences
editAlvvays' music has been described asjangle pop by the music press and its members. According to Rankin, the band's emphasis is primarily on strong melodies rather than for a specific genre.[10] The band has been compared toCamera Obscura; Rankin noted she shared vocalistTracyanne Campbell's "fondness for the pathetic perspective."[11] Rankin sought inspiration fromStephin Merritt, frontman ofthe Magnetic Fields, appreciating the honest but lighthearted nature of his lyrics.[9] Rankin's personal influences includeThe Magnetic Fields,Teenage Fanclub,Dolly Mixture,The Smiths,Celine Dion,Pavement,The Primitives,Cocteau Twins,Oasis[11][10] and Australian indie-pop groupThe Hummingbirds.[33] While the band does not have an overtCeltic music sound, Rankin acknowledges that she was immersed in the genre from childhood, and it has a discernible influence on the way she sings and writes melodies.[34]
Members
editCurrent members
edit- Molly Rankin –vocals, rhythm guitar (2011–present), bass guitar (2022–present)
- Kerri MacLellan – keyboards, backing vocals (2011–present)
- Alec O'Hanley – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2011–present)
- Sheridan Riley – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2017–present)[35]
Past members
edit- Phil MacIsaac – drums (2011–2016)
- Brian Murphy – bass guitar (2011–2021)
- Abbey Blackwell – bass guitar, backing vocals (2021–2024)
Past touring musicians
edit- Lukas Cheung – bass guitar (2024)
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN [36] | AUS Hit [37] | NL Vinyl [38] | NZ Heat [39] | SCO [40] | UK [41] | UK Indie [42] | US [43] | US Indie [44] | US Rock [45] | ||
| Alvvays |
| — | — | — | — | — | 107 | 17 | —[A] | — | — |
| Antisocialites |
| 36 | 18 | — | 8 | 22 | 28 | 6 | 82 | 7 | 14 |
| Blue Rev |
| 75 | 6 | 33 | — | 6 | 27 | 2 | 61 | 8 | 8 |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Rock [47] | US AAA [48] | |||||||||
| "Adult Diversion" | 2013 | — | — | Alvvays | ||||||
| "Archie, Marry Me" | 2014 | — | — | |||||||
| "Next of Kin" | — | — | ||||||||
| "Party Police" | 2015 | — | — | |||||||
| "Not My Baby" | 2017 | — | — | Antisocialites | ||||||
| "In Undertow" | 48 | — | ||||||||
| "Dreams Tonite" | — | — |
| |||||||
| "Plimsoll Punks" | — | — | ||||||||
| "Lollipop (Ode to Jim)" | — | — | ||||||||
| "Pharmacist" | 2022 | — | — | Blue Rev | ||||||
| "Easy On Your Own?" | 50 | 32 | ||||||||
| "Belinda Says" / "Very Online Guy" | — | — | ||||||||
| "After the Earthquake" | — | — | ||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||
Music videos
edit- 2013: "Adult Diversion"
- 2014: "Archie, Marry Me"
- 2014: "Next of Kin"
- 2017: "In Undertow"
- 2017: "Dreams Tonite"
- 2022: "Pharmacist"
- 2022: "Easy On Your Own?"
- 2022: "Very Online Guy"
- 2022: "Belinda Says"
- 2022: "After the Earthquake"
- 2022: "Many Mirrors"
Notes
edit- ^Alvvays did not enter the US Billboard 200, but peaked at number 12 on theUS Heatseekers Albums Chart.[46]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Association | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Juno Awards | Breakthrough Group of the Year | Alvvays | Nominated | [51] |
| Alternative Album of the Year | Alvvays | Nominated | |||
| Libera Awards | Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Nominated | [52] | ||
| Polaris Music Prize | Album of the Year | Shortlisted | [53] | ||
2018 | Juno Awards | Group of the Year | Alvvays | Nominated | [54] |
| Alternative Album of the Year | Antisocialites | Won | |||
| Polaris Music Prize | Album of the Year | Shortlisted | [55] | ||
2023 | Juno Awards | Alternative Album of the Year | Blue Rev | Won | [56] |
| Libera Awards | Record of the Year | Nominated | [57] | ||
| Best Alternative Rock Record | Nominated | ||||
| Polaris Music Prize | Album of the Year | Shortlisted | [58] | ||
2024 | Grammy Awards | Best Alternative Music Performance | "Belinda Says" | Nominated | [32] |
References
edit- ^Goodrich, Matthrew (September 7, 2017),"Anti-Social Antisocialites: Alvvays On Their Sophomore Record",Brooklyn Magazine, retrievedOctober 3, 2017
- ^Terich, Jeff (November 19, 2014)."Alvvays keep jangle-pop alive". San Diego City Beat. Archived fromthe original on December 17, 2019. RetrievedDecember 17, 2019.
- ^abcdKerr, Scott."Alvvays: Biography & History".Allmusic. RetrievedOctober 22, 2015.
- ^"The NACC Charts for October 24". October 24, 2017.
- ^"2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List | GRAMMY.com".www.grammy.com}. RetrievedNovember 11, 2023.
- ^"John Morris Rankin Obituary".thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. The Canadian Encyclopedia. RetrievedNovember 1, 2021.
- ^Lucas, John (November 26, 2014)."Alvvays's Molly Rankin broke with family tradition".The Georgia Straight. Overstory Media Inc.
- ^abBrad Wheeler (July 29, 2014)."Alvvays: 'Nobody talks about the adventurous kind of love'".The Globe and Mail. RetrievedOctober 22, 2015.
- ^abHannah Ghorashi (November 23, 2013)."Discovery: Alvvays".Interview. RetrievedOctober 22, 2015.
- ^abcdSchiller, Rebecca (November 21, 2014)."Alvvays Singer Molly Rankin on Starting a New Band, Chad VanGaalen's 'Weird' Studio".Diffuser.fm. RetrievedOctober 22, 2015.
- ^abcdIlana Kaplan (March 11, 2015)."SXSW Lone Stars: Alvvays on Archie's Identity and Scot-Pop".Spin. RetrievedOctober 22, 2015.
- ^Cosores, Philip (July 22, 2014)."Alvvays: The Best of What's Next".Paste. RetrievedOctober 22, 2015.
- ^"The Decemberists + Alvvays: 6 April 2015 – Beacon Theatre, New York".popmatters.com. PopMatters. April 13, 2015. RetrievedNovember 1, 2021.
- ^"Alvvays, Next of Kin, Mohawk Patio at SXSW, Austin, 19.3.15".youtube.com. YouTube. March 23, 2015. RetrievedNovember 1, 2021.
- ^Bowe, Miles (April 24, 2014)."Alvvays – "Archie, Marry Me"".Stereogum. RetrievedApril 9, 2025.
- ^Vozick-Levinson, Simon (July 14, 2014)."Alvvays 'Alvvays' Album Review".Rolling Stone. RetrievedJuly 25, 2014.
- ^"CMJ Charts: August 5, 2014".CMJ. Archived fromthe original on August 14, 2014. RetrievedAugust 24, 2014.
- ^Cosores, Philip (November 27, 2014)."Live Review: Alvvays at Acerogami in Pomona (11/26)".Consequences of Sound.
- ^Blog, N. M. E. (July 9, 2014)."Track Premiere – Alvvays, 'Underneath Us'".NME. RetrievedOctober 1, 2022.
- ^abAdrian Spinelli (September 21, 2015)."Catching Up with Alvvays".Paste. RetrievedOctober 22, 2015.
- ^"Past Nominees & Winners".junoawards.ca. Juno Awards. RetrievedNovember 1, 2021.
- ^"We need to talk about these new Alvvays songs".DIY. April 21, 2016. RetrievedOctober 10, 2017.
- ^Sturgeon, Nathalie."'A case of the empties'".cbc.ca. CBC News. RetrievedNovember 2, 2021.
- ^"An Interview with Sheridan Riley".Movement Drum Company. RetrievedAugust 16, 2018.
- ^Blais-Billie, Braudie (September 19, 2017)."Stage Crasher Tries to Kiss Alvvays' Molly Rankin".Pitchfork. RetrievedApril 9, 2025.
- ^"2018 SOCAN Songwriting Prize Nominees Revealed".Exclaim. RetrievedApril 9, 2025.
- ^"Polaris Music Prize Reveals 2018 Short List".Exclaim!, July 17, 2018.
- ^"Junos 2018: the complete list of winners".CBC News, · March 25, 2018
- ^Hayhoe, Beau (September 6, 2022).""Pharmacist" Signals an Impressive, Long-Awaited Return for Alvvays".Atwood Magazine. RetrievedNovember 6, 2022.
- ^Tenreyro, Tatiana (October 7, 2022)."Alvvays Faced Down Challenges (and Came Out Better for Them) to Make Blue Rev".Spin. RetrievedNovember 6, 2022.
- ^Brodsky, Rachel (July 6, 2022)."Alvvays Announce New Album 'Blue Rev': Hear "Pharmacist"".Stereogum. RetrievedJuly 6, 2022.
- ^abCorcoran, Nina (February 4, 2024)."Paramore Win Best Alternative Music Performance and Best Rock Album at 2024 Grammys".Pitchfork. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2024.
- ^Xiao, Alison (December 11, 2023)."How an 80s Sydney band inspired Canadian indie pop darlings Alvvays".ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. RetrievedFebruary 8, 2024.
- ^Weekes, Jabbari (August 5, 2014)."Toronto's Alvvays welcome you to the jangle on their debut album".Aux. Archived fromthe original on August 22, 2014.
- ^"Alvvays-- Lollapalooza Interview, 2017".Soundcloud.com. RetrievedOctober 10, 2017.
- ^"Alvvays – Chart History: Canadian Albums".Billboard. RetrievedOctober 18, 2022.
- ^Peaks on the ARIA hitseekers chart:
- Antisocialites:"ARIA Report: Issue 1438"(PDF). ARIA. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on October 4, 2017. RetrievedNovember 17, 2023.
- Blue Rev:"The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 17 October 2022".The ARIA Report. No. 1702.Australian Recording Industry Association. October 17, 2022. p. 24.
- ^"Alvvays - Blue Rev - dutchcharts.nl".Dutch Charts. RetrievedDecember 21, 2022.
- ^"NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart".Recorded Music NZ. September 18, 2017.Archived from the original on September 15, 2017. RetrievedSeptember 15, 2017.
- ^Peaks in Scotland:
- Antisocialites:"2017-09-15 Top 100 Scottish Albums Archive".Official Charts Company. officialcharts.com/.
- Blue Rev:"2022-10-14 Top 100 Scottish Albums Archive".Official Charts Company. officialcharts.com/. RetrievedDecember 21, 2022.
- ^Peaks in the UK:
- For all except noted:"Alvvays full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company".Official Charts Company. officialcharts.com/. RetrievedDecember 21, 2022.
- ForAlvvays:"2.08.2014 (wk30)".zobbel.de.
- ^Peaks on the UK Independent Albums Chart:
- Alvvays:"2014-07-27 Top 50 Independent Albums Archive".Official Charts Company. officialcharts.com/. RetrievedDecember 21, 2022.
- Antisocialites:"2017-09-15 Top 50 Independent Albums Archive".Official Charts Company. officialcharts.com/. RetrievedDecember 21, 2022.
- Blue Rev:"2022-10-14 Top 50 Independent Albums Archive".Official Charts Company. officialcharts.com/. RetrievedDecember 21, 2022.
- ^"Alvvays – Chart History".Billboard.com. RetrievedOctober 18, 2022.
- ^"Alvvays – Independent Albums Chart History".Billboard.com. RetrievedDecember 21, 2022.
- ^"Alvvays – Top Rock Albums Chart History".Billboard.com. RetrievedJanuary 16, 2023.
- ^"Alvvays – Chart History".Billboard.com. RetrievedAugust 27, 2019.
- ^"Alvvays: Canada Rock".Billboard. RetrievedDecember 21, 2022.
- ^"Alvvays: Adult Alternative Airplay".Billboard. RetrievedDecember 21, 2022.
- ^ab"Canadian certifications – Alvvays".Music Canada. RetrievedDecember 21, 2022.
- ^"American certifications – Alvvays".Recording Industry Association of America. RetrievedDecember 16, 2024.
- ^Vlessing, Etan."Junos 2015: Kiesza, the Weeknd Win Big at Canada's Music Awards".Billboard. RetrievedDecember 16, 2016.
- ^"A2IM Names Libera Indie Music Award Nominees".HypeBot. May 5, 2015. RetrievedMarch 24, 2023.
- ^"Polaris Music Prize Reveals 2015 Short List".Exclaim!, July 16, 2015.
- ^"2018 Juno Awards Nominees".Junoawards. Archived fromthe original on February 7, 2018. RetrievedFebruary 7, 2018.
- ^"Polaris Music Prize Reveals 2018 Short List".Exclaim!, July 17, 2018.
- ^"Here are all the 2023 Juno nominees".CBC Music, January 31, 2023.
- ^Aswad, Jem (March 22, 2023)."Wet Leg Leads Nominations for A2IM's Indie Libera Awards".Variety. RetrievedMarch 24, 2023.
- ^"Here's the 2023 Polaris Music Prize short list".CBC Music, July 13, 2023.
External links
edit
- Official website
- Alvvays atAllMusic
- Alvvays discography atMusicBrainz
- Alvvays discography atDiscogs
- Alvvays atIMDb