As it was for all artists, the pandemic put a halt to plans Ayla Brook & The Sound Men had for the rest of this year. However, the Edmonton roots rockers did get their latest album Desolation Sounds out before the lockdown, and the warm reception it received around the world has offset some of the disappointment they feel over the inability to play live.

In that spirit, they’re releasing a new live (socially distanced) performance video for the Desolation Sounds track “Lift You Up,” made as part of the Alberta Spotlight series, and we’re excited to share it.

Said Ayla, “‘Lift You Up’ is a sort of love letter to the music community – all the venues, techs, bar staff and listeners. And to the musicians. It’s also to all the folks who drag themselves away from their homes through the oppressive heat and the bitter cold to be together in a room and sing their sorrows away in a lovely loud wash of noise. Damn, I wish we could do that right now!”

That sense of community is at the heart of Desolation Sounds, produced by Terra Lightfoot and mixed by Jon Auer of The Posies and Big Star fame. It’s a collection of songs and stories about friends and family, bursting with rock and soul and the western charm that has become the band’s trademark.

Desolation Sounds is available through Fallen Tree Records, and you can stay up to date by visiting aylabrook.com.

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