Video

Forgive You

Release date: January 2nd, 2021 From the album, “Downer,” released February 2nd, 2021.

Bet Smith: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Keys | Rob Currie: Electric Guitar, Bass | Andrew Currie: Drums

Produced by Rob Currie and Bet Smith in Gravenhurst, Ontario, on the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg.

Recorded and mixed by Rob Currie | Mastered by João Carvalho | Written by Bet Smith (Ashlea-Elizabeth Smith, SOCAN) | Illustrations and animation by Bet Smith

This song began as a chorus to what might have become a very convoluted love song. I decided it had to be something else, something bigger. I re-wrote the song several times before I came up with the final version.

For me, Forgive you is a song about economic injustice, greed, environmental destruction and the climate crisis.

The video is made up drawings brought to life using photo and video editing software. I had little idea of what I was getting into and it took a really long time.

After a great deal of thought, I decided to cast an illustrated representation of myself as a sort-of reflective antagonist. I deliberated about casting various politicians and corporate figureheads in this role, but I am always hesitant to point the finger at others and instead I wanted to acknowledge my own privilege and dependence on fossil fuels. I have benefited, and continue to benefit from the extraction of non-renewable resources.

That said, I am scared, sad and angry that climate change has been ignored for long enough that it has become a true emergency, and still, we – North Americans particularly – aren’t responding with nearly as much urgency and investment as is required. I’m really hoping that changes soon. Solutions are available. The technology is here, and more is on its way. But the solution also requires us to live much simpler lives.

While I think about Forgive You in relation to the climate crises, I am fully aware that the song leaves itself wide open to interpretation. I offer this song with respect and in solidarity with all who experience discrimination, injustice, and oppression. I recognize the ways in which I have benefited from a system that rewards people who look like me. I am working on educating myself so I can be part of the solution.

I would like to acknowledge that this work was created on the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg, specifically the Ojibway and Chippewa people. As a settler, I am grateful for the opportunity to live and work in this beautiful place and I appreciate the long history of stewardship and connection to this land that is held by indigenous people. The settler community still has a lot of work to do in moving toward reconciliation.

Tightropes

Peer into the recording process for our single, Tightropes.

Tightropes was written by Bet Smith and is performed by Bet Smith & The Currie Brothers, (Andrew Currie, Rob Currie and Sarah Girdwood) with additional help from James Sevazlian and Ian Hansen.

The song was produced and engineered by Rob Currie. It was recorded at our friend, James’ place on Lake Joseph in Muskoka in Fall 2016. The reverb you hear is natural, created using the cathedral ceiling, stairways, little rooms and the expansive empty basement at the Lake Joseph cottage.

Fires, Fires, Fires

Performed by Bet Smith, Andrew Currie, Rob Currie and Sarah Girdwood

Produced and recorded by Rob Currie www.robcurrierecording.com

Video by Tyler Knight

This project is funded by FACTOR with the support of the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters.

Lone Wolf (Live)

Written by Bet Smith

Performed by Bet Smith and Sarah Girdwood

Live sound recorded by Rob Currie at Currie’s Music in Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada.

Bakesale Angel, BBQ Queen

The LPs first single, “Bakesale Angel, BBQ Queen” is a comical song about good-old-fashioned kitchen rivalry: competition that erupts between a jealous girlfriend and her beau’s ex. The tune was imagined up while Bet shovelled manure on a good friend’s farm – the friend being an enviably excellent cook.

The recording features Miranda Mulholland on fiddle and Aaron Goldstein on pedal steel. Bet’s hometown allies, The Currie Brothers hold it all together with Andrew Currie on drums and brother Rob on bass and percussive electric guitar. As a final touch, Bet talked the boys into a pots-and-pans percussion track to compliment the theme of the song.

Signs of Hostility

This Bet-made video stars Bet’s sister, Bronwyn, running through the streets of Toronto and Muskoka.