LISTEN AND SHARE “NO RAIN TONIGHT” HERE
STRIPPERS UNION - ROB BAKER (THE TRAGICALLY HIP) AND CRAIG NORTHEY (ODDS) - RETURN WITH NEW DOUBLE LP, THE UNDERTAKING
DISC 2 OF THE UNDERTAKING DOUBLE LP AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS ON MARCH 12, 2021
BUY / STREAM THE UNDERTAKING DISC 1 HERE
LIMITED DOUBLE EDITION VINYL WITH BOTH DISCS AVAILABLE NOW
“Its nine songs are varied between slinky groovers like Take the Edge Off and near country-rock of Dogstar to the reggae-tinged I’ll Find You In the Mountains. One of the catchiest songs, Invitation, sounds like it could have been on any of the later period Hip records. The Vancouver Sun
“It is indeed excellent, and it definitely sounds a bit like the Kinks.” The Georgia Straight
Photo Credit : David Bastedo // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES
On February 5, Strippers Union, fronted by Rob Baker (The Tragically Hip) and Craig Northey (Odds), released Disc 1 of their new double LP, The Undertaking. Along with the release of Disc 1 fans were able to purchase both discs on limited edition vinyl ahead of the release of Disc 2, which will arrive on digital platforms on March 12, 2021. For this first single from the second record, Strippers Union asked fans who already purchased the vinyl which track they wanted fellow fans to hear who had yet to listen to Disc 2.
The result is “No Rain Tonight”. Of the track, Baker says, "We’ve worn a path, but if we neglect it, it may become overgrown and we could still lose our way. Take care of the path."
LISTEN AND SHARE “NO RAIN TONIGHT” HERE
“No Rain Tonight” Single Art // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES
In 2006, Strippers Union released their debut LP, Strippers Union Local 518, and then followed it up with The Deuce a short five years later. Now, nearly a decade later the band is ready to share their third LP, The Undertaking, a double LP recorded at The Bathouse Studio with drummer Pat Steward and bassist Doug Elliott.
Why so long a wait between albums? “These last 10 years have had their share of unexpected twists and turns,” says Baker in a full essay on the new album which can be read here. “Suffice it to say that my life was in upheaval. My lifelong dream, which was embodied by The Hip, had come to a sudden and very final end. It was, oddly, both profoundly sad and fulfilling, and it left a void for me. What was I to do now? With my dream done and my sense of personal identity badly shaken, I began the process of trying to figure out what I might do with the remainder of my life. I descended into my home studio and applied myself to the one thing I can count on to keep the demons at bay, which is songwriting and recording. Apparently there were more demons than I realized, and before long I was overflowing with demos… more than 50. Originally I thought I would include an album's worth of personal tunes with a book that I'm writing about my misadventures and shared laughs in The Hip...and I may still do that, but it struck me that a lot of these tunes were Strippers Union material.
BUY / STREAM THE UNDERTAKING DISC 1 HERE
I convened with Craig in the spring of 2018 and began playing him demos that I’d accumulated over the past year or two - songs which I felt might be SU contenders. We nailed the lyrics and melodies for five tunes in three days. Over the next 18 months we had three more writing sessions as well as exchanges of ideas through Dropbox. By the start of 2020 we were up to 18 tunes. Initially my plan was to use my bass lines and programmed drums - I’d spent a lot of time getting them right and I was pretty proud of the work - my ego wanted to see ‘all instruments played by Rob Baker’, but my better judgement told me to give Pat Steward and Doug Elliott a crack at those parts. These guys have been playing together so long that they are a well tuned machine - ruthlessly efficient and tasteful. I headed to North Van with my hard-drive in tow and spent three days in Craig’s Doghouse of Thunder Studio with Pat and Doug nailing down the bass and drums on 18 tunes in three days!”
Why a double album…why make an album at all? “Excellent questions,” says Baker. “A double album because I really like this batch of tunes and feel that it is an eclectic set that covers a broad expanse and represents our diverse interests. We didn’t do it for you - we do it to please ourselves. I've always operated under the assumption that I am not special or unique - so if it's something I like, then there are lots of others who will like it as well.
I'm proud of these songs. I’m proud of the work. When we were young we wanted to conquer, to be respected and adored. Time marches on. These songs reflect who we are now - a little less bravado and a little more restraint, less inclined to thrash and more inclined to find a little truth, a little meaning, and to revel in the little pleasures.”
Rob Baker’s full essay on The Undertaking can also be found on our website here.
ORDER THE UNDERTAKING HERE
THE UNDERTAKING TRACKLIST
DISC 1
01 We Are The Underworld
02 Take The Edge Off
03 Traveller Traveller
04 The Enforcer
05 Dogstar
06 Invitation
07 Too Close To The Truth
08 I’ll Find You In The Mountains
09 When I Come Back As A Dog
DISC 2
10 Into Your Arms (The End)
11 No Fear
12 Take It Back
13 No Rain Tonight
14 Permanent Damage
15 Damn Hallelujah
16 Way Down
17 Identify Thief
18 All Clear
