July Talk

July Talk

July Talk is a Canadian alternative rock band from Toronto, active from 2012. The group centres on two front people, Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay Goldstein, with Ian Docherty and Josh Warburton on guitars and Danny Miles and Dani Nash on drums. Its line-up also includes Peter Dreams. The band releases music on Sleepless Records.

Style and approach

The band’s sound is described as blues rock, indie rock and rock, with a strong emphasis on contrast, tension and precise but chaotic performance. Its music draws on whiskey-soaked blues rock on its self-titled debut EP, dance-rock on Touch, and a more reflective approach on Pray For It.

Formation and early context

Peter Dreimanis returns to Toronto after a final European tour with another band and meets Leah Fay Goldstein in a basement bar. After hearing her sing and play acoustic guitar, he looks for her the next day and the two go on to found July Talk.

Live work and visual art

July Talk develops a reputation for its live performances and for detailed visual work as video directors. The band creates a distinctive black-and-white aesthetic and works with balletic live projections, including for a pandemic drive-in show.

Collaborations and advocacy

The group collaborates with Tanya Tagaq, Born Ruffians and Jasmyn. It also develops Love Lives Here posters, translated into twelve languages, as part of its work on safer, decolonized spaces at rock shows.

Recordings

The band’s recorded output includes its self-titled debut EP, Touch and Pray For It. A later album, Remember Never Before, follows these releases.